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September 1 marks the beginning of Oddfellows Friendship Month – a time to celebrate and cherish the bonds of friendship! This month-long holiday was first established by the Independent Order of Odd Fellows in 1948, and has since been recognized and celebrated by people all over the world. It's a great opportunity to show your appreciation for your friends, both old and new, and to make some unforgettable memories together. So gather your closest pals and get ready for a month filled with fun adventures, heartfelt conversations, and lots of laughter. After all, there's nothing quite like the joy of true friendship!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1800s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Origins of Oddfellows</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Independent Order of Odd Fellows, an international fraternity that values friendship, love, and truth, was established in the United States.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1948</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Friendship Month Established</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Independent Order of Odd Fellows decided to dedicate September as the month for celebrating and fostering friendships, marking the first Oddfellows Friendship Month.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1960</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Global Recognition</div><div class='timeline-text'>Oddfellows Friendship Month started gaining recognition in other parts of the world, highlighting the universal essence of friendship.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1980s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Cultural Celebrations & Activities</div><div class='timeline-text'>Different traditions and activities started evolving around Oddfellows Friendship Month such as get-togethers, parties, and community outreach programs.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2000s</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Digital Celebrations</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the advent of social media, people started celebrating Oddfellows Friendship Month online, sharing posts and stories to commemorate their friends.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2020</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Virtual Gatherings Amidst Pandemic</div><div class='timeline-text'>With the COVID-19 pandemic, celebrations of Oddfellows Friendship Month moved online with virtual meetings and digital messages, proving friendship's resilience during hardships.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a themed movie night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Choose a movie that celebrates friendship, such as "The Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants" or "Toy Story", and invite your friends over for a cozy night in. Serve snacks and drinks inspired by the movie and have a fun discussion afterwards about the importance of friendship.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Plan a surprise outing</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Surprise your friends with a day out doing something fun and unexpected. It could be a picnic in the park, a trip to an amusement park, or even a day of volunteering together. The element of surprise will make it even more special and memorable.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Write letters of appreciation</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Take some time to write heartfelt letters to your closest friends, expressing how much their friendship means to you. It's a simple gesture but it will mean a lot to them and strengthen your bond even more.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Attend a friendship-themed event</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Look for local events or workshops that focus on building and celebrating friendships. It could be a workshop on communication, a group hike, or a book club centered around friendship. It's a great way to meet new people and learn more about the importance of friendship.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a game night</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends over for a game night filled with laughter and friendly competition. You can choose from classic board games, card games, or even make up your own games. The important thing is to have fun and enjoy each other's company.</p></div></div>
<div class='whywelove-item'><div class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It promotes and celebrates friendship</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Oddfellows Friendship Month is all about recognizing the importance of friendships and relationships in our lives. It encourages us to reach out to old friends, make new connections, and strengthen existing bonds. In a world where technology often isolates us, this holiday reminds us to prioritize human connection.</p></div></div><div class='whywelove-item'><div class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>It's a chance to spread kindness and love</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>During Oddfellows Friendship Month, we are encouraged to perform random acts of kindness for our friends and communities. Whether it's buying coffee for a coworker or volunteering at a local charity together, this holiday gives us the opportunity to show love and compassion towards others.</p></div></div><div class='whywelove-item'><div class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>There are endless ways to celebrate</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>From hosting a movie night with your besties to going on an adventure with your squad, there are countless ways to celebrate Oddfellows Friendship Month! This holiday encourages creativity and fun, making it the perfect excuse to create new memories and strengthen your friendships.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Oddfellows started as a trade association</h3><p class='facts-content'>The Independent Order of Odd Fellows began in the 18th century in England as a trade association, similar to a union, before evolving into a fraternal organization that values friendship, love, and truth.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Friendship Month is not just about personal relationships</h3><p class='facts-content'>Oddfellows Friendship Month extends beyond just personal friendships, as the Oddfellows are known for their charitable work and community service. They believe in using friendship to make a positive impact on their communities and the world.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The term “odd fellows” originally denoted irregular workers</h3><p class='facts-content'>"Odd Fellows" were members of various trades that were smaller in number and thus considered "odd" by larger, more organized fellowships. The name stuck even as the organization shifted towards fraternity and altruism.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>There are female Odd Fellows, too</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite the masculine sounding name, the Independent Order of Odd Fellows includes both men and women. The Daughters of Rebekah, an auxiliary of the IOOF, was founded in the USA in 1851 as a women’s branch of the fraternity.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>The Oddfellows have helped establish several other organizations</h3><p class='facts-content'>Over the years, the Oddfellows fraternity has been instrumental in establishing various other organizations, including orphanages, elderly homes, and insurance companies around the world.</p></div></div>
Oddfellows Friendship Month is celebrated on September 1st every year. In 2024, Oddfellows Friendship Month will occur on a Sunday.
2023
Sep 1
Friday
2024
Sep 1
Sunday
2025
Sep 1
Monday
2026
Sep 1
Tuesday
2027
Sep 1
Wednesday
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