National Siblings Day
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 International Siblings Day.
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 is 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!
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 bring a smile to their face — and who knows, they may post some of their 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 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.
WHY WE LOVE NATIONAL SIBLINGS DAY
A. They just know you
Your siblings grew up with you and have seen you at your worst and your best. They were there when you decided to cut your 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.
B. 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.
C. 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.
References:
“National Siblings Day” │ https://nationaltoday.com/national-siblings-day/