Human beings are social creatures and have always
valued the importance of friends in their lives. To celebrate this noble
feeling it was deemed fit to have a day dedicated to friends and
friendship. Accordingly,
first Sunday of August was
declared as a holiday in US in honor of friends by a Proclamation made
by US Congress in 1935. Since then, World Friendship Day is being
celebrated every year on the first Sunday in the month of August.
This beautiful idea of celebrating Friendship Day was joyfully accepted
by several other countries across the world. And today, many countries
including India, celebrate the first Sunday of August as Friendship Day
every year. Celebrating Friendship Day in a traditional manner, people
meet their friends and exchange cards and flowers to honor their
friends. Lot many social and cultural organization too celebrate the
occasion and mark Friendship Day by hosting programs and get together.
It may be noted that some associations celebrate Friendship Day in an
entirely different time of the year and with different customs. For
instance,
- National Friendship Day is on the first Sunday
in August.
- Women's Friendship Day is on the third Sunday
in August
- International Friendship Month is February
- Old Friends, New Friends Week is the third week
of May
However, what is remarkably same is the idea behind the celebration of
the day. Everywhere, people express love for their friends and cherish
their presence in life.