Global Day of Parents
Next: June 1, 2027
Thank the people who raised you.
The story
Where it comes from
The UN General Assembly proclaimed 1 June the Global Day of Parents on 17 September 2012, in resolution 66/292, to honour parents throughout the world. It grew out of two decades of UN attention to the family, which had already produced the International Year of the Family in 1994 and the International Day of Families on 15 May. The day thanks parents for what the UN calls their 'selfless commitment to children and their lifelong sacrifice towards nurturing this relationship', and recognises that families carry the first responsibility for raising and protecting children.
How it's celebrated
The resolution invites countries to mark the day together with civil society, especially by involving young people and children. UNICEF and other UN agencies use it to call for more support for parents and caregivers, and to promote nurturing, playful parenting. At home it can be simpler: a call, a card or a meal that says thank you, to parents, grandparents and anyone who has helped raise a child.
Did you know
- The General Assembly adopted the resolution without a vote.
- 1 June is also Children's Day in China and many other countries, so the same date honours parents and children alike.
- South Korea thanks its parents on 8 May, when children pin carnations on them; the day began as Mother's Day in 1956 and was renamed Parents' Day in 1973 to include fathers.
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