Author Archives: Rob Burroughs

This day celebrates the day Mauritius became an independent state within the Commonwealth. The country compromises four islands, and was first occupied by the Portuguese, then the Dutch, the French and finally the British. After World War II Britain acknowledged the importance of giving up its former colonies, and it adopted a new constitution andContinue reading “Mauritius Independence Day”

This is a national holiday commemorating the Act of the Re-Establishment of the State of Lithuania that the Constituent Assembly signed in 1990. It was when the independence was declared from the USSR on 11th March 1990, however it took over another year before the Russian Federation recognised this. It is one of the threeContinue reading “Lithuania Independence Restoration Day”

This is an annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second Monday in March since 1977. It is marked by an Anglican service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by the monarch as Head of the Commonwealth along with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and High Commissioners in London. The monarch delivers a broadcast addressContinue reading “Commonwealth Day”

This is a global day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating women’s equality. The first gathering was in 1911 supported by over a million people. Each year there is a theme. In 2023 it is Embrace Equality. The website isContinue reading “International Women’s Day”

This day is marked on the first Thursday of March and encourages children and people to celebrate books and reading. It was created by UNESCO on 23rd April 1995 as a worldwide celebration of books and reading and is now marked in over 100 countries around the globe. The first day took place in UKContinue reading “World Book Day”

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”