Situation of children in the early 20th century
At the beginning of the 20th century, especially after the First World War (1914–1918), millions of children in Europe and other regions were orphaned, displaced, malnourished, and without access to education. Infant mortality was very high and child labour was common.
This situation led several international organisations and social movements to argue that children needed special protection, different from that of adults.
Geneva Conference (1925)
In 1925, during the World Conference for the Well-being of Children in Geneva, the creation of a day dedicated to children was proposed for the first time, with the aim of:
- Raising awareness among governments and societies
- Promoting basic rights (education, health, protection)
- Drawing attention to the impact of wars on childhood
Although no single date was set at that time, this meeting was decisive for the creation of Children’s Day.
Why was June 1 chosen?
The date of June 1 was officially adopted in 1949 during a congress of the International Democratic Federation of Women, held in Paris.
The choice of this date had strong symbolic meaning:
- To highlight childhood during the post–Second World War reconstruction period
- To promote peace as an essential condition for children to grow up safely
- To encourage equal rights for all children, regardless of country
From 1950 onwards, Children’s Day began to be officially celebrated in several countries.
Children’s Day vs. World Children’s Day
It is important to distinguish between two dates:
- June 1 – Children’s Day (celebrated in Portugal, Eastern Europe, Africa, and Asia)
- November 20 – World Children’s Day, established by the United Nations
November 20 marks:
- 1959 – Declaration of the Rights of the Child
- 1989 – Convention on the Rights of the Child (the most widely ratified human rights treaty in the world)
UNICEF plays a central role in promoting this date and defending children’s rights globally.
