New Delhi: Happy Friendship Day! It is time to bring out the friendship bands and special gifts to celebrate this day, that's observed on the first Sunday of August. To mark the importance of the most beautiful relationship in the world, Friendship Day is celebrated every year.
Date
International Friendship Day is celebrated annually on July 30. However, countries like Bangladesh, Malaysia, United Arab Emirates and United States mark Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August every year.
History
Friendship Day is celebrated across several countries. It was first proposed in Paraguay in 1958 as International Friendship Day. It is, however, known to have originated from Hallmark cards, by Joyce Hall, in 1930.
The United Nations finally declared July 30 as the official International Friendship Day. In India; however, it is usually celebrated on the first Sunday of the month of August.
Significance
The day is significant in so many ways. What would we be without that one friend who makes life so much easier? Besides, the United Nations said that the world is faced with many challenges, including, poverty, violence, and human rights abuses. These issues undermine peace, security, development and social harmony among the people across the globe.