July 20th: Friend’s Day in Argentina
As many of you already know, we are Argentinians who have settled down and started our families in Miami. We crossed paths in the United States, residing in the same building, and after sharing numerous afternoons sipping mate (Argentina traditional drink), we became friends and business partners. Mico Design Studio is the result of our shared passion for design and architecture. Friendship was the foundation of this project, where we work side by side, inspiring and complementing each other to give our best in every new challenge.
Friend’s Day (July 20th) is one of the most important events of the year in Argentina. Restaurants, cafes, and bars are packed to the brim, and it can be tough to find a seat without a reservation. Argentinians are known for their friendliness and love of socializing, and they are always up for a good time with their friends. Quoting the renowned Argentine writer Jorge Luis Borges:
“Friendship is the most intimate of Argentine passions; my thoughts are often with my friends.”
In 2022, the consulting and research firm Voices! conducted a study about the significance of friendship across 88 countries. Both Argentina and the United States stood out as the countries on the continent that place the highest value on friendship. For more information, you can refer to the study at Voices! Consultancy
Friend’s Day in Argentina and the Moon Landing
But what does Friend’s Day in Argentina have to do with the moon landing?
The story is quite curious and has its origin some 40 years ago with the Argentine Enrique Ernesto Febbraro. He was not only a dentist, but also a psychologist, announcer, writer and musician.
It all started on July 20, 1969, when Febbraro was mesmerized by the Apollo XI landing on the moon. He interpreted this event as a gesture of friendship from humanity to the universe, and it inspired him to work towards promoting the celebration of friendship internationally.
He sent 1,000 postcards to Rotary Clubs, of which he was a member, to spread his idea of Friendship Day. In the postcards, he explained his vision: “I experienced the lunar landing as a gesture of friendship from humanity to the universe, and at the same time, I thought that a nation of friends would be unbeatable. So, July 20th is the chosen day!”
Around 700 people responded favorably to his initiative, leading to the officialization of the date. In 1972, he patented his idea in the intellectual property registry, later donating it to the Rotary Club. Since then, July 20th has become a day of gathering and celebration in Argentina, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, and Spain.
In 1983, the province of Buenos Aires declared in Decree 235 that the celebration of the International Day of Friendship would take place on July 20th of each year and soon after it designated the city of Lomas de Zamora, where Febbraro resided, as the “provincial capital of friendship.”
Friendship Day in the United States
Friendship Day is celebrated in the United States on the first Sunday of August. The history of this day goes back to 1920, when the founder of Hallmark Cards, Joyce Clyde Hall, promoted the celebration by encouraging people to send postcards. In 1935, the United States Congress declared the first Sunday of August as National Friendship Day.
International Friendship Day
In 2011, the United Nations General Assembly established July 30th as the global date for Friendship. The aim of this day is to promote friendship among peoples, countries, and cultures, presenting an opportunity to build bridges and inspire peace initiatives.
On these special days, let us come together in celebration of the profound joy of having friends who walk by our side and fill our lives with support, laughter, and moments of happiness 🤍
We wish you all a great week!
