About International Day of Friendship
The idea of celebrating Friendship Day started with Dr Ramon Artemio Bracho on July 20th 1958, as he sat down to dinner with his friends in the town of Puerto Pinasco, Paraguay. His group of friends formed the World Friendship Crusade, a foundation to promote friendship and fellowship among humankind, regardless of gender, race, ethnicity, or religion.
The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
To mark the International Day of Friendship the UN encourages governments, international organizations and civil society groups to hold events, activities and initiatives that contribute to the efforts of the international community towards promoting a dialogue among civilizations, solidarity, mutual understanding and reconciliation.
- Did you know? Did you know? The average American makes a new friend once every five years.
The International Day of Friendship has been celebrated across the globe since 1958. It is also called the World Friendship Day or International Friendship Day.
The United Nation observes International Day of Friendship to observe the importance of friendship in promoting peace in many cultures. First proposed by Paraguay in 1958 as International Friendship Day, it was initially promoted by the greetings card industry. While the first World Friendship Day was proposed for July 30 in 1958, by the World Friendship Crusade, on April 27, 2011, the General Assembly of the United Nations declared July 30 as official International Friendship Day. The World Friendship Crusade is a foundation that advances friendship and care among all people paying little respect to their race, religion, and ethnicity.
Friendship Quotes
- Friendship is the hardest to explain. It’s not something you learn in school. But if you haven’t learnt the meaning of friendship, you really haven’t learnt anything. — Muhammad Ali
- Each friend represents a world in us, a world possibly not born until they arrive, and it is only by this meeting that a new world is born. — Anais Nin
-For beautiful eyes, look for the good in others; for beautiful lips, speak only words of kindness; and for poise, walk with the knowledge that you are never alone — Audrey Hepburn
-The glory of friendship is not the outstretched hand, not the kindly smile, nor the joy of companionship; it is the spiritual inspiration that comes to one when you discover that someone else believes in you and is willing to trust you with a friendship. - Ralph Waldo Emerson
-There are times in our life when we realize how blessed we are from the friendships we have formed over the years, graduations and retirements often remind us of this. - Kate Summers
Find out moreSimilar Observances
Other Observances on July 30th 2025
Whistleblower Appreciation Day
Read More
World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Read More