Author Archives: Rob Burroughs

This day marks the country’s independence from Britain on this day in 1974. It had been occupied by various European nations since colonisation in the 16th century, but France took full control in 1649 because of its sugar production. When the French were defeated in the Seven Years’ war, the Paris of Treaty ceded GrenadaContinue reading “Grenada Independence Day”

This is a public holiday in New Zealand and celebrates the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of the country, on this day in 1840. It was signed in a marquee in the grounds of James Busby’s house (now known as the Treaty house) at Waitangi in the Bay of Islands. TheContinue reading “Waitangi Day”

This is a Chinese traditional festival celebrated on the 15th day of the first month in the lunisolar Chinese calendar, during the full moon. It marks the final day of the Chinese New Year celebrations, so usually takes place in February or March. During the Festival children go out at night carrying paper lanterns andContinue reading “Lantern Festival”

This day celebrates the anniversary of the country’s current constitution which was promulgated on this day in 1917 in Santiago de Queretaro following a revolution that started in 1910. It is a federal public holiday in the country. This document included significant social reforms to labour laws and provided for equality without discrimination among otherContinue reading “Mexico Constitution Day”

Sri Lanka Independence Day This day commemorates the country’s political independence from Britain in 1948. It is celebrated through a flag-hoisting ceremony, dances, parades and performances. The main celebration takes place in its capital Colombo, where the President raises the national flag and delivers a nationally televised speech. World Cancer Day This is a globalContinue reading “Holidays on 4th February”

Groundhog Day This day is a popular North American tradition observed in the USA and Canada. It derives from the Pennsylvania Dutch superstition that if a groundhog emerging from its burrow on this day sees its shadow due to clear weather, it will retreat to its den and Winter will persist for six more weeks;Continue reading “Holidays on 2nd February”

International Zebra Day This day was founded by a consortium of conversation organisations, including the Smithsonian’s National Zoo and Conservation Biology Institute. The goal was to help raise awareness about the zebra’s plight so that they can be preserved and protected. Nauru Independence Day Germany took control of the island in 1888 after 10 yearsContinue reading “Holidays on 31st January”

This day remembers the 6 million Jews murdered during the Holocaust in World War Two, as well as millions of other people killed under Nazi Persecution and in genocides that followed in Cambodia, Rwanda, Bosnia and Darfur. This date was when the largest Nazi death camp at Auschwitz-Birkenau was liberated. The website for the dayContinue reading “Holocaust Memorial Day”

This is the official national day of Australia. It marks the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet at Port Jackson in New South Wales, and the raising of the British flag at Sydney Cove by Arthur Phillip. It took a while from the first official celebration in 1808 to 1994 when theContinue reading “Australia Day”

This day honours the date on which the Constitution of India came into effect in 1950 replacing the Government of India Act (1935) as the governing document of India, and turning the nation into a newly formed republic. The Constitution was adopted by the Indian Constituent Assembly on 26th November 1949 and came into effectContinue reading “India Republic Day”