National Day in Austria: October 26
National Day is a public holiday in Austria.
National Day of Austria is October 26, 2009, and commemorates the day in 1955 when the Soviet Union ended its occupation, and Austria passed a law of perpetual neutrality.
History of Austria’s National Holiday
Austrian history as such dates back to 976, when Leopold von Babenberg became the ruler of much of present-day Austria. In 1276 Rudolf I became the first Habsburg to ascend to the throne. The Hapsburgs ruled for the next 750 years, a period during which the Austrian Empire accumulated vast land wealth and fought off challenges from the Ottoman Empire.
In 1848, Franz Josef I ascended to the throne and saw many milestones in Austrian history, including The Compromise of 1867, which gave greater political rights to Hungary within the Empire and created the Dual Monarchy. In the 20th century, political unity continued to deteriorate. Following World War I, the Empire collapsed and the Austrian Republic was established in 1919. From 1918 to 1934, Austria experienced increasing political turmoil. In 1934, a corporatist and authoritarian government came into power in Austria, and later that year, Austrian National Socialists launched an unsuccessful coup d’etat. In February 1938, under renewed threats from Germany, Chancellor Schuschnigg was forced to accept Austrian National Socialists (Nazis) in his government. On March 12, Germany sent its military forces into Austria and annexed the country. After liberation in April 1945, the allies divided Austria into zones of occupation, with a four-power administration of Vienna.
The 1955 Austrian State Treaty ended the four-power occupation and recognized Austria as an independent and sovereign state. The Treaty was signed on May 15, 1955 and came into effect on July 27, 1955. All occupying forces departed by October 25, 1955, and Austria became free and independent for the first time since 1938. The date on which this provision passed–October 26–became Austria’s National Day.
Austrian National Holiday Traditions, Customs and Activities
The celebration of National Holiday in Austria has come to be marked by a national “fitness day” with many people all over Austria taking long walks. The Parliament building and all national museums are open, but stores and many other businesses are closed.
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