National Child's Day – November 20, 2023

History of National Child's Day

On this day in 1959, the U.N. General Assembly adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child — a document that discusses the rights due to children. In 1989 on the same day, the U.N. General Assembly ratified the Convention on the Rights of the Child. That is why November 20 was chosen as the date for National Child’s Day.

In 1995, Lee Rechter, a retired school counselor, set out to create National Child’s Day. She desired to see a day that honored children. In 2001, this dream came to life. President George W. Bush signed a one-time proclamation for the United States to observe the day on June 3. This presidential declaration proposed supporting children in their endeavors from their early days. And even though it was initiated as a single-day observance, it aimed to nurture and uphold the belief that all children regardless of their background deserve to have the same opportunities. However, Rechter continued to seek resolution for the observance. She finally succeeded and for the next seven years on Sunday in early June, the President proclaimed National Child’s Day.

Later in 2009 when President Barack Obama took office, he changed the observance to November. Each year since then, National Child’s Day has been observed on November 20 at a time when children are attending school and surrounded by their families.

National Child’s Day offers each of us an appropriate entry-point to advocate, promote, and celebrate children’s rights, and engage in dialogues and actions that will build a better world for children.