Got an idea for a holiday? Send it to us

Submit Now

April1–7

Golden Rule Week – April 1-7, 2025

Golden Rule Week is celebrated from April 1 to April 7 — to ponder, retell, and act on the saying that has been around thousands of years ago. Do you know that a form of the golden rule was uttered by the great Chinese sage, Confucius? That makes the rule older than Christianity itself. The golden rule generally states that people should do unto others as they want others to do unto them. And what rule can better depict a loving society than that?

History of Golden Rule Week

Although it is generally associated with the Bible — given that Christianity is now the world’s most popular religion — the golden rule dates back many millennia before Christianity’s founder, Jesus Christ. Not only that, but practically all of the world’s religions have proclaimed the law in clear terms or parables. The golden rule has been stated by philosophers and great sages throughout history. Buddha and Confucius for example, have their versions. Even though the wordings of the rule differ from religion to religion and sage to sage, the integral meaning remains the same. Perhaps, that is why it was named the ‘golden rule.’

The first week of April is singled out to be the days in which the golden rule should be pondered upon. This was first inspired by the 2005 awareness exhibit showing Pope John Paul II and a number of the Jewish people — so we can say that the holiday has been on people’s minds for more than a decade, even though it wasn’t celebrated at the time. This week is almost inextricably linked to April 5, which is known around the world as Golden Rule Day. While Golden Rule Day is only one day long, Golden Rule Week is seven days long. Imagine what may be accomplished in only a few days!

As all those who have purported it before wanted, the Golden Rule Week is generally used to inculcate the virtue of empathy in us. Being empathetic is a virtue preached by all religions and schools, and so, the holiday is one that quite guides us to a generally accepted concept by all beliefs. Perhaps, this week, we will learn to be more loving and accommodating of one another.

Golden Rule Week timeline

6th Century B.C.
Confucius Preached It

The famous Chinese sage sums up his teachings with the golden rule.

70 A.D.
Mentioned in the Bible

The Golden Rule is mentioned in the King James version of the Book of Matthew.

1604
An Author Points to It

Charles Gibbon calls "Do unto others…" the golden rule.

1827
The “Book of Mormon” States It

Joseph Smith's “Book of Mormon” states the golden rule.

Golden Rule Week FAQs

Is the golden rule a quote?

It depends. If you are a religious person, then according to your belief, the golden rule is more than a quote — it is a commandment. However, if you look at it from the general point of view, it’s merely a wise quote/saying, although a great one.

Why should we live by the golden rule?

Simply because it increases the bond between us, the love we have for each other, the concern we show for each other, and in conclusion, it makes the world a peaceful and equitable place.

Is the golden rule still relevant today?

Generally, it should be even in the next century. However, if this question denotes whether it is practiced as it should be, then the answer is no. One man’s success largely depends on another’s failure. In the case of a contest, which is what we see in all things today, the golden rule is thrown into the litter bin.

Golden Rule Week Activities

  1. Start by wishing others well

    Change that pessimistic wish for people and turn a new leaf. Wish well for others as you would yourself.

  2. Practice it

    Don't just chant the golden rule, point towards and practice it with genuine actions. This will help you become a better person.

  3. Change your mindset

    If you are the type that relishes seeing others in anguish — change. Change your mindset and wish for others the happiness you want for yourself.

5 Interesting Facts About Empathy

  1. It is not synonymous with sympathy

    People mistake sympathy for empathy and vice versa.

  2. It is inherent in humans

    All humans have the capacity of being empathetic.

  3. It can be learned

    Humans can learn empathy.

  4. It is not automatic

    Empathy isn't an automatic feeling in some contexts.

  5. It can be selfish

    Empathizing can be done selfishly.

Why We Love Golden Rule Week

  1. It is a virtue

    Treating others the way one wants to be treated is a trait everyone should have. Virtues like the golden rule should be inherent in us.

  2. It promotes empathy

    To want for others what we want for ourselves makes us understand how people feel about some things. Consequently, we are more considerate to them.

  3. It increases love

    When we find our neighbor means well for us as they do themselves, we tend to love them more and vice versa. This will assist in the development of a healthy and loving relationship with them.

Golden Rule Week dates

Year Date Day
2025 April 1 Tuesday
2026 April 1 Wednesday
2027 April 1 Thursday
2028 April 1 Saturday
2029 April 1 Sunday
April
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
 
 
Be Kind to Spiders Week
Golden Rule Week
International Pooper Scooper Week
Laugh at Work Week
Medication Safety Week
Testicular Cancer Awareness Week
April Fools' Day
Assyrian New Year
Boomer Bonus Days
Cyprus National Holiday
Edible Book Day
Fossil Fools Day
International Fun at Work Day
International Tatting Day
Library Snap Shot Day
Lupus Alert Day
Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month
Myles Day
National Connor Day
National Fun Day
National Greeting Card Day
National Loyal Day
National One Cent Day
National Sexual Assault Awareness Month's Day of Action
National Sourdough Bread Day
National Trombone Players Day
Nickelodeon Anniversary Celebration Day
Odisha Day
Reading is Funny Day
SAAM Day of Action
St. Stupid Day
Take Down Tobacco National Day of Action
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
U.S. Air Force Academy Day
Adopt a Ferret Month
Adopt a Greyhound Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Autism Acceptance Month
Bowel Cancer Awareness Month
Brussels Sprouts and Cabbage Month
Cancer Control Month
Canine Fitness Month
Celebrate Diversity Month
Cesarean Awareness Month
Child Abuse Awareness Month
Children and Nature Awareness Month
Counseling Awareness Month
Couple Appreciation Month
Cranberries and Gooseberries Month
Deaf History Month
Defeat Diabetes Month
Distracted Driving Awareness Month
Dog Appreciation Month
Earth Month
Emotional Overeating Awareness Month
Fair Housing Month
Filipino Food Month
Financial Capability Month
Financial Literacy Month
Fresh Florida Tomato Month
Genocide Awareness Month
Global Astronomy Month
Global Child Nutrition Month
Grange Month
Heartworm Awareness Month
IBS Month
Informed Women Month
International Amateur Radio Month
International Customer Loyalty Month
International Guitar Month
Jazz Appreciation Month
Keep America Beautiful Month
Month of the Military Child
Move More Month
Multicultural Communications Month
Multiple Birth Awareness Month
National African-American Women's Fitness Month
National Alcohol Awareness Month
National BLT Sandwich Month
National Car Care Month
National Card and Letter Writing Month
National Decorating Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Food Month
National Foot Health Awareness Month
National Fresh Celery Month
National Frog Month
National Garlic Month
National Grilled Cheese Month
National Humor Month
National Internship Awareness Month
National Kite Month
National Knuckles Down Month
National Literature Month
National Minority Health Month
National Month of Hope
National Pecan Month
National Pest Management Month
National Pet First Aid Awareness Month
National Poetry Month
National Rebuilding Month
National Safe Digging Month
National Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
National Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs) Education and Awareness Month
National Sjogren's Syndrome Awareness Month
National Social Security Month
National Soft Pretzel Month
National Soy Foods Month
National Volunteer Month
National Welding Month
National Woodworking Month
National Youth Sports Safety Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Panagyaman Rice Festival
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parkinson's Awareness Month
Parliamentary Law Month
Pharmacists War on Diabetes Month
Physical Wellness Month
Poetic Earth Month
Prevent Lyme Disease in Dogs Month
Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
Primary Immunodeficiency Month
Records and Information Management Month
Records and Information Management Month
Rosacea Awareness Month
Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
School Library Month
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Sports Eye Safety Awareness Month
Step up for 30 For Bowel Cancer Month
STI Awareness Month
Straw Hat Month
Stress Awareness Month
Summer Tire Changeover Month
SunSmart Skin Cancer Prevention
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month
Tomatillo and Asian Pear Month
Women's Eye Health and Safety Month
Workplace Conflict Awareness Month
World Autism Month
World Landscape Architecture Month
Worldwide Bereaved Spouses Awareness Month

Holidays Straight to Your Inbox

Every day is a holiday!
Receive fresh holidays directly to your inbox.