Family Day
Family Day is a holiday that’s based on the United Nations’ holiday, the International Day of Families. It’s observed in countries all over the world, including countries such as Moldova and Mongolia. Just like the international holiday, this day is dedicated to the issues that face the family unit.
Issues that affect the family generally aren’t different from country to country, and usually, this holiday focuses on such universal family problems as poverty, discrimination, hunger, and education. This is a day that’s observed annually on May 15th and has been observed since the early 1990s.
The History of Family Day
Since this holiday is based upon the International Day of Families, its origins can be traced back to UN Resolution 44/82, which was passed on December 9, 1989. This resolution proclaimed that year to be the International Year of the Family. A few years later, in 1993, UN Resolution A/RES/47/237 was passed, and that made May 15th of every year the International Day of Families.
Of course, some countries observe Family Day separate from the International Day of Families, and some align their Family Day with this international holiday. For example, in Canada, this holiday is observed in February, while in Mozambique and Namibia, it’s observed in December. In Palau and the U.S., it’s observed in November, and in South Africa, it’s observed in April.
Observing Family Day
In most countries, Family Day isn’t a public holiday. Therefore, government offices, businesses, and schools adhere to their regular hours. In Moldova, the holiday is usually launched with their “Tales from Home” campaign—a campaign that works towards supporting every child and their right to grow up in a safe and harmonious home environment.
In some countries, this holiday is observed with song, dance, and other cultural activities. For example, in Mongolia, it’s often observed with long song singers, throat singers, dancers, and musicians. It’s also observed with Mongolian calligraphy and paintings that showcase Mongolian families’ rich home lives.
