Sint Maarten's Day commemorates both the naming of the island by Columbus in 1493 and honors Saint Martin of Tours. Today, it is a public holiday of unity, jointly celebrated by French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten with ceremonies, cultural festivities, and community pride.

When is Constitution Day?

Sint Maarten's Day in Sint Maarten is celebrated on November 11 each year.

The following is the list of Sint Maarten's Day from 2020 to 2049.

The History of Sint Maarten's Day?

On November 11, 1493, Christopher Columbus spotted the island during his second voyage to the Caribbean. That day was the Feast of Saint Martin of Tours, a 4th-century bishop known for his humility and charity.

Columbus named the island San Martín, which later became Sint Maarten (Dutch) and Saint-Martin (French).

In the 17th century, the Dutch and French both established settlements on the island. After conflict, the Treaty of Concordia (1648) formalized the division of the island into French Saint-Martin and Dutch Sint Maarten—the smallest landmass in the world peacefully shared between two nations.

Despite the political divide, the people of both sides developed a shared culture, bound by language, music, cuisine, and family ties.

Originally, November 11 was observed primarily as the Feast Day of Saint Martin, marked by church services and religious traditions. Over time, the date grew into a civic holiday that celebrated the unity and shared heritage of the French and Dutch sides.

It became especially important in the 20th century as the island modernized and tourism grew, strengthening the sense of one island, one people despite two administrations.

Sint Maarten's Day was officially designated as a public holiday on both sides of the island. The two governments agreed to jointly celebrate the day, alternating official ceremonies each year between Philipsburg (Dutch side) and Marigot (French side).