Introduction
The celebration of children’s rights and days dedicated to them have undergone significant transformations over time, not only in terms of commemorations but also in their names. Initially known as the Universal Children’s Day, it later evolved into the simpler Children’s Day, then to the grammatically incorrect yet inclusive Children’s and Girls’ Day, and now, in our current poetic era, it is referred to as the Day of Childhoods.
Origins and Development
The history of such a commemoration resembles an enchanting children’s tale, with various national and international versions. Some claim that in 1800, at the behest of Englishwoman Eglantine Jeff, founder of the International Union for Child Welfare and the British Child Relief Fund, discussions about children’s rights first took place along with plans for a celebration in their honor. Others, however, insist that this is merely a myth and that it wasn’t until the Declaration of Children’s Rights was drafted that a specific day for recognizing and celebrating childhood was agreed upon. As usual, the responsibility of suggesting a precise date for this infantile day fell to the United Nations General Assembly, though the process was prolonged and arduous.
In 1954, the UN recommended establishing a Universal Children’s Day in all countries, proposing November 20 as the date, coinciding with the approval of the Geneva Declaration. By 1959, the UN continued to advocate for November, but it took until 1989 for the day to be officially recognized. Despite this, many countries had already been celebrating children for a long time, particularly in Latin America. Each country set its own date: Bolivia chose April 12, Colombia opted for the last Saturday of April, Paraguay extended their celebration until May 31, Venezuela designated the third Sunday of June, Uruguay selected August 9, and Argentina decided on the second Sunday of August.
In Mexico, the situation was different. The 20th of November continued to be celebrated as the anniversary of the Revolution. Following advice from José Vasconcelos, then Minister of Education, General and President Álvaro Obregón designated April 30 as Children’s Day in 1924, a celebration to be held annually throughout Mexico.
Celebration Traditions
Children’s Day is generally celebrated with songs, games, and gifts. Often, children are granted permission to skip school, and festivals are organized exclusively for them. An interesting tidbit: in Mexico, Children’s Day also marks the birthday of Bugs Bunny, an animated, cynical character who first appeared in the short Porky’s Hare Hunt on April 30, 1938. However, this has no connection to Mexican culture. Regardless of such trivia, it’s essential to recognize and respect children’s inalienable rights daily:
- Right to life, survival, and development (Priority Right)
- Right to identity
- Right to live in a family
- Right to substantive equality; Right not to be discriminated against
- Right to live in conditions of well-being and holistic development; Right to a violence-free life and personal integrity
- Right to health protection and social security; Right of inclusion for children with disabilities
- Right to education
- Right to rest and leisure; Right of freedom of ethical convictions, thought, conscience, religion, and culture
- Right to freedom of expression and access to information; Right to participate
- Right to association and assembly; Right to privacy
- Right to legal security and due process; Right of access to information and communication technologies, including broadband and the Internet
As Rainer Maria Rilke once said, “Childhood is man’s true homeland.” Moreover, the popular saying warns, “He who is a brat from childhood will never grow beyond a green corncob.” Therefore, it’s crucial to pay attention and respect children’s rights, both on this day and every day.
