UN International Day of Friendship 2025: Date, theme, history, significance — all you need to know
The day highlights the value of friendship among peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals in bridging gaps and promoting peace.
It was established by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, with day being observed on July 30th to promote discussion, mutual understanding, and reconciliation via various activities and initiatives.
In 2025, it will be marked on Wednesday, July 30, 2025, highlighting that real harmony is built not just in negotiation halls or by writing treaties, but thread by thread in the trust we extend to one another in everyday life.
It was followed by UNESCO's proposal, which defined the Culture of Peace as a collection of beliefs, attitudes, and behaviours rejecting violence, which strived to prevent conflicts by addressing their core causes. This was later approved by the UN General Assembly in 1997.
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The International Day of Friendship was established with the belief that friendships may inspire peace initiatives and restore gaps between communities. It focuses on involving young people in community activities which incorporate diverse cultures, thereby promoting global awareness and respect for diversity.
To commemorate International Day of Friendship, the United Nations encourages governments, international organisations, and civil society groups to hold events, activities, and initiatives that support the international community's efforts to promote civilisational dialogue, solidarity, mutual understanding, and reconciliation.
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Time of India
4 hours ago
- Time of India
Friendship Day 2025: 35 best Friendship Day quotes by famous authors that will make you emotional
Credit:CANVA Our friends play a huge role in being our guide, mentors, shoulder to lean on in times of trouble, and subtly shaping us into the person that we are today. And so, it is aptly said, "Friends are the family we choose". While not related by blood, most people share a deep bond with their closest friends. And so, to honour and celebrate such friends in our lives, Friendships Day is celebrated each year. It is a special occasion dedicated to celebrating the bond of friendship. It's a day to express gratitude, love, and appreciation for our friends who stand by us through thick and thin. On this day, people exchange friendship bands, gifts, messages, and spend time with their closest companions to honour the role friendships play in enriching our lives. When is Friendship Day celebrated? While the essence of Friendship Day remains the same, is often celebrated on different dates in different countries. In India and many other countries, Friendship Day is celebrated on the first Sunday of August every year. And so, in 2025, it falls on August 3rd. However, some countries observe it on different dates. For instance, July 30th is officially recognized as International Friendship Day by the United Nations. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Angelina Jolie's Son Used To Be Adorable, Now He Looks Insane Undo History of Friendship Day Friendship Day traces its origins back to 1930, when it was first proposed by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards. It was initially observed in the United States as a day for people to send greeting cards to friends. Over the years, the idea faded in popularity in the U.S. but became popular in other countries like India, Bangladesh, and parts of South America. In 2011, the United Nations officially recognized July 30 as International Friendship Day to promote peace, bridge cultures, and foster understanding between peoples and communities. Credit:CANVA To help you wish your dear friends on this special day, here we list some of the best Friendship Day quotes by famous authors that will make you and your friend emotional: 1. 'It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them.'- Ralph Waldo Emerson 2. 'My best friend is the man who, in wishing me well, wishes it for my sake.'- Aristotle 3. 'Don't walk in front of me… I may not follow Don't walk behind me… I may not lead Walk beside me… just be my friend'― Albert Camus 4. 'Good friends, good books, and a sleepy conscience: this is the ideal life.'― Mark Twain 5. 'Friendship ... is born at the moment when one man says to another "What! You too? I thought that no one but myself . . .'― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves 6. 'There is nothing I would not do for those who are really my friends. I have no notion of loving people by halves, it is not my nature.'― Jane Austen, Northanger Abbey 7. 'If you live to be a hundred, I want to live to be a hundred minus one day so I never have to live without you.'― Joan Powers, Pooh's Little Instruction Book 8. 'Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art.... It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things which give value to survival.'― C.S. Lewis, The Four Loves 9. "A friend is someone who knows all about you and still loves you." – Elbert Hubbard 10. "Friends are the family you choose." – Jess C. Scott 11. "Friendship is the only cement that will ever hold the world together." – Woodrow Wilson 12. "Friendship multiplies the good of life and divides the evil." – Baltasar Gracián 13. "There is nothing better than a friend, unless it is a friend with chocolate." – Linda Grayson 14. "Friendship is unnecessary, like philosophy, like art… It has no survival value; rather it is one of those things that give value to survival." – C.S. Lewis 15. "A single rose can be my garden… a single friend, my world." – Leo Buscaglia 16. "No friendship is an accident." – O. Henry 17. "In the sweetness of friendship let there be laughter, and sharing of pleasures." – Khalil Gibran 18. "Friendship is a sheltering tree." – Samuel Taylor Coleridge 19. "It's not what we have in life, but who we have in our life that matters." – J.M. Laurence 20. "I would rather walk with a friend in the dark than alone in the light." – Helen Keller 21. "True friends are always together in spirit." – L.M. Montgomery 22. There are no strangers here; only friends you haven't yet met." – William Butler Yeats 23. "A true friend is forever a friend." – George MacDonald 24. Of all possessions a friend is the most precious." – Herodotus 25. "Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive." – Anaïs Nin 26. "It takes a long time to grow an old friend." – John Leonard 27. "A loyal friend laughs at your jokes when they're not so good, and sympathizes with your problems when they're not so bad." – Arnold H. Glasow 28. "Friends are those rare people who ask how you are and then wait to hear the answer." – Ed Cunningham 29. "Life is partly what we make it, and partly what it is made by the friends we choose." – Tennessee Williams 30. "Friendship is the golden thread that ties the heart of all the world." – John Evelyn 31. "One loyal friend is worth ten thousand relatives." – Euripides 32. "Friends are the siblings God never gave us." – Mencius 33. "To the world you may be just one person, but to one person you may be the world." – Brandi Snyder 34. "A friend is what the heart needs all the time." – Henry Van Dyke 35. "Be slow to fall into friendship; but when thou art in, continue firm and constant." – Socrates Friendship day 2017: classic friendship quotes by authors Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
Time of India
15 hours ago
- Time of India
Friendship Day 2025: Why is it celebrated on first Sunday of August?
Friendship Day 2025: Friendship is one of life's most cherished relationships. From standing by our side during tough times to creating joyful memories together, friends truly make life beautiful. In India, people celebrate Friendship Day with great warmth and excitement every year on the first Sunday of August. In 2025, this special day falls on 3rd August Let's look at the date, history, and importance of Friendship Day 2025. This day is a special celebration around the world. Why is Friendship Day Celebrated on the First Sunday of August in India? Unlike many fixed-date holidays, people celebrate Friendship Day in India on the first Sunday of August every year. This tradition allows people to celebrate without the stress of work or school. Sundays are usually holidays. No official Indian history links to this date. However, it is a great time for social gatherings. People enjoy heartfelt reunions and outdoor fun with friends, especially during the lively monsoon season. History of Friendship Day: How It All Began Friendship Day started in the 1930s in the United States. The US Congress proposed it to honour friendships and promote peace and goodwill. In the 1950s, Joyce Hall, who started Hallmark Cards, made the idea of a friendship day popular. Over time, this heartfelt tradition crossed borders and reached various parts of the world. In 2011, the United Nations declared July 30th as the International Day of Friendship. This day aims to promote unity and kindness among different cultures and communities. How Friendship Day is Celebrated in India The UN's Friendship Day is on July 30th. However, in India, people celebrate it on the first Sunday of August. The focus is on personal bonds instead of global unity. People across the country express love for their friends through warm messages, gifts, friendship bands, and heartfelt gestures. Friendship Day in India is a time for emotions and appreciation. College students tie bands on their wrists. Childhood friends reconnect over tea. Why Friendship Day 2025 Matters More Than Ever In today's fast world, digital connections often take the place of real conversations. Friendship Day 2025 reminds us to stop and appreciate the people who truly matter. A chance to rekindle old friendships, mend broken ones, and strengthen existing bonds exists. The main idea of this day is simple – Friendship has no limits. It does not depend on age or conditions. This relationship relies on trust, love, and understanding. Heartfelt Wishes for Friendship Day 2025 Looking to send a thoughtful message to your best friend? Here are some sweet and meaningful Friendship Day 2025 wishes you can share: On this Friendship Day 2025, I want to thank you for being by my side through thick and thin. Your presence makes every struggle easier and every joy brighter. To my confidante and biggest supporter – thank you for always standing with me, no matter what. Wishing you a Happy Friendship Day! A true friend is like sunshine on a rainy day – always lighting the way. Thank you for being my guiding light. Happy Friendship Day 2025! We never need to pretend with each other, and that's what makes our friendship special. Cheers to our unbreakable bond. Happy Friendship Day, bestie! No matter how far we are, our connection stays strong. This Friendship Day, let's celebrate the love that distance can't destroy.
Time of India
17 hours ago
- Time of India
Why Friendship Day Matters in 2025: Meaning, traditions, and global roots
Friendship Day is celebrated to honour the bond of friendship. It began in America in 1935 and gained popularity worldwide. In India, it became popular through Bollywood films. Friends provide support and companionship. Friendship promotes understanding and reduces loneliness. Celebrations include exchanging gifts and spending time together. Friendship Day 2025 falls on August 3. Friendship is a bond in several senses as powerful, if not more powerful, than familial bonds. To honour this precious bonding, the world celebrates a special day – Friendship Day. Most nations, including India, celebrate Friendship Day on the first Sunday in the month of August, and for 2025, that falls on August 3. History of Friendship Day The concept of celebrating friendship existed prior to this UN formalisation. In America, the practice began in 1935 when the U.S. Congress declared the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day. The move was made as an attempt to promote world harmony after the First World War. This holiday was promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark Cards, and gained popularity during the 1930s when she encouraged the sale of friendship cards. It initially met with disbelief, but the idea soon gained popularity and is now a widely celebrated day. Friendship Day, celebrated on the first Sunday of August in India, was highly popularised among youngsters and youth, thanks to Bollywood films in the early 1990s. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like No annual fees for life UnionBank Credit Card Apply Now Undo Why celebrating Friendship Day is important Friendship Day reminds us of the central role that friends play in our lives. A world that otherwise is divided by differences, conflicts, and alienation, celebrating friendships is not merely about message or gift giving. It is about cherishing the deep strength of knowledge, support, and human connection to bring a more empathetic and more accepting world. Friends are our surrogate family. They give us a unique support system, a safe haven where we can relax enough to be ourselves without worrying about judgment. They are the ones who celebrate with us in our victories, hear patiently our troubles, and stand with us firmly through life's many twists and turns. From the earliest years, when friendships teach us the lessons of caring and sharing, through adolescence, when friends are the best of all buddies with whom to ride the whirlwind of teen metamorphosis, and even in later life, friends fight off loneliness and bring the necessities of living into sunlight and fullness. The day invites us to look at such valuable connections and to thank the positive that friendship brings into our lives. It honours the idea that friendship is a force for good, one that can overcome cultural differences and build mutual respect and understanding between people. The UN focus on engaging young people for community service, promoting international understanding and diversity, has the impact of emphasising this broader vision. It is important more than ever now In addition to the emotional value of not being lonely and having someone to lean on, friendship has important social and even medical implications. It fosters social interaction, broadens our understanding of the world through familiarity with culture, and even provides positive opportunities for networking. Science appears to indicate that healthier mental states, lower levels of depression and anxiety, and even healthier physical bodies and longer lifespans are the consequences of strong social relationships, such as those created through friendship. Friendship Day reminds us to take time out for our friends—whether a quick telephone call, a message, a casual lunch, or an organised outing. It is also a day to renew long-standing friendships and develop new ones. It reminds us that building and nurturing these relationships is a process requiring effort, with equally great rewards. Celebrations and traditions Although the sentiment of celebrating Friendship Day is the same wherever it is observed, the way it is celebrated varies. In India, for instance, a common and very popular practice is to sport friendship bands—coloured ribbons worn on the wrist as a sign of an eternally sealed bond. It is also a custom among many teenagers to wear white T-shirts on this day, autograph each other's shirts with signatures and messages, and thus create a friendship memento. Presents in the form of cards, flowers, chocolates, and customised items are also exchanged. All over the world, celebrations take the form of casual parties and get-togethers, or simply spending time together. Technology has also transformed the way people celebrate, with e-greetings, video messages, and social media posts becoming common ways to express love and gratitude. The medium may differ, but the message remains the same: to celebrate the joy, comfort, and strength that friends bring into our lives. Friendship Day in 2025, on the 3rd of August in India, serves as a gentle reminder to cherish the friends who stand by us through thick and thin—the ones who add a little sparkle and a lot of meaning to life. It is a day to pay tribute to the silent assurances of support, the silly jokes that echo in our memories, and the unshakeable certainty that someone always has our backs. So invite your friends, remind them how much they are loved, and honour the colourful fabric of friendships that weave through our lives. Get the latest lifestyle updates on Times of India, along with Friendship Day wishes , messages and quotes !
