Holidays Around The World � December Holidays

Republic Day Commemorated in the Republic of the Congo

Noel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:59 +0000

Republic Day: December 31

Republic Day is a public holiday in the Congo.

Republic Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Congo to reflect on the country’s history with pride.

History of Republic Day

The Republic of the Congo (simply known as the Congo) is a country in Central Africa that is bordered by Gabon, Cameroon, the Central African Republic, and Zaire. The country celebrates Republic Day on December 31 of each year to remember when it was officially named as the first “people’s republic” of Africa.

Congo did not become a republic until 1968, even though it gained independence in 1960. Prior to these times, Congo was a large commercial hub for trade between the Bantu kingdom and European merchants along the Congo River. These two groups traded various commodities, manufactured goods, and slaves captured from the hinterlands. But, when the Europeans began to completely settle within the country, the Bantu groups and other kingdoms slowly phased out of Congo, and the French had ultimate control.

Once France gained control, it created French Equatorial Africa (a group of countries from Central Africa), chose the federal capital of the region (Brazzaville), and created an economic development strategy to expand the Congo’s infrastructure. The French administration benefited from these implementations.

It was after these changes were implemented that Congo gained its independence as the Congo Republic in 1960. Nine years afterwards, President Ngouabi proclaimed Congo to be Africa’s first “people’s republic”. This proclamation gave the country a source of pride, and to this day this pride has been celebrated.

Congo Republic Day Public Traditions, Customs, and Activities

Republic Day continues to be a source of pride for the country. The day brings people of all backgrounds together as proud citizenship of the country. The day usually starts out with memorial marches to remember this day in history, but ends with local celebrations.

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San Marino Remembers Saint Sylvester

Noel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:52 +0000

St. Sylvester’s Day: December 31

St. Sylvester’s Day is a public holiday in San Marino.

December 31 is set aside to commemorate Saint Sylvester in San Marino. As with many other countries, St. Sylvester’s Day in San Marino blends the tradition of the end-of-year celebration with the memory of the Saint.

History of St. Sylvester’s Day in San Marino

St. Sylvester’s date of birth is unknown, but we do know that he died on December 31st, 335. He was the pope during the persecutions of Diocletian, the Roman emperor that promoted the last and most severe persecutions of Christians in the Roman Empire. But, in 312, the new Emperor Constantine signed a decree in which he legalized Christianity and ended Roman persecution. Later in 314, he signed another decree that made Christianity officially encouraged through the state-run Church of the Roman Empire.

St. Sylvester was the pope that observed the transition from early Christianity to the Roman Catholic Church. In 1582, well after Sylvester’s death, the introduction of the Gregorian calendar moved the last day of the year from the 24 to the 31 of December. This in effect gave St. Sylvester’s Day added significance, creating a blending of customs and traditions with his feast.

San Marino’s St. Sylvester’s Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The feast of Saint Sylvester is the forerunner to the New Year celebrations. Nowadays the religious significance of the day has faded somewhat, replaced by celebrations of eating and drinking, parties, and fireworks displays, all things that are at the heart of modern Western New Year celebrations.

In San Marino, tradition isn’t what it used to be, and St. Sylvester’s Day is mostly celebrated beyond the religious boundaries of the Saint’s memory, and it is now a more modern New Year celebration of the last night of the year.

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Solidarity Day Celebrated in Azerbaijan

Noel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:49 +0000

Solidarity Day: December 31

Solidarity Day is a public holiday in Azerbaijan.

Solidarity Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Azerbaijan to reflect on the country’s struggles with pride.

History of Solidarity Day in Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan is a country in Eurasia, located at the crossroads of Western Asia and Eastern Europe. It is bordered by the Caspian Sea to the east, Russia to the north, Georgia to the northwest, Armenia to the west, and Iran to the south. Azerbaijan, a nation with a majority Turkic and Shi’ite Muslin population, is a secular and united country, and was the country that was first successful in attempting to establish a democratic and secular republic in the Muslim world.

When the country was under the rule of the Soviet Union, there were many wars (such as the Operation Edelweiss period, and the wars fought during the eras of World War I and World War II) that left a lot of people dead. However, the Soviet Union was dissolved in 1991, and since then, Azerbaijan has worked to restore some of its power and stability.

President Heydar Aliyev was the president of Azerbaijan from 1969-1982, and he became the president again in 1993 after his predecessor, Abulfaz Elcibay, was overthrown. It was under Alliyev’s rule that unemployment decreased for the country, criminal groups were encouraged to cease violence, the economy improved, and stability was brought to the country. The government of the country was still “tainted,” but these improvements were effectively symbolic.

h2>Azerbaijan Solidarity Day Public Traditions, Customs, and Activities

On December 31 of every year, the country celebrates Solidarity Day. This day is celebrated as a day to remember and honor the struggles of the country. The day focuses on respecting the national and moral values of the Azerbaijani nation, and it focuses on the feelings and ideas of the nation as one unit working together for a common goal.

Solidarity Day brings about further unity and compassion in the country every year. On this day, the president addresses the country, communicating the need to observe the day with strength and seriousness.

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Harvest Day Celebrated in Benin

Noel — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 11:00:07 +0000

Harvest Day: December 31

Harvest Day is a public holiday in Benin.

The end of the year is a time for celebration in Benin, marking the end of the harvest season and causing people to be thankful for all that has been gathered from the fields. It is also the start of the dry season, in particular in the northern regions of Benin.

History of Harvest Day in Benin

The economy of Benin is underdeveloped and dependent on subsistence agriculture, with about a third of the population living below the international poverty line of $1.25 per day. It is easy to understand how important it is to the Beninois to have a good harvest every year. How thankful they must be when the harvest seasons ends and the sacks are full.

These feelings originated the beginning of Harvest Day, going back to when several groups from all over Africa found in those lands protection from the slave trade during the 16th century. The origin of the harvest festival isn’t easy to trace, but it is believed to be come from the rituals of the African tribes that converged in Benin. During the rituals, adults would not only give thanks for the abundance of the harvest season, but also young girls and boys would meet and get acquainted. Girls would show their beauty, and boys would display their strength with games.

Benin’s Harvest Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Harvest Day is celebrated within the Benin Festival that happens at the end of the rainy season in Benin. (It corresponds with the end of the year in the Gregorian calendar.) The festival gives thanks through joyous dances and singing for the year’s bounty. Villagers gather and are united in this feeling of gratitude as they prepare for the dry season and enter the New Year.

For the more wealthy families it is also an opportunity to have their eligible bachelors in the family participate in the festival to find a partner. Usually this occurs every four years. In the past, girls would wear no clothes, but today they are clothed with fine garments, heavy armlets, leg ornaments, and coral beads in the hair. Boys and girls have elaborate paintings put on their bodies, and the boys take part in displays of strength in games like tug-of-war.

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Rizal Day Festively Celebrated in the Philippines

Noel — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:00:37 +0000

Rizal Day: December 30

Rizal Day is a public holiday in the Philippines.

Rizal Day is a holiday that is celebrated in the Philippines as a day in history that had a great impact on the people’s pride and freedom.

History of Rizal Day in the Philippines

In the Philippines, Rizal Day is celebrated as a national holiday in December. It is typically celebrated on the nearest Monday to December 30. This day is in honor of Jose Rizal. Jose Rizal’s full name was José Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda, and he was known as a nationalist and the most prominent advocate for reform in the Philippines during the Spanish colonial era. Because of his beliefs and the changes he fought for, Rizal is considered the Philippines’ national hero.

Rizal was born on June 19, 1861 and was the seventh child of 11 children born to a wealthy family of farmers. Rizal attended the Ateneo Municipal de Manila, where he earned a bachelor of arts degree. After he received his degree, he traveled and continued his studies. He earned two doctorates and became very fluent in ten languages. To the Philippine culture, Rizal was a prolific poet, essayist, diarist, correspondent, and novelist.

Rizal was also a highly respected political figure. He was a proponent of initiating reforms by peaceful means rather than by violent action. He had admirable philosophies on how to get things accomplished effectively and efficiently.

While Rizal was a motivating cultural force, there were some who did not appreciate this. In 1896, Rizal was sentenced to death on charges of rebellion, which were based on a planned conspiracy. Many were saddened by this because they felt that his teachings were giving them more opportunity to seize freedom and peace.

There have recently been interesting debates to move the holiday to his birthday as opposed to his day of death. This suggestion has been proposed to the House of Representatives and is currently in being reviewed.

The Philippines’ Rizal Day Traditions, Customs, and Activities

To celebrate Rizal Day, there are many festivals and parades to celebrate the man’s life and values. People observe this day to remember a man in the country’s history that has influenced the culture and values of the entire country.

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Republic Day Observed in Madagascar

Noel — Thu, 29 Dec 2011 11:00:19 +0000

Republic Day: December 30

Republic Day is a public holiday in Madagascar.

Republic Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Madagascar to remember the era that changed things for the better of the country.

History of Republic Day in Madagascar

Madagascar, the fourth-largest island in the world, lies in the Western Indian Ocean off the coast of Mozambique. A central chain of high mountains called the Hauts Plateaux occupies more than half of the main island, and the mountains are responsible for making the east and west coasts of Madagascar so different.

The capital of the island is Antananarivo. The primary languages on the island are Malagasy, French, and English. The people of Madagascar have very traditional religious views, practicing Christianity, Protestant, Roman Catholic, and some Islam.

On December 30, 1975, the Republic of Madagascar was officially formed and this is celebrated as a public holiday by the country. However, forming the Republic of Madagascar was not an easy, quick task. The country survived much turmoil and violence before it reached some stability.

For years, the French had total control of Madagascar. After the French bombarded the country in 1883, they began to set up government and rules that were not appreciated, but they were accepted in order to keep the peace. They overthrew monarchies and ended all notions of secret organizations and potential conspiracies in order to keep power. The French held control during World War II, a time filled with many major attempted uprisings against them.

It wasn’t until 1972 that things started to improve. Tsiranana, president of Madagascar at the time, handed over power to General Gabriel Ramanantsoa, who became the country’s prime minister. Afterwards, Ramanantsoa’s plan to rule was overwhelmingly approved and things began to change for the better. Ramanantsoa freed political prisoners jailed by Tsiranana and began to reduce French influence in the country. Finally in 1975, a new constitution was approved that renamed the island to the Democratic Republic of Madagascar.

Madagascar’s Republic Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Every year, the holiday is celebrated on December 30. Madagascans observe this day as the day when the country started to become a region of peace. Many celebrations and festivals are held to honor this day.

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North Korea Observes Constitution Day

Noel — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 11:00:13 +0000

Constitution Day: December 27

Constitution Day is a public holiday in North Korea.

Many countries have strong constitutions backed on solid principals and strong government. Others have constitutions backed on dictatorships and false promises. Some are living documents while others are static.

The constitution of North Korea has existed since 1972, yet many view it in a negative light. Regardless of world views on North Korea’s constitution and government, every year on December 27 it observes Constitution Day.

History of Constitution Day in North Korea

After the Korean War, North Korea wanted to consolidate, repairing its infrastructure and putting industrial production back online. These efforts were highlighted with the campaigning of then leader Kim Il-sung’s policy of Juche, one that taught that “man is the master of everything and decides everything.” This process of self-reliance was inherent in all efforts made by Kim Il-sung.
The country was encouraged to grow using domestic resources as often as possible.

As prime minister of the country, Kim Il-sung wanted to spread these ideas to the people and strengthen his base of power at the same time. What resulted was the creation of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea Socialist Constitution.

The constitution was authored by Kim Il-sung, and his son and current leader Kim Jong-Il helped to perfect it. The constitution effectively made Kim Il-sung the president of the country and documented how socialism would be used to reflect the will of the North Korean people. On December 27, 1972, Kim Il-sung signed the constitution into effect, realizing his cause of Juche.

After Kim Il-sung’s death in 1994, his son Kim Jong-Il took over. The constitution has since been revised at least three times, once in April 1992, again in September 1998, and once more in April of 2009.

In 1998, Kim Jong-Il dispersed the roles of the presidency across many different organizations, leaving many to wonder who was in control. The April 2009 revisions added references to Kim Jong-Il as the “supreme leader” of North Korea, removing much of the ambiguity. The 2009 updates also removed references to communism and placed more emphasis on his policy of songun, a focus on the military.

North Korea’s Constitution Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

It’s difficult to say how the people of North Korea truly view the constitution and the leader behind it. Despite the addition of references to more human rights in the 2009 update, many experts agree that the references are mostly cosmetic. As fears of retribution keep vocal disagreement to a minimum, it’s difficult to gauge how the people feel about the constitution and what it offers them. As human rights issues continue to plague the country, there are implications that many North Korean citizens don’t joyfully celebrate this holiday.

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Boxing Day

Noel — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 06:04:43 +0000

Boxing Day Date: December 26

Boxing Day is celebrated in Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom.

The day is also known as the St. Stephen’s Day and is a public national holiday. The main essence of the day is to share one’s fortunes with other needy people. The name is derived from the fact that the day after Christmas the boxes in the house of the Christians are filled with gifts and articles that they have in excess and give to the poor and the needy.

Boxing Day History

Many would think that the Boxing Day means a day for the sport of Boxing. It also does not denote getting rid of the boxes that one keeps in their home. It is actually the giving of gifts or articles to the people who need them. The misnomer had always confused people who are not of Christian origin. The day’s roots are from the British Isles where it was customary to give gifts to equals on the day of Christmas and to the lesser class people the day after the Festival.

The Origins of the Day is hot topic of debate for the folklorists who believe in various causes as to the day’s origin. Although there is general agreement that the holiday is British in origin and involves giving gifts to the less fortunate there can never be absolute proof or evidence for the origin of the day. Some of the following are the widely believed causes or origin of the day:

Christmas was a day of the gathering of the family members and celebrations. In the olden days when there were large manors and extended families Christmas was the time to share presents during the family gathering. The presents were given out by the Head of the family based upon how the people were related and their involvement in the family. The day after Christmas was when the servants and the people working for the manor would get their bonuses or stipends for the upcoming year. These gifts and presents were usually wrapped up in boxes and given.

There was a time when the apprentices and the servants would carry boxes to their master’s home on Christmas day in hope of getting extra amount of money or rewards for the work that they had done for that year. This theory also has another viewpoint to it as when the earthen boxes with gifts are laid out for the servants by their masters, and the servants break them in order to get their presents.

These last two theories imply that the boxes handed out by the employers to their employees were actually not presents but Christmas bonuses in today’s perspective.

There is another theory that the Boxing Day originated when the donations collected by the Clergy and the church in view of the upcoming festival would be distributed to the needy on the Day after Christmas. The donations would be collected in a huge black box that would be kept outside the Church. Since the donations where collected through a huge black box and then divided and distributed through smaller boxes, the name was made up.

Another version is that the voyagers would keep a box in their ship which would contain money that they would collect during a ceremony known as Christ-mass , which was a superstitious belief of invoking the protection of a saint to guard the vessel against the wraths of nature. The poor who were the most concerned about the safety of the vessel, since most of them would be having a family member working in the ship, would beg for money to be put inside the box. After the safe return from the voyage the amount would be divided and given back to the needy.

Boxing Day Traditions and Activities

Saint Stephen was the martyr in the religion of Christianity. He was killed for his belief and his preaching about the Son of God, Jesus. His death was by stoning from a mob. The Boxing Day is also to commemorate his sacrifice for the cause of Christianity.

Thus the day after the Christmas is celebrated as the Boxing Day and to give the needy and poor gifts and materials in the true essence of Christmas which is all about sharing and care.

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Boxing Day Celebrated in Many Parts of the World

Noel — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:00:56 +0000

Boxing Day: December 26, 27, or 28

Boxing Day is a public holiday in many parts of the world.

Boxing Day is usually celebrated on December 26 in most countries like Britain, Ireland, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand where the population is predominantly Christian. However, sometimes the day is celebrated on December 27 or 28, specifically when the holiday falls on a Saturday or Sunday. Boxing Day is also sometimes known as St. Stephen’s Day to commemorate the sacrifice of Saint Stephen, a Christian martyr, for the cause of Christianity.

The main essence of the day is to share one’s fortunes with other needy people. The name is derived from the fact that on the day after Christmas, the boxes in the house of the Christians are filled with gifts and articles that they have in excess. The holiday is a means to give some of that excess to the poor and the needy.

History of Boxing Day

The origin of Boxing Day is a hot topic of debate for the folklorists who believe in various causes. Although there is general agreement that the holiday is British in origin and involves giving gifts to the less fortunate, there can never be absolute proof or evidence for the origin of the day. Some of the following are the widely believed origins of the day:

Centuries before this day, the ordinary merchants and trades people would give presents to their servants wrapped up in boxes as a token of gratitude for their service. This was usually done on the day after Christmas. Christmas was a day of gathering and celebration for family members. In the olden days when there were large manors and extended families, Christmas was the time to share presents. The presents were given out by the head of the family based upon relation and involvement in the family.

The day after Christmas was when the servants and the people working for the manor would get their bonuses or stipends for the upcoming year. These gifts and presents were usually wrapped up in boxes and given. There was a time when the apprentices and the servants would carry boxes to their master’s home on Christmas day in hope of getting extra money or rewards for the work that they had done for that year. This theory implies that the boxes handed out by the employers to their employees were actually not presents but Christmas bonuses in today’s perspective.

There is another theory that Boxing Day originated when the donations collected by the clergy of the church, in view of the upcoming festival, would be distributed to the needy on the day after Christmas. The donations would be collected in a huge black box that would be kept outside the church and then re-distributed from the box, thus giving the idea of Boxing Day.
Another version has it that voyagers would keep a box in their ship which would contain money that they would collect during a ceremony known as Christ-mass, originating from a superstitious belief of invoking the protection of a saint to guard the vessel against the wraths of nature. The poor were most often concerned about the safety of the vessel since most of them have a family member working in the ship. The family members would beg for money to be put inside the box to protect their ship-working family. After the safe return from the voyage, the amount would be divided and given back to the needy.

Boxing Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Aside from getting together with friends and family or donating time and gifts to the poor, Boxing Day has become more of a retail holiday in recent years. Huge Boxing Day sales in many countries have become popular with retailers trying to attract extra income before the end of the year. Additionally, sports like soccer, rugby, and ice hockey are practiced on this day with many championships beginning or being held on Boxing Day.

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Many People in the United States Celebrate Kwanzaa

Noel — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 11:00:24 +0000

Kwanzaa Date: December 26 to January 1

Kwanzaa is NOT a United States holiday. It is a festival among African-Americans.

Kwanzaa is an African-American Holiday that strives to celebrate the African roots. The celebrations center on various traditions unique to this festival, but the most important one is lighting the candles on the traditional holder called the Kinara. Kwanzaa is celebrated a day after Christmas till the New Year and is primarily celebrated in the United States. Apart from the lighting of the Kinara, other activities include pouring a drink honoring God (known as “libations”), having a magnificent feast, and exchanging gifts. It was first started with a purpose of bringing the African American community together and giving them an opportunity to celebrate their lineage.

History of Kwanzaa in the United States

The history of the festival dates back to 1966. It was the first specific African-American celebration. The founder, Ron Karenga, wanted African-Americans to discover the joy of celebrating their own culture rather than simply copying what the rest of society does. The founder gave this particular name to the festival, and it derived from the Swahilian phrase “Matunda Yaa Kwanza”. The choice of Swahili symbolized the movement that was started to unite all the families of the African Diaspora. This was the first festival to do so. It extended an opportunity to African-Americans to re-discover their African culture.

Kwanzaa has been popularly recognized with the US postal service releasing a stamp to honor it. The second stamp represented the principles followed in Kwanzaa. In earlier days, Christmas was considered to be specifically for the Caucasian community, and hence Kwanzaa was started to challenge this. But later, the founder changed his stance saying that it was not created to alienate Christianity. Today, most of African-American people celebrate Kwanzaa along with Christmas.

There are seven principles associated with this festival. They were intended to be the best compilation of the African traditions. Each tradition is represented by each of the seven days of this festival.

First, Umoja is celebrated to cherish unity in all walks of the society. Second, Kujichagulia recognizes ones self and our own purpose in life. Third, Ujima brings all the people together to manage the community and solve each others problems. Fourth, Ujamaa strives to bring forth corporate discipline in economics. Fifth, Nia deals with the purpose of life. Sixth, Kumba is to make us do our best. Seventh, Imani recognizes faith in people and values as the foremost thing.

The United States’ Kwanzaa Traditions, Customs and Activities

Houses are decorated with colorful African cloth and art, and women generally wear “kaftans”. There are fresh fruits that are eaten to represent the idealism of the African race. Children are generally included in the festivities as it teaches them about their lineage and gives respect to the ancestry. The drinks are shared among the family in a common glass. The feast is known as the “Karamu”. There is frequently drumming, singing, and reading a pledge to Africa and the principles of Africa. The people generally greet each other in Swahili with “Habari Gani” which means “What is new?”

There are also plenty of cultural exhibitions. There is an annual “Spirit of Kwanzaa” festival held at John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts that contains examples of African dances, songs, and poetry that capture the essence of these people.

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