How Children's Day is celebrated around the world

China celebrates Children's Day on June 1, but you might be surprised to know that not all countries celebrate the festival on the same date. For example, Japan has three holidays for children every year, and UNICEF celebrates World Children's Day on November 20.

Let's take a look at how Children's Day is celebrated around the world.

Turkey 4.23

(Photo/Xinhua)

In Turkey, Children's Day takes place on April 23 and is also known as the National Sovereignty. April 23 marks the date of the First Grand National Assembly, which declared the sovereignty of the Turkish people in 1920.

On April 23, 1924, Atatürk, founder of the Republic of Turkey and its first President, decided to celebrate the date as a holiday. Five years later, on April 23, 1929, Atatürk gave this holiday to the children.

April 23 is an important occasion for younger generations in Turkey to learn about their history and to raise awareness of Turkey's road to independence.

On this day, Turkish children send representatives they have elected to replace state officials and high-ranking civil servants in their offices. The President, the Prime Minister, the cabinet ministers and provincial governors all turn over their positions to these new representatives. These children, in turn, sign executive orders relating to educational and environmental policies.

Apart from playing the roles of policy-makers, children from other countries are also invited to Turkey to celebrate the holiday together with Turkish children, bringing an international element to this national holiday.