I’m pretty sure we have all heard of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but have you heard of Children’s Day? I’m pretty sure not many of you have heard of this. Well, I didn’t know either until my mom told me about it. Children’s Day, also known as 六一儿童节, is on the first of every June. On June 10, 1949, there had been a tragedy where many children were killed or poisoned. In order to mourn for this tragedy, the International Federation of Democratic Women held a meeting in Moscow. The reason why Children’s Day is set on on June 1 is due to the fact that there is a meeting held every year to protect the rights of children in order to improve their lives.
In modern day China, children are off from school, playing at parks, or performing as a way to celebrate Children’s Day. However, this was not the case during the ancient times. Due to the lack of toys children had in Ancient China, they had to find another way to enjoy their childhood. Children often found a way to “have fun” while helping out on the fields. These activities of the children’s lives were captured in Chinese poems. In the poems that described child life, it showed many situations of working children and how they ended up dying.
This image displays a poem that shows the similarity between a lotus and a child. It shows that as the lotus petals/leaves start to fall, it becomes weaker just like the child. Eventually, this would cause the death of the child.
The events prior to Children’s Day were a tragedy that has led to the improvements of lives of children today. We shouldn’t take anything for granted and should be thankful that people were willing to stand up for the children that died in 1949. I hope you learned something about 六一儿童节 and its origins!
I have heard of this type of festival before. This festival is also celebrated in Japan and Korea. It’s a fun day for all school students. It is even celebrated during ancient times. Today, many children celebrate the holiday around the world by visiting theme parks, movie theaters, water parks, aquariums, and even zoos!
六一儿童节 used to be the best holiday ever for me. I remember back in pre-k when I still lived in China, my grandma would always take me to fun places when it comes to this holiday. It’s basically a day for kids to have fun. I don’t really remember not going to school on that day though, but I’m pretty sure I didn’t have school. Today, I don’t really celebrate this holiday anymore but this holiday always bring back wonderful memories.
I have actually never heard of Chinese people having a Children’s Day. I know that in Korean culture there is a Children’s day in which parents treat their kids or give the money. I’m so glad I was able to learn of the Chinese Children’s day and it’s origins! It’s a little bit saddening that the reason for this holiday was because of a tragedy in which many children had been poisoned or killed. Do we know who did it? Why they had did it? But the message of Children’s day is very meaningful. We shouldn’t take things for granted and should show gratitude to those who stood up for the children who died in 1949.