Monday, November 20^th is Universal Children’s Day. This holiday was created to promote a sense of awareness of the needs of all children around the world. It is a day to have important conversations about how children are treated. It can also be a time to celebrate the important children in your life.

Want to learn more about the history and origins of Universal Children’s Day? Here are three fast facts to answer the question: What is Universal Children’s Day?

1. The United Nations Established the Holiday

Universal Children’s Day is held annually on November 20^th because this is the same day that the United Nations Assembly adopted both the Declaration on the Rights of the Child (in 1959) the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child (which happened 30 years later in 1989). The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is an international treaty which establishes a standard for how children should be treated throughout the world. Rights for children include the right to be protected from abuse and to privacy.

2. The United States Hasn’t Ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child

Out of the 193 countries who are part of the United Nations, only the United States has chosen not to ratify this treaty. While many child-serving organizations such as the Girl Scouts of America and Kiwanis International support the treaty, it is opposed by a number of religious groups in the United States. A common reason for opposing the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child is the belief that it would undermine a parent’s authority to care for their children.

3. Universal Children’s Day Is Celebrated Around the World

Countries around the world have defined for themselves what is Universal Children’s Day. In many cases, it is a day honored by legislators and advocates for the rights of children. Many choose to celebrate the importance of children. They also use this day to emphasize the importance of defending the rights of children. During the 2016 celebration, two hundred authors from around the world (including Paulo Coelho and Christina Lamb) wrote “tiny stories” to highlight issues faced by all children.

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