April -10 Siblings Day
Holiday honoring relationships of siblings
The bond between siblings is extra-special, even more so if one of them has a life-long illness or a disability. Sibling Day is a way of honouring that special bond. Siblings Day was created by Claudia Evart, a freelance paralegal from Manhattan, NY. Evart started the day after losing both her sister at an early age. It is a day of celebration and recognition for brothers and sisters around the world. Siblings Day can be celebrated by sending a card, gift, making a dinner invitation or simply going for a walk in the park. The date of Siblings Day is very important to its founder Claudia as it marks the birthday of her sister Lisette.
The siblings bonds are life-long relationships usually lasting from cradle to grave. It is usually the longest relationship of a person’s life and typically much longer than a mother’s and father’s relationship.
Siblings Day is a holiday recognized annually in some parts of the United States on April 10, honoring the relationships of siblings. Unlike Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, it is not federally recognized, though the Siblings Day Foundation is working to change this. The commemorative day has been recognized by three US Presidents (Clinton in 2000, Bush in 2008 and Obama in 2016). Since 1998, the governors of 49 states have officially issued proclamations to recognize Siblings Day in their state.
From its American beginnings the observation has become international, spreading as far as the United Kingdom, Australia, India, Japan, New Zealand, The Philippines, Nigeria,Sweden,Canada and more
The Hindu holiday of Raksha Bandhan also celebrates the bond of brothers and sisters, but it is unrelated to the American holiday.
*History*
The US holiday was originally conceived by Claudia Evart to honor the memory of her brother and sister who loved each other, both of whom died at early ages. The Siblings Day Foundation was incorporated in 1997 and achieved non-profit status in 1999. Carolyn Maloney, then the U.S. Representative for New York’s 14th congressional district, officially saluted the holiday and introduced it into the official Congressional Record of the United States Congress on April 10, 1997; and in subsequent years 2001, 2005 and 2008.
*Celebration*
In the United States, approximately 80% of people have siblings. The holiday is intended to be a celebration of the relationship of brothers and sisters.
Examples of commemoration during this observance include giving your sibling a gift (including a surprise gift), a giftcard, and taking one out for dinner. Nonmaterial examples of observances during this day includes giving hugs to your sibling(s), enjoying time with them, and honoring their presence in your life.