Author Archives: Rob Burroughs

This is the national day of Cornwall held on 5th March every year. The day is named after one of the patron saints of Cornwall, Saint Piran, who is also the patron saint of tin miners. The day started as one of the many tinners’ holidays observed by the tin miners of Cornwall, until 1764.Continue reading “St Piran’s Day”

This is an official state holiday for Ghana both within and in the diaspora to honour and celebrate the Heroes of Ghana who led the country to attain its independence. It is also remembrance of the day that marks the declaration of Ghanian independence from the British colonial rule. The British took over parts ofContinue reading “Ghana Independence Day”

This day is a holy day of prayer and the start of fasting in many Western Christian denominations. It marks the start of Lent, which marks the six weeks of penitence before Easter. Many Christians make a Lenten calendar, praying a Lenten daily devotional and making a Lenten sacrifice that they will not partake ofContinue reading “Ash Wednesday & Lent”

Mardi Gras refers to the events of the Carnival celebration, beginning on or after the Christian feasts of the Epiphany (Three Kings Day) and culminating on the day before Ash Wednesday, which is know as Shrove Tuesday. Mardi Gras is French for “Fat Tuesday”, reflecting the practice of the last night of eating rich, fattyContinue reading “Mardi Gras”

Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day is the day before Ash Wednesday observed by many Christians. It is the last day of Shrovetide before the season of Lent starts, with shrove coming from the word shrive, meaning “absolve”. Many Christians indulge in fatty foods before they give them up for Lent, which created the customs ofContinue reading “Shrove Tuesday/Pancake Day”

This day is a United Nations international day to celebrate all the world’s wild animals and plants and the contribution that they make to our lives and the health of the planet. This date was chosen as it is the birthday of CITES, the Convention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna andContinue reading “World Wildlife Day”

Lundi Gras is a relatively recently name for a Series of Shrove Monday events taking place during Mardi Gras. It includes the tradition of Rex, king of the New Orleans carnival, and Zulu King arriving by boat. This began in 1874, but the term Lundi Gras (French for “Fat Monday”) was not widely applied untilContinue reading “Lundi Gras”

This occurs on the Monday before Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday. It is part of Shrovetide which runs from Septuagesima Sunday until Shrove Tuesday. It is named Collopy Monday after the traditional dish of the day, slices of leftover meat (collops of bacon) along with eggs. It is eaten for breakfast and is part ofContinue reading “Collopy/Clean/Shrove Monday”

This day celebrates the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on 2nd March 1836. With this document signed by 59 delegates, settlers in Mexican Texas officially declared independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas. It is a partial staffing holiday.

St David’s Day is the feast day of the Patron Saint of Wales Saint David, marking the date of his death in 589 AD. It is not a public holiday, but parades and celebrations are held. It has been regularly celebrated since the canonisation of David in 1120 by Pope Callixtus II. Welsh people wearContinue reading “St David’s Day”