• First Day of Summer

    In Iceland, the First Day of Summer is a public holiday Rooted in the old Norse calendar, which divided the year into just two seasons, summer and winter, it marks the symbolic start of warmer days, even if the weather is still chilly. Traditionally, people would welcome the new season with parades, brass bands, family gatherings and games. Children often receive small summer gifts, and the day reflects Icelanders' resilience and optimism, celebrating brighter days ahead after the long winter.

  • Liberty Day (Portugal)

    Liberty Day in Portugal marks the anniversary of the Carnation Revolution of 1974, which peacefully ended decades of dictatorship under the Estado Novo regime. It symbolizes freedom, democracy, and national renewal. On this day, soldiers placed red carnations in their rifles, and citizens flooded the streets to celebrate without violence.

  • Hung Kings Commemoration

    Hung Kings Commemoration (Vietnamese: Giỗ Tổ Hùng Vương) is a national public holiday in Vietnam. It honors the legendary Hùng Kings, the mythical founders of the Vietnamese nation, and celebrates the country's deep cultural and historical roots.

  • Tanzania Union Day

    Tanzania Union Day is celebrated annually to commemorate the political union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar in 1964, forming the modern nation of Tanzania. It is one of the most important national holidays in Tanzania, symbolizing national unity and sovereignty.

  • Freedom Day (South Africa)

    Freedom Day marks the first democratic elections in South Africa in 1994, ending decades of apartheid and ushering in a new era of democracy under Nelson Mandela. It is both a celebration of liberation and a day of reflection on the country’s ongoing journey toward equality and justice.

  • Resistance Day Slovenia

    Resistance Day commemorates the founding of the Liberation Front in 1941, marking the start of Slovenia’s organized resistance against fascist occupation in WWII, and celebrating national unity, freedom and resilience.

  • King's Day (Sint Maarten)

    King’s Birthday in Sint Maarten is rooted in Dutch royal tradition dating back to 1885, adapted over time with each monarch, and since 2014 has been celebrated in honor of King Willem-Alexander.

  • King's Birthday (Netherlands)

    King's Birthday in the Netherlands, known as Koningsdag, is a day celebrated with massive orange-themed national festivities, honoring King Willem-Alexander and Dutch unity.

  • Kenneth Kaunda Day

    Kenneth Kaunda Day is a national public holiday in Zambia, to honor the life and legacy of Dr. Kenneth David Kaunda, the country's founding president. Established in 2021 following his passing, the day commemorates his pivotal role in Zambia's independence and his enduring contributions to the nation's development.

  • Workers' Memorial Day

    The Workers' Memorial Day in Gibraltar honors workers who have lost their lives, suffered injuries, or become ill due to workplace accidents or conditions. The day also reinforces the importance of health and safety in the workplace, echoing the theme "Remember the dead, fight for the living".

  • Shōwa Day (Japan)

    Shōwa Day honors the birthday of Emperor Shōwa (Hirohito), who reigned from 1926 to 1989. The day encourages reflection on Japan's journey through the Shōwa era, a time of war, recovery and remarkable growth. It marks the start of Golden Week, one of Japan's longest holiday periods, when people enjoy nature, visit parks and contemplate the nation's history and resilience.

  • Carnival Day (Sint Maarten)

    Carnival Day in Sint Maarten closes the Carnival season with grand parades, music, dance and the burning of King Momo, a tradition that has grown since the 1970s into a vibrant expression of the island’s culture and identity.