Children's Day is an annual celebration in several countries around the world in honour of children. The celebration of Children's Day varies from country to country. Children's Day (Kodomo no hi) in Japan is celebrated annually on May 5. This year, Children's Day 2024 in Japan falls on Sunday. The phrase "Kodomo no hi" means Children's Day in Japan. It is a national public holiday and festival celebrated to honour children, appreciate their strengths and praise their achievements.

Children's Day often serves as a reminder to uphold and promote the rights of children. The day highlights the importance of ensuring that every child has access to education, healthcare, protection from harm, and opportunities to thrive. In 1925, International Children's Day was first proclaimed in Geneva during the World Conference on Child Welfare. Since 1950, it is celebrated on June 1 in many Second World countries.

In India, Children’s Day is celebrated on November 14, on the birth anniversary of Pandit Jawaharlal Nehru. It is also called Bal Diwas. 

World Children's Day is celebrated on November 20 to commemorate the Declaration of the Rights of the Child by the UN General Assembly on November 29, 1959. In the U.S., Children's Day is celebrated on the second Sunday of June. It also marks the whole week as the Family Week in the US. In some countries, it is Children's Week and not Children's Day.  In Germany, Children's Day is celebrated on June 1, in Mexico, the occasion is known as ‘El Dia Del Nino’ and is marked on April 30 while in Singapore, October 1 marks the Children’s Day with various festivities.

Other countries celebrated Children’s Day throughout the year.  In New Zealand, Children's Day is celebrated on March 6, in China it is celebrated on April 4, in Turkey it is April 23, April 30 in Mexico, May 8 in Spain; June 1 in Albania, Cambodia, Ecuador, Lebanon, Mongolia, Portugal, Russia, Tajikistan, Ukraine, July 23 in Indonesia; November 20 in Canada, France, Greece, Israel, Spain, Sweden.

Children’s Day provides an opportunity for families to come together and spend quality time with their children. Many Children's Day celebrations involve family-oriented activities and events, strengthening the bond between parents and children.

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on May 05, 2024 12:02 AM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).