National Siblings Day -- Here's what you need to know - CNN

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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Cary Chadwick/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Emily Thomas/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Andrea Jones/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Michael Galarza/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Jennifer Prescott/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Courtesy Ann Bennett Photography

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Sarah Hager/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Marie Cabanlig/CNN iReport

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

"Brooklyn was very interested in her, and he would look deep into her eyes." -- Brad Beard, Vestavia, Alabama

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Brad Beard/CNN iReport

Brooklyn, 2, meets baby Jaclyn —

"Brooklyn was very interested in her, and he would look deep into her eyes." -- Brad Beard, Vestavia, Alabama

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

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." -- Mike Bernstein, Charlotte, North Carolina

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Mike Bernstein/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Julia Scheppach/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Robyn Augustine/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Crystal Lloyd/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Gina J. Chan/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Britten Nelson/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Jennifer Ruef/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Justine Collado/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Jessica Conway/CNN iReport

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

"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.)

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

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.'" -- Jannan Bland, Katy, Texas

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Jannan Bland/CNN iReport

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

"The baby was hiccuping and Giacomo took Giada out of her mother's arms and said, 'Let me do it'." -- Maria Verdini, Ventura, California

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Melea King/CNN iReport

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

"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

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Stephanie Kucmerowski/CNN iReport

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

"The fact that Jack is showing Lucy his precious dinosaur is proof of the immediate bond between brother and sister." -- Etan Horowitz, Atlanta, Georgia

Photos: Kids meeting their baby siblings

PHOTO: Etan Horowitz/CNN

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

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.

Tony Gough/Newspix/Getty Images

Cody Walker, Paul Walker's brother, is following in his older sibling's footsteps by becoming a movie actor. Cody Walker was a stand-in for his brother, who died in an auto accident, in "Furious 7." Click through to see more Hollywood siblings.

Gallery

“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.

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