The Day was established in Paris (France) by the decision of the Congress of the International Democratic Federation of Women in November 1949. It was first celebrated in 1950. This initiative was supported by the United Nations (UN) and declared the protection of the rights, life and health of children one of the priorities of its activities.

In 1959, the UN adopted the Declaration of the Rights of the Child, which included articles calling on parents, state bodies, local authorities and governments, non-governmental organizations to recognize the rights and freedoms of children set out in them and strive to respect them. The Declaration was only advisory in nature and was not binding.

On November 20, 1989, the UN adopted the Convention on the Rights of the Child. The document entered into force on September 2, 1990, and was ratified by the USSR on June 13, 1990.

The organizers of the International Day in various ways convey to the masses the information that children's lives still need protection, their rights must be respected, and their health must be preserved.