Holidays Around The World � august 31 at AGLOBALWORLD.com

Moldova observes Limbra Noastra

Noel — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:46:44 +0000

Moldova Limbra Noastra Day Date: August 31

Limbra Noastra Day is a public holiday in Moldova.

Limba Noastra literally translates to our language. On August 31, every year Moldova celebrates Limba Noastra or its language day. The day is celebrated to honor the passing of the language law, which proclaimed the Moldovan language written in Latin script to be the official language of Moldova. The law also established its identity with the Roman language. The day is considered to be a milestone in Moldova’s progress towards its independence.

History of Moldova Limbra Noastra

The language spoken in Moldova has been a political issue since a very long time. Majority of Moldovans speak a dialect of Romanian that has been dubbed Moldavian by the Russians in the 19th century and the Soviet Union in the 20th century. This local language was forbidden to be used in administration and public documents by the Russian Empire as far back as in 1829. Russians tried to replace Romanian with Russian.

This was viewed as an attempt of Russification of the Moldovan culture. Moldovan was banned from schools. The attempts of Russification continued in public administration, church and education with Moldovan being replaced with the Russian language. This continued till the collapse of Russian empire in 1917. The process of Russification had a brief interlude in the period between 1918 and 1940, when Moscow had relinquished its control over the Moldovan territories. However, at the outbreak of World War II, Moscow again seized control of the Moldovan territories and the Russian language once again returned as the official language in the newly founded Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic.

It was asserted by the official Soviet policy that the language that was spoken by the Moldovans was distinct from the Romanian language. To distinguish between the two, the Soviet authorities promoted Moldovan written in Cyrillic script as opposed to Romanian, which is written in Latin alphabet. All these are viewed as attempts of the Soviet Union to promote a Moldovan ethnic identity that was completely distinct from that of the Romanians.

From 1988 onwards, Moldova along with several other republics of the former Soviet Union began to step forward towards its independence. On 27th of August 1989, a mass demonstration was organized by the nationalist Popular Front of Moldova. This mass demonstration which later came to be known as the Great Assembly forced the Soviet Authorities to pass a language law. Finally on 31st August, 1989, the Supreme Soviet of the Moldavian Soviet Socialist Republic passed the language law that established Romanian as the official language of the country. It also witnessed the return of the Latin script. Since 1989, this date of 31st August came to be known as the Limba Noastra Holiday or the Language day of Moldova.

Moldova Limbra Noastra Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Celebration of this day is synonymous with the celebration of the cultural independence of Moldova. Language is one of the most important national symbols for the people of the country and this day is the celebration of the most important national symbol of the Moldovans. Limba Noastra is a public holiday in Moldova. On this day, play, poetry readings and such other events are organized all across the state of the nation.

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Trinidad & Tobago celebrates Independence Day

Noel — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:41:57 +0000

Trinidad & Tobago Independence Day Date: August 31

Independence Day is a public holiday in Trinidad & Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago were one of those countries in the British colony who became a part of the post war, decolonization process. They got their independence on 31st August 1962. Once a British Colony, it is very much a part of Commonwealth now. It was the 31st August when the Union Jack was lowered to declare Trinidad and Tobago an independent nation. The whole week was rejoiced with a lot of celebration and events. This day goes down in the history of Trinidad and Tobago as a very important day.

History of Trinidad & Tobago Independence Day

Speaking of history, the American troops stationed at Chaguaramas and Cumuto deeply affected the social structure of the nation during the Second World War. Christopher Colombus got Trinidad noticed to the world in 1498. That is when the Trinidad became a colony of Spain. As far as Tobago is concerned, the Dutch had claim to fame in invading this island. Tobago also saw French invasion with Spain as its allies. Later British colonies were settled in Trinidad in 1802 and in Tobago in 1814. It was in 1888 that Trinidad and Tobago was made a single entity. This country was so prone to colonization because of the rich minerals not forgetting crude oil. However, a single country with a history of so many countries trying to build their colonies takes a toll on the common people. The independence on 31st August brought a sigh of relief in the people of Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad & Tobago Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

This day is celebrated with lot of festivity and spirit. The military styled parade in the day in Queens Park is inspected by the Chief Secretary in Tobago and by the Head of the State in Trinidad. The evening sees a lot of National Award presentation ceremony at the President’s house. These awards are recognition for the local people for their achievements in various occupations. The evening in Queens Park, Savannah displays a lot of firework to celebrate the occasion. These shows are quite popular with the crowd that starts coming in early to get the best sight. Independence for any country is a gift to its citizens.

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Malaysia lights the fireworks for Independence Day

Noel — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:34:54 +0000

Malaysia Independence Day Date: August 31

Independence Day is a public holiday in Malaysia.

Malaysia got its independence on August 31, 1957. Though it has a long history of invasion, it was the British colonies, from whom they got their independence. Since then Malaysia has come up the economic growth curve quite well. Now it is well known for its tourism industry. It is one of those destinations, which make people get the whole Asia experience. As their tagline says ‘truly Asia’.

History of Malaysia Independence Day

Malaysia is known to be a complete experience of Asia in itself. The main reason for this lies in the fact that people from Japan, China and India have invaded it. However, the recent past has seen the British invading this country. The independence from the British rule was a peaceful one opposed to the other British colonies that got its independence after much struggle and sacrifice. The major problem a nation faces after the independence is the shift of power from the country, which invaded, to its own people. Though Malaysia did not face much of those, however it did face the racial discrimination and conflicts related to those. These things apart independent Malaysia took the political system and the economy and social system far ahead of what it started from during the initial independence days. The best part about the Malaysian independence is there was no bloodshed. The whole process of declaring independence happened after just holding discussions.

Malaysia Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The event is celebrated with lot of concerts and processions. The schools and other education institutions organize their celebrations. Lot of folk dance and traditional clothes are a part of the celebrations. Malaysia is a vibrant country with vibrant people. They make the whole atmosphere come alive with their energy and spirit.

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Kyrgyzstan celebrates Independence Day

Noel — Wed, 31 Aug 2011 00:00:05 +0000

Kyrgyzstan Independence Day Date: August 31

Independence Day is a public holiday in Kyrgyzstan.

August 31, 1991 is the day when Kyrgyzstan got independent from the Soviet Union. The age-old Soviet pressure took a long time to shrug off. Although the country was declared a republic and went through a name change several times after 1990, it was far from being independent from the Soviet clutches. The decision of Independence on 31st August 1991 was welcome by the common people as it was in their interest.

History of Kyrgyzstan Independence Day

The Soviet influence started in Kyrgyzstan in early 1919. The major oppression was experience during the Stalin days though. Though they were under the Soviet bear hug they still managed to retain and develop lot of social, cultural and educational aspect. The urge to preserve their culture maintained the tension among the all-Union authorities. The Soviet hold on Kyrgyzstan was not exactly like a typical colony these European countries had in Asia, Africa and other parts of the world however, they were far from being independent. The Soviet influence was quite visible in their political system. The independence of Kyrgyzstan would have taken longer if the mass resignation of the secretariat and bureau would not have happened. It was this move, which made the Supreme Soviet vote in favor of Kyrgyzstan’s independence. Another problem following independence was the fight to get to power. Lot of political instability was experienced after independence.

Kyrgyzstan Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The struggle to reinforce a stable and able government never stops the people of Kyrgyzstan from celebrating their Independence Day. The typical celebration includes Independence Day parades with people attending it in their traditional wear. The evening sees many fireworks to celebrate the occasion. The fireworks light up the sky and make it look like a supernova explosion somewhere.

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UK and Wales celebrates Summer Holiday

Noel — Tue, 30 Aug 2011 00:54:47 +0000

UK and Wales Summer Holiday Date: August 30

Summer Holiday is a public holiday in the UK and Wales.

Summer holidays, alternatively termed as summer vacation or summer break, is a holiday session in the summer time taken mostly in the schools. Its timings mostly depend on the country and the district. In United Kingdom that is England and Wales, the last Monday in August is a bank holiday called the Summer Bank Holiday. For majority of the people of England and Wales, who are not employed in any kind of essential service, this day is received as a holiday. This year the Summer Bank Holiday falls on 31st of August.

History of UK and Wales Summer Holiday

In Britain, Bank holidays are public holidays. On these days, banks are shut and no trading can take place on this day. The Bank Holidays are being recognized since 1871. The Bank Holidays were introduced by the Bank Holiday Act in 1871. This act designated four bank holidays or public holidays in United Kingdom that is in England and Wales and Northern Ireland. Before 1834, there were thirty three saint’s days and religious festivals observed as holidays by the Bank of England. However, in 1834, it was reduced to just four holidays. Sir John Lubbock, an English banker, politician, naturalist, archeologist and also an enthusiastic supporter of cricket, who believed that the bank employees should have an opportunity to attend and participate in cricket matches, introduced the act in 1871.

Initially the four holidays, those were declared in England, Wales and Northern Ireland in 1871, were the Easter Monday, the Whit Monday, the first Monday in the month of August, also called the Summer Bank Holiday, and the Boxing Day or St. Stephen’s day on 26th of December. These dates of Bank Holidays included the dates on which cricket was played between villages in the region where Sir John Lubbock was raised. From 1972 onwards, the date of the Summer Bank Holiday was changed from the first Monday of August to the last Monday of August. It is however interesting to note that there were some years in which the Summer Bank Holiday fell on September instead of August. However, possibly to due a change in the method of determining the day, this no longer occurs.

UK and Wales Summer Holiday Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

On the Summer Bank Holiday, banks are not allowed to operate and hence the name Bank Holiday. Traditionally most of the shops and museums and several other places of public interest such as historic houses and sports centres remain closed. However, it has been observed in recent times that some of the shops remain open even on a Bank Holiday. Traditionally, most of the businesses too remain closed on the Summer Bank Holiday. This time enables the employees to spend time with their families. People spend this time on mini breaks and outings. The significance of Bank Holidays over any other kind of holiday is that the Bank Holidays are secular and perpetual holidays. This is especially true in case of the Summer Bank Holiday which indeed has no religious bindings.

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