Did you know that today, November 19, is International Men’s Day? In a 2008 interview with Jason Thompson, Dr. Jerome Teelucksingh spoke about the history, motivation, and origins behind the establishment of International Men’s Day (IMD):
Jason Thompson: As far as I know, Trinidad and Tobago were the first to celebrate a continuous IMD, is that right?
Dr. Teelucksingh: Yes, it was first celebrated on 19 November 1999 in Port-of-Spain, the capital of Trinidad and Tobago. I realized that there was an International Women’s Day but no day for men. Some have said that there is Father’s Day, but what about young boys, teenagers and men who are not fathers.
Jason Thompson: Whose suggestion was it to celebrate IMD on 19th November?
Dr. Teelucksingh: Actually it was mine. I chose that day for a few reasons–it is my dad’s birthday. I felt the need to honour him. He has provided me with important lessons of life and has always been supportive of my efforts. I hoped that other dads would see him as a role model for fatherhood and parenthood.
International Men’s Day is now observed and celebrated in over 60 countries. For more information, including an overview of goals and focus for the 2011 event as well as some great short video clips of everyday men from around world sharing their thoughts on the day, visit the International Men’s Day website at http://www.
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photo by wonderlane / flickr
It’s great we can start to celebrate being a man.