Events
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Esala Full Moon Poya Day
Esala Full Moon Poya is one of Buddhism’s most historic days. It commemorates the conception and renunciation of Prince Siddhartha, the Buddha’s first sermon at Isipatana (introducing the Four Noble Truths), and the founding of the Sangha. In Sri Lanka, Esala is marked by temple observances and the world-famous Kandy Esala Perahera, honoring the Sacred Tooth Relic of the Buddha.
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Throne Day (Morocco)
Throne Day in Morocco marks the anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne in 1999, honoring national unity, loyalty to the monarchy, and Morocco’s progress under his reign.
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Mary Prince Day
Mary Prince Day honors Mary Prince, a Bermudian woman whose autobiography, The History of Mary Prince (1831), was the first account of a Black woman's life published in Britain. Her courageous testimony exposed the brutality of slavery in the Caribbean and Bermuda, helping to advance the abolitionist movement. Falling during the Cup Match holiday weekend, it joins Emancipation Day in commemorating the island's enduring fight for justice and equality.
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Grand Magal de Touba
The Grand Magal de Touba is a massive religious pilgrimage in Senegal, honoring the exile and return of Cheikh Amadou Bamba, founder of the Mouride Brotherhood. It is marked by prayer, charity, and community gathering, drawing millions of participants each year to Touba.
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August Bank Holiday
The August Bank Holiday in Ireland was introduced as part of 19th-century bank holiday legislation but draws on much older traditions of Lughnasadh harvest festivals. Today, it is celebrated with festivals, fairs, sports and holidays, marking the peak of the Irish summer.
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Commerce Day (Iceland)
Once created as a holiday for shopkeepers and workers, Commerce Day has grown into Iceland's biggest summer festival weekend. It's celebrated with concerts, camping and community events across the country.
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Indigenous Peoples Day Suriname
Indigenous Peoples Day in Suriname, known as Keti Koti, is to mark the abolition of slavery in 1863 (with full freedom realized in 1873). Celebrated with ceremonies, parades, music, and traditional dress, it is a national day of remembrance and cultural pride, symbolizing the breaking of chains and the enduring spirit of freedom.
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National Women's Day
National Women’s Day commemorates the 1956 Women’s March to the Union Buildings in Pretoria, when more than 20,000 women of all races protested against the apartheid government’s pass laws. These laws required Black South Africans to carry pass books (internal passports), restricting their movement and reinforcing racial segregation.
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Father's Day (Samoa)
Father’s Day in Samoa honors fathers through church services, family feasts and cultural gatherings, reflecting the central role of fathers in Samoan family and community life.
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Mountain Day (Japan)
Mountain Day was established to give people an opportunity to appreciate mountains and nature, recognizing their cultural and spiritual importance in Japan's landscape. Many people spend the day hiking, camping, or visiting scenic mountain areas. The holiday highlights Japan's deep respect for nature and encourages outdoor recreation and environmental awareness.
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Oued Ed-Dahab Day
Oued Ed-Dahab Day in Morocco commemorates the 1979 reintegration of the Oued Ed-Dahab region into Morocco, celebrating national unity, sovereignty, and the completion of the kingdom’s territorial integrity.
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Revolution Day (Morocco)
Revolution Day in Morocco commemorates the 1953 exile of King Mohammed V by French colonial authorities and the ensuing national uprising, symbolizing Morocco’s unity, resistance, and struggle for independence.