History of World Kindness Day in Timeline

By Popular Timelines Editorial Team · Updated: November 13, 2025

World Kindness Day, observed annually on November 13th, is an international event that began in 1998 by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of kindness NGOs from various nations. It is celebrated in countries like Canada, Australia, Nigeria, the United Arab Emirates, Singapore, Italy, and India. In the UK, David Jamilly and Louise Burfitt-Dons are key figures promoting the day through Kindness Day UK. The purpose is to highlight and promote kindness in communities and globally.

1998: Introduction of World Kindness Day

In 1998, World Kindness Day was introduced as an international observance by the World Kindness Movement, a coalition of various nations' kindness NGOs.

2009: First Observance in Singapore

In 2009, Singapore observed World Kindness Day for the first time, joining other countries like Canada, Australia, Nigeria, and the United Arab Emirates in recognizing the day.

2009: Kindness Day Celebration in Singapore

In Singapore, during the 2009 World Kindness Day celebration, 45,000 yellow flowers were given away to promote kindness.

2010: Request to Add World Kindness Day to NSW School Calendar

In 2010, Michael Lloyd-White requested the New South Wales Federation Parents and Citizens Association to write to the Minister of The NSW Department of Education to include World Kindness Day on the NSW School Calendar.

2012: Celebrations and Recognition in Australia

In 2012, Marie Bashir, the Governor of New South Wales, hosted an event for World Kindness Day at Government House, where she accepted a Cool To Be Kind Award from students. Additionally, Australian Councils representing over 1.3 million residents signed Declarations of Support for World Kindness Australia, adding World Kindness Day to the Council Calendar of Events.

2012: World Kindness Day Placed on National School Calendar

In 2012, following a request from the Chairman of World Kindness Australia, World Kindness Day was placed on the Federal School Calendar. The Hon Peter Garrett, the Minister of School Education, Early Childhood, and Youth, showed his support for World Kindness Australia by including World Kindness Day on the National School Calendar for over 9000 schools.

2017: Celebration in Slovenia

In 2017, World Kindness Day was celebrated in Slovenia, organized by the volunteering organisation Humanitarček as part of their project Randomised Kindness.