Holiday on 20th December

Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day

This day commemorates the Chinese government assuming formal sovereignty over Macau in 1999. This day is an obligatory holiday in Macau. The Portuguese became the first settlers in the 16th century, and paid an annual rent of Silver to the Chinese, up until 1863. After the Carnation Revolution of 1974 in Portugal, the new Portuguese government decided it would relinquish all its overseas possessions. In 1976 Lisbon defined Macau as a “Chinese territory under Portuguese administration”. In June 1986 the Chinese and Portuguese governments commenced negotiations on the sovereignty of Macau. The two countries signed a Joint Declaration in 1987, making Macau a special administrative region of China. The Chinese government assumed formal sovereignty over Macau on this day in 1999.

Reunion Abolition of Slavery Day

This date marks the anniversary of the decree abolishing slavery in 1848 was applied in Reunion Island. It was proclaimed two months earlier, but local administrations were given time to prepare for the change of status for the people concerned. This day became a formal holiday on 23rd November 1983.