Common Prayers Day: May 4

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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Japan’s Showa Day: April 30

Showa Day is a public holiday in Japan.

Showa Day is celebrated in Japan to commemorate the birth date of Emperor Showa or Hirohito, the emperor of pre and post-World war II. Showa Day is a national holiday and part of the Golden Week which includes other notable Japanese holidays such as the Constitution Day (Kenpo kinenbi) on May 3, Greenery Day (Midori no hi) on May 4, and Children’s Day (Kodomo no hi) on May 5.

Showa is a posthumous name given to Emperor Hirohito after his death in 1989. Greenery Day was used to occupy the holiday on April 29th but was later scheduled on May 4.

History of Japan’s Showa Day

Before 1985, Emperor Hirohito’s birthday is celebrated on the 29th of April; however, upon his death in 1989, April 29 was designated as the Greenery Day, a day dedicated to nature and the environment. Emperor Hirohito is a lover of nature and an enthusiast in the field of marine biology. In fact, the Imperial Palace during his time has a laboratory dedicated to sea animals particularly to saltwater animal belonging to a class of sea animals known as Hydrozoans.

However, in 2007, a bill to put back Emperor’s Day to April 29 was passed. The bill however states that public celebration should encourage the public to reflect on the emperor’s troubled administration and Japan’s challenging recovery after the end of World War II.

Japan’s Showa Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

The imperial palace and the government of Japan encourage the public to collectively reflect on the current condition of Japan and its future. It is also a time for Japan to commemorate the lives lost during World War II and acknowledge the efforts made when Japan is under economic and social recovery during the Showa the period.

Hotel accommodation rates and spike up during the Golden Week; this means that visiting tourists should request for reservation in advance to save on accommodation fees. As part of Japanese tradition, people visit Hirohito’s tomb in Hachiƍji during the holiday.

Other interesting posts:

• The Emperor’s Birthday is Festively Celebrated in Japan
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Day of Uprising: April 27

Day of Uprisingis a public holiday in Slovenia.

The Day of Uprising or Resistance Day (Slovenia, dan upora proti okupatorju) is a holiday in Slovenia to commemorate the establishment of Slovenia’s Liberation Front to fight the occupying forces of nearby European countries such as the Germany, Italy, and Hungary.

The holiday is celebrated on the 27th of April every year. It is formerly known as Liberation Front Day and a considered a work-free day.

History of Slovenia’s Day of Uprising

Ljubljana, the capital of Slovenia, saw the birth of Liberation Front of the Slovenian People or the Anti-Imperialist Front on April 26, 1941 that was created to free the Slovenians from foreign occupation. This massive movement is driven by the some of the most notable Slovenians writers and literary critics during the protest such as Ferdo Kozakand and Josip Vidmar; the Communist Party of Slovenia, the dissident or breakaway group of Slovene Sokols, and some Christian Socialists.

A quick civil war broke out in Spring of 1942 between the Liberation Front of the Slovenian People and the Slovene Home Guard which are anti-communist militia in the province of Ljubljana sponsored by the Axis powers. The former took over some portions of territories in Slovenia and contributed, to a large extend, the fall of Nazi Germany, and partly, the fascist Italy.

The Liberation Front of the Slovenian People was renamed Socialist Alliance of the Working People of Slovenia at the wake of the Second World War.

Slovenia’s Day of Uprising: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the holiday, events such as public speeches from surviving Slovenian guerillas and political groups gather at the Monument of Freedom, created by Jakob Savinek (1922-1961) to commemorate this momentous event which liberated the country from foreign rule during World War II.

Speeches signify stories about how Slovenes were united during the occupation and how the establishment of liberation army helped Slovenia gain its independence from the three occupying European powers.

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• Slovenian Cultural Holiday
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South Africa’s Freedom Day: April 27

Freedom Day is a public holiday in South Africa.

The people of South Africa commemorate Freedom Day every 27th of April where the first election was held after the apartheid system was abolished in the country. Before this was instituted non-white constituent of South Africa had limited rights, under the apartheid law, to vote for their chosen political candidates.

Apartheid was later abolished following the general election that took place in 1994 instituting the, what was then known, as the first universal adult suffrage in South African nation.

History of South Africa’s Freedom Day

Under the supervision of Independent Electoral Commission (IEC), South Africa conducted its first major and nationwide election in 1994 after the fall of the Apartheid policy. Freedom Day marks the first multiracial election on April 27, 1994 which gave way for Nelson Mandela to presidency. Mandela was the head of the African National Congress, a political party which won the majority of seats in the government during the first fully representative democratic election in 1994.

Mandela is an anti-apartheid activist who campaigned for the abolition of apartheid, a legal racial discrimination system in South Africa. He was put in prison in charges of political sabotage and other crimes against the apartheid policy and languished in prison for 27 years. In the day of his release in February 11, 1990, he worked his way to once again campaign for a fully represented democratic national election in South Africa and give way for all non-white constituents to vote for their chosen candidates.

It was noted that 19,726,579 voted during the first national election. A tripartite Government of National Unity was later established to work on the total abolition of Apartheid system in South Africa and cure some of the detrimental social issues plaguing the country.

South Africa’s Freedom Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During Freedom Day, a reenactment of the release of Nelson Mandela is usually held in front of Victor Verster, the place where Mandela spent the last day of his prison sentence.

Speeches and musical concerts are also held commemorating the eventful day which led to the release of Mandela and first multiracial election that happened in South Africa in 1994.

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Independence Day: April 27

Independence Day is a public holiday in Togo.

Togo marks April 27 the anniversary of its independence from France on April 27, 1960. The country was once a protectorate of Germany until the fall of the Germans against the invading French and British military forces. The country came under UN Trusteeship Territories under the mandate of France until its full independence on 1960.

History of Togo’s Independence Day

Togo was once an unfortunate victim of slave trade stating at the turn of the 16th century. One of the various tribes representing Togo that were badly hit during that time were the Mina’s thereby Togo earning the title “The Slave Coast.” With sound economic programs in the region, Togo became Germany’s model possession. It only ended after Germany’s fall in World War I.

The United Nations placed Togo under the care of France and Britain at the end of First World War in 1914. These mandates accorded to the above countries were later translated to UN Trust Territories after the abolition of League of Nations which originally gave France and Britain the authority to administer the land.

The country was divided into two regions: British administrative region and the French administrative region. Under a popular referendum, the British Togoland elected to join the present-day Ghana. Meanwhile, the French Togoland managed itself to become independent under the auspices of French Union.

Sylvanus Olympio was instrumental in Togo’s march to independence in 1960. He served Togo’s highest political post from 1958 until his untimely death in 1963 due to assassination. Nicolas Grunitzky later became an appointed president following Olympio’s death but was later replaced by Eyadema Gnassingbe through a bloodless military coup and serving as the country’s president from 1967 until 2005.

Togo’s Independence Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Togolese people celebrate Independence Day with usual march parade and speeches from president about the current condition of the country and how it stands compared with countries across Africa and the rest of the world. As with all other holidays in Togo, Independence day is a work-free day.

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• Martyrs’ Day Commemorated in Togo
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Independence Day: April 27

Independence Day is a public holiday in Sierra Leone.

Sierra Leone, a country in West Africa, celebrates independence from foreign rule on April 27, 1961 after 150 years in the hands of Great Britain. The Duke of Kent was present when the British conferred independence to Sierra Leone.

History of Sierra Leone’s Independence Day

Until 1961, Sierra Leone has been a British Colony for more than 150 years. The history of the establishment of Sierra Leone is traced to a program called Black Poor that aims to resolve the slave trade plaguing Africa. Notable philanthropists in England spearheaded the plans of making Sierra Leone as a home for impoverished black in London and to eventually end the horrors of slave trade.

The philanthropists started the transfer of slaves from England to Sierra Leone in 1787. But the unfavorable living conditions made the new settlers suffer from diseases, pestilence, and harsh weather. This continued until the first half of the 19th century with hundreds and thousands of slaves are freed almost every year. The majority of the freed slaves stayed in Sierra Leone and considered it as a home.

Sierra Leone Company was established for the purpose of creating a hub for ex-slaves coming from Nova Scotia, England, and African Americans who served the British Crown during the American Revolution.

The British Parliament in 1807 signed a law making slave trade illegal. This has further intensified the influx of freed slaves from all parts of England and America to Sierra Leone. The constitution in 1954 allowed the election of members of the Legislative Councils in Sierra Leone until free election was allowed in 1954. The House of Representatives was later established in 1957.

The first prime minister was elected a year after and in 1960, the march to independence was sought in London with representatives headed by Milton Margai. Sierra Leone then became an independent nation in April 27, 1961.

Sierra Leone’s Independence Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Independence Day is festive event in Sierra Leone’s holiday calendar. During the holiday, the street is decorated with bunting bearing the flag’s national colors. Military parade in Freetown is a common event with contingents from schools and social organizations. Political speeches also abound during the holiday. Independence is a bank holiday in Sierra Leone; therefore, it is work-free.

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Union Day: April 26

Union Day is a public holiday in Tanzania.

The celebration of Tanzania’s Union Day occurs every 26th of April every year. It commemorates the union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar to form the United Republic of Tanzania in 1964.

History of Tanzania’s Union Day

Tanzania, a country in central East Africa is a unitary republic composed between Tanganyika and Zanzibar. In fact, the name Tanzania is a portmanteau of the two republic who later joined together to form the name of the country as it is known today.

In the late 1800s, Germany occupied part of the present-day Tanzania including those of the nearby western African neighboring countries such as Rwanda and Burundi. The occupation continued until after Germany’s fall in the Second World War I against the British. The League of Nations gave Britain the mandate over the region until the British peacefully released and gave the country a chance for self-government in 1961.

Tanganyika is the first one to receive its independence from Britain. Britain formally established the area independent on December 9, 1961. Two years later, on January 12, 1964, Zanzibar obtained its independence.

Julius Kambarage Nyerere, a famous Tanganyikan politician, organized the Tanganyika African National Union (TANU). Its goal was to gain political and national independence from Britain in 1961. His wishes were eventually granted by Britain, and before the end of 1961, Tanganyika was made independent and he was made the first prime minister in the region.

Meanwhile, Zanzibar declared independent on 1963 after it overthrew the Arab dynasty during the Zanzibar Revolution. Due to shared political goals of the two regions, the two united on April 26, 1964.

Tanzania’s Union Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Parades with contingents from schools and other government and non-governmental organizations swarm the major streets of Tanzania during the celebration. The government holds ceremonial speeches to commemorate the merging of the two states to form a unified republic with shared goal and vision.

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Independence Day: April 19

Independence Day is a public holiday in Israel’s.

Israel conducts its annual celebration of the establishment of the State of Israel and its independence from foreign rule in 1948. The date of Israel’s Independence Day celebration, locally known as Yom Ha-Atzmaut, may vary and fall between April 15 and May 15 as national holidays are based on Hebrew Calendar (5th day of Iyar, Hebrew Calendar).

History of Israel’s Independence Day

According to the Israel’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Israel’s War of Independence is the costliest and has caused so much human lives and damage to public property than any other wars it got involved in the past. Among the many members of its military forces more than 6,000 were killed with more than 15,000 were left wounded and debilitated. The war started on 1947 and ended on 1949.

Since Britain’s plan did not materialize, it handed the decision of land partition and the creation of a Jewish state to the United Nations leading to the creation of Resolution 181 a resolution which aims to create a separate state for Jews and Arabs in the Palestine region. The partition was not well received among the Arab community and from which it started another war – the 1948 Arab–Israeli War.

Forces from various Arab countries in the middle east including Syria, Egypt, Iraq, and Lebanon launched an offensive against British Mandate of Palestine territory in what is now known as Israel. The war only ended in 1949 when the Armistice Agreements was signed. It however did not end the conflict between the Jews and Arabs in the region.

The armistice agreement was signed by countries opposing the creation of a Jewish state with signatories including the government of the following Arab countries: Egypt, Lebanon, Syria and Jordan. The result of the war heavily impacted the Arabs of the region many of them content themselves on the small portion of land provided to them under the agreement.

Many believed that accepting the initial proposal of the United Nation in the Resolution 181 would have been better for the Arab (of Palestine) as the war initiated by the Arab countries involved during the Arab–Israeli War further worsened the situation. The State of Israel declared its independence on May 14, 1948, the day that marked the end of British mandate in Israel and Palestine.

Israel’s Independence Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Independence Day in Israel is celebrated with grand fireworks in capital Tel Aviv following a ceremony at Mount Herzl, Jerusalem. Military parade is also conducted in the morning with soldiers holding the Flag of Israel and creating formations likened to Israel’s symbols such as Menorah and Star of David.

International Bible Contest is also conducted along with Israel Prize where people with notable contribution in society area awarded.

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National Flag Day: April 25

National Flag Day is a public holiday in Swaziland.
Swaziland, a landlocked country in Southern Africa, dedicates April 25th as a celebration on the date when Swaziland’s Flag was raised and British Flag was brought down after it obtained independence from Great Britain in 1968. This holiday is known as National Flag Day.

History of Swaziland’s National Flag Day

At the dawn of the 20th century and at the start of Anglo Boer War, Swaziland became a British protectorate although British rule in the country already started in the early 19th century.

Great Britain already signed an agreement recognizing the independence of the country in 1881. It did not materialize though because of a conflict of land and mineral rights use with that of the Transvaals’ (South African Republic, Zuid-Afrikaansche Republiek, or ZAR). It is important to note that the country was placed under ZAR’s administration in the late 20th century and ended only when the Anglo Boer war started.

The start of Swaziland’s quest to independence started in 1960s when Britain officially announced the creation of Swaziland constitution which laid the foundation for its eventual independence. From there, the legislative Council and the Executive Council were formed as stated in the initial declaration despite of the opposition from Swazi National Council.

The Legislative Council of Swaziland was established on September 9, 1964. Numerous ratifications and changes in the original constitution followed including the provision to the creation of the House of Assembly and Senate. Official declaration to Swaziland’s independence was made on September 6, 1968. Elections followed a year after.

Swaziland’s National Flag Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Some of the popular activities in National Flag Day include the hoisting of flags in major cities and towns in Swaziland including Lobamba and Mbabane. Organized parade and speeches made by local government officials abound during the celebration. Since this is a public holiday, government offices are closed.

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Liberation Day: April 25

Liberation Day is a public holiday in Italy.

Each year, on the 25th of April, Italy celebrates Liberation Day, locally known as La Festa della Liberazione. Liberation Day commemorates the day when Italy was liberated from the direct control of the Allied Forces after the World War II. It is also the date when Italy remembers those who perished in the war. In some context, it also commemorates the fall of Benito Mussolini’s Italian Social Republic in 1945.

Unlike other holidays in Italy that are only recognized in a certain region, Liberation Day is celebrated nationwide.

History of Italy’s Liberation Day

Two years of infighting and intense resistance movement happened in Italy after the country entered into an armistice with the Allied forces in 1943. Italians both within Italy and abroad and some 35,000 women joined the resistance movement under Benito Mussolini’s Fascist regime.

One notable event in the loss of lives of members of the resistance movement was the movement in major establishments and factories in Turin, Milan who refused to cooperate with the then German military forces known as Wehrmacht. Those who took part in the resistance movement during that time were deported to Germany and later put in concentration camps for forced labor and later killed through lethal gas chamber. People at a garrison in Cefalonia who heavily resisted against the invading German forces were eventually killed with casualties ranging from 6,000 to 7,000.

Eventually, after much offensive from the Allied Forces of World War II, the Axis Powers (Germany, Italy, and Japan) surrendered From April 21 to April 25, people saw the liberation of each important cities in Italy including Bologna (April 21), Parma and Reggio Emilia (April 24), and finally Milan and Turin on April 25.

Italy’s Liberation Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During Liberation Day, all government offices are closed while a great number of restaurants, shops, and public transportation do not operate. Music concerts, political rallies, and government-sponsored marching parades are common.

Tourists are advised to check with their hotels if they’re arriving on or before the 25th of April as most establishments are closed during the celebration.

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