Diwali
Diwali, also known as Deepavali, is one of the most important and widely celebrated festivals in Hinduism, and it holds significance for Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists. Known as the Festival of Lights, it symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
Heroes and Forefathers Day
Heroes and Forefathers Day is a public holiday in the British Virgin Islands honoring the territory’s national heroes, leaders and ancestors, celebrating their resilience, contributions and cultural legacy.
King Chulalongkorn Day
King Chulalongkorn Day, officially known as Wan Piyamaharaj, is a Thai national holiday. It commemorates the death and legacy of King Chulalongkorn (Rama V), one of Thailand’s most respected and progressive monarchs.
1956 Revolution Memorial Day
1956 Revolution Memorial Day honors the nationwide uprising against Soviet rule. Marked by ceremonies, speeches and flag displays, it commemorates the courage of those who fought for freedom, democracy and national independence.
Independence Day Zambia
Independence Day in Zambia marks the day in 1964 when Zambia gained independence from British colonial rule, becoming a sovereign nation under the leadership of its first president, Dr. Kenneth Kaunda.
Hawke's Bay Anniversary Day
Hawke’s Bay Anniversary Day began in 1858 to mark the creation of the Hawke’s Bay Province. Although the provinces were abolished in 1876, the holiday survived as a regional public holiday.
Vap Full Moon Poya Day
Vap Full Moon Poya commemorates the Buddha’s seventh year after Enlightenment, when he preached the Abhidhamma in Tavatimsa Heaven to his mother and later descended at Sankassapura. It also marks the end of the Rainy Retreat and the beginning of the Kathina robe-offering tradition, which continues in Sri Lanka today.
National Day (Austria)
Austria’s National Day originated from the 1955 Declaration of Neutrality, following the Austrian State Treaty that restored full independence. Since 1965, it has been celebrated as a public holiday, symbolizing peace, sovereignty and national unity.
Labour Day (New Zealand)
Labour Day in New Zealand commemorates the establishment of the eight-hour workday led by Samuel Parnell in 1840, celebrates workers’ rights, and serves today as both a historical reminder and a springtime holiday.
October Bank Holiday
The October Bank Holiday in Ireland, introduced in 1977, provides a civic long weekend but also ties into Ireland’s ancient Samhain festival and modern Halloween celebrations, making it both a practical and culturally significant holiday.
Ochi Day (Greece)
Ochi Day in Greece commemorates Greece's defiant refusal of Italy's ultimatum in 1940, symbolizing national courage and resistance, celebrated with parades, flags and memorial ceremonies.
Republic Day in Turkey
Republic Day is Turkey’s most important national holiday. It commemorates the official proclamation of the Republic of Turkey in 1923, following the collapse of the Ottoman Empire and the victory of the Turkish War of Independence.