World Children's Day in Thuringia, Germany has roots in both the UN's call for children's rights (1954) and Germany's postwar traditions (June 1 in the East, September 20 in the West). It is celebrated with public events, children's rights campaigns, and symbolic recognition of the importance of children in society.

When is World Children's Day?

World Children's Day in Germany is observed annually on September 20.

The following is the list of World Children's Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of World Children's Day?

In 1950, the GDR (East Germany) began celebrating International Children's Day on June 1, in line with other socialist countries.

In 1954, the UN encouraged countries to establish a day dedicated to children's rights and welfare. Globally, the UN's World Children's Day is on November 20 (adoption of the Convention on the Rights of the Child).

Thuringia, part of the former East Germany, originally observed June 1 (International Children's Day) during the GDR era. After reunification in 1990, the September 20 "Weltkindertag" became more prominent nationwide, aligning with West German practice. Advocacy groups promoted September 20 as the central day for children's rights awareness.

In 2019, the Thuringian parliament (Landtag) voted to make September 20 (World Children's Day) a public holiday starting in 2019. This made Thuringia the first German state to declare World Children's Day a legal holiday.

The day is now seen both as a celebration (with games, performances, family events) and a political statement (about child welfare and rights).