Events
-
-
Day of Lady of Guadalupe
The Day of Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico honors Our Lady of Guadalupe, the patron saint of Mexico and a powerful symbol of faith, identity and national unity. The day commemorates the appearance of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego, an Indigenous man, on Tepeyac Hill in 1531. According to tradition, Mary spoke to him in Nahuatl, his native language, and asked that a church be built in her honor. The miraculous image of the Virgin imprinted on his cloak became a revered relic.
-
Day of Reconciliation
The Day of Reconciliation was created in 1994 to promote national unity and reconciliation after apartheid. The date holds historical significance for both Afrikaners (Battle of Blood River, 1838) and the liberation struggle (launch of Umkhonto we Sizwe, 1961).
-
Revolution and Youth Day
Revolution and Youth Day is a cherished national holiday in Tunisia. It commemorates the beginning of the Tunisian Revolution, also known as the Jasmine Revolution, which sparked the Arab Spring and led to the ousting of longtime President Zine El Abidine Ben Ali.
-
Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
Macau Special Administrative Region (SAR) Establishment Day marks the return of Macau to China from Portuguese administration in 1999 and the founding of the Macau SAR under the "One Country, Two Systems" framework. The day is commemorated with official ceremonies, fireworks, cultural performances and flag-raising events, celebrating Macau's unique blend of Chinese and Portuguese heritage and its continued prosperity under Chinese sovereignty.
-
Winter Solstice (Macau)
The Winter Solstice, known as Dongzhi Festival, marks the shortest day and longest night of the year. Rooted in ancient Chinese tradition, it symbolizes balance, renewal, and family unity. Families gather for special meals, often featuring tangyuan (sweet glutinous rice balls) that represent harmony and reunion. In Macau, it is a time for both ancestral remembrance and joyful gatherings, reflecting the city’s blend of tradition and togetherness.
-
National Unity Day
National Unity Day in Zimbabwe commemorates the signing of the Unity Accord in 1987, a pivotal agreement that brought an end to political violence and division between the country’s two major liberation parties: ZANU (Zimbabwe African National Union) and ZAPU (Zimbabwe African People's Union).
-
Family Day (Vanuatu)
Family Day in Vanuatu is a public holiday that emphasizes the importance of family unity, rest, and togetherness, deeply rooted in Vanuatu’s cultural and communal values.
-
St. Stephen's Day
St. Stephen’s Day is a Christian feast day immediately following Christmas Day. It honors St. Stephen, recognized as the first Christian martyr (also called the Protomartyr).
-
National Day of Thanksgiving
The National Day of Thanksgiving in the Solomon Islands was created in 2004 to commemorate the end of The Tensions (1998–2003), honor peace and reconciliation, and dedicate a day for gratitude, prayer, and national unity.
-
Independence and Unity Day
Independence and Unity Day commemorates the announcement of the plebiscite results in which Slovenians overwhelmingly voted for independence. It celebrates both the decision for sovereignty and the unity of the people, which paved the way for the official declaration of independence in June 1991.
-
Rizal Day
Rizal Day commemorates the execution of Dr. José Rizal in 1896, honoring him as the Philippines’ national hero and symbol of freedom, celebrated with ceremonies, tributes, and patriotic programs.
-
Restoration Day Switzerland
Restoration Day in Geneva, Switzerland commemorates the restoration of the Republic of Geneva in 1813, after more than 15 years under French rule during the Napoleonic era.