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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Christmas Is Celebrated in Portugal

Noel — Sat, 24 Dec 2011 11:00:43 +0000

Christmas Day: December 25

Christmas Day is a public holiday in Portugal.

December 25 is Christmas Day in Portugal. There is usually no work, most shops are closed, and the country almost stops completely. It is the day that the birth of Jesus is celebrated, and it is an important day for families to get together and enjoy some quality time.

History of Christmas Day in Portugal

Even though the day of the birth of Jesus Christ isn’t sure, the Catholic Church chose December 25 as the anniversary of Jesus Christ to Christianize a Roman pagan festival that was observed on this day due to the winter solstice. Christians took the holiday and gave it new meaning. Since in the winter solstice it is the beginning of longer days of sunlight in the northern hemisphere, the holiday was given the meaning that the birth of Jesus brought more light to the lives of Christians. During the Middle Ages in Europe, the day became more important in the Christian calendar. Even though it was supposed to be a religious Christian holiday, people have gathered around the Christmas celebrations many pre-Christian winter traditions like the Christmas tree and candle decorations which hold meanings of light and life.

Portugal’s Christmas Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

In Portugal it is tradition to prepare the interior of the houses for Christmas with decorations and colorful lights. The Presépio (or “Nativity Scene” in English) with little statues recreating the scene of the birth of Jesus are displayed near the Christmas tree. The Christmas tree is usually placed in the dining room, and the Christmas gifts are placed under the tree. The gifts are opened after dinner on Christmas Eve. On Christmas Day it’s time to enjoy the new gifts and visit family and friends. Christmas Day is dedicated by some to charitable works like visiting elderly people that have no family around them, giving out food to the poor, and many other charitable works.

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Festivus

Noel — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 22:06:27 +0000

Festivus Date: December 23

Festivus Day is celebrated

no where – - but in the minds and hearts of Seinfield fans.

There are several one-off festivals and holidays that are celebrated by people all over the world. One among these is the festival of Festivus. The event itself was primarily invented only in the early 1960’s. The festival had its beginnings in 1964 in the United States, when Dan O’Keefe, whose son later went on to become the script writer for the cult Seinfeld series, went on a date with his future wife for the first time, Deborah.

Festivus Day History

The holiday is believed to fall on 23rd of December. The popularity of this holiday is where all the surprise lies in however. As mentioned earlier, Dan O’Keefe’s son Daniel who later became the script writer for the popular sit-com Seinfeld is the one who should be given all the credit for popularizing this lesser known festival. It is with the popularity of Seinfeld that the celebration of Festivus grew in importance.

The celebration of Festivus gains even more impetus and interest when one gets to know the nature of Seinfeld. The show which had its roots in the American comedy industry, soon gained cult status amongst its fans. In one particular episode titled “The Strike”, the festival of Festivus first makes its appearance. In the show, where it is compared with its likeness to Christmas and other popular festivals the world over, it is described as a festival for the rest of the people, the ones who do not spend time celebrating more popular festivals like Christmas and the kind.

Festivus Day Traditions and Activities

The main reason for such a festival seems to have arisen from the fact that there is not much expenditure involved in its celebration, unlike a festival such as Christmas where sharing of gifts and other items involving monetary possessions are involved. The celebration of Festivus is carried out with an Airing of grievances, an unusual practice where members of a particular group talk about what they found unhappy or disappointing about the members of the rest of the group.
Part of the celebrations also involves a Festivus dinner, a sumptuous meal for the family or group, one would assume. The nature of this festival may appear unique to many, but to some, the seriousness of the festival can be as much as celebrating say, Christmas. Although the festival does seem to be superficial, it actually has good core values to support it. The fact that there is not much financial spending required to be able to celebrate such a festival and with the backing of Seinfeld, Festivus has been embraced by many as an alternative to Christmas.

Interesting fact about Festivus:

Another strange and novel practice that finds pride of place during the times of Festivus is the “Feats of Strength” event, where the opponent has to pin down the head of the household. The festival is said to be only complete when the opponent completely downs the head of the household. There are also funny instances where people actually use a plain pole much in likeness to the use of a Christmas tree.

Other interesting posts:

The Emperor’s Birthday is Festively Celebrated in Japan

Noel — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:00:45 +0000

Emperor’s Birthday: December 23

Emperor’s Birthday is a public holiday in Japan.

The Emperor’s Birthday is a national holiday in Japan and is celebrated on the day of birth of the current emperor. Currently it’s celebrated on December 23, the birthday of Emperor Akihito, who was born in 1933.

History of Emperor’s Birthday in Japan

In 1948, the Emperor’s Birthday was established as a moveable national holiday, dependent on the incumbent emperor’s birth date. Japan’s emperor is considered a symbol of the state and of unity in Japan.

The present emperor is named Akihito and was born in December 23, 1933. He is the 125th emperor of Japan and ascended to the throne in 1989. Akihito is the eldest son of late Emperor Showa. He married Empress Michiko on April 10, 1959 and had three children. As emperor, he has been known for his several apologies in the name of Japan for the country’s participation in World War II.

Japan’s Emperor’s Birthday Traditions, Customs and Activities

On December 23, there are public celebratory ceremonies organized at the Imperial Palace. The Emperor’s Birthday is one of only two days during the year that the Imperial Palace is open to the public, the other being January 2. The emperor and empress, as well as other members of the royal family, appear at the balcony of the palace to welcome all those that come to the celebrations. Everyone that gathers in the palace greets the emperor with Japanese flags and cheers of banzai. Since there are many visitors during this time, visitors may be placed in groups before entering the palace grounds. The emperor and empress will then greet each group as they enter and leave the grounds.

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Martyrs’ Day Commemorated in the Maldives

Noel — Thu, 22 Dec 2011 11:00:37 +0000

Martyrs’ Day: December 23

Martyrs’ Day is a public holiday in the Maldives.

Martyr’s Day—or shaheedhunge dhuvas as its known locally—in the Maldives celebrates the death of Sultan Ali VI as he fought the Portuguese with little support from the rest of the people. He died in the battlefield in 1558 and is considered a national hero and a martyr. The date of his death was on the 1st day of the month of Shauban, year 965 A.H. of the Islamic calendar. This is why the date changes from year to year in the Gregorian calendar.

History of Martyrs’ Day in the Maldives

The Portuguese were interested in the Maldives due to the existence on the islands of cowry shells and ambergris, important for the production of perfumes. They were fought back three times by Ali Rasgefaanu, later to become Sultan Ali VI. The Portuguese attacked again in 1558, but Sultan Ali VI could not repel the attacks and eventually was killed. His tomb was built in the same place where he died in Malé, and Martyr’s Day is devoted to him and all that fought by his side for the Maldives.

The Portuguese occupation lasted for 15 years, adding dark pages of history to the Maldives as the Portuguese tried to enforce Christianity on the people. Mohamed Thakurufaanu and his two brothers still fought the Portuguese using guerrilla warfare tactics and managed to retake the island of Malé from the Portuguese leader Andreas Andre.

The Maldives’ Martyrs’ Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The remembrance of Sultan Ali VI and all other heroes that have fought for the Maldives has generally been decreasing in significance for the people. They usually spend Martyr’s Day quietly at home after going to prayers at a mosque. Some people of the Maldives may enjoy outings to neighboring islands for relaxation and vacation purposes on this day.