On the early morning of June 1, 1942, the German fascists surrounded the village of Lidice (Czechoslovakia), capturing 173 men, 196 women, and children. Here, they massacred 66 people and sent 104 children to concentration camps, where 88 of them died in gas chambers and 9 others were taken as forced laborers for the fascists. Lidice village was left devoid of any human presence.
Since 1950, June 1st has been observed as the International Children’s Day.
To commemorate the hundreds of innocent children who were heartlessly murdered by the Nazi regime, in 1949 the Women’s International Democratic Federation decided to designate June 1st as International Children’s Day to protect children’s rights and demand governments to take responsibility for children’s lives, reduce military budgets to increase education budgets, and protect and care for adolescents and children. Since 1950, June 1st has become Children’s Day.Two years later, on June 10, 1944, the German fascists again besieged the town of Oradour (France), driving 400 people into a church, many of whom were women and over 100 children, and set the building on fire, causing devastating loss of life.
Each country has its own Children’s Day
In 1954, in order to promote awareness of children and protect children’s rights, the United Nations proposed that World Children’s Day be held on November 20th every year.
On this day, many important events concerning children around the world have taken place: the Declaration of the Rights of the Child (1959), the Convention on the Rights of the Child was also signed on this day (1989), ratified by over 191 countries. Vietnam was the first country in Asia and the second in the world to sign this Convention.
Despite the recommendation for November 20th, the United Nations allows member states to celebrate their own Children’s Day on different chosen dates. And some countries do celebrate on November 20th in their own country, such as Canada, Australia, Pakistan, Egypt, etc.
International Children’s Day in Vietnam
Vietnam was the first country in Asia and the second country in the world to ratify the Convention on the Rights of the Child – the first comprehensive international legal document addressing children’s rights based on the principle that children are entitled to special care, protection, and assistance.
In our country, immediately after gaining independence, June 1st and Mid-Autumn Festival (lunar calendar, August 15th) became truly festive days for children nationwide.
The first International Children’s Day (June 1, 1950) during the period of our nation’s fierce resistance against French colonialism, President Ho Chi Minh still always thought of children across the country and sent letters to congratulate the youth and children.
President Ho Chi Minh playing with the children in the Presidential Palace. Photo source
President Ho always paid great attention to and taught the children to be good people, among which the 5 Teachings for Young Pioneers have become educational content for the Ho Chi Minh Young Pioneer Brigade.Since then, every year on Children’s Day and Mid-Autumn Festival, children nationwide eagerly await President Ho’s letters of congratulations.
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