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

King’s Birthday Date: November 11

King’s Birthday is a public holiday in Bhutan.

The Kingdom of Bhutan is somewhat unique in that its people function on the premise of Gross National Happiness (GNH). GNH encourages material and spiritual development to complement and reinforce each other. Bhutan’s national holidays are no exception to the principles of GNH, and this certainly includes the birthdays of the Kings of Bhutan past and present.

History of Bhutan King’s Day

There have been five kings in Bhutan since 1907, and there is a birthday celebration for most of them. November 11 marks the birthday of the fourth King of Bhutan, Jigme Singye Wangchuck.

King Wangchuck was born at the Dechhencholing Palace in Thimphu on November 11, 1955. In 1972, he took the throne at the age of 17 due to the early death of his father, Jigme Dorji Wangchuck, who suffered from a series of heart conditions.

The new king would follow in his father’s footsteps, attempting to bring about slow but positive democratic change to the people of Bhutan. He was responsible for creating the term “Gross National Happiness”, and he used its principles to guide his decisions. In 2008, he abdicated the throne to his son Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck.

The Bhutan people still celebrate the fourth King of Bhutan and his accomplishments on this day.

Bhutan King’s Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

While three days of celebration are dedicated to the reigning king, one day is given to former kings. Events are usually very lively with many of the local schools organizing huge festivals and parades on and near school grounds.

As the government mandates that citizens wear traditional clothing every day, clothing styles don’t differ much during the festivities. And since the country is predominately Buddhist, many of the ceremonies are dominated by Buddhist themes and activities. During the festivities, look for the traditional emadatse (a stew made from chili pepper and cheese), chang (a local beer), or arra (a distilled spirit).

Other interesting posts:

• Coronation Day of the Fourth King Celebrated in Bhutan
• Guru Rinpoche’s Birthday Celebrated in Bhutan
• Bhutan Third King’s Death

Remembrance Day: November 11

Remembrance Day is a public holiday in Canada.

On Monday, November 11, 1918, at the hour of 11 A.M., World War I officially came to an end with the formalization of the armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany. All told, over 15 million people were killed in the brutal conflict leaving lasting impressions on much of the world’s population.

Due to the significance of the events of not only World War 1 but also other wars that take the lives of so many, Canada—among many other countries—celebrates Remembrance Day.

History of Canada Remembrance Day

Remembrance Day started in Canada as Armistice Day, and was celebrated within the entire British Commonwealth. King George V declared that the day be observed, though some suggest that King George possibly picked up the idea from Edward George Honey who suggested the remembrance to Wellesley Tudor Pole.

The armistice was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne, France, with a set of terms laid out to Germany to terminate hostilities, remove troops, and surrender equipment.

Private George Lawrence Price is considered to be the final Canadian soldier to perish during the war. He was shot at 10:58 while on a mission to advance on the small village of Havré, and he died a minute later, just before the armistice was to go into effect.

Canada Remembrance Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

At the National War Memorial in Ottawa, the Governor General of Canada among other dignitaries traditionally presides over the official national ceremonies. Since the erection of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in 2000 at the War Memorial, the public now pays their respects by placing poppies across and near the tomb.

Poppies are an inseparable part of the customs of this holiday. The source of this custom resides in the poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Canadian John McCrae and published on December 8, 1915. The poppy is mentioned in the poem, and it was chosen as an apt symbol for Remembrance Day due to the red color of the flower that bloomed across some of the bloodiest battlefields in Flanders.

The poppies—real and artificial—are pinned on shirts, placed on graves, or formed into wreathes as a symbol of remembering the fallen.

Other interesting posts:

• Remembrance Day Observed in Bermuda
• France Observes Armistice Day
• Canada Day

Remembrance Day: November 11

Remembrance Day is a public holiday in Bermuda.

On Monday, November 11, 1918, at the hour of 11 a.m., World War I officially came to an end with the formalization of the armistice treaty between the Allies and Germany. All told, over 15 million people were killed in the brutal conflict leaving lasting impressions on much of the world’s population.

Due to the significance of the events of not only World War 1 but also other wars that have taken the lives of so many, Bermuda—among many other countries—celebrates Remembrance Day.

History of Bermuda Remembrance Day

Like the rest of the British Commonwealth, Bermuda celebrates Remembrance Day. After the events of World War I, King George V declared that the day be observed, though some suggest that King George possibly picked up the idea from Edward George Honey who suggested the remembrance to Wellesley Tudor Pole.

The armistice was signed in a railway carriage in Compiègne, France, with a set of terms laid out to Germany to terminate hostilities, remove troops, and surrender equipment.

William Edmund Smith is considered to be the first Bermudian soldier to perish during the war. He drowned when the ship he was on, the HMS Aboukir, was sunk on September 22, 1914. The last Bermudian to die from the effects of the war was Hayford Douglas Simmons on June 16, 1919.

Bermuda Remembrance Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

At the Bermuda Volunteer Rifle Corps War Memorial in Victoria Park, Hamilton, a remembrance service is held to honor those Bermudians that fought during World War I, World War II, and the Korean War. After a traditional two-minute silence at 11 a.m., a colorful and energetic parade kicks off from the memorial, winding its way through the streets of Hamilton. The town of St. George also hosts Remembrance Day events, holding a parade in the town square and a service at the HMS Jervis Bay memorial.

Poppies are an inseparable part of the customs of this holiday. The source of this custom resides in the poem “In Flanders Fields” written by Canadian John McCrae and published on December 8, 1915. The poppy is mentioned in the poem, and it was chosen as an apt symbol for Remembrance Day due to the red color of the flower that bloomed across some of the bloodiest battlefields in Flanders. The poppies—real and artificial—are pinned on shirts, placed on graves, or formed into wreathes as a symbol of remembering the fallen.

On November 10, 2009, the Bermuda government announced the construction of a second war memorial to be built on the grounds of the Cabinet Office in Hamilton. The memorial will honor not only those Bermudians that served overseas, but also those that protected Bermuda’s shores. It’s not known if the memorial will be ready for 2010’s Remembrance Day.

Other interesting posts:

• Canada Observes Remembrance Day
• Bermuda Joyously Celebrates Bermuda Day
• Labour Day Observed in Bermuda

Armistice Day Date: November 11

Armistice Day is a public holiday in France.

The French—like so many other people around the globe—were affected by the events of World War I. It wasn’t until November 11, 1918, at the hour of 11 A.M., that the war officially came to an end. All told, over 15 million people were killed in the brutal conflict, nearly 1.7 million of them French.

Due to the significance of the events of not only World War 1 but also other wars that take the lives of so many, France—among many other countries—celebrates Armistice Day.

History of France’s Armistice Day

At the end of September 1918, the military situation for the Germans didn’t look favorable at all. With the front line weakening and territory being lost, a number of changes went into effect in Germany to facilitate an armistice.

After numerous telegraphs and other communications, the armistice was made official in a railway carriage in Compiègne, France, in the early morning hours of November 11, 1918.

Armistice Day was made a public holiday by a law passed by the French government on October 24, 1922.

Augustin TrĂ©buchon is considered to be the last French solider to die during the war. He was shot and killed at 10:45 A.M. while delivering a message near the Meuse River. The message, still in his hand when he died, is reported to have read “Rassemblement Ă  11h 30 pour le ravitaillement.”—”Muster at 11.30 for food.”

France’s Armistice Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

On November 11, 1920, the body of an unidentified soldier was buried in the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, located under the Arc de Triomphe in Paris. Next to the tomb is an eternal flame that was lit three years later and still burns today.

Military parades are found around graveyards and the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, and flowers, wreathes, and French flags are placed on these spots to commemorate their dead.

Other interesting posts:

• Armistice Day
• Canada Observes Remembrance Day
• France Observes Victory Day

National Day Date: November 11

National Day is a public holiday in Myanmar.

As National Days go, they often celebrate independence of a region or country from harsh political or military rule. Often the history of the National Day involves a deposed leader, an expelled governing body, or the start of a revolution. In most cases, a new government is installed, a new constitution ratified, or genuine change is enacted. However, there are rare cases when the celebration comes full circle and turns into a call for new revolution. National Day in the Union of Myanmar typifies this very well.

History of Myanmar National Day

Before there was Myanmar, there was Burma. Burma was conquered by the British in 1824, and it remained in full British control until around 1886 when a majority of the country fell under British India and was ruled as a province.

Growing anti-British sentiment by the Buddhist and student communities increasingly caused friction for British India. In 1919, Buddhist monks of the Eindawya Pagoda in Mandalay tried to physically evict Europeans that refused to respect local custom and remove their shoes before entering the pagoda. In a controversial move by the British, the leader of those monks was sentenced to life in prison for attempted murder.

On December 5, 1920, tempers flared when Rangoon University students protested against new government regulations made by the British. News of the protests spread throughout the land, and many more schools held protests of their own. This day is considered the source of National Day in Myanmar, a day that marks the real beginning of mass protests against British control. However, it wasn’t until January 4, 1948 that Burma gained its independence from Britain.

Myanmar National Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

It’s worth noting a few things about this particular holiday. First, Myanmar’s National Day is the only non-religious public holiday celebrated. Second, the actual date of this holiday changes every year. The actual date of celebration is determined by the Myanmar lunar calendar, and it falls on the tenth day after the full moon in the month of Tazaungmon. (Tazaungmon roughly falls between October and November.)

Finally, it should be noted that today Myanmar is politically in nearly identical chaos to that of early British colonial times. While
National Day typically celebrates the start of protests in 1920 against the British occupation, today National Day is frequently marked by protests against the current ruling military junta. Buddhist monks, students, and even the international community turn out to the protests with cries for revolution anew.

Other interesting posts:

• Myanmar’s Observance of Armed Forces Day
• Myanmar Martyrs Day
• Kayin New Year Festively Observed in Myanmar

Republic Day Date: November 11-12

Republic Day is a public holiday in Maldives.

When one thinks of the Maldives, tropical islands, relaxation, and scuba diving are usually what come to mind. With over 1190 islands strewn across the archipelago, there’s plenty of island life to be had.

The fact is that due to its tropical nature, the Maldives has seen a wide array of rulers and cultural influences over the years. Yet, one of the most celebrated days on the Maldives is Republic Day, a day that brings wishes for peace and prosperity to the islands and their inhabitants.

History of Maldives’ Republic Day

Governed as an Islamic sultanate until 1968, the Maldives has a murky historical past. Details aren’t clear about the sultans that ruled over the islands, likely in part due to both the fragmented nature of the community as well as the lack of historical storage facilities.

Being an island nation, the Maldives were visited and influenced by many cultures including pirates from the Arabian Sea and Indian Ocean. It was also a British protectorate between 1887 and 1965. Even the Portuguese had a brief influence on the country’s history in the 16th century.

On July 26, 1965 in Colombo, Sri Lanka, a ceremony took place at the British High Commissioner’s Residence where full political independence was given to the Maldives with a signed agreement between the sultan of the Maldives (then known as Maldive Islands) and the designated British ambassador. However, it wasn’t until November 11, 1968 that the monarchy was fully abolished and a republic installed under President Ibrahim Nasir. This conversion to a republic is now celebrated annually as Republic Day.

Maldives’ Republic Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The celebration of Republic day is usually vibrant and colorful with marching bands and children wearing their finest while parading down the streets. As Islam is the official religion of the country, the parades often have a significant Arabian flair.

During the festivities, look for huni hakuru folhi (a cake made from coconut, sugar and flour), masroshi (a small pancake stuffed with
fish), or bodibaiy (a sweet, sugary rice treat).

Other interesting posts:

• The Maldives Observe Victory Day
• The Maldives Celebrates Huravee Day
• Maldives Independence Day