Doctors’ Day 2023: Doctors’ Day is on March 30. This is a day set aside every year to honour the doctors who help save our lives. The first ether anaesthesia surgery was done by Dr. Crawford W. Long in Winder, Georgia, on March 30, 1933. Since then, the holiday has been celebrated every year on March 30. We still celebrate medical breakthroughs like these today and thank all the doctors around the world who have spent so much time and effort becoming experts in their fields.
HISTORY OF DOCTORS’ DAY
Eudora Brown Almond was married to a doctor in Georgia. She thought that her husband and other doctors should get more credit for their hard work, so she worked to make this happen. Doctors’ Day was first celebrated on March 30, 1933. This was exactly 91 years after Dr. Long made his important finding.
Almond sent cards to all of the area doctors and their wives, and she put flowers on the graves of doctors who had died, including Dr. Long. The flowers were red carnations, which became the symbol for the national holiday later on. A few other local doctors’ wives even helped Almond plan a party luncheon so that the work of their men in health care could be recognised by the public.
Sending greeting cards to doctors, both living and dead, is still a popular way to celebrate this holiday. People still say “thank you” to doctors for their work by giving them a red carnation.
Doctors’ Day was not an official holiday for a long time before it became one. The U.S. House of Representatives passed a motion honouring Doctors’ Day on March 30, 1958. On October 30, 1990, George W. Bush signed the law after both the House and the Senate gave their approval.
But other countries honour their doctors on different days than we do, often to honour a famous doctor from their country. On December 3, Spain, Cuba, and Argentina celebrate the birthday of Dr. Carlos Juan Finlay, who is known for figuring out that mosquito bites cause yellow fever. India has a party on July 1 to remember Dr. B. C. Roy’s birthday. He also died on that date, which is sad.
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DOCTORS’ DAY ACTIVITIES
Thank the doctors who have helped you.
It’s important to always acknowledge the hard work and commitment that doctors show every day in our hospitals and neighbourhoods. Send a thank-you card or email to your doctor, give money to the neighbourhood medical center, or even put your doctor up for an award. Nearly 700,000 doctors and surgeons work in the United States. It would make your doctor happy to know that their hard work has helped you stay healthy.
Set up that very important checkup
Seeing your doctor regularly can help you find problems before they start and give you a better chance of being treated and getting better. Instead of avoiding your doctor and other health care providers, make sure you’re on the right track to better health by making regular visits.
Keep your health
Doctors love to figure out what’s wrong with you and help you feel better, but they also want you to stay healthy. Keep doing healthy things every day, like drinking water, working out, and eating well-balanced meals. Your doctor will thank you, and so will your health.
5 FUN FACTS ABOUT DOCTORS
- There’s a Hallmark card for that
Hallmark makes official Doctors’ Day cards because the holiday is so popular.
- More women are becoming doctors.
In 2018, nearly half (47%) of medical school graduates were women.
- I now call you both Doctor.
Doctors often marry other doctors or other health care professionals.
- Doctors are working hard.
More than 60% of all doctors said they worked extra hours or close to 60 hours a week.
- “Doctor” comes from the Latin
The Latin root word “docere” means “to teach.” This is where the word “doctor” comes from.
DOCTORS’ DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | March 30 | Thursday |
| 2024 | March 30 | Saturday |
| 2025 | March 30 | Sunday |
| 2026 | March 30 | Monday |
| 2027 | March 30 | Tuesday |
