National Siblings Day is an annual celebration held on April 10th to honor the special bond between brothers and sisters. It’s a day to appreciate your siblings and let them know how much they mean to you.
The Origin of National Siblings Day
The holiday was founded in 1995 by Claudia Evart after she experienced profound losses in her own family. Tragically, Evart’s sister Lisette died at age 19 in a car accident that also took their father’s life when Evart was just 17 years old. Fourteen years later, she lost her brother Alan after he suffered a fatal head injury from a fall.
Evart was struck by grief and loneliness when she realized she would never again celebrate her birthday with her beloved siblings. This inspired her to create National Siblings Day as a way to honor their memories and recognize the powerful sibling connection.
She chose April 10th for the annual observance to commemorate her late sister Lisette’s birthday. Evart established the Siblings Day Foundation to promote and grow awareness of the new holiday.
The Significance of National Siblings Day
The relationship between siblings is often one of the longest and most influential bonds in a person’s life. Brothers and sisters share an inimitable closeness through growing up together and experiencing life’s milestones side-by-side.
National Siblings Day provides an opportunity to strengthen that special fraternal tie through quality time, mutual understanding, and expressions of gratitude.
While not an official federal holiday, National Siblings Day’s significance has been acknowledged by the governors of 49 U.S. states as well as former presidents Bill Clinton, George W. Bush, and Barack Obama.
Common ways to observe National Siblings Day include gathering for a meal, looking back on childhood memories, performing acts of kindness for one another, and openly expressing appreciation through cards, gifts or social media posts tagging siblings.
Above all, it’s a day that celebrates the profound lasting bond between sisters and brothers. As Evart states, “It’s the most powerful relationship you ever have in your life.“
