Friendship wishes through sms, internet and social networking websites kept alive the traditions of the day creating festivity that brought together near ones. Social gatherings and other events observe the day in several countries as a major celebration while gifts like cards, flowers and wrist bands with popular friendship quotes are the essence of the day.
The day is popular among the youngsters who dedicate the day to their friends as a gesture of promoting understanding between people of different cultures.
Digital communication modes such as the Internet and mobile phones have made it easy to practice the traditions of greeting each other with popular and inspiring quotes on the subject.
According to the Friendship Day declaration, the day which traditionally falls on first Sunday of August, has been observed in an appropriate manner, in accordance with the culture and other circumstances or customs of the local, national and regional communities, including public awareness-raising and social activities.
Those who promote the holiday in South Asia attribute the tradition of dedicating a day in honor of friends to have originated in the U.S. in 1935, but it actually dates from 1919.
