Holidays Around The World � March Holidays

Store Bededag or Common Prayer Day

Carol — Fri, 29 Apr 2011 21:13:26 +0000

Common Prayers Day: April 30

Common Prayers Day is a public holiday in Denmark and Greenland.

Denmark celebrates Common Prayers Day usually on the last Friday after the celebration of Easter Sunday. The date of the celebration varies, but for 2010, it will be celebrated on April 30, 2010. The holiday is locally known as, ‘Store Bededag.’

King Christian V of Denmark instituted the celebration of Common Prayers Day to combine the festivity held by various small Christian religious affiliations in Denmark into one common holiday.

Denmark is the only country that celebrates Common Prayers Day; a practice not celebrated in other Scandinavian countries. The holiday’s other popular names are Great Day of Prayer, Great Prayer Day, All Prayers Day or General Prayer Day.

History of Denmark’s Common Prayers Day

The Common Prayers Day began in Denmark in 1686 during the reign of King Christian V. The holiday was instituted to consolidate the minor Christian religious holidays after the birth of Protestantism (Reformation). It was left unscathed during the holiday reformation in 1771 during the time of Christian VII.

The celebration of Common Prayers Day was effective in uniting the observance of minor individual Christian holidays and saints during Spring season in Denmark.

Denmark’s Common Prayers Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Government offices and businesses close during the holidays. Several traditions associated with the celebration of Common Prayers Day are eating of traditional Danish bread called ‘varme hveder’ and walking along the famous parks of Copenhagen such as the Langelinie.

Since most businesses, including bakeries, are closed during the holiday, it has become a tradition to buy verme hveder a night before the celebration. The tolling of church bells is common during the night signaling the celebration of the holiday as churches conduct their regular church service for the occasion.

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Uruguay: Landing of the 33 Patriots Day

Carol — Mon, 18 Apr 2011 15:06:13 +0000

Uruguay’s Landing of the 33 Patriots: April 19

Landing of the 33 Patriots is a public holiday in Uruguay.

Uruguay’s Landing of the 33 Patriots is an annual celebration on April 19 which commemorates the lives of Thirty-Three Orientals whose lives and bravery paved the way for the country’s independence on August 25, 1825.

Uruguay is located in the Southeastern part of South America. The majority of the country’s line of descent is European particularly Spanish, Italian, and Portuguese.

History of Uruguay’s Landing of the 33 Patriots

The control of Uruguay was jostled between Portuguese and the Spanish Empires. Both empires landed and took control on some portions of the country with Spain controlling parts of Soriano (Río Negro) in the early half of the 17th century (1669–71) and Montevideo in the 18th century and Portugal at Colonia del Sacramento in the latter half of 1700s.

Later, in the early 19th century, the region has become a battle ground between the military forces of Britain, Spain, and Portugal in their effort to exert influence and control in the region encompassing Argentina, Brazil and Uruguay.

José Gervasio Artigas became the country’s hero during a revolt he initiated against the government of Spain in the Battle of Las Piedras on May 18, 1811. Uruguay’s growing political stability towards republicanism made Portugal quite uneasy as it will mean losing stronghold on the areas where the latter exerts full influence. It launched an attack against the forces of Artigas, the Liga Federal (Federal League), in August 1816. Because of modern military machineries employed by Portugal in the Battle of Tacuarembó against Artigas’ forces, the latter was immediately defeated.

Five years later, Brazil occupied Uruguay and considered it as its province (Província Cisplatina). Resistance continued until Juan Antonio Lavalleja of Thirty-Three Orientals declared independence from foreign rule on August 25, 1825. The thirty-three self-exile forces led by Juan Antonio Llavaleja fought side-by-side with Artigas’ forces to liberate the country from the Brazil’s control.

The declaration of Uruguay’s independence was backed up by the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata (present-day Argentina).

A year-and-a-half war happened between Brazil and Argentina (500-day Argentina-Brazil War). It only ended when the Treaty of Montevideo was signed in 1828 allowing Uruguay to establish itself as an independent state. The Treaty of Montevideo was drafted by the United Kingdom. Two years later, Uruguay established and signed its first constitution (July 18, 1830). Even so, civil wars continued from 1839–1852 (Guerra Grande).

Uruguay’s Landing of the 33 Patriots: Traditions, Customs and Activities

The celebration of the Landing of the 33 Patriots coincides with the celebration of the country’s National Independence Day on August 25 so it’s not surprising that the kind of celebration is the same as the latter. Laying of wreath and speeches remembering and honoring those who led the revolt against the Brazilians are held on the holiday. Uruguayan working class consider this day as a rest day.

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Malta Celebrates Freedom Day

Carol — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:30:53 +0000

Malta’s Freedom Day: March 31

Freedom Day is a public holiday in Malta.

Every year on the 31st of March, the people of Malta celebrate the anniversary withdrawal of British troops from the country on March 31, 1979. Freedom Day is locally known in Malta as Jum il-Ħelsien.

History of Malta’s Freedom Day

Malta became a British Colony by virtue of the Treaty of Paris in 1814. From that year, British ruled the archipelago until the agreement expired on 1979. As part of this agreement, the British withdraw their military and navy from the country and closed their bases on April 1, 1979.

Malta’s Freedom Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Celebrations are held at Floriana which is located just the near the War Memorial to commemorate this important event in Malta’s history.

The most popular activity held during Freedom Day in Malta is a boat race locally known as regatta. Regatta is a basically a water race manually powered by those who are taking part in the event. However, a separate race using motorboats are also held and is categorically referred to as regatta.

Regatta activities are usually held at Grand Harbour and participated both by the locals and some foreigners unless otherwise prohibited by the organizers. Regatta is a sport where most Maltese citizens compete with the ultimate prize for the much coveted prize called Regatta Shield.

The people of Malta spend this day to visit the War Memorial and a monument located on Birgu waterfront (Vittoriosa) reminding all its citizens of Malta’s rich history.

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Cambodian Theravada Buddhists Celebrate Makha Bucha Day

Carol — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:20:28 +0000

Cambodia’s Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada): March 30

Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada) is a public holiday in Cambodia.

Theravada Buddhists countries, of which Cambodia is a part, observe the Makha Bucha Day, on the full moon of the third lunar month in the Buddhist calendar. The date of celebration may change since Buddhist calendar is astrological in nature which means the date of observations may vary depending on the position or sightings of celestial bodies.

Makha Bucha, or commonly known as Magha Puja, commemorates the act of 1,250 monks in paying homage to Buddha. Cambodia celebrates it on March while other countries such as Thailand usually celebrate it at the end of February.

History of Cambodia’s Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada)

Makha Bucha (Magha Puja) is celebrated in countries with high concentration of Buddhists such as Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. The name of the festival is derived from the name of the month in Buddhist calendar (Makha, third lunar month of the Buddhist calendar) and the act of venerating the Buddha (Bucha). With that, the celebration is the day for Buddhists to honor the Buddha and his teachings as soon as the full moon is sighted on the third lunar month.

The main goal of the holiday is absolute righteousness among the followers of Buddhism; this means that people are encouraged to do only good and despise evil of any kind and become at peace with nature.

The origin of Makha Bucha has tied up to the events that happened after the Enlightenment of the Buddha. The events that followed became the foundation of how the event is celebrated today: 1,250 followers (Shangha) visited Buddha, each of them are considered the ‘Enlightened One’ (Arhantas), the Buddha conferred what was called ‘ovadhapatimokha’, a principle that calls for absolute goodness of the Arhantas which is defined by doing what is good, discontinuing all evil acts, and cleansing one’s mind. It is said that during the event, the moon’s phase was on full moon.

Cambodia’s Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada): Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the holiday, especially at sunset, the faithful gather in local temples and participate in traditional religious ceremonies. Processions called Wian Tian also happens within that day.

Buddhist monks also calls for the observance of Five Precepts, a Buddhist principle which includes meditation, staying in the temple while wearing white robes, and being at peace with nature by clearing one’s mind with earthly worries.

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Central African Republic Remembers the Death of Barthelemy Boganda – FLAG OF Central African Republic

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:23:21 +0000

Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda: March 29

Death of Barthelemy Boganda is a public holiday in Central African Republic.

Central African Republic, a landlocked country in central Africa, celebrates the anniversary of the death of Barthelemy Boganda, a nationalist and a politician.

History of Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda

Barthelemy Boganda served as Ubangi-Shari’s (now Central African Republic) first prime minister in December 1958 when the country was still under an autonomous status. He served the French Fourth Republic, the government of France from 1946 to 1958.

As a premier politician and member of the French National Assembly, he rallied against racism against the Oubanguians by the French and the independence of Ubangi-Shari. His call for national unity and independence from France paved the way for the establishment of Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MESAN).

His efforts were granted by Charles de Gaulle, the then Prime Minister of France during the French Fourth Republic in 1958 when the head of France accepted Boganda’s proposal to create an independent Central African Republic. However, he was killed in a plane crash on March 29, 1959.

Various theories were formulated for the reason of his death but none of them were confirmed but there were proof that Boganda was assassinated when traces of explosives were found in the crash site.

A year later, full independence was realized when the French government granted Central African Republic’s full independence from French rule.

Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Public speeches abound during the anniversary of Boganda’s death with prominent politicians giving talks about the future of the country and the vision shared by Boganda to the establishment of a free Central African state. Since Boganda’s death is a public holiday, public offices are closed.

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Taiwan Observes Youth Day

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:21:49 +0000

Taiwan’s Youth Day: March 29

Youth Day is a public holiday in Taiwan.

Taiwan, or Republic of Taiwan (ROC), observes Youth Day every year on the 29th of March. Taiwan’s Youth Day commemorates the death of 72 youth in the class against the government forces in the Canton Uprising (Guangzhou Uprising) in 1911.

History of Taiwan’s Youth Day

Taiwan’s Youth Day replaced Martyr’s day which commemorates the anniversary of the death of 72 young members of revolutionary army in China in the early 20th century. These protesters were hailed as martyr’s and reminds all Taiwanese about the heroic deeds of the young in fighting for freedom. Dr Sun Yat Sen led the toppling of the then government of China (Ching) and conducted de-stabilization attempts. The events that followed encouraged the youths to engage in the demonstration.

The military government of China, Huang Hsing, violently dissolved the mounting resistance, killing thousands, mostly youths (Guangzhou Uprising). The 72 young men who perished in the uprising were named e 72 Revolutionary Martyrs of Huanghuakang. It got its name from the hill where they were buried – Huanghuakang.

Taiwan’s Youth Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the holiday, various youth organizations, mostly from educational institutions conduct fee-based and free concerts to mark the celebration of the holiday. Public offices remain close during the holidays while most private establishments remain open.

The government also holds special congress and meeting which discusses the role of youth in nation building, and the various legal and national issues affecting the young population. The president of Taiwan usually presides in public speech held at the shrine dedicated to the Martyrs’ of the Revolution along with other soldiers whose lives were perished during the incident.

During this day, the government also honors the Ten Outstanding Youth who displayed exemplary performance in their chosen field. The holiday is also a time to reveal government initiatives on the development of the youth and a chance to immerse the youth leaders in Taiwan’s political environment.

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Madagascar: Martyrs’ of the Revolt of 1947 – Memorial Day

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:18:58 +0000

Madagascar’s Memorial Day: March 29

Memorial Day is a public holiday in Madagascar.

Madagascar, an island state in the southeastern portion of the African continent, celebrates annual Memorial Day annually on the 29th of March. Memorial Day is also known as Martyrs’ Day or Commemoration Day. The day is set to commemorate the death of more than 11,000 in the Revolt of 1947 of the armed militants of Democratic Movement for Malagasy Restoration (MDRM) in 1947 during the occupation of the French imperial forces in the land.

History of Madagascar’s Memorial Day

The first major conflict between Madagascar’s colonial French rulers and Malagasy’s of the MDRM started in the 19th century when Queen Ranavalona III resisted French foreign rule on the island. A year after both her and the prime minister of Madagascar were exiled to Reunion and subsequently to Algeria.

Putting the monarchy and the government in exile did not stop the Malagasys to mount protest against the French colonial forces in the area. Malagasys’ demand for labor equality and discrimination were largely fueled by France’s refusal to confer French citizenship to the Malagasy people who were involved in the First World War. Although citizenship was eventually awarded in the creation of the French Fourth Republic in 1946, the growing discontent among the Malagasys were not enough to quench their call for Madagascar’s full independence from France.

A war broke out in March 29, 1947 between the two forces but the Malagasy suffered a heavy loss of more than 11,000 men. The brains of the revolution were later tried in military courts where some (around 20) were executed, and others were imprisoned.

Madagascar’s Memorial Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Local officials deliver speeches to remember those who perished in the violent revolution of 1947 by the Malagasy nationalists and lay wreath on memorials dedicated to the martyrs.

People in Madagascar treat this holiday as a family day. Little activities are held during the holiday other than families going to the movie houses or nearby parks to relax on a long weekend.

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Jains of India Celebrates Mahavir Jayanti Festival

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:26:28 +0000

Mahavir Jayanti: March 29

Mahavira Jayanti is a religious observance for followers of the Jain religion.

Followers of Jainism in India celebrate the birth of Mahavir Jayanti (alternate name, Vardhamana) who set the doctrines and lay the foundation of Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti is considered to be the most important religious holiday among Jains, the name used to refer to the followers of Jainism.

History of Mahavir Jayanti

In Jainism, Mahavira was considered to be the last Tirthankar or the last human to achieve spiritual renewal and enlightenment. He has successfully achieved spiritual purity through an ardent practice of asceticism, abstaining from earthly pleasures and worries for the purpose of attaining absolute spiritual renewal. It is believed that he was born between 599 BC and 615 BC on the 13th day of the rising of the moon on the month called Chaitra. Chaitra is the first month in the Calendar of the Hindus. In the Gregorian Calendar, Chaitra falls on March or April. According to Hindu belief, this month marks the beginning of the creation of the universe.

Mahavir Jayanti: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the holiday, the temples of Mahavira are decorated with flags. Jains also conduct the traditional ceremonial bath called abhishek to the images of Mahavira in the morning before street procession starts. The procession is usually participated by a great number of people living within the perimeter of the temples. Since the practice of Mahavir Jayanti religion calls for the care for the poor and releasing all forms of inclination to earthly desires, its followers usually engage in charity as an adherence to its teachings. Middle-class and affluent followers offer gifts to the poor such as fruit, rice, milk, water and incense. The Mahavir Jayanti chiefs also organize lectures during this day and may read to its followers a compendium of doctrines making up the principles of their faith which is usually preceded by prayers and meditation in the temples. The temples in the popular Jain temples in India (pawapuri, Parsvanath, and Kundalpur) are filled with devotees coming from different regions in India and other countries. Pilgrims may also visit Jain temples at Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, and Calcutta.

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Passover Observed by Jews Around the World

Noel — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 10:00:45 +0000

Passover Date: Sunset on March 29 to sunset on April 5

Passover is a Jewish holiday and festival.

Passover is a festival celebrated by the Samaritans and the Jews remembering the escape of the Hebrews from enslavement in Egypt.

Passover in Israel is a seven-day festival of which the first and the last days are considered as holy days with abstention with work, special prayers to the Lord, and holiday meals. The other days in the middle are festival days known as Chol HaMoed. However, the Diaspora Jews historically have celebrated this festival for eight days.

History of Passover

As the story of Exodus goes in the Bible, God imposed ten plagues (calamities) upon Egypt in order to make the pharaoh free the poorly treated Hebrew slaves. The tenth and likely worst plague was the death of all the first-born children of Egypt by an Angel of Death sent by God. The Hebrew were asked to mark the doorsteps of their houses with spring lambs blood, and upon seeing this the Angel of Death would spare the first born children of the Hebrews and “pass over” to the next Egyptian residence, hence the name “Passover”.

It was only after the tenth plague that the pharaoh released the Hebrews from enslavement. It is said that when the pharaoh released the Hebrews, they left their houses in such a hurry that they couldn’t even wait for their bread to rise. In remembrance of this, leavened bread is never eaten during Passover, and the festival is referred to by many as the “Festival of Unleavened Bread”. Matza is the token symbol of this festival.

Passover Traditions, Customs and Activities

On the tenth of Nisan, an unblemished lamb is chosen and kept separately. On the evening of the fourteenth of Nisan, the lamb is slaughtered, and on the evening of the fifteenth it is cooked without removing its organs, served with unleavened bread and bitter herbs. After sunrise the next day, anything remaining from the lamb is burnt in sacrifice. This sacrifice is performed only in Jerusalem.

During the Festival of Unleavened Bread, Chametz (breads, cakes, fermented and leavened products) of any sort is not to be eaten during the seven days of this celebration. To make sure that that the households are clean from any traces of Chametz, a spring cleaning is done. Every morsel of Chametz is removed, and all the vessels and dishes which contained it are washed and cleaned thoroughly. All remaining Chametz is burnt before the start of the holy days.

In its place, Matzo, the unleavened bread which is the symbol of this festival, is made in all the houses and enjoyed with almost all food during the Passover celebrations.

The firstborn of the Jews are to fast on the first morning of Passover in remembrance to God sparing the lives of the first born during the tenth plague. The firstborn fast till the Morning Prayer on the first day of Passover.

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Libya Celebrates British Evacuation Day

Carol — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:39:23 +0000

Libya’s British Evacuation Day: March 28

British Evacuation Day is a public holiday in Libya.

Libya, a country in North Africa, bordering Egypt (east), Chad and Niger (south), and Algeria and Tunisia (west), and Sudan (southeast), and Mediterranean Sea (north), celebrates the anniversary of the evacuation of British military forces in the country in 1970 after the British government agreed to pull out its troops from Tobruk “Al Adam” (present day, Jalal Abdulnasir Base), the air base they established after the Second World War broke out.

History of Libya’s British Evacuation Day

At the end of the Second World War, Libya associates much of its foreign policies in the West especially the United States and Great Britain while maintaining full diplomatic relations with Italy, Greece and France, including the dissolved Soviet Union (1955).

The military coup led by Muammar al-Gaddafi in 1969 resulted to the decision to close the American and British military bases in Libya and hoped to nationalize most of government’s properties including the fossil fuels resources and other commercial businesses in the country.

Moreover, Gaddafi’s temporarily embargoed the transport of oil to the US and other countries in the west as a means to convince the Western nations to halt the political and military support they’re giving Israel in 1973.

The last British troops left Libya in 1970 marking this day as one of the important turning points in Libya’s colonial history. Today, this is celebrated as British Evacuation Day.

Libya’s British Evacuation Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

British Evacuation Day is considered to be one of the most important holidays in Libya but it isn’t celebrated with festivities inasmuch as how religious holidays in Libya are celebrated. The employed consider this day as a time off from work.

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