National Day of Catalonia
This is a day-long festival in Catalonia (also called Diada) that commemorates the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714 and the subsequent loss of Catalan institutions and laws. The Army of Catalonia was defeated at the Siege of Barcelona by the army of the Bourbon king Philip V of Spain after 14 months of siege. This meant the loss of the Catalan constitutions.
The holiday was first celebrated in 1886, and two years later, coinciding with the inauguration of the Barcelona Universal Exposition, a statue in honour of Rafael Casanova was set up, which would become the point of reference in future years. It gained popularity, but was then banned between 1931 and 1939. It was celebrated more quietly until 1976 before more demonstrations on independence took place. Floral offerings are laid at the statue, and patriotic demonstrations and cultural events take place in many Catalan villages, and many citizens wave senyeres and estelades.
Patriot Day
This day remembers the people killed in the 11th September attacks in 2001 in the United States. It was first commemorated a year after the attacks, after a national day of mourning was introduced in the U.S. House on 25th October 2001 by Rep. Vito Fossella with 22 co-sponsors. The flag of the United States is flown at half mast at the White House and on all U.S. government buildings and establishments throughout the world. A moment of silence is held at 8.46 a.m. Eastern Daylight Time at the time the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center. It is not a federal holiday but memorial ceremonies are held for the 2,977 victims from that day (excluding the 19 hi-jackers who also died).
Holidays & Special Events 