{"id":13033,"date":"2023-07-19T10:00:00","date_gmt":"2023-07-19T10:00:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.adventurebook.com\/connect\/?p=13033&preview=true&preview_id=13033"},"modified":"2023-08-01T20:21:48","modified_gmt":"2023-08-01T20:21:48","slug":"international-friendship-day","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.adventurebook.com\/connect\/international-friendship-day\/","title":{"rendered":"20 Ways to Celebrate International Friendship Day"},"content":{"rendered":"\n
International Friendship Day, recognized annually on July 30th, gives us a day to celebrate the friendships we\u2019ve made throughout our lifetime. Family aside, friendships are some of the first and longest-lasting relationships we develop. These bonds can tell us what kind of person we are, what we value, what we\u2019ve been through, and what the future may look like for us. As important as these ties are, they deserve to be commemorated with something special, don\u2019t you think?<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From a game night to a full-blown party, a statewide road trip to a globe-trotting adventure, an International Friendship Day celebration should show appreciation for the special person or people who have been by your side for all the playful and pivotal moments in your life. We\u2019ve got 20 ideas to help you show your pals just how much they mean to you while you create even more memories together!<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While International Friendship Day is a fairly new concept that’s still catching on, its origins began back on July 20th, 1958, in Puerto Pinasco, Paraguay. During a dinner out with friends and colleagues, Dr. Ramon Artemio Bracho proposed the idea of celebrating similar relationships around the world. By the end of the meal, the group founded the World Crusade of Friendship, and it became their mission to ensure that friendships were annually recognized at the end of July. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Much to the credit of Dr. Bracho and his dinner companions, the first World Friendship Day was a hit! And “D\u00eda de la Amistad” has been celebrated on 30th July in Paraguay ever since. But the world friendship crusade didn’t stop there. Since its inception, the organization has remained determined to see to it that human beings across the globe had a holiday to celebrate the special bonds between human beings. For decades, they lobbied the UN to turn their idyllic vision into an official proclamation.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Fast forward to 1919, when J.C. Hall, founder of Hallmark greeting cards, began to encourage the idea of celebrating friendship by exchanging gifts and (of course!) greeting cards on the first Sunday in August. Although some balked at the proposal, considering it a mere scheme to get people to purchase more items from Hallmark, others got behind the sentiment. In 1935, the United States Congress proclaimed the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Commercial ploy or heartfelt sentiment, Hall’s move might have helped the World Crusade of Friendship, which held steadfast to its universal mission. Inroads were made, as evidenced by the fact that, in 1997, Mrs. Nane Annan, wife of then United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, declared Winnie the Pooh as Ambassador of Friendship on Friendship Day.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Finally, on July 27, 2011, 53 years after Dr. Bracho’s dinner, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared July 30th “International Friendship Day.” The world’s ambassadors of friendship got their day! <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Today, International Friendship Day is celebrated in various ways, and nearly every country has its own version of the holiday (which is actually quite special). On December 6th, India and Bangladesh honor the relationship between their countries on Friendship Day. The Republic of the Philippines observes Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day on July 30th to honor the cultural ties between the Philippines and Spain. In Ecuador, Mexico, Venezuela, Finland, Estonia, and the Dominican Republic, February 14th (Valentine’s Day) is recognized as Friendship Day to encourage love among everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
International Friendship Day was intended to encourage relationships between people, regardless of lifestyles, country, and culture, and to promote peace and bridge-building between communities. The UN recommends that people use the International Day of Friendship to hold events, including public awareness-raising activities, to promote mutual understanding.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The official proclamation came after a proposal made by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization as part of its peace efforts. UNESCO defines a “Culture of Peace”<\/a> as “a set of values, attitudes, and behaviors that reject violence and endeavor to prevent conflicts by addressing their root causes with a view to solving problems.” <\/p>\n\n\n\n This special day brings to mind the value of the friendships we have and reminds us that, when we come together, we can accomplish our goals. It encourages us to extend our circles and welcome new people to our fold, and it promotes a peaceful planet.<\/p>\n\n\n\n There are many ways, both big and small, to mark International Friendship Day. It can mean making a conscious effort to offer kind words to acquaintances, get together with friends, or start a community outreach initiative. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Take time to celebrate those around you, and have a little fun! Whether that is with people you have known forever, people you’ve recently met, or someone you’ve reconnected with, it is important to take the time to do something with and for each other. <\/p>\n\n\n\n Here are some ways that you can celebrate: <\/p>\n\n\n\n Want a little more adventure? There’s no time like the present! Adventures from Scratch: Friends Edition<\/em><\/a> contains over 50 activities to do with your friends, ranging from quick and easy things you can do at home to full-on outdoor expeditions. In addition to the other interactive features within each book, you and your best buds will love the element of surprise, as you decide on a page and reveal your International Friendship Day adventure! Grab a copy, and pick up a few extras to gift to your favorite people.<\/p>\n\n\n\nHow do you celebrate International Friendship Day?<\/strong><\/h2>\n\n\n\n
1. Scratch-Off an adventure<\/strong>!<\/h3>\n\n\n\n