Ascension Day: May 9

Ascension Day is a Christian holiday celebrated around the world.

In Christian doctrine, Ascension Day marks the day that Jesus ascended into heaven after he was resurrected. Also known as the Feast of Ascension, this day is generally observed by Catholics and Anglicans, and in most cases, it occurs 40 days after Easter. As the calculation of forty days after Sunday falls on a Thursday, it is also known as Holy Thursday. However, in some countries, the Roman Catholic Church has received permission to move the observance to the following Sunday as a way to encourage more Catholics to participate in the most important feasts.

History of Ascension Day

Historians have no documents earlier than the fifth century that directly indicate that Ascension Day was celebrated. However, analysis of words from St. Augustine indicates that observance of the feast was common well before his time. Analysis of the controversial canon 43 of the Council of Elvira leads some to believe that the canon is earlier proof of existence of the Ascension Day feast.

Looking to the Bible, the Ascension of Jesus is referenced on three different accounts, and the action is either predicted or spoken of as fact in many other references. Outside Biblical Canon, the Ascension is discussed in the Pistis Sophia, a Gnostic text that is considered the primary source of the Odes. A text from the second century called Against Heresies makes reference to the Ascension, its author, St. Irenaeus, describing the event as occurring 18 months after the Resurrection.

The celebration of Ascension Day has taken slightly different turns between Eastern and Western Christianity. In Western Christianity, the terms used for the feast (ascensio or ascensa) are derived from Latin, promoting the idea that Jesus rose on his own volition. The official date of the feast can only lie between April 30 and June 3. In Eastern Christianity, the terms for the feast (analepsis or episozomene) are derived from Greek, promoting the idea that by rising up, Jesus finished his work of redemption for all. The feast can fall between May 14 and June 17.

Ascension Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

For Roman Catholics and Anglicans, Ascension Day is among the six holy days when attendance at Mass is necessary. It is also a public holiday in many European countries.

In England, there was an old Ascension Day tradition in which the parishioners carried a banner with the symbol of a lion at the start of the procession followed by a banner with a symbol of a dragon at the rear. This was done to display the victory of Christ over the devil.

Across the world, different traditions are performed by different churches, such as blessing the First Fruits. Some churches hold outdoor processions with banners and torches, while others describe the Ascension of Christ by lifting a statue of Jesus above the altar and raising it through a special door in the roof.

Portugal’s Ascension Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

At the time that Portugal became a republic, in 1910, the Republican Government placed emphasis on the religious holidays, including the one used to celebrate the Ascension of Christ. Today, the Ascension Day is a public holiday only in select regions. However, Christian communities around the country gather to celebrate the Ascension of Christ into heaven with Mass and organized prayer meetings within the Easter spirit of the season.

Also celebrated on this day is the Dia da Espiga (Day of the Corn) in Portugal. Traditionally, boys and girls go out into the fields in the early morning to pick corn and flowers to make flower arrangements, symbolizing wealth, peace, and happiness in their lives. This bouquet is kept inside the house until the next year. Today this tradition has been lost since many people live within the city limits away from corn fields.

May Day Date: May 1

May Day is celebrated throughout most of the world as a public holiday.

May 1 is considered as the Labour Day by almost all the nations of the world. The workers of the world celebrate this as an annual holiday. This day is the result of a massive labor union movement; this day celebrates the social and economic achievements of workers. This day is also known as May Day. Not only these two names, May 1 has many other names like Worker’s day, National Unification Day, Day of Kazak people’s Unity, Eid el-Ommal, etc.

History of May Day/Labour Day

The Eight-Hour day movement is the origin of the Labour Day. This movement advocated eight hours of work, eight hours of rest, and eight hours of recreation for workers everywhere. It was a revolution in that period.

In Europe, this day has a much older significance. This day is celebrated as a rural festival, which is primarily more important than the Labour Day movement. This is now an international holiday and various countries hold multi-day celebrations. Some of the countries conduct parades, patriotic and labour oriented events, and shows and other events on this day. On the other hand, in Northern Europe, Walpurgis Night is on this scheduled night, and this holiday combines with the Labour Day in some nations.

Although, May 1 is considered as the Labour Day in various nations, Germany celebrates it on May 2. In 1933, Labour Day was established as an official holiday after the Nazi Party came to power. It was expected that this day would prove to be the symbol of the newfound unity between the state and the people. The next day, that is on May 2, all the free unions were prohibited and outlawed by the Nazis. Yet, since workers celebrated the holiday for numerous decades before any official state approval, the Nazi Party’s endeavor to appropriate it left no more term offense.

Although this day has many names, but the essence of them all is the same – to honor the work force of the nation.

May Day/Labour Day Traditions and Celebrations

Time has changed; so the way of celebrating the day too. Throughout the rest of the world, there are May Day marches and rallies held out in the various part of the country. In England, a grand May Day march at the the famous Brewhouse Yard gardens starts near the Castle, Nottingham.

Even today celebration of May Day has a touch of ancient culture and tradition. The maypole is still one of the major features of the May festivities with distinctive interpretations. But whatever way you look at it the theme of the May Day celebration is all about celebrating the renewal of life with new hopes, new dreams and new resolutions. May Day flower baskets are made and treats are left at the thresholds of the loved ones as a token of good wishes and love to strengthen the bondage and to rekindle the lost touches.

Liberty Day: April 25

Liberty Day is a public holiday in Portugal.

Liberty Day is celebrated in Portugal to remember the famous Carnation Revolution that took place on April 25, 1974. Often referred to simply as 25 de Abril, the day is a remembrance of the oppression that led to the revolution and is a renewal of the country’s democratic values and ideals of liberty, equality, justice, solidarity, and fraternity.

History of Liberty Day in Portugal

Beginning in 1926, the Portuguese people were ruled under a military dictatorship. Several liberties were taken away by the government, and no political parties were accepted in the country. In 1974, a movement led by military captains undertook a revolution that ended with the surrender of Marcelo Caetano’s government.

Led by a group of captains including General Antonio Spínola and General Costa Gomes, the revolution had its pretext in a movement started by military officials. They were not in agreement with a new law about their promotions, and they had a deep desire to end the war that Portugal had with its African colonies. The coup of Caetano’s government was successful due to the lack of motivation of the military forces to continue under such a government, one that kept on sending its military to territories in Africa.

The wars in Africa had been raging for 13 years, and few saw a resolution to the disputes. The Captains Movement took to organizing itself, hiding from the opposing government forces inside military organizations. The main events of the Carnation Revolution took place in the military headquarters of Carmo in Lisbon, where the revolutionaries managed to complete a victorious coup without shooting a single bullet. Thanks to the timely occupation of public communication centers and the mobilization of underground resistance groups available at the time, the rebels were able to mobilize the people to support them in the streets on that same day.

Its triumph allowed political parties to take back the republic power, marking the Portuguese Second Republic. The Carnation Revolution also led to quick and sometimes messy negotiations to release the Portuguese colonies around the world as well as the demobilization of Portuguese armies in those territories.

Portugal’s Liberty Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The revolution had a deep impact on Portuguese life, with many people who lived through the revolution participating in ceremonies. On this day, it is common to wear carnations on the lapel. Carnations became the symbol of the revolution when during the day of the revolution, a daily flower vendor decided to give carnations away rather than sell them as a way to show support for the revolution. While marching through the streets, the military put the carnations in their guns barrels as a symbol of their peaceful intentions towards the people.

The celebrations start early in the dawn from the Carmo Headquarters, where the Republic’s president and prime minister meet to officially start the celebrations. In the Parliament a solemn session is held on this day with interventions from all the political parties and their representatives, followed by a speech from the Parliament’s president, and finally the Republic’s president takes the stand to deliver his speech.

Foreign presidents from Portuguese ex-colonies usually join the session and have a lunch in the president’s official residence. During the day, there are several stages set in all public plazas in the country, where there are political speeches and musical concerts. In Lisbon, Portugal’s capital, there is a military parade in the afternoon along Liberty Avenue.

New Year Date: January 01

New Year Day is celebrated worldwide.

New Year is an extravagantly celebrated festival in all the cultures in the world. Each culture celebrates New Year according to their calendar. Countries which follow the Gregorian calendar celebrate New Year on January 1st every year which is considered the most festive day amongst all the other days of the year.

New Year History

During the Roman period the New Year was celebrated on the first day of March. Later in 47 BC, Julius Caesar made changes in the calendar and named it the Julian calendar. Marco Antonio and Augustus Caesar later modified the calendar in 44 BC and 8 BC respectively. Finally in the late 1582, Pope Gregory XIII modified the calendar to the form of the one that we all use these days.

January 1st is the first day in this calendar and is celebrated with great significance to it. The expansion of the Western culture all over the world then made January 1 a universally celebrated festival. The New Year which is celebrated worldwide is celebrated with huge fireworks and balloons etc. People wish each other for a very healthy and a prosperous year ahead.


Previously, in Jewish tradition, honey is used to represent a sweet New Year ahead, Rosh Hashana (New Year celebrations in the Jewish tradition). As the traditional meal for that holiday, apple slices are dipped in honey and eaten after a prayer and with blessings recited for a good, prosperous and sweet new year. Some Rosh Hashana greetings show an apple and honey, symbolizing the feast. In some other Jewish communities, small straws of honey are given out to usher in the New Year. The New Year feast which is always followed by the Christmas celebrations, the last week of the year is considered as a week of enjoyment and celebration in the winter season.


Many countries celebrate the New Year in a very grand way. This celebration usually consists of fireworks display and other parades and festivities. For example, London has a major fireworks display along the River Thames, followed by a parade on New Year’s Day. Once, Sydney which had more than half a million people present to witness the celebrations of New Year launched more than 80,000 fireworks at midnight. It was the highest watched celebration on tele-vision worldwide. In Valparaiso more than two million visitors witnessed the huge fireworks in a natural setting. A total of more than 21 kilometers of fireworks were set up on the bay, starting from the commercial port city of Valparaiso to Concon, Chile. These all were set up for 25 minutes of entertainment.

New Year Traditions and Activities

Usually in New York, the celebration is focused around a large crystal ball that slowly descends in a ten second countdown in Times Square, and last year was also the party with the largest number of attendees with more than three million people witnessing the New Year celebrations. Edinburgh plays host to one of the world’s largest Hogmanay (meaning ‘the last day of the year’) events. Celebration here lasts for four days and visitors from all around the globe are attracted to take part in the street parties and festivities, and attend the concerts which take place during midnight.

Important Facts about New Year

New Year is the only festival which is celebrated worldwide. Even though there is no special history behind the festival, all people around the world look forward for this celebration. New Year is a festival in which something innovative and better is done each and every year.

New Years Day is also known as:

• New Year Celebrations
• New Year Holidays

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 PresĂ©pio (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.

Immaculate Conception Day Date: December 8

Immaculate Conception Day is a public holiday in Portugal.

The Immaculate Conception Day celebrates the Immaculate Conception of the Virgin Mary. It is celebrated on December 8, after the Nativity of Mary, which is celebrated on September 8. It is the patron feast day celebrating Nossa Senhora da Imaculada Conceição, or “Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception” in English.

History of Immaculate Conception Day

Catholicism teaches that Mary, Mother of Christ, by special grace from God, was conceived without stain from the original sin, by prediction of the miraculous events to be performed by her Son. Pope Pius IX proclaimed this doctrine as a dogma of faith in 1854. Christian art represents this special grace by depicting Mary with a foot over the Moon, Earth, or clouds and stepping on a serpent head, which symbolizes the Devil and the state of evil. The devotion to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was brought to Portugal by D. Gilberto, first Bishop of Lisbon, in 1166. The celebration and veneration spread throughout the nation’s parishes, and in 1420, D. Nuno Álvares Pereira built a huge church dedicated to Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception. In 1646, the king D. JoĂŁo IV proclaimed officially that Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception was the nationwide patron saint of Portugal, giving special importance to the date of December 8 for all Portuguese.

Immaculate Conception Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Daily Catholic masses are held on this day as a celebration of Our Lady of the Immaculate Conception, and she is remembered by most Portuguese as Our Patron Saint. Celebrations are held especially in Fatima, where it is believed that Our Lady appeared to three little shepherds in 1917. The day is mostly spent in gatherings of families or as another regular non-work day where Portuguese people take advantage of the free time for several outdoor activities. Some parishes have local vigils and organize elaborate rosaries in devotion to Our Lady.

All Saints’ Day: November 1

All Saints’ Day is a public holiday in:
Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Benin, Bolivia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, Burkina Faso, Burundi, Cape Verde, Central African Republic, Chad, Chile, Colombia, Cote d‘Ivoire, Finland, France, French Guiana, French Polynesia, Gabon, Germany, Guatemala, Guinea, Haiti, Italy, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Madagascar, Mauritius, Mexico, Monaco, Nicaragua, Peru, Philippines, Portugal, Reunion Island, Rwanda, San Marino, Senegal, Seychelles, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Tahiti, Togo, Venezuela.

All Saints’ Day is a celebration of all Christian saints, known and unknown, and especially for those saints who have no special feast days of their own. It is observed worldwide by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Protestant churches. In Portugal it is annually held on November 1, as with many western countries and in many eastern churches it is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

History of All Saints’ Day

Some sources say that the idea behind All Saints’ Day dates back to the Greece. Christians in Greece during the fourth century would celebrate a festival, in late May or early June, in honor of all saints and martyrs. Other sources state that a celebration known as “All Martyrs” began as early as the third century. Anyway, the idea behind it was that there were so many martyrs and saints within the Christian faith that it was hard to keep a day for each, therefore this day would celebrate all those that were left out of the official Church calendar. Known is that Pope Gregory IV made All Saints’ Day an official holiday of the Catholic Church in the year 837. Pope Gregory IV chose the date, November 1, as an attempt to Christianize several pagan festivities known as the Festival of the Dead, or Feast of Saman, lord of Death, mainly a Celtic festivity. Later, in the year of 993, the monastery of Cluny, in France, began the celebration of All Souls’ Day on November 2, which quickly spread among Christian Communities.

All Saints Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

In the Catholic Church, All Saints Day is a Holy Day of Obligation which means that the faithful are required to attend Mass (unless sick or elderly).

• In Spain, the play Don Juan Tenorio, is performed.
• In Mexico, All Saints Day coincides with the celebration of “Dia de los Inocentes”.
• In Europe, people bring flowers to the graves of dead relatives and light candles.
• In English speaking countries, the day is traditionally celebrated with the hymn “For All Saints” by William Walsham How.

All Saints’ Day: November 1

All Saints’ Day is a public holiday in Portugal.

All Saints’ Day is a celebration of all Christian saints, known and unknown, and especially for those saints who have no special feast days of their own. It is observed worldwide by Roman Catholics, Anglicans and Protestant churches. In Portugal it is annually held on November 1, as with many western countries and in many eastern churches it is celebrated on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

History of All Saints’ Day

Some sources say that the idea behind All Saints’ Day dates back to the Greece. Christians in Greece during the fourth century would celebrate a festival, in late May or early June, in honor of all saints and martyrs. Other sources state that a celebration known as “All Martyrs” began as early as the third century. Anyway, the idea behind it was that there were so many martyrs and saints within the Christian faith that it was hard to keep a day for each, therefore this day would celebrate all those that were left out of the official Church calendar. Known is that Pope Gregory IV made All Saints’ Day an official holiday of the Catholic Church in the year 837. Pope Gregory IV chose the date, November 1, as an attempt to Christianize several pagan festivities known as the Festival of the Dead, or Feast of Saman, lord of Death, mainly a Celtic festivity. Later, in the year of 993, the monastery of Cluny, in France, began the celebration of All Souls’ Day on November 2, which quickly spread among Christian Communities.

All Saints’ Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

All Saints’ Day is observed by Christians around the world. In Portugal, churches ceremonies are held in memory of the patron’s saints of chapels, churches and parishes. Later on the day, people will bring flower arrangements to the graves of dead relatives and light candles as a symbol to enlighten their way into Heaven. All Saints’ Day is closely related and celebrated in the same date, even though All Souls’ Day is on the next day. It is common to buy on this day a very typical Portuguese cake called Velhote, or Old Man in English.

Portugal Proclamation of Republic Date: October 5

Portugal Celebrates Proclamation of Republic as a public holiday.

Proclamation of Republic is celebrated on the 5th of October every year in Portugal.

Portugal Proclamation of Republic History

During the Napoleonic Wars in 1807, French forces of Napoleon I attacked and occupied Portugal. Napoleon connived with Spain to assault and divide Portugal. The Portuguese royal family transferred to Brazil and made Rio de Janeiro the seat of its power and influence.

Portugal was free of French influence, by 1811. However, the Portuguese royal family chose to stay in Brazil. In 1815, the royal family made Brazil a separate kingdom equal to Portugal. John VI ascended to the two thrones in 1816 ruling both Portugal and Brazil.
The Portuguese army supported a popular revolt in 1820 which was designed to change the current form of government into a constitutional government. John VI left Brazil for Portugal and he left his elder son, Dom Pedro, to govern Brazil. The Brazilians were against John’s departure and thus proclaiming their independence in 1822. Pedro assumed the title of Pedro I as he was made the constitutional ruler of Brazil. In 1822, Portugal adopted its first constitution.

When John died in 1826, his Pedro I succeeded him to the Portuguese throne as Pedro IV. Pedro later stepped down in favor of his daughter, Maria II, also known as Maria da Gloria who was 7 years old at that time. Political unrest marked Maria II’s reign, even though the absolutists were defeated.

Carlos I bestowed upon Prime Minister JoĂŁo Franco dictatorial powers as the government continued to be paralyzed in 1906. In 1908, Carlos and his eldest son were killed in cold blood in Lisbon. Manuel, Carlos’s younger son, ascended to the throne as Manuel II at the age of 18. The army and navy supported a republican revolution in October 1910 that toppled Manuel and created an interim republican government. The first elected president of Portugal’s First Republic was Manuel JosĂ© de Arriaga.

Portugal Proclamation of Republic Traditions, Customs and Activities

Every year on the 5th of October Portugal celebrates the Proclamation of Republic with various activities and parades.

Portugal Day: June 10

Portugal Day is a holiday celebrated in Portuguese communities around the world.

Portugal Day, or sometimes called CamÔes Day, is celebrated by Portuguese communities the world over to commemorate the unity of the Portuguese who have settled in all parts of the Earth.

History of Portugal Day

Macau was the first European colony in Asia, having been occupied by Portuguese settlers who came to that part of the world in the 16th century. Macau has played a significant role in Portuguese history, a history which includes the arrival of the renowned Portuguese poet LuĂ­s de CamĂ”es in 1556. It is said that he wrote his epic poem, “Os Lucidas”, in CamĂ”es garden in Macau, and the poem included strong themes of Portuguese pride and history.

CamÔes was an explorer and wrote the poem during his travels. He had gone to great lengths to save his poem, including an attempt to keep the writing above water after being shipwrecked. He is celebrated as a national hero, and his poem was treated as one of the best of Portuguese literature.

June 10 has been celebrated as Portugal’s national day since independence from Spain in 1640. This date—the day CamĂ”es died—was chosen because official birth records didn’t exist for the Portuguese poet. In 1944, a change came about with reference to the day as The Day of the Portuguese race, using CamĂ”es as a symbol of the Portuguese race.

Portugal Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Celebrations of the Portuguese culture and people aren’t limited to Portugal alone. With Portuguese folk scattered around the globe, different customs have appeared. In Newark, New Jersey in the United States, for example, the Portugal Day Festival draws in thousands of people, requiring months of planning in advance. Festivities in Macau are still vivid despite the area being handed over to China by Portugal in 1999. Celebrations in Brazil, Canada, and other parts of the world remind people of the Portuguese people and their culture.