Written By: Lily Rothman, Liz Ronk
Across the world, in nations from China to Cuba, this Thursday, June 1, will mark what’s now widely known as International Children’s Day. The purpose of such a day some other nations mark it at different times throughout the year and the U.N. has Universal Children’s Day in November is to both celebrate the lives of children and remember the importance of protecting them so that they can fulfill the boundless potential that comes with being young.
In honor of that day, LIFE takes a look back through its 37 years of iconic photography to find images that capture the breadth of experience of children around the world. Funny or serious, cute or moving, happy or sad, the kids shown here illustrate in their own ways an element that makes childhood uniquely special. They may be small, but their inner lives, as captured on film by LIFE’s expert photographers, are anything but.
International Children’s Day
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Pictures Inc. The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Margaret Bourke-White The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
John Phillips The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Hans Wild The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Carl Mydans The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Marie Hansen The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Eliot Elisofon The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Nina Leen The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Nat Farbman The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
W. Eugene Smith The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Martha Holmes The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Eliot Elisofon The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Ed Clark The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Michael Rougier The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Gordon Parks The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Ed Clark The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Cornell Capa The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Yale Joel The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Gordon Parks The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Ralph Morse The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Carlo Bavagnoli The LIFE Images Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Stan Wayman The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
George Silk The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Alfred Eisenstaedt The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Paul Schutzer The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Bill Ray The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
International Children’s Day
Co Rentmeester The LIFE Picture Collection/Getty Images
