Sao Tome Agricultural Reform Day: September 30

Agricultural Reform Day is a Public Holiday in Sao Tome.

Sao Tome and Principe are the 2 Islands. It is the smallest country in the world. The provinces are further divided into seven districts, six on São Tomé and one on Príncipe. In 19th century, Sao Tome was the world’s largest producer of cocoa. The main economic activities are fishing and small scale industries. Sao Tome and Principe celebrate Agricultural Reform Day on September 30 every year.

Sao Tome Agricultural Reform Day History

The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were uninhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese sometime between 1469 and 1471. The islands were discovered by Fernão do Pó and bore his name until the twentieth century. Portuguese navigators explored the islands and decided that they would be good locations for bases to trade with the mainland.

The first successful settlement of São Tomé was established in 1493 by �lvaro Caminha, who received the land as a grant from the crown. But it difficult to attract the settlers, they found suitable for agriculture is growing sugar. Sao Tome economy had changed in mid-17th century. In the early 19th century, two new cash crops, coffee and cocoa, were introduced. The rich volcanic soils proved well suited to the new cash crop industry, and soon extensive plantations (roças), owned by Portuguese companies or absentee landlords, occupied almost all of the good farmland.

By 1908, São Tomé had become the world’s largest producer of cocoa, which remains the country’s most important crop. Since the 1800s, the economy of São Tomé and Príncipe has been based on plantation agriculture. At the time of independence in July 1975 Portuguese-owned plantations occupied 90% of the cultivated area. After independence, control of these plantations passed to various state-owned agricultural enterprises, which have since been privatized. The dominant crop on São Tomé is cocoa, representing about 95% of exports. Other export crops include copra, palm kernels, and coffee.

Sao Tome Agricultural Reform Day Customs and Activities

Many events are held all across Sao Tome to mark the day of Agriculture Reform Day. Farmers make special meals and celebrate the day with friends and family. Other then that, many events are held to provide more knowledge to farmers about the new developments in the agricultural sector.

Other interesting posts:

• São Tomé Day Celebrated in São Tomé e Príncipe
• Sao Tome and Principe’s Liberty Heroes’ Day
• Sao Tome salutes Armed Forces Day

Botswana Day: September 30

Botswana Day is a Public Holiday in Botswana

Botswana Day, September 30, commemorates Botswana’s independence from the British on 30 September 1966. The Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Citizens of Botswana are called “Batswana”, regardless of ethnicity. Formerly a British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966. Botswana was one of the most impoverished countries in Africa when it became independent in 1966.

Botswana Day History

The earliest inhabitants of the region were the San, who were followed by the Tswana. About half the country today is ethnic Tswana. The term for the country’s people, Batswana, refers to national rather than ethnic origin. Encroachment by the Zulu in the 1820s and by Boers from Transvaal in the 1870s and 1880s threatened the peace of the region.

In 1885, Britain established the area as a protectorate, then known as Bechuanaland. When the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910 out of the main British colonies in the region, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basutoland (now Lesotho) and Swaziland (the “High Commission Territories”) were not included, but provision was made for their later incorporation. An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal government resulted in the 1920 establishment of two advisory councils to represent both Africans and Europeans.

Proclamations in 1934 regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African advisory council was formed in 1951, and the 1961 constitution established a consultative legislative council. In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for a democratic self-government in Botswana. Self-government began in 1965, and on Sept. 30, 1966, the country became independent. Botswana is Africa’s oldest democracy. Seretse Khama, a leader in the independence movement and the legitimate claimant to the Ngwato chiefship, was elected as the first president, re-elected twice.

Botswana Day Customs and Activities

To commemorate Botswana Independence Day, which falls on September 30th, members of the Botswana Irish Community, the Social Inclusion Unit of Limerick City Council and Doras Luimni come to together and host an exhibition of Botswana Arts, Crafts and Cultures. Early in the morning people start to blow their horns in celebration of Botswana’s independence. Activities continue all day and into the night. The morning begins with many speakers, choirs and dance groups performances. At around lunch time the DJ music begin and all the kids gathers around to listen to the music. Food is also served and there are some special events such as a beauty contest to crown Miss Independence.

Other interesting posts:

• Botswana Presidents Day
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Building of the Cross Date: September 27

Building of the Cross is a religious observance for Orthodox Coptic Christians all over the world.

The Feast of the Building of the Cross is celebrated on September 27. On the Coptic calendar it falls on the seventeenth day of the month of Tout, and it commemorates the dedication of the Church of the Holy Cross built by the mother of Emperor Constantine, Queen Helen.

History of Building of the Cross

This feast has its origins in Jerusalem and is connected with both the finding of the cross where Jesus died and the building of the Church of the Holy Cross to guard the relics of the wood of the cross. After the death of Jesus, Jerusalem was a troubled city, and all the sacred places where Jesus had passed and suffered his Passion had been desecrated by the Roman armies and the many wars that were fought over Jerusalem.

When the Roman Empire became Christian under the rule of Constantine, he ordered, under the influence of his mother Helen, that the sites where Jesus had passed should be found. Excavations began in Jerusalem and around the city. During these excavations the location of the Calvary and also the cross on which Jesus had died were discovered. A church was promptly built to keep the relic, and the mother of Constantine, Queen Helen, became a devout of the Holy Cross. The Feast of the Building of the Holy Cross was instituted and later, as with many feasts, it was passed on to all Christians in Constantinople and Rome.

Building of the Cross Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the Feast of the Building of the Holy Cross, the Coptic Orthodox Church organizes processions with the sign of the Cross in the streets of the cities that the churches serve. Chanting known as Shannon-Hosanna echoes through the streets as the faithful accompany the cross and the clergy, announcing the joy of the cross of Christ and joy of heart, the inner Jerusalem, as it receives the graces of Jesus. It isn’t one of the major feasts of the Orthodox Coptic Church, and it is the equivalent of the daily Feasts of the Saints. It is a day to be spent with family and friends as everyone gathers to join the processions and eat together after the religious celebrations.

Other interesting posts:

• Coptic Epiphany Observed by Coptic Orthodox Christians
• Coptic Christmas Celebrated by Coptic Orthodox Christians
• Jesus’ Circumcision Celebrated by Orthodox Christians

South Africa, Heritage Day: September 24

Heritage Day is a Public Holiday celebrated in South Africa

Heritage Day, September 24, is a public holiday in which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people. People of South Africa celebrate this holiday with great enthusiasm and various cultural events are held all across the country.

Heritage Day is one of South Africa’s newly created public holidays and its significance rests in recognising aspects of South African culture which are both tangible and difficult to pin down: creative expression, historical inheritance, language, the food as well as the land.

South Africa Heritage Day History

In KwaZulu-Natal, the September 24 was known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the Zulu King, Shaka. Shaka was the legendary Zulu King that played an important role in uniting disparate Zulu clans into a cohesive nation. Contrary to western discourse Shaka was not a “chief.”

The Public Holidays Bill presented to the Parliament of South Africa at the time did not have September 24 included on the list of proposed public holidays. As a result of this exclusion, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a South African political party with a large Zulu membership, objected to the bill. Parliament and the IFP reached a compromise and the day was given its present title and seen as a day “…when South Africans celebrate the diverse cultural heritage that makes up a ‘rainbow nation’.” It is the day to celebrate the contribution of all South Africans to the building of South Africa.

In 2005, a media campaign sought to re-brand the holiday as National Braai Day, in recognition of the South African culinary tradition of holding informal backyard barbecues, or braais. On September 5, 2007, Archbishop Desmond Tutu celebrated his appointment as patron of South Africa’s Barbecue (Braai) Day, affirming it to be a unifying force in a divided country (by donning an apron and tucking into a boerewors sausage). At the end of 2007 National Braai Day changed its name to Braai4Heritage and the initiative received the endorsement of South Africa’s National Heritage Council (NHC). Organiser Jan Scannell announced that the aim is not to have a mass braai, but smaller ones with friends and family.

South Africa, Heritage Day Customs and Activities

South Africans celebrate Heritage Day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa. Various events are staged throughout the country to commemorate this day.Former Western Cape Provincial Premier Ebrahim Rasool addressed the public at a Heritage Day celebration at the Gugulethu Heritage trail in 2007 in Gugulethu. In Hout Bay, there is an army procession and a recreation of the battle fought there.

Japan Fall Equinox Date: September 23

Japan celebrates Fall Equinox as a public holiday.
Autumnal Equinox Day is on September 23 or 24, it is a national holiday in Japan. This day not only signals the changing of seasons but also it is a day to go visit the graves of dead relatives.

Japan Fall Equinox History

Fall Equinox Day is one of the most established Japanese National Holidays. Old Japanese traditions believe that this holiday has a double origin. Some believe that this holiday originated from the agricultural society of Old Japan to celebrate the changing of the seasons. On this day, daytime and nighttime have equal lengths. Due to leap year, the actual date of the Fall Equinox Day may change from year to year, but is generally around September 23rd. Starting on this day until the winter solstice comes, the night-time will have longer hours than the day time. Autumnal Equinox Day in Japan is also called HIGAN NO CHU-NICHI. The other origin of this holiday is believed to be based on Buddhist traditions. Based on old Buddhist teachings many Japanese will visit their family graves on this day midway through the week of HIGAN in order to pay their respects to their dead ancestors. People clean their family graves and bring flowers, incense and traditional Japanese food. It is believed that their ancestors’ spirits fancy round food!

Japan Fall Equinox Traditions, Customs and Activities

Like many other cultures around the world, the Japanese set aside the period around this time to pay their respects to the graves of their ancestors. This is one of the times when families have the chance to pull out the weeds and clean up the graves. The Japanese families will be engaged in these rituals during the one-week period straddling the equinoxes (higan) of spring and autumn.

Other interesting posts:

• Honoring Nature and the Departed: Japan’s Spring Equinox Day
• Japan Celebrates Constitution Memorial Day
• Culture Day Celebrated Across Japan

New Caledonia Day: September 24

New Caledonia Day is a public holiday in New Caledonia.

New Caledonia is a “sui generis collectivity” of France located in the region of Melanesia in the southwest Pacific. It comprises a main island (Grande Terre), the Loyalty Islands, and several smaller islands. Approximately half the size of Taiwan, it has a land area of 18,575.5 square kilometres (7,172 sq mi). The population was estimated in January 2009 to be 249,000. The capital and largest city of the territory is Nouméa. The currency is the CFP franc.

New Caledonia became the overseas territory of France on September 24, 1853. The Day is celebrated as a national holidays in New caledonia since then.

New Caledonia Day History

Whalers operated off New Caledonia during the nineteenth century. Sandalwood traders were welcome but as supplies of sandalwood diminished, the traders became abusive. The Europeans brought new diseases such as smallpox, measles, dysentery, influenza, syphilis, and leprosy. Many people died as a result of these diseases. Tensions developed into hostilities, and in 1849 the crew of the American ship Cutter were killed and eaten by the Pouma clan.

As trade in sandalwood declined, it was replaced by a new form of trade, “Blackbirding”. Blackbirding was a euphemism for enslaving people from New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, New Hebrides, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands to work in sugar cane plantations in Fiji and Queensland. The trade ceased at the start of the twentieth century. The victims of this trade were called Kanakas, a label later shortened to Kanak and adopted by the indigenous population after the French annexation.

New Caledonia was made a French possession in late 1853, a part of an attempt by Napoleon III to rival the British colonies in Australia and New Zealand. Auguste Febvrier Despointes led the expedition that seized the island. Following the example set by the United Kingdom in parts of nearby Australia, France sent a total of 22,000 convicted felons to penal colonies along the south-west coast of New Caledonia between 1864 and 1922. This number included regular criminals as well as political prisoners such as Parisian socialists and Kabyle nationalists.

Towards the end of the penal colony era, free European settlers (including former convicts) and Asian contract workers by far outnumbered the population of forced workers. The indigenous Kanak populations declined drastically in that same period due to introduced diseases and an apartheid-like system called Code de l’Indigénat which imposed severe restrictions on their livelihood, freedom of movement and land ownership.

New Caledonia Day Customs and Activities

On the September 24 every year, a parade is held in New Caledonia to mark the day when it became as overseas Territory of France and Admiral Despointes took possession of New Caledonia for France. Other than parade, various events are held mainly in the glamorous capital of New Caledonia.

Other interesting posts:

• Sao Tome Marks Agricultural Reform Day
• Syria Marks International Tourism Day
• Vanuatu Commemorates Constitution Day

Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day: September 24

Republic Day is a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic on August 1, 1976. The event is celebrated as a public holiday on September 24 because this is the date when the first Parliament met under the new Republican Constitution. The date was removed from the official calendar of holidays from 1999 to 2001 to make way for the Spiritual Baptist (Shouter) Liberation Day which is celebrated on March 30. The Republic Day holiday was reinstated in 2002.

Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day History

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. It shares maritime boundaries with other nations including Barbados to the northeast, Guyana to the southeast, and Venezuela to the south and west. The country covers an area of 5,128 square kilometres (1,980 sq mi) and consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous smaller landforms. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the main islands; Tobago is much smaller, comprising about 6 percent of the total area and 4 percent of the entire population which is estimated at 1.3 million (2005). The nation lies outside the hurricane belt.

In November, 1969, Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States , Sir Ellis Clarke said that “We as a nation, have reached an age of reason where we can take our time, sit calmly and deliberate what we want. The word goind around in the country was that they shoud abandon the Monarchy and go Republic. In June 1971, His Excellency, Sir Solomon Hochoy announced the decision to appoint a commission “to consider the constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, and matters related the reto and to make recommendations for revision of the said constitution and for matters of constitution reform in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day Customs and Activities

People of Trinidad and Tobago celebrate Republic Day with great patriotism in their hearts. Various ceremonies are held throught the island nation to mark this day with hosting of flag to start with. As the day is a national holiday, people celebrate this day by making delicious food and sharing it with family and relatives. Students take pride in performing various patriotic events in their schools just one day prior to the public holiday.

Other interesting posts:

• Trinidad & Tobago celebrates Independence Day
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• Trinidad and Tobago Commemorates Labor Day

Dominican Republic Mercedes Day: September 24

Mercedes Day is a Public Holiday in Dominican Republic.

Domican Republic celebrates the Mercedes Day in honor of Our Lady of Mercy, Patroness of Dominican Republic. The catholic holiday is celebrated with very religiously throught Dominican Republic and is a public holiday on 24th of September every year.

Dominican Republic Mercedes Day History

The History about this old catholic holiday in not very clear but according to believers, the only common ground that can be established is that it is a Roman Catholic festival; in both places there are references to Our Lady being the Patroness; and both places were at one stage in conflict with the Spanish Empire and fighting for independence.

Our Lady of Las Mercedes (or the Virgin of the Mercedes) is the Patroness of the Tucuman people, having been bestowed with this title in 1687.

At the Battle of Tucuman on 24th September 1812, Our Lady is credited with ensuring the victory of some 1,800 Argentine troops over the colonial Spanish forces, who numbered about 3,000. The Argentines, under the command of General Manuel Belgrano, placed their faith in Our Lady, and their success enabled the United Provinces of La Plata to press on with their claims, eventually successful, for independence.

Dominican Republic Mercedes Day Customs and Activities

A series of events are held to commemorate this event, which is a national holiday. Masses are celebrated in honor of the patron saint, followed by a procession through the Colonial Zone. The first apparition of the patron took place in 1495 when she spoke to a group of Spanish soldiers who were fighting the Taino Indians.Our Lady of Mercies then appeared on several more occasions at Santo Cerro, where a church has been built in her honor.

Other interesting posts:

• Dominican Republic celebrates Restoration Day
• The Dominican Republic Remembers Juan Pablo Duarte
• Malta Honors Our Lady of Victories Day

Bhutan Blessed Rainy Day: September 23

Bhutan celebrates Blessed Rainy Day.
Bhutan observes Blessed Rainy Day on September 23.

Bhutan Blessed Rainy Day History

Blessed Rainy Day marks the end of the monsoon season in Bhutan. According to old Bhutanese beliefs, all the waters in the country are considered holy on this day. Therefore, the citizens are encouraged to take an outdoor bath in order for the past misdeeds and bad karma to be cleansed. This holiday marks the end of the farming season and the start of the harvesting season as well. Government institutions, schools, and businesses are closed during this holiday.

Blessed Rainy Day is also known as Thrue-Bab, Thrie-Bab, and Thri-Bab.

However, the holiday was scrapped from Bhutan’s official list of public holidays in 2007. The home and culture affairs ministry said the holiday was removed from the calendar in order to trim down the national holidays.

Bhutan’s home minister, Lyonpo Minjur Dorji, announced in January 2009, that the holiday of Blessed Rainy Day would be restored again as a public holiday. The decision of elected people’s assembly led its speaker to instruct the minister to incorporate Thrue bab as a public holiday.

Bhutan Blessed Rainy Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

According to Bhutanese beliefs, bathing early in the morning will rid one’s self of disease, bad luck, and bad karma. However, Bhutan’s astrologers determine which is the most favorable hour to wash one’s body in order to exact the maximum benefit. They usually use the Bhutanese lunar calendar to base their calculations. For those who are not able to cleanse at the precise hour, they are often advised to rise before the break of dawn for a quick morning bath. Some people also celebrate the holiday by playing either khuru or archery.

St. Kitts and Nevis Independence Day: September 19

St. Kitts and Nevis celebrates Independence Day as a public holiday.

Every year on the 19th of September, the small country of St. Kitts and Nevis celebrate Independence Day to commemorate the day it gained its freedom from the British.

St. Kitts and Nevis Independence Day History

Christopher Columbus on his second voyage to the Americas landed on the islands in 1493, and he named it Saint Kitts in honor of his patron saint, Saint Christopher. It was in 1623 when Saint Kitts became the Britain’s first territory in the West Indies. While Nevis was later colonized in 1628.

The French also arrived to lay claim on Saint Kitts and they settled at the town of Basseterre. The French and the British had amicably shared Saint Kitts for a while. However, by the mid-17th century sporadic fighting between the two had ensued. In 1664, the French forced the British from Saint Kitts in 1664. In 1689, the French were also driven out by the British. For a brief period in the early years of the 18th century the French forces reclaimed the island and they did this again in 1782. However, in 1783, France finally gave up its claim on Saint Kitts to Great Britain by signing the Treaty of Paris.

Since then, Saint Kitts, Nevis, Anguilla, and the British Virgin Islands were governed as a single colony by the British. The Leeward Islands Federation joined together against Saint Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla as a British dependency in 1871. In 1967, Saint Kitts, Nevis, and Anguilla became an autonomous member of the West Indies Associated States. The British placed Anguilla under its direct rule in 1971. In 1980, Anguilla was officially removed from the dependency.

On the 19th of September 1983, Saint Kitts and Nevis jointly attained full independence.

St. Kitts and Nevis Independence Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the Independence Day celebrations all the people of St. Kitts and Nevis eagerly await the Prime Ministers’ Independence Day speech. Merrymakers can expect a festive atmosphere as a number of cultural programs that include dance and live music are prepared for this day.