Today is Friends Day in the Facebook universe

In a galaxy not so far away, a universe called Facebook, with a population of 1.59 billion active monthly users, invented its own special holiday. Facebook has announced 4 February 2016 is Friends Day. Facebook prides itself in connecting people, not only that but initiating real life friendships that begin or are maintained on the platform. Friends Day is about celebrating those friendships.

This year’s Friends Day marks Facebook’s 12th birthday. To celebrate this day, Facebook has revealed some stats and stories. According to the company over the past five years, the degrees of separation on the platform have decreased to 3.57 degrees, down from 3.74 degrees in 2011. The company sees this as a significant reflection of how closely connected the world has become.

To make this point the company has shared a video of GirlCrew, a Facebook group that was originally created in Dublin, Ireland. The group empowers women to find friends and organise events in their area. What began as a simple group for one woman who did not want to face the often brazen atmosphere of clubs has morphed into a 22,000 strong membership group on Facebook and more than 40 cities worldwide.

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Friends can celebrate the day by making a video of their memories. The short video is a montage of memories in photos, status updates and videos, of you and your friends that can be edited and shared. Videos are visible at the top of News Feed, or by clicking “Watch Yours” below a friend’s Friends Day video. Alternatively, if you want to watch Friends Day videos, search for the #FriendsDay hashtag on Facebook. The company is also releasing a best friends and friendship sticker pack and these can be downloaded for free in the sticker store.

“Each year we recognize this day as Friends Day and invite the world to celebrate and reflect on the importance of connecting. When people connect, powerful things happen and lives are changed. We see this on Facebook every day, whether it’s an exchange with an old friend that brings a smile to your face or a new connection that changes your life path, or even the world” the company said in a blog.