Antigua & Barbuda Independence Day
This marks the country’s independence from the United Kingdom on 1st November 1981. The British arrived with sailors from St. Kitts in 1632, founding a settlement at Falmouth on the south coast. It formally became a British colony in 1667, from 1685 until 1860 the island of Barbuda was leased to the Codrington family, who had established the first large sugar estate in Antigua in 1674. The islands stayed under British control, as the dockyard used in the Caribbean by the British Navy was an important strategic asset to keep hold of. As like with other Caribbean countries, the demand for self-determination began to grow in the 20th century. and this happened in 1981. The day is celebrated with food fairs, sports competitions, dance festival, art and craft exhibitions, which start in the run up to the day.
World Vegan Day
This day was established in 1994 by Louise Wallis, then chair of the Vegan Society, to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the founding of the organisation, and the coining of the terms vegan and veganism. She later said that they only knew that the society was founded in November, so she decided to go for the date of the 1st November to coincide with Halloween and Day of the Dead.
Holidays & Special Events 