Holidays Around The World � Australia and Pacific Islands Holidays

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:

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 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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Tonga Remembers King Tupuo I

Noel — Sat, 03 Dec 2011 11:00:16 +0000

King Tupuo I Day: December 4

King Tupuo I Day in Tonga is a public holiday.

December 4 in Tonga is a public holiday, and it is celebrated to commemorate the installation of Tupou Maeakafaua Ngininginiofolanga as ‘Tui Kanokupolu in 1845 as King Tupou I of Tonga.

History of King Tupuo I Day in Tonga

Taufa’ahau emerged as King Tupou I after the Civil War of Tonga which started in 1839 and ended in 1845. The king ruled the island nation that he united, and he also administered the three island groups of Tonga, Ha’apai, Tongatapu, and Vava’u under his government. The king introduced in the 1875 Constitution the freedom of worship and the freedom of speech which became the defining principles of his kingdom. The observance of Sabbath as a holy day was also acknowledged in the constitution. Sunday is still a holy day in modern day Tonga.

Tonga is predominantly a Christian country. In the early 1800s, King Tupou I offered Tonga to God. The king’s Christian legacy up to this day strongly endures. Throughout the kingdom, King Tupou’s famous words “Tonga and God is my inheritance” still reverberate, and it is the national motto of Tonga. King Tupou I was not only a devout Christian, he was also a lay preacher. All Tongan kings after Tupou I have remained adherents of the Christian faith.

Tonga’s King Tupuo I Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the King Tupuo I Day celebrations, a series of concerts pay respect to the first king of Tonga. King Tupou I, the father of modern day Tonga and the Tupou dynasty, is also honored by solo performers in concerts at Queen Salote College Hall. The hour-long performances are performed with the national motto “God and Tonga are my heritage” as the underlying theme. The celebrations begin with a hymn that has lyrics penned by King Taufa’ahau Tupou IV.

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Labour Day Celebrated in New Zealand

Noel — Mon, 24 Oct 2011 10:00:33 +0000

Labour Day Date: October 24

Labour Day is a public holiday in New Zealand.

In New Zealand, Labour Day commemorated the establishment of the standard eight-hour workday in 1840. It is held annually on the fourth Monday in October, which falls on October 26, 2009.

History of New Zealand’s Labour Day

New Zealand’s workers were among the first in the world to claim the right to an eight-hour workday. The movement toward an eight-hour workday arose in Wellington colony in 1840, where carpenter Samuel Parnell refused to work more than eight hours a day. He encouraged other tradesman to limit their workday to eight hours, resulting in a workers’ meeting resolution being passed in support.

On October 28, 1890, there was a parade held to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the eight-hour workday. In celebration, many trade union members attended parades in cities, and government employees were given the day off. The parade began to be held annually in late October as either Labour Day or Eight-Hour Demonstration Day. In 1899, the government passed legislation to establish Labour Day as a public holiday beginning in 1900. In 1910, the government set the holiday on the last Monday of October, to be observed on the same day throughout the nation.

New Zealand Labour Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

New Zealand’s Labour Day celebration is marked by parades in some cities. However, many New Zealanders now regard Labour Day as simply a day off from work. Government buildings and many businesses are closed for the holiday.

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Micronesia Celebrates United Nations Day

Noel — Sun, 23 Oct 2011 10:00:20 +0000

Micronesia United Nations Day Date: October 24

Micronesia celebrates United Nations Day as a national holiday.

Since 1948, the anniversary of the United Nations Charter coming into force on October 24, 1945 has been celebrated as United Nations Day in Micronesia.

Micronesia United Nations Day History

Since the independence of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), it has established diplomatic relations with most of its Pacific neighbors like Japan, Australia, and the People’s Republic of China. Through various multilateral organizations, regional cooperation is a key element of its foreign relations guidelines. In 1991, the FSM became a member of the United Nations.

In the spring of 1945, the representatives of fifty nations assembled in San Francisco to put the final changes on a document of sweeping importance. This document came to be known as the Charter of the United Nations. It was on October 24 when a sufficient number of endorsements had been obtained to inaugurate the new United Nations officially.

The United Nations General Assembly in 1971 issued a new resolution (United Nations Resolution 2782) which states that the United Nations Day shall be an international holiday and recommended that it should be observed as a public holiday by all United Nations member states. United Nations Day aims to make the whole world aware of the goals and accomplishments of the United Nations Organization. The period from October 20 to 26 is known as United Nations Week, United Nations Day being a part of it.

Micronesia United Nations Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

On the island of Yap in Micronesia, United Nations Day is a big celebration. All schools, government offices, and almost all private organizations on the island are closed for United Nations Day. Traditionally, United Nations Day has been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions, and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the Organization.

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Palau Celebrates United Nations Day

Noel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 10:00:13 +0000

Palau United Nations Day Date: October 1

Palau celebrates United Nations Day as a national holiday. Since 1948, the anniversary of the United Nations Charter coming into force on October 24, 1945 has been celebrated as United Nations Day. Palau’s President, Johnson Toribiong, decreed that the United Nations’ Day national public holiday be moved from its usual date of October 24 to Friday, October 2, 2009. In the years to follow, it will be celebrated on the first Friday of October.

Palau United Nations Day History

Palau became part of a United Nations trust territory administered by the US for 47 years. Palau became independent in 1994. Soon after its independence, Palau joined the United Nations on December 15, 1994. In the spring of 1945, the representatives of fifty nations assembled in San Francisco to put the final changes on a document of sweeping importance. This document came to be known as the Charter of the United Nations. It was on October 24 when a sufficient number of endorsements had been obtained to inaugurate the new United Nations officially. The United Nations General Assembly in 1971 issued a new resolution (United Nations Resolution 2782) which stated that the United Nations Day shall be an international holiday and recommended that it should be observed as a public holiday by all of the member states of the United Nations. United Nations Day aims to make the whole world aware of the goals and accomplishments of the United Nations Organization. The period from October 20 to 26 is known as United Nations Week, United Nations Day being a part of it.

Palau United Nations Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Traditionally, United Nations Day has been marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions, and exhibits on the achievements and goals of the Organization.

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Light the Candles for Independence Day in Papua New Guinea

Noel — Thu, 15 Sep 2011 15:26:55 +0000

Papua New Guinea Independence Day: September 16

Papua New Guinea celebrates Independence Day as a public holiday.
Every 16th of September, Papua New Guinea celebrates its Independence Day commemorating the day it gained its freedom from Australia in 1975.

History of Papua New Guinea Independence Day

As early as 1512, Portuguese explorers sighted the New Guinea coast. It was only in 1526 that Jorge de Meneses, a Portuguese, set foot on the island. The leader of a Spanish expedition, Inigo Ortiz de Retes, sailed near the island in 1545. He named it New Guinea because the islanders looked like the people of Africa’s Guinea coast. The following three hundred years saw many foreigners landing on the island but did not dare to venture farther inland for fear of assaults by native warriors. A European delegation of Christian missionaries and traders arrived in eastern New Guinea during the 1870s.

Portugal took possession of the western half of New Guinea in 1828. In 1883, southeastern New Guinea was claimed for the British crown by Queensland. In 1884, Germany claimed northeastern New Guinea. In 1885, both the British and German empires agreed upon the borders of British New Guinea and German New Guinea.

Japanese forces occupied the territory during World War II. Before the end of January 1943, a combined United States and Australian counter-offensive drove the Japanese from Papua. The Papuans, who were largely unaware of the outside world, were affected badly by the war. They suffered the unwanted incursions of different foreign soldiers and they witnessed terrible devastation.

Australia was granted stewardship over the Territory of New Guinea by the United Nations in 1946. The two territories of Papua and New Guinea came to be known as Papua New Guinea. The local inhabitants of the new territory came to be called Papua New Guineans. The Australian administration further developed the education and economy of Papua New Guinea.

Australia encouraged democratic reforms so that Papua New Guinea can eventually be autonomous and independent. A countrywide legislative council was created in 1951. In 1964, the council evolved into the House of Assembly. By December 1, 1973, Papua and New Guinea became autonomous Papua New Guinea. On September 16, 1975, the country became fully independent.

Papua New Guinea Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The Independence Day festivities include activities like a flag raising ceremony, singing of the National Anthem and patriotic Pledges. These are followed by dancing, singing, music and parades. The culminations of the activities are the speeches from guest speakers that represent all of Papua New Guinea culture.

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Tahiti Observes Internal Autonomy Day

Noel — Wed, 07 Sep 2011 19:01:05 +0000

Tahiti Internal Autonomy Day Date: September 8

Internal Autonomy Day is a public holiday in Tahiti.

Ironically, Internal Autonomy Day commemorates June 29, 1880, when king Pomare V was deposed and French Polynesia became a full French colony. But there is a political controvesy regarding the actual date of the festival, which is also celbrated on September 8, when the territory achieved a degree of internal autonomy. Tavini huiraatira members note that June 29 is the date in 1880 when Tahiti’s King Pomare V gave France right of sovereignty of his dependencies.

Tahiti Internal Autonomy Day History

Formerly known as the Society Islands; the main island is Tahiti, an overseas country of France. Tahiti is the most prominent of the islands. Missionaries came to Tahiti in 1797. In 1815 the Tahitian chief Pomare II converted to Christianity. In 1842 Tahiti became a French protectorate and in 1880 it became a colony.

The Gambier group became a protectorate in 1844 and a colony in 1881. Rimatara and Rurutu became protectorates and colonies of France in 1889 and 1900, respectively. The Tuamotu Islands became dependencies of Tahiti in 1847 and part of the colony in 1880. The chiefs of the Marquesas Islands ceded sovereignty to France in 1842. The islands were originally part of the French colony of Oceania. During the Second World War, they sided with the Free French government in exile on 2 September 1940.

French Polynesia was far from the front lines in the Second World War. On 27 October 1946, French Polynesia became an overseas territory of France. A long-lasting independence movement gained a partial concession when France granted limited autonomy to French Polynesia in 1977 and increased in 1984. On 28 March 2003, French Polynesia became an overseas collectivity of France and on 27 February 2004, it became an overseas country of France. The economy is based on tourism, farming, and fishing. An elected territorial assembly exists. French Polynesia also elects two members of the French National Assembly and one member of the French Senate.

Tahiti Internal Autonomy Day Customs and Activities

Pro-autonomy parties celebrate Autonomy day on June 29, but Oscar Temaru’s pro-independence Tavini huiraatira claims this date should be a “Mourning Day”. Pro-autonomy parties announced that they would always celebrate Autonomy day on June 29 in Papeete. A ceremony is held at the “Pont de l’Est”, a rotary on the north side of Papeete with a monument in honor of French Polynesia’s internal autonomy relationship with France. All major pro-autonomy leaders participate in this event, including opposition leader and members of his Tahoeraa huiraatira party. June 29 is the date in 1984 when French Polynesia’s organic law approved by the French Parliament took effect, giving the overseas community, formerly known as a territory, greater internal autonomy while remaining as part of the French Republic. But for Oscar Temaru’s Tavini huiraatira, June 29 is a “Mourning Day.”

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Marshall Islands celebrates Labor Day

Noel — Sat, 03 Sep 2011 00:10:16 +0000

Marshall Islands Labor Day Date: September 3-4

Labor Day is a public holiday in Marshall Islands.

Rijerbal Day (Worker’s Day) is the Labor Day in Marshall Islands. This day falls under one of the most important Holidays of Marshall Islands. Labor Day is a public holiday held on the first Friday in September.

History of Marshall Islands Labor Day

The three social classes in the Marshalls are the iroij (chief), the alap (owner or elder) and rijerbal (worker or commoner). Every family in the Marshall Islands belongs to one of these classes and therefore has ownership or use of land rights somewhere in the islands. Although a families may be an iroij or alap in one or more islands and they maybe a rijerbal on other islands as well.

The Marshall Islands joined the International Labor Organization in 2007. This means that its labor laws will have to comply with international labor standards. This will no doubt impact labor practices in the islands.

Marshall Islands Labor Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Rijerbal Day honors the workers (Rijerbal) of the Marshall Islands. The Rijerbal is one of the three social classes in the Marshall Islands. The rijerbals are mostly responsible for all daily manual labor in the land.

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Samoa Labour Day

Noel — Wed, 03 Aug 2011 04:44:14 +0000

Samoa Labour Day Date: August 2

Samoa celebrates Labour Day as a public holiday.

Samoa Labor Day is celebrated on the first Monday of August every year in the American Samoa. Labor Day is celebrated, in most of the countries, on the 1st of May. This is a very historic day in history of the world. In some parts of Samoa, it is also celebrated on the 1st Monday in September.

Samoa Labour Day History

The Labors Day came into existence due to the Labor Movement in America. In the 1880’s when there was unemployment all over the labors came together and formed what is known as the Knights of Labor, which ultimately brought the Labor Day into existence. This Day marked the importance of the labors in the end of the country. It marked a beginning of the well-being and for the first time saw the power of the labors.

The day is a tribute, that we pay to the workers and the labors, without whose existence the existence of the country and its people would have been a great question. It is a form of a national tribute paid to honor them for their contribution towards the prosperity and the success of the country and its people. Labors Day was officially given recognition in 1885 by the government of the US. By the passing of many years, countries joined in to celebrate Labors Day and today almost everywhere in the world Labors Day is celebrated with much enthusiasm and support from all spheres of the work place.

Labour Day is a national holiday in most of the countries. This day marked a milestone in the history of the Labor Movement. This Labor Day was also accepted by Samoa. This day is different from other days and national holidays, as it is not connected with victories won on the battlefield or a day to mark the dominance of one over the other. The main essence of this day is the fact that this day is dedicated to the people themselves whether living or dead. It crosses the boundaries of all countries and has no caste or creed.

Samoa Labour Day Traditions and Activities

The Labor Day is celebrated in Samoa with much fun and celebration among the general population. As it is a national holiday, people today take a break from their usual work and come together for the cause of the Labor Day.

The celebration includes singing, dancing, longboat races, contests like basket weaving, spear throwing, and many others. A street parade is taken out to mark the importance of the Labors in our everyday life. There is a lot of recreation and amusement is in store for the whole day.

Usually today people in position of power and very influential people give public lectures about the importance of this day in our life. There is a lot of spiritual linking to this day. The broadcasting media like the Television, Radio and the Newspapers also celebrate Labors Day and usually does the job of reminding the about the people who were behind the creation of this day, their sacrifice and their role.

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Vanuatu Independance Day

Noel — Fri, 29 Jul 2011 14:09:22 +0000

Independance Day: July 30

Vanautu celebrates Independance Day as a public holiday.
Vanuatu is an isle nation present on the Pacific Ocean. The isle celebrates its Independence Day on July 30 every year since 1980 when it gained freedom.

Vanautu Independance Day History

Pedro Fernandez de Quire, a Portuguese traveler, was the first European to set foot on the island in 1605. The island was named as New Hebrides by explorer James Cook. From 1987, the island was being governed by a French-British naval committee. The rising pressure in the 1960s from the locals of the island for complete independence and self governance compelled the two European nations to free the country in 1980. Soon after its independence, Vanuatu became a member of the UN in 1980 and the Non Aligned Movement in 1983.

There are 52 members in the unicameral parliament of Vanuatu who are elected for a period of four years by popular vote. The government is run by the Prime Minister who is the leader of the winning party. The Prime Minister appoints the Council of Ministers who assists him in looking after the nation. The President is the Head of the State chosen for five year tenure. The President is elected by the Parliament and the presidents of the six regional governments and has dignified powers. However he might be removed before the completion of his tenure by the Electoral Commission on account of his misbehavior or ineffectiveness. New Hebrides National Party, later known as Vanuakau Pati was the first administrative party introduced in the early 1970s. It was the hardships of this party that made that Vanuatu independent. The administrative system is set up on the British law. The constitution supports the establishment and customary rights of villagers.

The period 1995-2004 witnessed numerous changes in administration leadership due to tensions among the major parties of the Parliament. In May 2004, the Parliament was dissolved by the president and an exceptional election was held which brought poor results for many major parties. In the latest election of September 2, 2008 a seven party coalition came into power. Edward Natapei was elected as Prime Minister and Ham Lini, the former Prime Minister was elected as the Deputy Prime Minister.

Vanautu Independance Day Traditions and Activities

The national holiday celebration continues for a week from July 30. The hustle gains momentum from afternoon and continue till late night. The day is honored and merrily celebrated with wine, dance and music by the citizens. The carnival is celebrated differently in each region. The locals make merry with a great gusto and parade throughout the island.

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