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WedApr 10

National Siblings Day – April 10, 2024

Our siblings are our family, and they are a huge part of our lives – that’s why we celebrate them on National Siblings Day every April 10! The holiday is also known as ‘World Siblings Day.’ Siblings are our best friends and sometimes our worst enemies. Our siblings encourage us to be our best, embarrass us, and be our biggest motivators and competitors. It’s now growing into a nationwide day of both remembrance and celebration. Three U.S. presidents have recognized the event — most recently, President Obama in 2016. The “Siblings Day Foundation”, sponsors of this day, gained non-profit status in 1999. They are working on establishing a United Nations resolution for an International Siblings Day.

When is National Siblings Day 2024?

National Siblings Day 2021 will take place on April 10. The day celebrates and strengthens the bond shared by siblings.

History of National Siblings Day

Hindu peoples celebrate Raksha Bandhan to celebrate the bond between brothers and sisters. In Raksha Bandhan, Hindu women tie a band around their brother’s wrists, symbolizing that the sister will protect them. The brothers give a gift in return, both agreeing to protect and care for each other. The festival has ancient origins but is still popular to this day — it is the earliest known celebration of siblings!

Claudia Evart created the US holiday in 1995 after losing her brother and sister at a very early age. She realized what an important role siblings have in our lives, so she created the holiday to honor the memory of her siblings. For the holiday, Claudia chose April 10 — her late sister Lisette’s birthday. Mother’s Day has been around since 1907, and Father’s Day has been around since 1910. This makes almost 100 years without a day honoring our siblings!

Claudia founded the “Siblings Day Foundation” which continues to spread the mission of honoring our siblings. The foundation is working to make the holiday federally recognized in the United states, and are working on establishing an International Siblings Day through the United Nations. Since 1998, 49 states have issued gubernatorial proclamations to observe this day on April 10; three US presidents have recognized the holiday.

Sibling love is global — Australia, India, and Spain are only a few of the countries that celebrate Siblings Day. In Europe, National Siblings Day is celebrated as Brothers and Sisters Day on May 31. The President of the Republic of Portugal has even recognized Siblings Day as a holiday!

National Siblings Day timeline

400 B.C.
The First Celebration of Siblings

Hindus begin celebrating Raksha Bandhan in reverence of their brothers and sisters.

1903
Siblings Make History

The Wright Brothers made the first successful airplane.

1997
Can’t Stop a Non-Profit

Claudia Evart created the non-profit “Siblings Day Foundation” in honor of her late brother and sister.

2016
Presidential Recognition

President Obama recognizes National Siblings Day.

National Siblings Day - Survey Results

According to a top Millennial Marketing Agency:

ADDITIONAL INSIGHTS

AMERICANS WITHOUT SIBLINGS ARE PERFECTLY HAPPY THAT WAY
When asked whether they would prefer to have siblings or be an only child, 38% of sibling-less Americans said they are perfectly happy without siblings. Only 12% of Americans with siblings would prefer to be an only child.

WOMEN PREFER TO BE THE YOUNGEST CHILD; MEN WOULD RATHER BE THE OLDEST
35% of women would prefer to be the youngest child, 34% the oldest, 17% the middle child, and 14% an only child. Meanwhile, 40% of men would prefer to be the oldest child, 24% the youngest, 20% the middle child, and 16% an only child.

Traditions

Behind every tradition is a great story. National Siblings Day traditions vary for everyone. Sibling rivalries, inside jokes, and experiences that only siblings can relate to are all part of the day’s celebrations. Later in life, these memories become traditions; recreating a recipe from childhood, bringing out the photo albums with baby photographs, visiting places that hold meaning, and calling each other by strange nicknames. 

 

Although siblings often feel as though the other is cramping their style, brothers and sisters spend more time together on this day. They go out to their favorite eatery, take drives together, go to an arcade to revisit childhood memories, and do other activities to show how much they actually adore each other, without getting too mushy about it. 

 

Another popular tradition in the past few years is recreating childhood photos. The outfits and poses from a memorable photograph are re-enacted and posted on social media.

By The Numbers

33% – the percentage of free time siblings have spent together by the time they reach the age of 11 years old.

 

10 – the number of hours children spend with their siblings per week.

 

17 – the number of hours children from large families spend with their siblings per week.

 

½ – the portion of all siblings who go on to share the same level of educational and economic success.

 

14% – the percentage decrease in the risk of obesity with each additional sibling in a household.

 

65% – the percentage of mothers who claim to have a favorite child — typically the oldest one.

 

70% – the percentage of fathers who claim to have a favorite child.

 

3½ – the number of times in an hour that siblings aged between three and seven years old get involved in fights.

 

390 – the number of families who participated in a research study that found younger siblings are more rebellious and aggressive than older siblings.

 

8 – the average age at which children start being bullied by their siblings.

National Siblings Day FAQs

Is National Siblings Day a real holiday?

You might not get the day off of work, but that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t celebrate! We should always express our appreciation for our siblings but having a day to remind us certainly doesn’t hurt. Give your sibling some love!

Is there a brother's Day?

National Brother’s Day is celebrated every year on May 24 in United States. This day was founded by C. Daniel Rhodes of Alabama to celebrate brothers and their strong bond. It is a great opportunity to recognize and honor the brothers in our lives.

Is there a national oldest child day?

The oldest children get the spotlight more so than usual on October 20. Being the oldest child means a lot of responsibility, so we celebrate them on this holiday!

How To Celebrate National Siblings Day 2021

  1. Post a childhood shot on social media

    Remember that time you cut their hair while they were sleeping? Shouldn't everyone see it? Sharing childhood photos and memories will absolutely bring a smile to their face — and who knows, they may post some of their own memories!

  2. Send your sibling a handwritten note

    Give your sibling that warm and fuzzy feeling! A heartfelt text can make their day, but seeing the effort that you put into a handwritten note can really make them smile. Plus, who doesn’t love opening a thoughtful, hand-picked card?

  3. Share a top 10 list

    Write down a list of the top 10 things you love about your siblings or great memories you’ve experienced with them. Share it with your sibling or on social media and give them a shout-out. It’ll delight you as you’re writing it and it will certainly remind your sibling of just how special your relationship is.

5 FACTS ABOUT SIBLINGS THAT WILL SURPRISE YOU

  1. Older is wiser

    Firstborns tend to have an academic advantage over their younger siblings. So unfair, right? But…

  2. Younger is funnier

    According to a recent Harvard study, younger siblings have a better sense of humor than their older siblings.ds

  3. Dating gets easier

    Studies have shown having a sibling of the opposite sex makes you more attractive to the opposite sex when dating. Score!

  4. If you’re younger, you might be shorter

    A study of British families found that in families with multiple children, the younger children tend to be about an inch shorter on average.

  5. Birds of a feather

    Birth order matters! If you’re a middle child, you’re more likely to marry a middle child; if you’re the oldest, you’re likely to marry an oldest child.

Why We Love National Siblings Day

  1. They just know you

    Your siblings grew up with you and have seen you at your worst and at your best. They were there when you decided to cut your own hair… and when they had to help you fix it. Your siblings were by your side when your crush rejected you. Your brothers and sisters understand you — and they love you no matter what.

  2. Words of wisdom

    If you’re a younger sibling, you look to your older sibling to show you the ways of the world. Sure, mom and dad teach you things, but there’s nothing like the wisdom our siblings impart upon us. They teach you the secret sibling knowledge that parents just can’t.

  3. You have so much in common

    DNA is cool! The same genetic material that went into making you went into making your siblings. Sometimes, you might feel like your sibling is from another planet, but you share about 50% of the same genetic makeup.

National Siblings Day dates

YearDateDay
2024April 10Wednesday
2025April 10Thursday
2026April 10Friday
2027April 10Saturday
2028April 10Monday

Let’s get social

Here are some special hashtags for the day.

#Siblings #SiblingDayIdeas #SiblingFriendship #SiblingRivalry #BrothersAndSisters #SiblingsDay #NationalSiblingsDay

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