International Thank-You Day 2023: Date, History and Origin

Ancient societies were already actively communicating with one another. The Egyptians would use papyrus while the Chinese would use paper.

Annually, International Thank-You Day 2023 is observed on January 11. Thanksgiving is a day that serves as a reminder to express gratitude to those who have improved our lives in some way. What better time to consider this than at the start of the year? We frequently forget to say “thank you” because we take it for granted or assume others are aware of our emotions. This day was created to recognise the significance of always expressing gratitude.

The origins of International Thank-You Day

Ancient societies were already actively communicating with one another. The Egyptians would use papyrus while the Chinese would use paper. They would send greetings and good luck wishes for the new year to their friends. There must have also been some thank-you scrolls included. It is believed that the word “thank” originated between c.450 and c.1100. The Old English noun was translated as “thought.” According to the “Oxford English Dictionary,” its meaning evolved into “favourable thought or feeling, goodwill.” During the Middle Ages, it evolved into “kind thoughts or feelings entertained toward anyone in exchange for favours or services.”

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In the 1400s, when Europeans began exchanging greeting cards with family and friends, the practise of sending messages to friends began gaining popularity. They adopted this new form of social expression, which included hand-delivered notes. There were most likely also some handwritten thank-you notes sent. German Louis Prang immigrated to the United States long after Europeans adopted greeting cards. From his base in Boston, Massachusetts, he produced and sold Christmas cards to the European market in 1873. In 1874, he began producing and selling Christmas cards in the United States. Since then, both Christmas and thank-you cards have become increasingly popular over the years.

Not only do verbal expressions of gratitude exist, but also written ones. During the commercial revolution of the 16th and 17th centuries, the custom of always saying “thank you” began. It was popular among the middle classes, who spoke it frequently, as it was the language spoken in offices and stores. Over the past five hundred years, its use has spread across the globe.

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