Friendship Day 2025: Date, History, Significance, Celebrations And More

The month of August brings different kinds of celebrations including the beautiful bond of friendship. Every year, several countries including India observe 'Friendship Day' on the first Sunday of August.

On this day, friends exchange pleasantries, greetings, gifts and even colourful friendship bands as an expression of their appreciation and gratitude. At a time when the growing influence of the internet is leading to increased isolation among individuals, the value of genuine friendship has become much more important.

'Friendship Day’ should not be confused with ‘International Day of Friendship’, which is a United Nations-led event, observed annually on July 30. While the two are connected, they typically fall on two distinct dates.

The UN has observed July 30 as the 'International Day of Friendship' since 2011. This day is meant to promote global peace and understanding. On a similar note, many countries choose to celebrate ‘Friendship Day’ on the first Sunday of August. One of the reasons for choosing Sunday for the celebration is its convenience, as it is typically a day off for many people.

Another popular theory is that 'Friendship Day' was established in the 1900s by Joyce C. Hall, the founder of US greeting card maker Hallmark Cards. He suggested celebrating it on Aug. 2 as a day for people to express their affection. The exact year when Hall proposed the celebration of Friendship Day isn't certain. Some reports indicate that the idea was first coined in 1930, other reports date it to 1958.

To mark this day, the UN encourages countries, governments and social groups to organise events that can support dialogue, solidarity and mutual understanding.

Private establishments like restaurants and retailers offer special discounts and deals on this day to encourage people to spend time together or exchange gifts.

Several schools also organise ‘Friendship Day’ events to foster togetherness among children.