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TueFeb 11

National Make a Friend Day – February 11, 2025

To paraphrase Yeats: “There are no strangers in the world, just friends you have never met.” We must never stop making friends. That’s why National Make a Friend Day is so important. A new friendship can open you to new experiences. Friends can help us through challenging times. They provide us with the comfort of a safe emotional space where we can be ourselves. Good friends are our biggest treasure. Make a special effort on February 11 to meet (or at least talk to) someone new. Your life could change forever.

National Make a Friend Day timeline

2016
The longest friendship bracelet

The longest friendship bracelet measures 2,166 feet. Benchmark Senior Living created it.

2011
Friends around the world

A survey revealed that Malaysians had the most buddies in online social networks, while Japanese had the fewest. The research spanned 46 countries.

1599
"Julius Caesar": When friendships go bad

A stark reminder that friendships can turn rather ugly.

8,000 BC
Man's best friend

Archaeologists found dog burial sites that are 10,000 years old.

National Make a Friend Day Activities

  1. Flash a smile and say "Hello"

    Make a friend. In fact, try for as many as you can.

  2. Revive old friendships

    Out of touch with your college buddies? Has it been too long since you talked to your childhood friend? Maybe today's the day!

  3. Understand that friendship is a sweet responsibility

    Friendships need to be nurtured and valued. If you cherish a person, sometimes you have to work at keeping them in your life.

5 Cheerful Facts About Friends

  1. Animals make the best friends

    Studies show that whales have BFFs, while other animals like chimpanzees, baboons, horses, elephants, and dolphins make friends — not necessarily from their own species

  2. How many friendships last?

    A survey shows that only one out of 12 friendships last. But we have nothing to worry about because an average person makes about 396 friends in their lifetime!

  3. "Friends" was not the original name

    The show was originally called "Insomnia Café." We like "Friends" much better!

  4. The "Cheerleader Effect"

    It's a thing: Hanging out with a group of friends can make you look more attractive.

  5. We pick them by genes

    Odd but true: Very often, friends seem to have a similar genetic make up.

Why We Love National Make a Friend Day

  1. It encourages us to make new friends

    Life can get monotonous and sometimes we need a push to make a new friend. This holiday is a great excuse.

  2. Friends are important for our emotional health

    A Harvard study shows that people with more friends are happier and less stressed than those who have few or no friends.

  3. It keeps us from being lonely

    Life's too long to walk alone; you need a friend or two!

National Make a Friend Day dates

YearDateDay
2025February 11Tuesday
2026February 11Wednesday
2027February 11Thursday
2028February 11Friday
2029February 11Sunday

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