Fact Sheet

Updated in January 2023

Siblings Day (SD) follows the spirit of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – a great family tradition and celebration of family values. It is an uplifting celebration honoring the people who have shaped our values, beliefs and ideals.

Mothers and Fathers Days are celebrated around the world for over a century, and it is high time siblings honor, celebrate and cherish that special bond between siblings. Siblings need a day to call their own.

Sibling bonds are life-long relationships, usually lasting from early childhood to the golden years expanding in some cases up to 100 years. The sibling relationship endures longer than our relationship with our mothers and fathers. Because of the blood relationship, we look alike and enjoy feelings of closeness which may never be surpassed.
Our brothers and sisters are often the longest relationship in our lives and can expand up to 80 years. They are our first best friend. The experiences that brothers and sisters share are a cherished source of memories that last throughout a lifetime.

Siblings are a special gift and bonding amongst them is vital part of keeping our families, communities and nations strong. Brothers and sisters provide an anchor for one another, becoming some of our closest friends and most trusted advisors.

We honor our parents on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, but we need to set aside a special day to honor our brothers and sisters. India and other South Asian countries have been celebrating and honoring their siblings for thousands of years.

For over two and a half decades the Siblings Day Foundation has been promoting public awareness for a National Celebration of all siblings on April 10th to be called National Siblings Day. It is not federally recognized in the US, unlike Mother’s Day and Father’s Day, although this is the stated goal of the Siblings Day Foundation.
When one loses a sibling, especially at an early age, this leaves a void that may never be fulfilled. We all too often take our siblings for granted. We do not appreciate them until they have moved geographically away from us or die. Siblings Day, April 10th, would give us an opportunity to let our brothers and sisters know we cherish, love and appreciate them.

SIBLINGS DAY FOUNDATION

The Siblings Day Foundation’s (SDF) many accomplishments and milestones include: Three American presidents, Clinton (2000), Bush (2008) and Obama (2016) have formally recognized SD by signing a Presidential Message and it is a matter of time until a future President will make it official by signing a Presidential Proclamation.

Governors in 49 states have recognized and adopted Siblings Day by issuing a Gubernatorial Proclamation; all of whom have formally recognized and support celebrating a National Siblings Day. The 50^th state of California is pending.

Fourteen countries, including Australia, Brazil, Canada, Ghana, India, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Nigeria, Philippines, Singapore, South Africa, Sweden and United Kingdom continue or have begun to celebrate Siblings Day.

Other supporters in US who lauded the SDF’s efforts to promote the celebration of SD include members of US Congress such as the late Senator Edward Kennedy, present and past NY Senators Schumer, Clinton and Gillibrand; Congresswoman Carolyn B. Maloney (issued six (6) Congressional Records since 1997); six former White House cabinet members; and two NYC mayors, Manhattan Borough President (issued 6 Proclamations) as have other state and local elected officials and most importantly, America’s siblings.

SD gets lots of media attention in print, on TV and radio, nationally and internationally. Coverage includes CNN, Voice of America, International Business Times and other news outlets, YouTube’s global blog, and various celebrity blogs.

Oprah Winfrey featured and celebrated Siblings Day on her national and international television show for three years. SD was broadcasted worldwide on Voice of America for six years and covered on many other news outlets.
For over 10 years SD has been a top trending topic on social media and has gone viral on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, YouTube, Tumblr and others.

Claudia Evart, the founder of Siblings Day is a native New Yorker and resident of NYC. After losing both of her siblings, Alan (age 36) and Lisette (age 19) early in life she was inspired to create the SDF, a tax-exempt organization whose goals include the establishment of a National Siblings Day to be celebrated annually on April 10, the birthday of her late sister, Lisette.

Claudia Evart is the third American to create a national family day. Mother’s Day was founded by Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1907 and Father’s Day at the request of Mrs. John B. Dodd of Spokane, Washington in 1910.