Holidays Around The World � november 3 at AGLOBALWORLD.com

Culture Day Celebrated Across Japan

Noel — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 10:00:42 +0000

Culture Day Date: November 3

Culture Day is a public holiday in Japan.

Culture Day in Japan is held on November 3, 2009. This holiday commemorates both the birth of Emperor Meiji and the day the first Japanese constitution was adopted in 1946.

History of Japan’s Culture Day

Culture Day was originally established to celebrate the birth of Emperor Meiji (1852-1912). Following Emperor Meiji’s death, his birthday was renamed Culture Day for the purpose of honoring traditional Japanese cultural arts.

In Japan, honoring Imperial birthdays is a relatively new tradition. In past centuries, emperors were mysterious figures controlled by the Shogun and the Imperial Court. Emperor Meiji was the first emperor to emerge from the shadows and reclaim the power and dignity of the Imperial family. In 1868, the Shogun government was abolished, allowing Japan to begin to advance into the modern world.

Japanese Culture Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

On Culture Day, festivals are held around the country, celebrating traditional Japanese art. There is also a long parade through the city of Hokone where people wear traditional clothing from the Edo era. At Meiji Shrine—which is named in honor of Emperor Meiji—there are various martial arts demonstrations given throughout the day. The Order of Culture Awards are held in Tokyo’s Imperial palace and are typically presented by the Emperor to people who make outstanding contributions to Japanese culture.

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Ecuador Foundation of Cuenca

Noel — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:22:48 +0000

Foundation fo Cuenca Day: November 3

Foundation of Cuenca is a public holiday in Ecuador.

The Foundation of Cuenca on November 3, isn’t an official public holiday in Ecuador, but is widely observed in the country and especially in Cuenca. Cuenca is the third largest city in Ecuador and capital of the Azuay province. The center of the city is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Trust site because of its historical Colonial Spanish Era buildings. This holiday is also known as the Independence Day of Cuenca.

History of Foundation of Cuenca

Cuenca was founded on April 12, 1557 by Gil Ramírez Dávalos, a Spanish explorer, commissioned by Andrés Mendoza, Viceroy of Peru. Mendoza had the city named after his home town of Cuenca, Spain. The city became independent from Spain on November 3, 1820, and joined Guayaquil and Quito as capital of one of the three provinces that make Ecuador. Cuenca then became one of three most important cities of Ecuador during the first years of Ecuador’s Independence from Spain. Cuenca at first was known as Guapondeleg, which means as large as heaven in Cañari language. After being taken by the Incan Empire, it was named as Tomebamba, meaning river valley of knives. In 1557 the Spaniards arrived and took the city, naming it as Santa Ana de los Cuatro Rios de Cuenca, Saint Anne of the Four Rivers of Cuenca. On November 3, 1820, Cuenca declared itself independent from Spain, following other cities of Ecuador.

Foundation of Cuenca Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The celebrations are marked by night firework displays. But the center and most noteworthy are the hundreds of craftsmen and artists that come to Cuenca to display their work on art fairs. During the day Ecuadorians can enjoy street theaters, and several events are organized during the night like concerts, art exhibitions and dancing all over the city. The celebrations usually extend beyond November 3 and can take as much as 10 days, as this is Cuenca’s biggest annual celebration.

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Liberia Thanksgiving Day

Noel — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:18:56 +0000

Thanksgiving Day: November 3

Thanksgiving Day is a public holiday in Liberia.

Thanksgiving Day is celebrated in Liberia on the first Thursday of November. It follows the same traditions as Thanksgiving Day in the United States, since Liberians do have several holidays in common with or to honor the United States, besides Thanksgiving Liberians also have the Independence Day in July, and Pioneer’s day that honors the American pioneers in Liberia’s colonization.

History of Thanksgiving Day

Liberia was founded in the XIX century by freed slaves from the United States, Liberia never knew the colonial power of European countries like other African countries. Liberia’s name comes from Latin word Liber, meaning free. Liberia was founded as a colony by the American Colonization Society between 1821 and 1822, it was intended to be a place for slaves freed in the United States and that wanted to immigrate to Africa in search of more personal freedom and equality as citizens. Also the capital city of Liberia, Monrovia was named after the fifth president of the United States, James Monroe, supporter of the colonization of Liberia by free slaves. And so the free men brought with them many of the United States traditions and kept them as to honor their humble beginnings. Thanksgiving Day is one of them, and Liberians still celebrate it, same way as Americans do it, but of course with Liberians unique cultural touches.

Thanksgiving Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Thanksgiving is celebrated to give thanks to God and Americans for freeing the slaves and granting them Liberia in Africa to live as free men. Thanksgiving is also an opportunity for Liberians to recognize the good things that life has to offer them, even though the country has been troubled by internal conflicts. It is a day celebrated with families’ gatherings and eating chicken roasting and green bean casserole and mashed cassavas. Liberians like their food hot and spicy, so cayenne and other peppers may be added to Liberian Thanksgiving dishes. As with all Liberian celebrations, there is plenty of music, song, and dance during Thanksgiving Day.

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Panama Independence Day

Noel — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 15:13:26 +0000

Independence Day: November 3

Independence Day is a public holiday in Panama.

November in Panama has lots of Independence celebrations. On November 3 is celebrated the Independence of Panama from Colombia in 1903, also known as Colon Day, that jumpstarts Panama’s Patriotic Month. While on November 10 is the day that Panamanians remember the ‘uprising in Villa Los Santos’ against the Spaniards; and finally on November 28 is celebrated the National Day, a celebration of Independence from Spain in full for Panama.

History of Independence Day

After achieving independence from Spain on November, 1821 Panama became a department of Colombia for the next eight years. The Gran Republic of Colombia was by then composed of Colombia, Venezuela and Ecuador. Panama federalist forces still tried to fight for Independence once again for Panama, and almost got it in 1831, also later between 1840 and 1841 a brief independent state was created, and finally during the Thousand Days War, which devastated Colombia and Panama. But still Panama was part of Colombia and no agreement was reached between Liberal Panama parties and Colombians. In 1903, the United States and Colombia signed the Hay-Herran Treaty to end the construction of the Panama Canal, but the Colombian Congress did not pass the Treaty on August 12, 10903. Panamanians wanted the canal finished and were angered with the Colombians, so were the United States that decided to support the independent movement for Panama. A warship was sent to Panama to protect Panamanians from the Colombian armies, and in November 1903, Panama proclaimed its Independence from Colombia.

Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Panama celebrates the Independence from Colombia with big parades in Panama City, there are traditional folklore dancing in the streets, where both children and adults dress in traditional costumes, wearing a pollera and a montuno, and dance El Tamborito or El Atravesao, traditional dances. The tradition is mainly kept by schools who prepare themselves to parade on the streets all year long. Parents spend a lot of money instruments and uniforms for those in a marching band.

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The Maldives Observe Victory Day

Noel — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:00:44 +0000

Victory Day Date: November 3

Victory Day is a public holiday in the Maldives.

The Maldives’ Victory Day is centered on the day that a terrorist group from Sri Lanka attacked the Maldives government on November 3, 1988. They attempted to overthrow the government, but failed and fled the country, hence the celebration.

The Maldives is an island country in the Indian ocean consisting on 19 atolls made up of more than 2,000 coral islands southwest of Sri Lanka. The Maldives islands were colonized more the 800 years ago and became a self-governing British protectorate in 1887 and achieved independence in 1965. Maldives is one of the world’s poorest countries, but that is slowly changing because of the increasing number of tourists that make the Maldives their vacation destination. Maldives has a very small population of around 370,000.

History of the Maldives’ Victory Day

Since 1965, the Maldives have been independent and free from foreign rule. However, the coup attempt in the Maldives in November 1988 was one of the most perilous times in the country’s history. Many people were caught in the crossfire and many lives were lost. The act of treason was committed by a few treacherous Maldivians who threatened the country’s independence. Called on by the government of the Maldives, India provided swift and decisive aid to supress the coup. It is said that eight soldiers and eleven civilians died on that day.

While there is some debate on whether ‘Victory Day” was obtained on the 3rd or 4th of November, what matters is that the Maldives was victorious and the aggressors were apprehended. November 3rd is still remember by the natives from the Maldives to this day.

The Maldives’ Victory Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

The Maldives are a 100% Islamic country which means alcohol is not permitted in public places. Many resorts have licenses that exempt them from the law, so those who wish to honor the fallen on Victory Day with a drink can do so privately.

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Dominica Celebrates Its Independence from Britain

Noel — Tue, 02 Nov 2010 10:00:32 +0000

Independence Day Date: November 3

Independence Day in Dominica is a public holiday.

Dominica’s Independence Day commemorates when the nation declared its independence from Britain—November 3, 1978. In addition to celebrating the nation’s independence, the holiday also honors the unique Creole culture of the Dominican people.

History of Dominica’s Independence Day

Officially known as the Commonwealth of Dominica (not to be confused with the Dominican Republic), Dominica is an island nation located in the Caribbean, and it neighbors Martinique to the south and Guadalupe to the north. The island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493 while on his second voyage to the new world. Despite European influence, Dominica is one of the few Caribbean islands with remaining populations of pre-Columbian Indians. In addition, most Dominicans are descended from African slaves imported in the 18th century.

For the next few hundred years, the island was controlled by France and native populations until Dominica became a possession of Britain in 1783. In 1871, Dominica became a federal colony attached to the Leeward Islands. In 1978, Dominica was granted independence from Britain.

Dominica’s Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Though the Independence Day holiday is set on November 3, 2009, the nationwide celebration actually takes place over the preceding four weeks. The festivities include dance, music, and a military parade in the capital city of Roseau.

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