Holidays Around The World � october 1 at AGLOBALWORLD.com

Nigeria celebrates Independence Day

Noel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:30:49 +0000

Nigeria Independence Day: October 1

Independence Day is a public holiday in Nigeria.

Nigeria was a colony of Great Britain until it became an independent nation on 1st October, 1960. At present Nigeria is a fast growing nation with impressive foreign exchange earnings from petroleum industry.

History of Nigeria Independence Day

About 2000 years ago, Nigerian people having Nok culture exchanged slaves, Ivory and kola nuts for salt, glass beads, coral, cloth and weapons. They worked with metals like iron and produced terra cotta sculptures. During this period Great Britain was expanding colonies around the world and Nigeria also became a colony of British rulers. In 1900 the British government took control of the Royal Niger Company’s Nigerian territories. After the Second World War the nationalism and independence movements forced the British government to allow autonomy to Nigeria. Thus Nigeria was granted full independence in October 1st 1960. Since independence there were extreme civil wars between northern, Eastern and western regions of Nigeria. The petroleum trade was flourishing and thus Nigeria advanced financially after independence despite the ongoing civil wars and assassinations.

Nigeria Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Nigeria celebrates its independence every year on October 1st, both in the capital Abuja and 36 states. The President broadcasts a live speech on television and radio to mark the commencement of Independence Day celebrations. There will be flag raising ceremony to honor the nation. The armed forces parades with cultural dances are followed after the Presidential speech. The dance troops, singers, students from all states take part in the Independence Day celebration. On this day homage is paid to the freedom fighters and other national leaders who fought for the independence of Nigeria from the colonial rule. The celebration is an ideal platform for national integration in Nigeria.

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Captains Regents Day in San Marino

Noel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:25:27 +0000

San Marino Captains Regent Day: October 1

Captains Regent Day is a public holiday in San Marino.

The Investiture of the Regent Captains ceremony is rich and elaborate and has followed the same protocol for centuries. San Marino’s heads of state, the two “Regent Captains”, are invested with their powers in Piazza Liberta twice a year.

History of San Marino Captains Regent Day

The charge of Regent Captain is renewable, but three years must have passed since the end of the previous tenure. For those of you who are interested, prospective Captains must be citizens of San Marino and at least 25 years of age.

The ceremony dates back to 1243 and attests to the remarkable harmony and stability of this lilliputian state in that the institution still functions in pretty much the same way today as it did more than 750 years ago.

The practice of dual heads of government is derived directly from the customs of the Roman Republic, equivalent to the consuls of ancient Rome.

The Captains Regent (Capitani Reggenti) of San Marino are elected every six months by the country’s Grand and General Council. The pair serve as heads of state and government. Normally the Regents are chosen from opposing parties. They serve a six-month term. The investiture of the Captains Regent takes place on April 1 and October 1 every year.

San Marino Captains Regent Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

According to the governmental system of San Marino, the third-smallest country in Europe, with only Vatican City and Monaco being smaller, every six months the Great and General Council elects two captains regent to be the heads of state. The regents are chosen from opposing parties so they can keep an eye on each other. They serve a six-month term and, once this term is over, citizens have three days in which to file complaints about the previous regents’ activities. If they warrant it, judicial proceedings against the former head(s) of state can be initiated.

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National Day Parade in China

Noel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:17:11 +0000

National Day: October 1

National Day is a public holiday in China.

Every year on October 1, the People’s Republic of China (PRC) celebrates the anniversary of its founding. 2010 marks the 61st anniversary of the PRC.

History of National Day in China

Under the leadership of the Communist Party, the Chinese people, on October 1, 1949 declared victory in its War of Liberation against the nationalist forces of Chiang Kai Shek. A grand ceremony marking the founding of the People’s Republic of China was held on this day in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. Mao Zedong, Chairman of the Central People’s Government, solemnly declared the founding of the PRC at the ceremony and raised the first national flag of China himself. 300,000 soldiers and other personnel gathered on the square for the grand parade and procession.

China’s National Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

China celebrates its national day grandly with a variety of organized events. The National Day Parade is included as an important component of the grand ceremony, and it’s organized every year in grand fashion. Fireworks displays are usually held nationwide in all cities, accompanied by National Day concerts.

The National Day Flower Bed festival can be seen in the main squares of many cities during National Day. The flowers in Tiananmen Square are typically the grandest and most beautiful of all. Hanging red Chinese lanterns during China’s National Day symbolizes luck and happiness.

In the past, National Day was usually marked by large political gatherings and speeches, military parades, and state banquets. However, when China’s economy developed in 2000, the holiday was made to last for a full week. This is called a Golden Week. However, controversy within the government about the Golden Week’s effectiveness to increase consumption has led some to reduce or eliminate the Golden Week.

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Independence Day in Cyprus

Noel — Fri, 30 Sep 2011 06:05:56 +0000

Cyprus Independence Day: October 1

Independence Day is a public holiday in Cyprus.

After a five year struggle, Cyprus won its independence from the UK in 1960. Schools, office and shops are closed.

History of Cyprus Independence Day

Cyprus was a colony of Great Britain from 1878 until 1960. For several centuries, Cyprus had been ruled by the Ottoman, Byzantine, Greek, Egyptian, Persian, Assyrian and Phoenician empires.

After raging guerilla warfare for almost five years, Sir Hugh Foot, the British governor, read a British proclamation declaring the independence of Cyprus.

Archbishop Marakios III, leader of the Greek community was overthrown during a coup by Greece. The Turkish army invaded the northern part of Cyprus.

The country is de facto partitioned into two main parts: The area under the effective control of the Republic of Cyprus, comprising about 59 percent of the island’s area; and the Turkish-occupied area in the north, calling itself the Turkish Republic of Northern Cyprus, covering about 37 percent of the island’s area and recognized only by Turkey.

Cyprus Independence Day Traditions and Activities

Cyprus people celebrate their Independence Day with festivals at schools and communities and with a big military parade, which take place in their capital named Nicosia.

Cyprus’ flag, has the map of its island in yellow (the color of copper, of which Cyprus was famous in the ancient years and took its name from: couprum (copper in latin) Òkipros (Cyprus in Greek). Also, there are two lops from an olive tree, which symbolize peace.

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Guinea Independence Day

Noel — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 02:36:37 +0000

Guinea Independence Day: October 2

Guinea celebrates Independence Day as a public holiday.

Every year on October 2, Guinea celebrates the anniversary of its independence from France in 1958.

History of Guinea Independence

Guinea was part of a series of West African Empires (Ghana, Mali, and Songhai) ruled by the Muslims. It was during the 15th century that the region came in contact with the European economy. Guinea was invaded by the French army in the mid 1800s and was declared a French protectorate in 1849. France negotiated boundaries with the British for Sierra Leone and with the Portuguese for their Guinea colony (now Guinea-Bissau) and Liberia.

The Franco-Portuguese agreement, dating back to 1886, created the division between the Guinea Republic and Guinea-Bissau. In 1895, the French incorporated the Boke province, the heart of today’s Guinea republic, into French West Africa. The region became a unified entity, which was governed from Dakar.

Before decolonizing, French West Africa was dissolved in 1958. The founding of a Fifth Republic was supported by the French people. France’s colonies were given the option to choose between more autonomy in a new French community or immediate independence. All colonies except Guinea chose the former. Guinea, under Ahmed Sékou Touré’s leadership, won 56 of 60 seats in a 1957 territorial election, voting its way overwhelmingly to independence.

Guinea Independence Day – Traditions, Customs and Activities

Guinea’s Independence day is a national holiday to celebrate and honor the independence that it gained from France. The day is marked with public gatherings in the town halls where the elders and government officials gather and make speeches. This is followed by music and dance, during which the men and women wear the Guinean traditional clothing.

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Gandhi is Remembered in India on his Birthday

Noel — Sat, 02 Oct 2010 01:36:21 +0000

Gandhi’s Birthday Date: October 2

India celebrates Gandhi’s Birthday as a public holiday.

On October 2nd India celebrates the birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi as Gandhi Jayanti. Gandhi‘s Birthday, or popularly known as Gandhi Jayanti, is a National Holiday in India.

History of Gandhi Jayanti in India

Mahatma Gandhi popularly known as the Father of the Nation was born on the 2nd of October 1869 at Porbandar in Gujarat, India. He spent in his early life in South Africa, after graduating from Law in London, where he practiced Law during which time he protested against the racial discrimination and the Transvaal Immigration Act with a new strategy of adopting non-violence as his only force. He returned to India in 1915 and was very actively involved in any activities that concerned the society as a whole. He was instrumental in emancipation of women in India and fought actively against untouchability (notions of superiority and inferiority by birth).

Gandhi’s contribution towards the Indian freedom struggle is invaluable and he achieved it through his principles of truth, non-violence and honesty which are still remembered to this day by millions of Indians and many across the globe. Gandhi is best known for his technique of “satyagraha” and always believed in the idea of ‘unity’ in diversity. To honor this great person the United Nations adopted a resolution on 15 June 2007 which declared that October 2 will be celebrated as the International

Day of Non-Violence.

Gandhi Jayanti in India – Traditions, Customs and Activities

Gandhi Jayanti is a national holiday in India and is celebrated throughout the country. The President, Prime Minister and all eminent political leaders of India pay homage at Raj Ghat- the place where the Mahatma was cremated. All educational institutions, government offices and shops are closed on this day. Painting and Essay writing competitions are organized to spread his ideologies to the younger generation of India. Gandhi’s favourite devotional song, Raghupati Raghava Raja Ram is sung in his memory and his sincere followers abstain from consuming meat and alcohol on his Birthday.

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