International Day of Friendship

What Is the International Day of Friendship?

July 30th is the International Day of Friendship, established by the United Nations General Assembly through resolution A/RES/65/275 in May 2011. The day recognises the role that friendship, solidarity, and human connection play in fostering peace, security, development, and human rights — the core goals of the United Nations. It is a call to build bonds across cultures, borders, and communities.

The Origins of the Day

The International Day of Friendship has its roots not in the UN, but in a grassroots movement.

• Ramón Artemio Bracho: In July 1958, Paraguayan physician Ramón Artemio Bracho proposed a "World Friendship Day" at a dinner with friends, giving rise to the civil organization known as the World Friendship Crusade.
• A long campaign: The World Friendship Crusade lobbied for many years for July 30th to be recognized as World Friendship Day, and in Paraguay July 30th became established as the Day of Friendship.
• UN recognition in 2011: The UN formally designated July 30th as the International Day of Friendship, affirming that "the goals and objectives of the United Nations can only be achieved through the involvement of all stakeholders, including civil society, youth, and friendship."

Friendship as a Force for Peace

The International Day of Friendship is about more than personal bonds — it speaks to the power of solidarity between societies, cultures, and nations.

• Bridging differences: Friendships between people from different backgrounds dissolve prejudice and build understanding, one relationship at a time.
• Engaging young people: The UN uses the day to encourage the world's youth to embrace the values of friendship, solidarity, and peace as foundations for the future.
• Community action: Events, gatherings, and volunteer activities around the world mark the day as a time to reach out, connect, and celebrate human bonds.

Fascinating Facts About This Day

• Argentina's Día del Amigo: Argentina celebrates its own Friendship Day on July 20th — the anniversary of the Apollo 11 moon landing — on the grounds that the achievement united all of humanity. Friends typically gather for meals and parties.
• Friendship in the digital age: Social media and smartphones have made it possible to maintain friendships across continents and time zones in ways unimaginable even a generation ago. The International Day of Friendship embraces these new forms of connection.
• The character 友: The kanji for friend, 友 (tomo), is commonly explained as two hands placed together — companions joining hands.
• Friendship and health: Some studies report that people with stronger social connections tend to be healthier and live longer.
• Friendship in Japanese culture: From Doraemon to countless manga and anime, friendship is a central theme in Japan's most beloved stories — a testament to how deeply this value resonates in Japanese society.

Tips for Marking This Day

• Reach out to a friend you haven't spoken to in a while. A simple "How are you?" can reignite a connection that matters.
• If you have international friends or acquaintances, make today the occasion to reconnect — friendships that cross borders are a daily act of peace.
• Attend a local community event or cultural exchange and open yourself to the possibility of a new friendship.
• Take a moment to think about who your most important friendships are with, and find a way to express your gratitude — in words, in a message, or simply in presence.

Friendship: The Oldest and Most Powerful Force in the World

July 30th is a day to remember that across every boundary of nationality, language, and culture, the warmth of a genuine human connection is something we all share. In the busyness of everyday life, it is easy to let friendships drift. But today, take a small step: send a message, share a memory, say thank you. Your words might be exactly the light that someone needed today.