Father Lini Day is a national public holiday in Vanuatu. It commemorates the death of Father Walter Lini, who is widely regarded as the father of Vanuatu's independence and served as its first Prime Minister after the nation gained sovereignty in 1980.

When is Father Lini Day?

Father Lini Day is observed annually on February 21.

The following is the list of Father Lini Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Father Lini Day?

Father Lini was born in 1942, Pentecost Island, New Hebrides (now Vanuatu), and died on February 21, 1999. He was an Anglican priest, politician and nationalist leader who played a central role in Vanuatu's peaceful transition to independence from joint British and French colonial rule.

Lini co-founded the Vanua'aku Pati, a political party that pushed for decolonization and self-determination. He led the movement that culminated in Vanuatu's independence on July 30, 1980, ending the Anglo-French Condominium. Upon independence, Lini became Vanuatu's first Prime Minister, a position he held until 1991.

Lini promoted a unique ideology known as "Melanesian socialism" — a blend of traditional community values, Christian ethics, and self-reliance. He was a strong advocate for nuclear-free Pacific policies, decolonization in neighboring countries, and regional unity among Melanesian nations.

Lini saw political leadership as a spiritual calling, and his identity as a priest-politician influenced his calm, moral-centered leadership style.

Father Lini passed away on February 21, 1999. Recognizing his contributions, the Vanuatu government declared February 21 as "Father Lini Day", making it a national public holiday. He is remembered as a unifying figure, whose leadership shaped the foundations of the modern Vanuatuan state.