It’s National Siblings Day! Here’s what you need to know

Amanda Jackson
By Amanda Jackson, CNN
Published 11:08 AM EDT, Wed April 10, 2019
CNN invited readers last year to share photos of children with their new siblings. Here, Cecelia, 2, meets baby Sullivan. "Cece is very possessive of her little brother. 'He's mine' or 'my brother' or 'my Sully' are her favorite things to say to strangers when we are out together in public." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231966">Cary Chadwick</a>, Higganum, Connecticut
Hello, baby! —
CNN invited readers last year to share photos of children with their new siblings. Here, Cecelia, 2, meets baby Sullivan. "Cece is very possessive of her little brother. 'He's mine' or 'my brother' or 'my Sully' are her favorite things to say to strangers when we are out together in public." -- Cary Chadwick, Higganum, Connecticut
Cary Chadwick/CNN iReport
"This was my husband's first day back at work and my first day alone with two babies under 2. Overwhelmed didn't even begin to describe how I was feeling. It was 2 p.m. and I was finally getting around to brushing my teeth, so I laid Nora in my bed. When I came out of the bathroom, Jack had climbed up into the bed with her." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231662">Emily Thomas</a>, Marietta, Georgia
Jack, 2, and baby Nora —
"This was my husband's first day back at work and my first day alone with two babies under 2. Overwhelmed didn't even begin to describe how I was feeling. It was 2 p.m. and I was finally getting around to brushing my teeth, so I laid Nora in my bed. When I came out of the bathroom, Jack had climbed up into the bed with her." -- Emily Thomas, Marietta, Georgia
Emily Thomas/CNN iReport
"We worried that since the first one was still basically a baby herself, she'd be jealous about the new baby crowding her turf. Luckily, they've been best buds since their first meeting." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232272">Andrea Jones</a>, Atlanta, Georgia
Abigail, 11 months, meets baby Caroline —
"We worried that since the first one was still basically a baby herself, she'd be jealous about the new baby crowding her turf. Luckily, they've been best buds since their first meeting." -- Andrea Jones, Atlanta, Georgia
Andrea Jones/CNN iReport
"My wife and I were worried how he would react to having a baby sister. We had our baby girl Emma on February 28. She is beautiful, but is a little colicky. The first thing my son did when we came home was put his hands out to hold her." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232344">Michael Galarza</a>, Staten Island, New York
Mikey, 17 months, and baby Emma —
"My wife and I were worried how he would react to having a baby sister. We had our baby girl Emma on February 28. She is beautiful, but is a little colicky. The first thing my son did when we came home was put his hands out to hold her." -- Michael Galarza, Staten Island, New York
Michael Galarza/CNN iReport
"My son had been born at home at 4 a.m. while Julia was sleeping in the front bedroom. My husband brought her in when she woke up and she immediately kissed her baby brother. ... Then she couldn't stop staring in amazement at him." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231634">Jennifer Prescott</a>, Tustin, California
Julia, 17 months, meets baby Willy —
"My son had been born at home at 4 a.m. while Julia was sleeping in the front bedroom. My husband brought her in when she woke up and she immediately kissed her baby brother. ... Then she couldn't stop staring in amazement at him." -- Jennifer Prescott, Tustin, California
Jennifer Prescott/CNN iReport
"Our oldest daughter was less than thrilled when meeting her baby sister for the first time. ... I can only imagine what was going through Tenny's mind." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231761">Andrea Brown</a>, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Tennyson, 18 months, meets baby Marlowe —
"Our oldest daughter was less than thrilled when meeting her baby sister for the first time. ... I can only imagine what was going through Tenny's mind." -- Andrea Brown, Tulsa, Oklahoma
Courtesy Ann Bennett Photography
"The first few days he would cry and scream, 'I don't want Mommy to hold baby Brody!' He still has his moments, but he's accepted that Brody is sticking around." -- Sarah Hager, Louisville, Kentucky
Hudson, 2½, and baby Brody —
"The first few days he would cry and scream, 'I don't want Mommy to hold baby Brody!' He still has his moments, but he's accepted that Brody is sticking around." -- Sarah Hager, Louisville, Kentucky
Sarah Hager/CNN iReport
"Chloe loves giving hugs and kisses to Caleb. She's also the first one to jump in and console Caleb when he is upset. ... Although there's a big age gap between them, I think Chloe will always be a nurturing big sister." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232038">Marie Cabanlig</a>, Burnaby, British Columbia
Chloe, 8, and baby Caleb —
"Chloe loves giving hugs and kisses to Caleb. She's also the first one to jump in and console Caleb when he is upset. ... Although there's a big age gap between them, I think Chloe will always be a nurturing big sister." -- Marie Cabanlig, Burnaby, British Columbia
Marie Cabanlig/CNN iReport
"Brooklyn was very interested in her, and he would look deep into her eyes." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232104">Brad Beard</a>, Vestavia, Alabama
Brooklyn, 2, meets baby Jaclyn —
"Brooklyn was very interested in her, and he would look deep into her eyes." -- Brad Beard, Vestavia, Alabama
Brad Beard/CNN iReport
"She was a real live baby doll as far as my oldest was concerned. She thought she was so cute and would have lots of dresses." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231643">Katie OBrien</a>, Glens Falls, New York
Jillian, 6 meets baby Madelyn —
"She was a real live baby doll as far as my oldest was concerned. She thought she was so cute and would have lots of dresses." -- Katie OBrien, Glens Falls, New York
"A half-hour later, Jaden was still just staring at her, just as she is in the picture, mesmerized. Every so often she would reach down and touch Lilly-Belle's hair in pure amazement." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231986">Mike Bernstein</a>, Charlotte, North Carolina
Jaden, 2, meets baby Lillian Belle —
"A half-hour later, Jaden was still just staring at her, just as she is in the picture, mesmerized. Every so often she would reach down and touch Lilly-Belle's hair in pure amazement." -- Mike Bernstein, Charlotte, North Carolina
Mike Bernstein/CNN iReport
"We were all a little worried about whether Anthony would feel threatened by the new arrival, especially because he and his stepdad are very close, and during my pregnancy, he would often ask whether my husband was glad to have 'a real son' -- to which my husband would always reply that he was happy to have 'another son.' When Anthony met Preston, it was love at first sight." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232049">Julia Scheppach</a>, Aliso Viejo, California
Anthony, 6, meets baby Preston —
"We were all a little worried about whether Anthony would feel threatened by the new arrival, especially because he and his stepdad are very close, and during my pregnancy, he would often ask whether my husband was glad to have 'a real son' -- to which my husband would always reply that he was happy to have 'another son.' When Anthony met Preston, it was love at first sight." -- Julia Scheppach, Aliso Viejo, California
Julia Scheppach/CNN iReport
"This being my third cesarean delivery, they were adequately prepped on being gentle with both Mommy and baby once baby arrived. This picture was taken as they sat in my hospital bed, pillows all propped up, proudly sporting their big brother and big sister shirts." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231814">Robyn Augustine</a>, Monroe, Connecticut
Olivia, 5, and Brett, 3, meet baby Allison —
"This being my third cesarean delivery, they were adequately prepped on being gentle with both Mommy and baby once baby arrived. This picture was taken as they sat in my hospital bed, pillows all propped up, proudly sporting their big brother and big sister shirts." -- Robyn Augustine, Monroe, Connecticut
Robyn Augustine/CNN iReport
"Anna thought it was very strange that her new toy baby moved and made noises. She also kept asking when the baby's mommy was going to come get her." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231867">Crystal Lloyd</a>, Ridgecrest, California
Anna, 2, meets baby Mary —
"Anna thought it was very strange that her new toy baby moved and made noises. She also kept asking when the baby's mommy was going to come get her." -- Crystal Lloyd, Ridgecrest, California
Crystal Lloyd/CNN iReport
"He was so excited to see a baby at home, he kept on trying to hug, kiss and hold him. Of course, then he started to realize that Nathan wasn't here as a visitor, but a new member of our family." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232242">Gina J. Chan</a>, Braintree, Massachusetts
Colin, 20 months, meets baby Nathan —
"He was so excited to see a baby at home, he kept on trying to hug, kiss and hold him. Of course, then he started to realize that Nathan wasn't here as a visitor, but a new member of our family." -- Gina J. Chan, Braintree, Massachusetts
Gina J. Chan/CNN iReport
"It took several days for him to get anywhere near the new baby, and 10 days for him to hold his brother for three seconds before he handed him back to me and said, 'Mama, when is that baby going to get his own parents?'" -- Britten Nelson, Seattle, Washington
Beckett, 3, holds baby Ellis —
"It took several days for him to get anywhere near the new baby, and 10 days for him to hold his brother for three seconds before he handed him back to me and said, 'Mama, when is that baby going to get his own parents?'" -- Britten Nelson, Seattle, Washington
Britten Nelson/CNN iReport
"Edison was so excited to meet his baby brother. Every picture we own shows him touching Donovan in some sweet way. Two years later, we lost our dear Edison. We know he continues to watch over Baby D, his brovey." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232291">Jennifer Ruef</a>, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Edison, 4, and baby Donovan —
"Edison was so excited to meet his baby brother. Every picture we own shows him touching Donovan in some sweet way. Two years later, we lost our dear Edison. We know he continues to watch over Baby D, his brovey." -- Jennifer Ruef, Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport
"Josie was so proud to be this baby's big sister. She stared at her and held her like she never wanted to let go." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231979">Justine Collado</a>, Prince William County, Virginia
Josie, 5, and baby Ava —
"Josie was so proud to be this baby's big sister. She stared at her and held her like she never wanted to let go." -- Justine Collado, Prince William County, Virginia
Justine Collado/CNN iReport
"While pregnant with my daughter, my son loved to watch 'A Baby Story' on TLC. He was very excited to become a big brother. There was an African-American family featured on an episode we watched early in my pregnancy, and from then on he just knew he was going to have an African-American brother, and wasn't afraid to tell everyone. ... Needless to say, he was more than devastated." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231925">Jessica Conway</a>, Derby, Kansas
Tristan, 5, meets baby Emma-Rose —
"While pregnant with my daughter, my son loved to watch 'A Baby Story' on TLC. He was very excited to become a big brother. There was an African-American family featured on an episode we watched early in my pregnancy, and from then on he just knew he was going to have an African-American brother, and wasn't afraid to tell everyone. ... Needless to say, he was more than devastated." -- Jessica Conway, Derby, Kansas
Jessica Conway/CNN iReport
"She was just so amazed at how tiny he was." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231778">Anita Thomas</a>, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Baby King, born three months early, is still in the NICU but thriving.)
Imari, 6, sees baby King —
"She was just so amazed at how tiny he was." -- Anita Thomas, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania (Baby King, born three months early, is still in the NICU but thriving.)
"We struggled for years with fertility issues, and we just did not know if having a second baby would ever be a reality. It was difficult, especially because Maggie desperately wanted a sibling so much ... The moment she saw us, she slowly approached the bed, lovingly looked into my arms and whispered so preciously, 'Hello, Brother.'" -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232158">Jannan Bland</a>, Katy, Texas
Maggie, 7, meets baby Samuel —
"We struggled for years with fertility issues, and we just did not know if having a second baby would ever be a reality. It was difficult, especially because Maggie desperately wanted a sibling so much ... The moment she saw us, she slowly approached the bed, lovingly looked into my arms and whispered so preciously, 'Hello, Brother.'" -- Jannan Bland, Katy, Texas
Jannan Bland/CNN iReport
"The baby was hiccuping and Giacomo took Giada out of her mother's arms and said, 'Let me do it'." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231934">Maria Verdini</a>, Ventura, California
Giacomo, 7, takes baby Giada —
"The baby was hiccuping and Giacomo took Giada out of her mother's arms and said, 'Let me do it'." -- Maria Verdini, Ventura, California
Melea King/CNN iReport
"They came into the hospital room and were so overwhelmed with happiness and love. My son had tears in his eyes and my daughter couldn't stop kissing her new baby brother." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1231904">Stephanie Kucmerowski</a>, Hamlin, New York
Daniel, 8, and Madison, 9, meet baby Brantley —
"They came into the hospital room and were so overwhelmed with happiness and love. My son had tears in his eyes and my daughter couldn't stop kissing her new baby brother." -- Stephanie Kucmerowski, Hamlin, New York
Stephanie Kucmerowski/CNN iReport
"The fact that Jack is showing Lucy his precious dinosaur is proof of the immediate bond between brother and sister." -- <a href="http://ireport.cnn.com/docs/DOC-1232457">Etan Horowitz</a>, Atlanta, Georgia
Jack, 3, meets baby Lucy —
"The fact that Jack is showing Lucy his precious dinosaur is proof of the immediate bond between brother and sister." -- Etan Horowitz, Atlanta, Georgia
Etan Horowitz/CNN
Kids meeting their baby siblings

Editor’s Note: This is an updated version of a story that first published in 2016.

CNN  — 

Time to hug your brothers or sisters and let them know how much you appreciate them. Today is National Siblings Day!

The unofficial holiday is observed each year on April 10 to honor the bonds between brothers and sisters.

New Yorker Claudia Evart founded the day after she lost both her siblings early in life, according to the Siblings Day Foundation. She chose April 10 because that was the birthday of her late sister, Lisette.

:CRAIGIEBURN, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 12: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Cody Walker unveils a giant mosaic plaque dedicated to his late brother, American actor Paul Walker, at United Cinemas in Craigieburn, New South Wales. He is in Sydney to promote the new movie 'Furious 7' and kick off the Paul Walker Car Convoy Charity Drive. (Photo by Tony Gough/Newspix/Getty Images)
:CRAIGIEBURN, AUSTRALIA - APRIL 12: (EUROPE AND AUSTRALASIA OUT) Cody Walker unveils a giant mosaic plaque dedicated to his late brother, American actor Paul Walker, at United Cinemas in Craigieburn, New South Wales. He is in Sydney to promote the new movie 'Furious 7' and kick off the Paul Walker Car Convoy Charity Drive. (Photo by Tony Gough/Newspix/Getty Images)
Tony Gough/Newspix/Getty Images
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Famous Hollywood siblings

“Siblings Day follows the spirit of Mother’s Day and Father’s Day – a great American tradition and celebration of family-unit values,” the organization’s website says. “It is an uplifting celebration honoring people who have shaped our values, beliefs and ideals.”

The Siblings Day Foundation has petitioned the White House to issue a proclamation making it a nationally recognized holiday. They also are seeking a United Nations resolution to establish an International Siblings Day.

Inside the world’s largest gathering of twins

There are even Hallmark cards you can pick up to celebrate the occasion.

Thousands of social media users are posting photos with their brothers and sisters along with the hashtag #NationalSiblingsDay.

Products and companies are joining in on the trend, too.