History of Friendship Day

Friendship Day was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark card in 1919 intended to be on 2nd of August as a day when people celebrated their friendships by sending cards. Unsurprisingly it met with consumer resistance as it was simply a commercial gimmick to promote greeting cards. Later the United States Congress in 1935 decided to celebrate this day to honor the relationship of friendship.

Since that year, “Friendship Day” is celebrated in US with great enthusiasm with day long events and parties with numerous activities to enjoy. In honor of Friendship Day in 1998, Nane Annan, wife of United Nations Secretary-General Kofi Annan, embraced the admired cartoon Winnie the Pooh as the world s Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations.
Though initially a part of only westerns culture as time passed by, many other countries realized the importance of this day, and inculcated “Friendship Day” as an important festival to be celebrated. On 27 April 2011 the General Assembly of the United Nations declared 30th of July as official International Friendship Day. However, most countries, including India celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday of August.

Importance Of Friendship

According to “Bible”: Bible, greatly referred text, observes Friendship as a very important bond and connection that is the basis of trust, companionship and faith. The following verse signifies this importance:


According to Mahabharata: In the famous Hindu epic of Mahabharata, Lord Krishna specify the importance of friendship and its components, which are affection, romance, brotherhood, protection, guidance, intimacy and even teasing.