Holidays Around The World � march calendar

Malta Celebrates Freedom Day

Carol — Wed, 30 Mar 2011 16:30:53 +0000

Malta’s Freedom Day: March 31

Freedom Day is a public holiday in Malta.

Every year on the 31st of March, the people of Malta celebrate the anniversary withdrawal of British troops from the country on March 31, 1979. Freedom Day is locally known in Malta as Jum il-Ħelsien.

History of Malta’s Freedom Day

Malta became a British Colony by virtue of the Treaty of Paris in 1814. From that year, British ruled the archipelago until the agreement expired on 1979. As part of this agreement, the British withdraw their military and navy from the country and closed their bases on April 1, 1979.

Malta’s Freedom Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Celebrations are held at Floriana which is located just the near the War Memorial to commemorate this important event in Malta’s history.

The most popular activity held during Freedom Day in Malta is a boat race locally known as regatta. Regatta is a basically a water race manually powered by those who are taking part in the event. However, a separate race using motorboats are also held and is categorically referred to as regatta.

Regatta activities are usually held at Grand Harbour and participated both by the locals and some foreigners unless otherwise prohibited by the organizers. Regatta is a sport where most Maltese citizens compete with the ultimate prize for the much coveted prize called Regatta Shield.

The people of Malta spend this day to visit the War Memorial and a monument located on Birgu waterfront (Vittoriosa) reminding all its citizens of Malta’s rich history.

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Cambodian Theravada Buddhists Celebrate Makha Bucha Day

Carol — Tue, 29 Mar 2011 16:20:28 +0000

Cambodia’s Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada): March 30

Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada) is a public holiday in Cambodia.

Theravada Buddhists countries, of which Cambodia is a part, observe the Makha Bucha Day, on the full moon of the third lunar month in the Buddhist calendar. The date of celebration may change since Buddhist calendar is astrological in nature which means the date of observations may vary depending on the position or sightings of celestial bodies.

Makha Bucha, or commonly known as Magha Puja, commemorates the act of 1,250 monks in paying homage to Buddha. Cambodia celebrates it on March while other countries such as Thailand usually celebrate it at the end of February.

History of Cambodia’s Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada)

Makha Bucha (Magha Puja) is celebrated in countries with high concentration of Buddhists such as Laos, Thailand, and Cambodia. The name of the festival is derived from the name of the month in Buddhist calendar (Makha, third lunar month of the Buddhist calendar) and the act of venerating the Buddha (Bucha). With that, the celebration is the day for Buddhists to honor the Buddha and his teachings as soon as the full moon is sighted on the third lunar month.

The main goal of the holiday is absolute righteousness among the followers of Buddhism; this means that people are encouraged to do only good and despise evil of any kind and become at peace with nature.

The origin of Makha Bucha has tied up to the events that happened after the Enlightenment of the Buddha. The events that followed became the foundation of how the event is celebrated today: 1,250 followers (Shangha) visited Buddha, each of them are considered the ‘Enlightened One’ (Arhantas), the Buddha conferred what was called ‘ovadhapatimokha’, a principle that calls for absolute goodness of the Arhantas which is defined by doing what is good, discontinuing all evil acts, and cleansing one’s mind. It is said that during the event, the moon’s phase was on full moon.

Cambodia’s Makha Bucha Day Buddha (Theravada): Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the holiday, especially at sunset, the faithful gather in local temples and participate in traditional religious ceremonies. Processions called Wian Tian also happens within that day.

Buddhist monks also calls for the observance of Five Precepts, a Buddhist principle which includes meditation, staying in the temple while wearing white robes, and being at peace with nature by clearing one’s mind with earthly worries.

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Central African Republic Remembers the Death of Barthelemy Boganda – FLAG OF Central African Republic

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:23:21 +0000

Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda: March 29

Death of Barthelemy Boganda is a public holiday in Central African Republic.

Central African Republic, a landlocked country in central Africa, celebrates the anniversary of the death of Barthelemy Boganda, a nationalist and a politician.

History of Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda

Barthelemy Boganda served as Ubangi-Shari’s (now Central African Republic) first prime minister in December 1958 when the country was still under an autonomous status. He served the French Fourth Republic, the government of France from 1946 to 1958.

As a premier politician and member of the French National Assembly, he rallied against racism against the Oubanguians by the French and the independence of Ubangi-Shari. His call for national unity and independence from France paved the way for the establishment of Movement for the Social Evolution of Black Africa (MESAN).

His efforts were granted by Charles de Gaulle, the then Prime Minister of France during the French Fourth Republic in 1958 when the head of France accepted Boganda’s proposal to create an independent Central African Republic. However, he was killed in a plane crash on March 29, 1959.

Various theories were formulated for the reason of his death but none of them were confirmed but there were proof that Boganda was assassinated when traces of explosives were found in the crash site.

A year later, full independence was realized when the French government granted Central African Republic’s full independence from French rule.

Central African Republic’s Death of Barthelemy Boganda: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Public speeches abound during the anniversary of Boganda’s death with prominent politicians giving talks about the future of the country and the vision shared by Boganda to the establishment of a free Central African state. Since Boganda’s death is a public holiday, public offices are closed.

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Taiwan Observes Youth Day

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:21:49 +0000

Taiwan’s Youth Day: March 29

Youth Day is a public holiday in Taiwan.

Taiwan, or Republic of Taiwan (ROC), observes Youth Day every year on the 29th of March. Taiwan’s Youth Day commemorates the death of 72 youth in the class against the government forces in the Canton Uprising (Guangzhou Uprising) in 1911.

History of Taiwan’s Youth Day

Taiwan’s Youth Day replaced Martyr’s day which commemorates the anniversary of the death of 72 young members of revolutionary army in China in the early 20th century. These protesters were hailed as martyr’s and reminds all Taiwanese about the heroic deeds of the young in fighting for freedom. Dr Sun Yat Sen led the toppling of the then government of China (Ching) and conducted de-stabilization attempts. The events that followed encouraged the youths to engage in the demonstration.

The military government of China, Huang Hsing, violently dissolved the mounting resistance, killing thousands, mostly youths (Guangzhou Uprising). The 72 young men who perished in the uprising were named e 72 Revolutionary Martyrs of Huanghuakang. It got its name from the hill where they were buried – Huanghuakang.

Taiwan’s Youth Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the holiday, various youth organizations, mostly from educational institutions conduct fee-based and free concerts to mark the celebration of the holiday. Public offices remain close during the holidays while most private establishments remain open.

The government also holds special congress and meeting which discusses the role of youth in nation building, and the various legal and national issues affecting the young population. The president of Taiwan usually presides in public speech held at the shrine dedicated to the Martyrs’ of the Revolution along with other soldiers whose lives were perished during the incident.

During this day, the government also honors the Ten Outstanding Youth who displayed exemplary performance in their chosen field. The holiday is also a time to reveal government initiatives on the development of the youth and a chance to immerse the youth leaders in Taiwan’s political environment.

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Madagascar: Martyrs’ of the Revolt of 1947 – Memorial Day

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 20:18:58 +0000

Madagascar’s Memorial Day: March 29

Memorial Day is a public holiday in Madagascar.

Madagascar, an island state in the southeastern portion of the African continent, celebrates annual Memorial Day annually on the 29th of March. Memorial Day is also known as Martyrs’ Day or Commemoration Day. The day is set to commemorate the death of more than 11,000 in the Revolt of 1947 of the armed militants of Democratic Movement for Malagasy Restoration (MDRM) in 1947 during the occupation of the French imperial forces in the land.

History of Madagascar’s Memorial Day

The first major conflict between Madagascar’s colonial French rulers and Malagasy’s of the MDRM started in the 19th century when Queen Ranavalona III resisted French foreign rule on the island. A year after both her and the prime minister of Madagascar were exiled to Reunion and subsequently to Algeria.

Putting the monarchy and the government in exile did not stop the Malagasys to mount protest against the French colonial forces in the area. Malagasys’ demand for labor equality and discrimination were largely fueled by France’s refusal to confer French citizenship to the Malagasy people who were involved in the First World War. Although citizenship was eventually awarded in the creation of the French Fourth Republic in 1946, the growing discontent among the Malagasys were not enough to quench their call for Madagascar’s full independence from France.

A war broke out in March 29, 1947 between the two forces but the Malagasy suffered a heavy loss of more than 11,000 men. The brains of the revolution were later tried in military courts where some (around 20) were executed, and others were imprisoned.

Madagascar’s Memorial Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Local officials deliver speeches to remember those who perished in the violent revolution of 1947 by the Malagasy nationalists and lay wreath on memorials dedicated to the martyrs.

People in Madagascar treat this holiday as a family day. Little activities are held during the holiday other than families going to the movie houses or nearby parks to relax on a long weekend.

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Jains of India Celebrates Mahavir Jayanti Festival

Carol — Mon, 28 Mar 2011 16:26:28 +0000

Mahavir Jayanti: March 29

Mahavira Jayanti is a religious observance for followers of the Jain religion.

Followers of Jainism in India celebrate the birth of Mahavir Jayanti (alternate name, Vardhamana) who set the doctrines and lay the foundation of Jainism. Mahavir Jayanti is considered to be the most important religious holiday among Jains, the name used to refer to the followers of Jainism.

History of Mahavir Jayanti

In Jainism, Mahavira was considered to be the last Tirthankar or the last human to achieve spiritual renewal and enlightenment. He has successfully achieved spiritual purity through an ardent practice of asceticism, abstaining from earthly pleasures and worries for the purpose of attaining absolute spiritual renewal. It is believed that he was born between 599 BC and 615 BC on the 13th day of the rising of the moon on the month called Chaitra. Chaitra is the first month in the Calendar of the Hindus. In the Gregorian Calendar, Chaitra falls on March or April. According to Hindu belief, this month marks the beginning of the creation of the universe.

Mahavir Jayanti: Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the holiday, the temples of Mahavira are decorated with flags. Jains also conduct the traditional ceremonial bath called abhishek to the images of Mahavira in the morning before street procession starts. The procession is usually participated by a great number of people living within the perimeter of the temples. Since the practice of Mahavir Jayanti religion calls for the care for the poor and releasing all forms of inclination to earthly desires, its followers usually engage in charity as an adherence to its teachings. Middle-class and affluent followers offer gifts to the poor such as fruit, rice, milk, water and incense. The Mahavir Jayanti chiefs also organize lectures during this day and may read to its followers a compendium of doctrines making up the principles of their faith which is usually preceded by prayers and meditation in the temples. The temples in the popular Jain temples in India (pawapuri, Parsvanath, and Kundalpur) are filled with devotees coming from different regions in India and other countries. Pilgrims may also visit Jain temples at Rajasthan, Gujarat, Bihar, and Calcutta.

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Birth of Zoroaster: Zorastrian Khordad Sal

Carol — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:41:12 +0000

Zorastrian Khordad Sal: March 28

Zorastrian Khordad Sal is a holiday in India.

Zorastrian Khordad Sal is a holiday that celebrates that birthday of Zarathushtra or Zoroaster, the founder of Zoroastrianism. The celebration of the holiday changes from year to year and may either fall between August and September because a different calendar is used to mark the date of the celebration. However, the Gregorian calendar either point to the anniversary celebration as either on March 26 or 28.

Zoroastrianism is a monotheistic religion, that is, a religion that believes in one God called Ahura Mazda (‘Ahura’, meaning Lord; ‘Mazda’, wisdom). The evil spirit Angra Mainyu opposes the will of the righteous but in the end, Ahura Mazda, the one God; ultimately emerge as triumphant over the battle between good and evil.

Just like the Roman Catholic religion, Zoroastrians believe in the concept of heaven and hell. The sacred writings among Zoroastrians are accounted for on the holy book called Avesta.

History of Zorastrian Khordad Sal

In the Parsi calendar, the date of Zoroaster’s birthday falls on the 6th day of the calendar. The calendar consists of 12 months having the same number of days per month and five festive days. The word ‘Parsis’ refers to people comprising the Zoroastrian communities in India. The term was used to refer to Iranians.

The exact date as to which Zoroaster was born was not known. However, various literatures point out and many believe that the founder of the religion was born on the first millennium before the birth of the Christ Jesus. The celebration of Khordad Sal is treated much like of a new year’s day. In fact, the celebration of this holiday is set on the 6th day of Farvardin, the first month of the Parsi calendar.

Many people mark this day as a symbolical representation of Zoroaster’s date of birth considering it as a symbol of hope, goodness, and love.

Zorastrian Khordad Sal: Traditions, Customs and Activities

Members of the Zoroastrian community feast during this day. As part of the tradition, they wear new clothes and the house is cleaned much like that of Iran’s Nowrūz, or the traditional Iran New Year’s Day. The faithful also gathers around the traditional Fire temples to say a prayer before they celebrate the birthday of their religion’s founder with a lavish feast.

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Libya Celebrates British Evacuation Day

Carol — Sun, 27 Mar 2011 20:39:23 +0000

Libya’s British Evacuation Day: March 28

British Evacuation Day is a public holiday in Libya.

Libya, a country in North Africa, bordering Egypt (east), Chad and Niger (south), and Algeria and Tunisia (west), and Sudan (southeast), and Mediterranean Sea (north), celebrates the anniversary of the evacuation of British military forces in the country in 1970 after the British government agreed to pull out its troops from Tobruk “Al Adam” (present day, Jalal Abdulnasir Base), the air base they established after the Second World War broke out.

History of Libya’s British Evacuation Day

At the end of the Second World War, Libya associates much of its foreign policies in the West especially the United States and Great Britain while maintaining full diplomatic relations with Italy, Greece and France, including the dissolved Soviet Union (1955).

The military coup led by Muammar al-Gaddafi in 1969 resulted to the decision to close the American and British military bases in Libya and hoped to nationalize most of government’s properties including the fossil fuels resources and other commercial businesses in the country.

Moreover, Gaddafi’s temporarily embargoed the transport of oil to the US and other countries in the west as a means to convince the Western nations to halt the political and military support they’re giving Israel in 1973.

The last British troops left Libya in 1970 marking this day as one of the important turning points in Libya’s colonial history. Today, this is celebrated as British Evacuation Day.

Libya’s British Evacuation Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

British Evacuation Day is considered to be one of the most important holidays in Libya but it isn’t celebrated with festivities inasmuch as how religious holidays in Libya are celebrated. The employed consider this day as a time off from work.

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Myanmar’s Observance of Armed Forces Day

Carol — Sat, 26 Mar 2011 20:46:54 +0000

Myanmar Armed Forces Day: March 27

Armed Forces Day is a public holiday in Myanmar.

Myanmar observes the celebration of Myanmar Armed Forces Day on the 27th of March each year. This day is locally known as ‘Tatmadaw Nay’ and it commemorates the resistance of Burma’s military against the Japanese forces at the height of the Second World War in 1945.

To date, the Tatmadaw is the most powerful, stable, and disciplined institution in Burma (present day Myanmar).

History of Myanmar Armed Forces Day

Even in the midst of fighting against the British for freedom, when World War II erupted, the Burmese Army helped the British against the invading Japanese forces. After Myanmar received its independence from Great Britain on January 4, 1948, it took a new name, Union of Burma, under the leadership of Sao Shwe Thaik serving as the first president of the country. Parliamentary elections were held in 1951, 1952 and in the 1960. During the country’s parliamentary state of government, a popular diplomat named U Thant became the United Nation’s first non-Westerner Secretary General.

The experimental parliamentary government of Burma was halted when the General Ne Win led a coup d’état leading to the dissolution of the parliament.

Between 1974 and 1988, Burma functions politically under a one-party system Burma Socialist Programme Party (BSPP). Widespread protests followed but the government was well prepared in cracking down democratic protests in a very violent way especially when thousands of demonstrators were killed in the 8888 uprising.

The first free national election in Myanmar was held on May 1990 which won by the National League for Democracy (NLD) party under Aung San Suu Kyi but the current State Law and Order Restoration Council (SLORC) refuse the transfer of power.

To date, Myanmar is still under the control of military junta and protesters demanding for the restoration of a democratic society are still prosecuted.

Myanmar Armed Forces Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

The holiday is celebrated with military marches in parade grounds in the country’s capital, Naypyidaw, including the laying of wreath on famous memorial posts dedicated to the heroes of the revolution against the imperial Japanese forces. This is also the day when members of the troops are reviewed in terms of loyalty to the military.

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Bangladesh Marks Independence Day

Carol — Fri, 25 Mar 2011 20:50:12 +0000

Independence Day of Bangladesh: March 26

Independence Day is a public holiday in Bangladesh.

Bangladesh commemorates its independence from Pakistan every year on the 26th of March. The linguistic barrier and widespread and long term economic seclusion of the region from Pakistan led to the establishment of a new republic which is currently known as the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. The war of independence leading to the creation of a free Bengali state took place on March 26, 1971.

History of Bangladesh’s Independence Day

After Pakistan gained its independence in 1947, it sees itself as being divided into the West and East portion mainly because the East is composed of a largely diverse population in terms of cultural and religious background. Even though Pakistan was experiencing economic success, the East was somehow left behind leading to the population’s widespread discontent to the then government of the country.

Calls for independence broke out on March 25, 1971 after Bengali students, guerillas, and the military resisted against the central government of Pakistan. In hopes of suppressing the mounting resistance, the latter launched a suppressive military attack (Operation Searchlight) to end the revolt. The ensuing wars produced a huge number of refugees mainly displaced to the eastern portion of India.

With the increasing number of refugee in its area of jurisdiction, India was compelled to provide humanitarian support to the citizens of Bangladesh and eventually providing military support to Bangladesh guerilla forces called Mukti Bahini. India’s assistance to Bengali resistance forces led to Pakistan’s military attack against India and set to start the Indo-Pakistani War in 1971.

The Bangladesh Liberation War that started on March 26, 1971 was marked with an armed conflict among the three countries Bangladesh, Pakistan, and India but revolves precisely around the liberation of Bangladesh and the establishment of a free state as a territory of Pakistan from the west.

The mounting civilian unrest in Bangladesh in the early 1970s forced Pakistan to launch a series of military assault against the members of resistance groups such as guerillas, civilian members, students, the elite group (intelligentsia) and the military which are demanding independence from Pakistan. The war fueled yet another war, the Indo-Pakistani War of 1971, because of India’s involvement in providing assistance to the brain behind the call for Bangladesh’s liberation.

It was said that India provided economic and military support to Bangladeshi insurgents called Mukti Bahini, to finally force Pakistan to secede the Eastern portion of its territory and establish a free Bangladeshi state. The war ended only when Pakistan signed the Instrument of Surrender (December 16, 1971) formally giving up East Pakistan.

Bangladesh’s Independence Day: Traditions, Customs and Activities

The people of Bangladesh celebrate independence day with government-sponsored gun salute at dawn, parade, and ceremonial speeches held at among the famous memorials of war such as the Jatiyo Sangshad Bhaban, Shahid Mina, or the Jatiyo Smriti Soudho, a memorial to the ‘freedom fighters’ who helped in the liberation of Bangladesh from Pakistan. Government officials and citizens also place wreath at the famous National Monument at Savar.

The traditional ‘switching of light’ is observed during independence day as a remembrance for those who perished during the Liberation War of 1971. Since this is a public observance, government offices are closed and the employed are given a time-off from their work.

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