Happy Friendship Day…

July 30 as official International Friendship Day. The day has been celebrated in several southern South American countries for many years, particularly in Paraguay, where the 30th July was first proposed as World Friendship Day in 1958. Traditionally , the Day takes place on the first Sunday of August.

Initially created by the greeting cards industry, evidence from social networking sites shows a revival of interest in the holiday that may have grown with the spread of the Internet, particularly in India, Bangladesh, and Malaysia. There is also some evidence that the day is celebrated in some South American countries. Digital communication modes such as the Internet and mobile phones may be helping to popularize the custom, since greeting friends en masse is now easier than before.

Those who promote the holiday in South Asia attribute the tradition of dedicating a day in honor of friends to have originated in the U.S. in 1935, but it actually dates from 1919. The exchange of Friendship Day Gifts like flowers, cards and wrist bands is a popular tradition of this occasion.^[2][3]

In some countries, the Friendship Day celebrations take place on the first Sunday of August, and several Friendship Day celebrations on other dates are held by a range of countri

History

Friendship Day was originally promoted by Joyce Hall, the founder of Hallmark cards in 1919, and intended to be a day where people celebrated their friendships by sending cards. The first Sunday in August was chosen as the centre of the largest lull in holiday celebrations. Friendship Day was promoted by the greetings card National Association during the 1920s but met with consumer resistance - given that it was rather too obviously a commercial gimmick to promote greetings cards. By the 1940s the number of Friendship Day cards available in the US had dwindled and the holiday largely died out there. There is no evidence to date for its uptake in Europe, however it has been kept alive and revitalised in Asia where several countries adopted the tradition of dedicating a day to friends. Today, Friendship Day is enthusiastically celebrated in a number of countries across the world.^[4]

In honor of Friendship Day in 1998, Nane Annan, wife of Secretary-General Kofi Annan, named Winnie the Pooh as the world's Ambassador of Friendship at the United Nations. The event was co-sponsored by the U.N. Department of Public Information and Disney Enterprises, and was co-hosted by Kathy Lee Gifford.^[5][6]

Many friends acknowledge each other with exchange of gifts and cards on this day. Friendship bands are very popular in India, Nepal, Bangladesh and parts of South America.^[2] With the advent of social networking sites, friendship day is also being celebrated online.^[3] The commercialization of the Friendship Day celebrations has led to some dismissing it as a "marketing gimmick".^[7]

sus miembros a festejarlo en esta fecha que conmemora justamente la "Cruzada Mundíal de la Amistad".

World Friendship Crusade

The idea of a World Friendship Day was first proposed on 20 July 1958 by Dr. Artemio Bracho during a dinner with friends in Puerto Pinasco, a town on the River Paraguay about 200 miles north of Asuncion,Paraguay.^[8]

Out of this humble meeting of friends, the World Friendship Crusade was born. The World Friendship Crusade is a foundation that promotes friendship and fellowship among all human beings, regardless of race, colour or religion. Since then, 30 July has been faithfully celebrated as World Friendship Day in Paraguay every year and has also been adopted by several other countries.^[9]

The World Friendship Crusade has lobbied the United Nations for many years to recognised July 30 as World Friendship Day.

When is Friendship Day?

Celebrate Friendship Day 2010 on August 1, Sunday

Human beings are social creatures and have always valued the importance of friends in their lives. To celebrate this noble feeling it was deemed fit to have a day dedicated to friends and friendship. Accordingly, first Sunday of August was declared as a holiday in US in honor of friends by a Proclamation made by US Congress in 1935. Since then, World Friendship Day is being celebrated every year on the first Sunday in the month of August. 

This beautiful idea of celebrating Friendship Day was joyfully accepted by several other countries across the world. And today, many countries including India, celebrate the first Sunday of August as Friendship Day every year. Celebrating Friendship Day in a traditional manner, people meet their friends and exchange cards and flowers to honor their friends. Lot many social and cultural organization too celebrate the occasion and mark Friendship Day by hosting programs and get together. 

It may be noted that some associations celebrate Friendship Day in an entirely different time of the year and with different customs. For instance,

• National Friendship Day is on the first Sunday in August.
• Women's Friendship Day is on the third Sunday in August
• International Friendship Month is February
• Old Friends, New Friends Week is the third week of May

However, what is remarkably same is the idea behind the celebration of the day. Everywhere, people express love for their friends and cherish their presence in life.

Friendship Day Gift Ideas

Friendship Day Gifts play a significant role in strengthening the relationship you share with your loved ones. Friendship Gifts must therefore be selected with love and care. A friendship present need not be precious and expensive ones but it must definitely exude love and warmth you feel for your friend. In case you are finding it hard to decide a perfect Friendship Gift for your best friend, here some popular Friendship Day Gift ideas just for you. 

Friendship Bands

Friendship Band is one of the most popular Friendship Gift. Many colorful friendship bands hit the stores much ahead of Friendship Day. Instead of the conventional wristbands, one can go for the friendship bracelets which come in attractive designs for both boys and girls. This way your Friendship Day can stay longer with your friends besides it works as token of your love. 

Flowers

Fresh Flowers are the best and the easiest way to convey emotions and hence they make a wonderful gift for friends. If you are invited for a Friendship Day do, carry an attractive bouquet of pretty flowers for that heart touching impact. Ideally, you must choose your friends favorite flower. In case your friend does not have a specific choice, you may safely go in for Yellow Roses as these are officially recognized as the Friendship Day flowers. 

Show Pieces

Cute and attractive show pieces are another extremely popular Friendship Day Gift. Depending upon your choice one can go in for glass, metals, wood, paper mache or crystal show pieces. Besides, making a delightful Friendship Day Gift, decorative pieces help to create beautiful memories. 

Chocolates

Chocolates makes a yummy and delicious Friendship Day gift for foodies. Go in for a hamper of your friend's favorite chocolate to bring that million dollar smile on his/her face. A zestful idea would be to make a decorated friendship basket consisting of your friend's favorite gift items like chocolates, candy, cookies, a bunch of flowers, etc. 

Soft Toys

Soft Toys make a cute Friendship gift. They are especially appreciated by girls who love to decorate their rooms with loads of soft toys and animals gifted by their loved ones. Go in for your friends favorite cartoon character to leave a lasting impression. 

Photo Frames and Photo Albums

Photo frames and photo albums are a much sought after Friendship Day Gift. You may place a picture of you along with your friend or pictures of good time spend together to create beautiful memories. 

Books, CDs

Books make a thoughtful Friendship Gift idea for friends fond of reading. But it is important to keep in mind the choice of your friend while selecting the book. Generally, you may give books of quotes or inspirational books. 

Alternatively, you may gift music cassettes or CDs to friends fond of music. You may also give personalized CD by recording your friends favorite songs or songs that both of you enjoy. Games CDs are also a popular Friendship Day gift these days. 

Stationery 

Stationery items like pens, diaries, letter or writing pad, planner, organizer etc make a wonderful Friendship Gift. Besides, one can gift utility items like watch, key rings, pen stand, telephone index, electronic notebook and so forth.

सन्दर्भ सामाग्री साभारः wikipedia,friendshipday