Holidays Around The World � North America Holidays

Mexico Celebrates Constitution Day

Noel — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 19:50:51 +0000

Constitution Day: February 5

Constitution day is observed as a public national holiday in Mexico.

The 5th of February marks the celebration day in honor of Mexico’s Constitution which was drafted during the Mexican Revolution on 1917 by Santiago Queretaro. The constitution is officially known as the Political Constitution of the United Mexican States or the Fundamental Law of Magna Carta.

History of Mexico’s constitution

From the time it achieved liberty from Spain in 1810, Mexico was able to outline quite a number of constitutions. However during this early stage of regaining its independence, the country has suffered from a lot of economic instability and downfall. Unemployment was very rampant, affecting almost 50% of the country’s male population. It’s during these stages in Mexico’s history that the people went through racial chaos and disorder that economic progress was just so impossible. With Mexico’s determination to rise back and to get on the right economic track, the country never stopped in reshaping and re-drafting the constitution.

On 1824, the first ever Mexican Constitution promoting absolute sovereignty was passed. It was a regime based on the United States’ government, which was for the people and elected by the people.

The Constitution of 1957 was proclaimed as they battle against the attack of the French nationals and Emperor Maximiliano de Hasburgo to prevent foreigners from ruling the land.

The Constitution of Mexico was organized into 4 territories and 19 states up to the present day. One of its significant bills was the authorization and rights given to citizens to participate in Catholicism which is the country’s official religion. The rights of the press and media and the freedom of speech were also given much attention on their constitution.

On 1916, a project to reform the constitution of 1857 was presented into congress by the first leader of the constitutional army and in charge of the administrative branch, Venustiano Carranza. After a number of changes and reforms, it was on February 5th 1917 that the official Magna Carta was finally presented, thus the Constitution Day.

Constitution Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Every year, the Mexicans look back and reminisce on their historical journey that made them one whole nation today. This is a time for Mexico to hold its head up high and be proud that it is unique and indivisible. As a public holiday, the people celebrate with parade and special gatherings all over the nation.

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Groundhog Day Celebrated in the United States and Canada

Noel — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 11:00:42 +0000

Groundhog Day: February 2

Groundhog Day is NOT a public holiday in the United States and Canada.

In the vein of strange holidays and their traditions, the United States and Canada honor an odd burrowing rodent, proclaiming its amazing ability to forecast the coming of favorable spring weather. This day is known as Groundhog Day, and it’s celebrated on February 2 every year. It is said that if the groundhog emerges from its burrow on this day and sees its shadow, winter-like conditions will persist for another six weeks.

History of Groundhog Day in the United States and Canada

The origin of Groundhog Day has many theories. Looking deeply into history, it’s been noted by historians that the old Julian calendar marked the spring equinox on March 16, exactly six weeks after February 2. Some suggest that when the Gregorian calendar took greater prominence, a folk tradition may have been born with the mingling of the two calendars.

Others suggest it originated with Candlemas and the earlier ritual of Imbolc that is associated with it. Imbolc is an old Gaelic and Celtic tradition that has many similarities to Groundhog Day in that a badger or serpent was used to prognosticate future weather. Candles and fires were and still are lit for followers of the custom, offering a representation of spring’s coming warmth.

First mentions of the practice in America come from an 1841 diary entry, mentioning Candlemas and the German belief that “the Groundhog peeps out of his winter quarters and if he sees his shadow he pops back for another six weeks nap…”

In the United States in 1886, an editor for The Punxsutawney Spirit wrote an article about the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club of Pennsylvania, a club that went out every year in search of groundhogs for their Candlemas Day. Catching the attention of many, the following year brought about the first Groundhog Day in Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania. Every groundhog used during the ceremony has since been called Punxsutawney Phil.

Eventually, Canada adopted the practice in 1956, but not without an interesting story attached to it. It is said that Canada’s Groundhog Day tradition started with Mac McKenzie of Wiarton, Ontario. The story goes that McKenzie, wanting to show off his childhood home, sent invitations to his friends and family for a Groundhog Day gathering.

A local reporter somehow landed on one of the invitations and went looking for the event. He eventually found the festivities at the Arlington Hotel. The reporter joined the fun but at great expense. Needing a story to take back to the paper, McKenzie reportedly dug a burrow in the snow outside and made a forecast. A printed story and one year later, approximately 50 people showed up for the festivities, starting a tradition of groundhogs including the most famous Wiarton Willie.

Groundhog Day was popularized further with the 1993 film Groundhog Day featuring Bill Murray.

United States’ and Canada’s Groundhog Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

While the largest festivities in the United States are typically found in and around Punxsutawney, other towns and cities like Woodstock, Illinois and Hagerstown, Virginia have their own celebrations. In Canada, festivities can be found outside of Wiarton in places like Balzak, Alberta and Shubenacadie, Nova Scotia.

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Boxing Day

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

Boxing Day Date: December 26

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

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

Boxing Day History

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

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

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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Many People in the United States Celebrate Kwanzaa

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

Kwanzaa Date: December 26 to January 1

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

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

History of Kwanzaa in the United States

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

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

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

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

The United States’ Kwanzaa Traditions, Customs and Activities

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

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

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Feast of the Immaculate Conception Celebrated by Christians

Noel — Wed, 07 Dec 2011 11:00:51 +0000

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Date: December 8

Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a religious observance for Christians all over the world.

On December 8, Christians all over the world celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. It is a day to celebrate the dogma of the conception of Mary, mother of Jesus, without any stain of the original sin.

History of the Immaculate Conception

On December 8, 1854, Pope Pius IX in the Constitution Innefabilis Deus stated that Mary, as Mother of Jesus Christ by a singular privilege and grace granted by God and previewing the merits of Jesus Christ, at the moment of her conception was preserved from all stain of the original sin. Therefore, as many people mistakenly think, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception isn’t about the conception of Jesus, celebrated on March 25. Instead, it is based on the conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

The first celebrations of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception were organized by the early Church in Palestine during the seventh century, which at the time celebrated it more in focus with the role of the Virgin Mary in the history of Salvation than just the fact that her conception was indeed immaculate from the original sin. Later the feast spread to Christian the world within the monastic communities. Gradually the feast was celebrated in the cathedrals and later was finally approved by the Church and State as a holiday.

For years there was discussion among theologians about the exactitude of the Feast of the Immaculate Conception. This led to delays in accepting the feast in many dioceses in Europe, and only in 1854 was the case settled and the Feast accepted universally. In 1847, Pope Pius IX proclaimed Mary, under the title of her Immaculate Conception, as patroness of the United States. Since then the solemnity of the Immaculate Conception is the patron feast of the United States.

Many Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on December 9, placing the conception of Mary nine months less one day from the feast of her birth on September 8. The omitted day symbolizes that Mary was not in whole perfect as a human.

Feast of the Immaculate Conception Traditions, Customs and Activities

The Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a public holiday in many countries, and it is a holy day of obligation for all Christians, meaning that they are obliged to participate in Mass and abstain from work that will disturb their focus on God through mind and body.

The predominant color for the day is white, and Christian communities emphasize the day with celebrations dedicated to the Blessed Virgin Mary and spending time with family. In some countries there are processions which initiate the celebrations of Christmas. In Spain there is a tradition called the Dance of the Six in which young children dressed in jeweled clothes run through the streets holding a large figure of Mary as high as they can.

In Nicaragua the faithful set up altars at the entrance of their homes as a sign of thankfulness for the favors that the Virgin Mary has showed them during the year, while this neighbors come to the altar and sing songs to receive gifts and candies. In the afternoon around 6 p.m., people light up firecrackers in the streets in celebration of the day. Around Europe, since this is a non-working day in many countries, there are several cultural initiatives organized by the local dioceses. It is day to celebrate Mother Mary and look forward to Christmas.

For many years this day was celebrated as Mother’s Day, and it still is in Panama. However, it has been recently moved to the second Sunday of May in many Christian countries.

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Panama Celebrates Its Independence From Spain

Noel — Sun, 27 Nov 2011 11:00:29 +0000

Panama Independence Day: November 28

Independence from Spain is a Public Holiday in Panama.

Panama celebrates its Independence from Spain on November 28th every year. The city of Los Santos preempted the move by proclaiming freedom from Spain on November 10, 1821. This act precipitated a meeting in Panama City on November 28, which is celebrated as the official date of independence.

Panama Independence from Spain History

Panama’s history has been shaped by its strategic location between the Pacific Ocean and the Caribbean. The native Cuevas and Cocole tribes quickly disappeared after the Spanish arrived with their weapons and diseases in the early 16th century. Panama City, on the Pacific coast, thrived as Spain conquered and plundered Peru. Caravans loaded with gold traveled overland across the narrow isthmus from Panama City to be loaded on galleons bound for Spain. However, this wealth attracted pirates and, in the early 1700s, Panama’s Caribbean shore was dotted with so many pirate strongholds that shippers chose instead to sail around Cape Horn to Peru.

Panama’s importance rapidly declined, and Spain did not contest its inclusion as a province of Colombia when that country won its independence from Spain in 1821. In 1819, when the liberation of New Granada was clinched, and finally gaining its freedom, Panama along with other regions of Colombia was therefore technically freed and independent as apart of Colombia, but it was still in the clutches of Spain and remained so until 1821, but yet Panama was still was loyal to Spain but began their plans of liberation and independence to join the new nation as it was already apart of Colombia.

Panama was a royalist stronghold and outpost in and as a apart of Colombia. Therefore, and because of all this and the events that occurred in the rest of Colombia (Nueva Granada or New Granada) it joined the independence bandwagon like most of the other Latin American regions and colonies, in 1821, which would later become new nations, of course. While Panama was of great historical importance to the Spanish Empire, the differences in social and economic status between the more liberal area of Azuero, and the much more royalist and conservative area of Veraguas displayed contrasting perspectives.

It is, in fact, known that when the Grito de la Villa de Los Santos occurred, Veraguas firmly opposed the motion for independence.

Panama Independence Traditions , Customs and Activities

Panama celebrates its independence from Spain with parades in Panama City. One of the things one can always count on, every year is that it will rain on the parade. The majority of the participants are schools and their bands.

Panamanians are known for celebrating their holidays with big parades, although November in Panama is known for its unpredictable rains. There is traditional folklore dancing in the streets where both children and adults dress in traditional costumes—a pollera and a montuno—and dance El Tamborito or El Atravesao, traditional dances. Street vendors will sell meat on sticks, hot dogs, and kebabs. There are games to be played and lots of entertainment.

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Thanksgiving Day

Noel — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 06:51:09 +0000

USA Thanksgiving Day: November 26

Thanksgiving is celebrated in the USA.

Regarded as a harvest festival, Thanksgiving Day is traditionally a time for giving thanks to the harvest. At the same time, it is the time to express your gratitude. This is a holiday, which gets celebrated mainly in US and Canada. Even though Thanksgiving is religious in origin, it is identified as a secular holiday in the modern world. The location and date of the very first Thanksgiving celebration has been a topic of contention. The earliest attested celebration took place in 1565 at St. Augustine, Florida. However, the traditional one occurred in 1621 at Plymouth Plantation.

Thanksgiving Day History

There are different cases of Thanksgiving Day observances in history, with all of them bearing a resemblance to modern celebrations. However, the circulated and accepted belief is that the Thanksgiving has its origin in the year 1621.

This was the time when Pilgrims (English settlers) and Native Americans together celebrated a 3-day long feast. They did it in Plymouth, Massachusetts. However, contrary to this, Pilgrims were not the first ones to have the Thanksgiving feasts. Feasts for celebrating good harvests were in existence way before the arrival of the Pilgrims. Nevertheless, it is true that the Pilgrims did hold the Thanksgiving feast in the very 1st year of their arrival in America.

Following the 1621 Thanksgiving belief, there began a Thanksgiving tradition for holding a feast after good harvest. Usually, people celebrate Thanksgiving for marking the Autumn Harvest and then making merry in plentiful yield. However, there is a lengthy tradition for celebrating harvests throughout the history. You might be interested to know that even the ancient Romans and Greeks had harvest celebrations. These celebrations were accompanied by feasts, music and parades similar to the modern day ones.

Ancient China saw harvest festival celebrated with families having feast on round yellowish cake (moon cake). They did it for celebrating a full moon. Still, the country celebrates the Moon Festival with the same joy. Again, there is the Jews’ harvest festival. Sukkot (Harvest fest of the Jew) gets celebrated for 8 days. It is an event for catching up with family on the feasts and be thankful to a good year ahead. British Isles also have a harvest festival (the Lammas). It marks the start of a harvest season.

Thanksgiving Day Traditions and Activities

Turkeys, tender and juicy butterball, are an integral part of the modern day cuisine of a Thanksgiving celebration. However, they were not as popular centerpieces in the first celebration as they are today.

During 1621, when Wampanoag Indians and Plymouth colonists celebrated the first ever Thanksgiving, they gobbled up many foods apart from turkey. Since duck, eel, seal, cod, lobster and goose were available in plenty during that season, they were more likely to be a part of the main course in the first feast. Historians have only been able to confirm the presence of Wild fowl and Deer meat as the items, which were surely a part of the autumn celebration.

The question, which still remains, is that how turkey became an imperative part of the menu, even though we are not sure about them being a part of the first feast.

One of the stories says how Queen Elizabeth of England (16th century) was chewing down a roast goose during the harvest festival. When she heard that the Spanish Armada sank while attempting an attack on England, the queen was pleased and ordered another goose for celebrating this great news. Thus, goose became a favorite bird during England’s harvest time. When Pilgrims arrived in USA from England, they replaced roasted goose with roasted turkey. The reason behind their preference was the easy availability of the bird in the region.

How Thanksgiving Day is Celebrated Worldwide

Thanksgiving, in the modern world, gets celebrated on the 4th Thursday of every November in US, whereas Canada celebrates it during the 2nd Monday of October. A Thanksgiving dinner gets held on the day, which is usually a gathering of all the members of your family and friends.

Thanksgiving Day is also called:

Thanksgiving day in USA
US Thanksgiving day
First Thanksgiving
Harvest Festival
Thanksgiving Celebration
Thanksgiving Day Date
Thanksgiving Feast
Thanksgiving Feasts
Thanksgiving Tradition

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Mexico Commemorates Revolution Day

Noel — Sat, 19 Nov 2011 11:00:17 +0000

Revolution Day: November 20

Revolution Day in Mexico is a public holiday.

On November 20, Mexico celebrates the anniversary of its revolution in 1910. Revolution Day is celebrated as a public holiday in Mexico.

History of Revolution Day in Mexico

Novermber 20 is celebrated in Mexico to remember the declaration of a Mexican revolution. The revolution began on this day in 1910 with a plan issued by a revolutionist and writer by the name Francisco Ignacio Madero. Interestingly, this revolution did not have any connection to the French or Spanish occupants of the country. Instead, it was a result of the growing disparity between the rich landowners and the rest of the poor peasants and farmers who contributed to a significant portion of the population of Mexico.

Francisco Ignacio Madero challenged the governance of Jose de la Cruz Porfirio Diaz Mori, who was the country’s ruling President at that time. He wrote an article that was later called the Plan of San Luis Potosi in which he called for all Mexicans to unite and raise arms to denounce the dictatorship of President Porfirio Diaz. This sparked revolutionary thoughts in the minds of the normal Mexican population and ultimately led to a national insurrection.

Mexico’s Revolution Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Mexico’s Revolution Day is marked by colorful parades and parties that are organized throughout the country. Revolution Day is a great opportunity for the Mexicans to feast and celebrate in a typical Mexican style! All public offices and educational institutions remain closed to honor the day when all Mexicans united to raise arms against and to bring down the authoritarian dictatorship of the then President Porfirio Diaz.

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Garifuna Settlement Day Celebrated in Belize

Noel — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 18:47:52 +0000

Garifuna Settlement Day Date: November 16

Garifuna Settlement Day is a public holiday in Belize.

Garifuna Settle Day is a holiday that is celebrated in Belize as a day of remembrance, pride, and strength of the Garifuna culture.

History of Garifuna Settlement Day

Belize is a country in Central America that is bordered by Mexico, Guatemala, and the Caribbean Sea. The country has a very low
population with 320,000 people and is considered one of the lowest populated countries in the world. Even though the country suffers from low population, tourism levels are very high. The mild climate, the ability to snorkel and scuba dive in safe waters, and the offshore islands bring almost two million dollars a year into the country from tourists all over the world.

Belize has a very diverse society. There are many languages spoken in Belize such as Spanish and Creole, but Belize is the only country in Central America where English is the official language. Belize consists of many cultural groups, Garifuna being one of the primary groups of the country.

The Garifuna culture (or Black Caribs) is a culture of uniqueness. The group first appeared over 300 years ago when escaped slaves mixed with Carib Indian immigrants who had given them refuge on Saint Vincent island. The Garifuna people adopted to Carib language because they were forced by colonial masters to do so, but they cherished their African music and religious traditions so much that they continued to celebrate them.

In 1795, the Garifuna people rebelled against the British and were punished by being deported to the island near Honduras called Roatan. When this ocurred, the Garinua people slowly began to establish communities along the coasts of southern Belize, Guatemala, and Honduras, therefore becoming one of the most diverse and dominant cultures in Belize. In November of each year, Garifuna Settlement Day is celebrated to remember the arrival of the this group to the country of Belize.

Belize Garifuna Settlement Day Public Traditions, Customs, and Activities

On Garifuna Settlement Day, locals typically re-enact the Garifuna’s arrival in Belize by slipping out to sea in boats, and riding the surf onto the shore, waving palm fronds and banana leaves to symbolize the cassava that sustained their ancestors. This ritual, rich in music and dance, helps celebrate the day in history and sustain Garífuna culture.

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Veterans’ Day

Noel — Fri, 11 Nov 2011 00:13:55 +0000

Veterans’ Day Date: November 11

Veterans’ Day is celebrated in the United States.

As the name suggests, Veterans’ Day is an annual holiday celebrated throughout the United States of America in order to acknowledge the contribution made by their military veterans. The Veterans’ Day is intended to thank veterans for dedicated and loyal service to their country. If at all, it so happens that the Veterans’ Day happens to fall on a Sunday, then the following Monday is declared as a public holiday. This is considered to be one of the most important holidays in America.

Veterans’ Day History

The World War I ended at 11 am on the 11th of November’1918. It is interesting to note that it was the 11th hour in the 11th day of the 11th month. Naturally, the end of the war came as a sigh of relief to the participating nations. And since the credit for the war went wholly to the brave military men, the credit was extended to all the soldiers, living and dead, who willingly laid their lives in order to protect America.
Originally, Veterans’ Day was proclaimed to be Armistice Day by the then president of America, Woodrow Wilson because the armistice marking the end of the World War I was signed on this day. The holiday of Veterans’ Day is a salute to all the Army, Navy and Air Force officers of America. It is the nation’s way of telling its brave hearts that their sacrifices are deeply valued and appreciated by the entire country. The Veterans’ Day Celebrations – “Honoring Those Who Served”.

Veterans’ Day Traditions and Activities

The sole purpose behind the celebration of Veterans’ Day is to express gratitude towards all the men and women, who have and are serving America in war and in peace. The main ideology of Veterans Day was holding parades and meetings highlighting the contribution of the military forces in the development and well-being of the nation.
In 1926, a resolution was passed, which stated that the flag of the United States of America to be displayed on all government building roofs. It also mentioned that the citizens should celebrate this day in their schools, universities and churches in their own small way. They should pay their respects to their soldier countrymen. You will find people walking along the streets holding flags and chanting slogans in appreciation of the forces. Also, there are flag hoisting programs, music concerts, poster competitions and other children’s activities like essay contests and poem recitals on the day.

Veterans Day celebrations in other parts of the world

In the commonwealth countries, Veterans Day is referred to as Remembrance Day. In Australia, Remembrance Day is not considered as a public holiday. However, special services are held at 11 am at all the schools, universities and governments offices. One minute of silence is also observed to pay tribute to the martyrs.

In Canada, this day is a public holiday in most of the places barring a few. Here, national ceremonies are executed by the Prime Minister, members of the Royal family and the Governor General.

South Africa maintains a silence of two minutes to acknowledge the arrival of Veterans Day or Poppy Day as the day is called by the people of South Africa.

The United Kingdom also shuts all the activity on November’s second Sunday to pay homage to its warriors. The White Hall in the centre of London witnesses a commemoration that is attended by the British Royal Family.

Outside the commonwealth countries, Veterans’ Day is celebrated in places like France, Germany, Italy and Ireland in their own distinctive manner. All of the above countries take opportunity on this one day to appreciate the efforts and commemorate the sacrifices made by their military forces.

Veterans’ Day is also known as:

Veterans Day
Armistice Day

Other interesting posts:

Argentina’s Day of the War Veterans and the Fallen in the Malvinas War