Holidays on 11th December

Burkina Faso Republic Day

This day commemorates the establishment of the Republic of Upper Volta in 1958. The modern day Burkina Faso became a French Protectorate at the end of the 19th century. These territories were added to French West Africa before Upper Volta was created on 4th September 1947. On this day in 1958 it became a self-governing autonomous republic within the French Community. It took nearly two year to become fully independence in August 1960, and was renamed to its current name in August 1984.

International Mountain Day

This day was declared in 2002 by the UN, and celebrated for the first time the following year. The day increases our awareness of the threat that mountains are facing from climate change and overexploitation. There is a different theme each year, this year’s is Mountain biodiversity.

King Bhumibol’s Birthday

This celebration is usually held on the 5th December, but this year is held on 11th December to create a four day holiday starting with Thailand’s constitution Day yesterday. This day commemorates the birthday of the late king of Thailand, Bhumibol Adulyadej, is the country’s national day, and is the day when Father’s Day is celebrated in the country. He was the longest reigning king in the country’s history, from 1946 to 2016. Buildings are decorated with flags and bunting, and Marigolds, as yellow is the predominant colour of the celebrations, as the King was born on a Monday, and that is the colour of Monday in Thailand. There are firework displays as well in the evening.