Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Friendship Day Celebrated on July 30 and First Sunday of August
Friendship Day is a holiday that people celebrate to show how much they care about their friends.
In many places, it is on July 30, which started in 1958 when a doctor in Paraguay wanted to help people from different countries get along.
The United Nations later said July 30 is the International Day of Friendship.
In India, people celebrate on the first Sunday of August because it is a weekend and easy for friends to meet.
So, two different dates exist: one for a global peace idea and one for a convenient weekend gathering.
Friendship Day is celebrated on two dates: July 30 and the first Sunday of August.
July 30 began in 1958 when Paraguayan doctor Ramón Artemio Bracho started a movement for cross‑border friendship.
The United Nations officially declared July 30 the International Day of Friendship in 2011.
The August tradition started in the United States as a marketing idea and was adopted by India for its weekend convenience.
The two dates reflect a global peace initiative and a practical weekend celebration.
- Who
- Paraguayan doctor Ramón Artemio Bracho, United Nations, and countries such as India and the United States
- What
- Two dates for Friendship Day: July 30 and the first Sunday of August
- When
- July 30 since 1958 (UN 2011) and first Sunday of August since the U.S. marketing tradition
- Where
- Paraguay, United Nations, India, and the United States
- Why
- To promote global peace and provide a convenient weekend celebration
- International Day of Friendship
- July 30
- Friendship Day in India
- First Sunday of August
- Origin
- 1958 movement by Ramón Artemio Bracho
- UN Declaration
- 2011
- Adoption
- India and other countries