"Children are the living messages we send to a time we will not see."
While there are many dates around the world on which countries celebrate Children's Day - there are even multiple recognized dates in the United States alone - the second Sunday in June is generally known as National Children’s Day in the United States, and this year will fall on Sunday, June 10.
A day to honor the children in our lives, National Children’s Day is a time to slow down our fast paced lives, turn off the tech and refocus on the important things. Taking one day may not be enough, but using it as an opportunity to redirect our family’s lives may be an important step in the life of a child.
Believe it or not, Children's Day observations in the United State actually predate both Mother's and Father's Day. A reverend by the name of Dr. Charles Leonard of the Universalist Church of the Redeemer in Chelsea, Massachusetts, started Children’s Day all the way back in 1856 as a special day to baptize children.
Originally named 'Rose Day' by Dr, Leonard, it was late changed to 'Flower Sunday', and then finally to Children's Day. In 1995, President Clinton proclaimed National Children’s Day as October 8, later followed by President Bush in 2001 who declared the first Sunday in June as National Child’s Day. Generally however, National Children’s Day is always celebrated the second Sunday in June.
National Children's Day is not just a day to celebrate children for who they are, but to bring awareness to children around the globe that have experienced violence in forms of abuse, exploitation and discrimination. Children are used as laborers in some countries, immersed in armed conflict or living on the streets.
Children's Days around the world have been established to encourage all countries to institute a day firstly to promote mutual exchange and understanding among children, and secondly to initiate action to benefit and promote the welfare of the world's children.
Children’s day is a day of the year to commemorate our most valuable resource, our children, and ensure that they are given the tools they need to not only survive, but also to thrive in our society. They are the most important part of our history, our present and, most importantly, our future.
As Canadia-American chemist and author Orlando Aloysius Battista famously stated:
"The best inheritance a parent can give his children is a few minutes of his time each day."
Imagine the potential of an entire day?
Written by Steve Connors
steve@beyondbeanie.org
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