World Red Cross Day 2023: Theme, History and Significance

World Red Cross Day 2023: The Red Cross Day or Red Crescent Day is observed every year on May 8. The Red Cross is a global humanitarian network which operates in all countries. The organisation aims to improve the well-being of individuals and communities in need and their efforts have positively impacted many lives.  

The day is celebrated to honour the birthday of Henry Dunant. Born on May 8, 1828, he founded the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) and was a Nobel Peace Prize laureate. This day is a yearly celebration of the principles of the Red Cross Society, which operates in numerous countries.

Red Cross provide aid for food shortages, natural disasters, wars, and epidemics.

World Red Cross Day 2023: Theme  

This year the theme of World Red Cross Day 2023 is "Everything we do comes from the heart". ICRC site mentioned, “the person next door”, who often are the first ones to step up and support those in need around them. They could be someone at work; a neighbourhood business owner; a Red Cross or Red Crescent community volunteer; someone at the gym, shop or market we go to; or someone living close by who has always been by our side. However they support us, they do it with love and #fromtheheart.

World Red Cross Day 2023: Date

The first 'International Red Cross Day', as it used to be known, was celebrated on 8 May 1948. The official title of the day changed over time and became known as 'World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day' in 1984. 

World Red Cross Day 2023: History  

The World Red Cross and Red Crescent Day was founded after the First World War when an "annual action that could take hold in the whole world... that would be a major contribution to peace" was discussed at the 14th International Conference of the Red Cross.