When is your country's national holiday?

[Redache]

We don't have a "Great Britain Day". There was talk of introducing one not so long ago, but I think the idea was put down completely by claims that it would alienate people from other nations living in Britain, which is silly, as if you live here, you're British first and foremost

I am Welsh Citizen First and an European Union Citizen Second. I never count myself as British as I am Welsh.

[AlexenderReez]

i'm malaysian...31/8/ is my country national day

[mips]

We have seven:

http://africanhistory.about.com/libr...saholidays.htm

21 March: Human Rights Day
On this day in 1960 the police killed 69 people at Sharpeville who were participating in a protest against the pass laws. Many were shot in the back. The carnage made world headlines. Four days later the government banned black political organisations, many leaders were arrested or went into exile. During the Apartheid era there were human rights abuses by all sides; Human Rights Day is but one step to ensure that the people of South Africa are aware of their human rights and to ensure that such abuses never again occur.

27 April: Freedom Day
This was the day in 1994 when the first democratic election was held in South Africa, ie an election when all adults could vote irrespective of their race, and the day in 1997 when the new constitution took effect.

1 May: Worker's Day
Many countries around the world commemorate the contribution made by workers to society on May Day (America doesn't celebrate this holiday because of its communist origins). It has traditionally been a day to protest for better wages and working conditions. Given the role that trade unions played in the fight for freedom, it is unsurprising that South Africa commemorates this day.

16 June: Youth Day
In June 1976 students in Soweto rioted in protest against the introduction of Afrikaans as the language of instruction of half their school curriculum, sparking eight months of violent uprisings across the country. Youth Day is a national holiday in honour of all the young people who lost their lives in the struggle against Apartheid and Bantu Education.

9 August: National Women's Day
On this day in 1956 some 20,000 women marched to the Union [government] Buildings in Pretoria to protest against a law requiring black women to carry passes. This day is celebrated as a reminder of the contribution made by women to society, the achievements that have been made for women's rights, and to acknowledge the difficulties and prejudices many women still face.

24 September: Heritage Day
Nelson Mandela coined the phrase "rainbow nation" to describe South Africa's diverse cultures, customs, traditions, histories, and languages. This day is a celebration of that diversity.

16 December: Day of Reconciliation
Afrikaners traditionally celebrated 16 December as the Day of the Vow, remembering the day in 1838 when a group of Voortrekkers defeated a Zulu army at the Battle of Blood River, while ANC activists commemorated it as the day in 1961 when the ANC started to arm its soldiers to overthrow Apartheid. In the new South Africa's it's a day of reconciliation, a day to focus on overcoming the conflicts of the past and building a new nation.

[%hMa@?b<C]

July 4th - USA - Independence Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indepen...ited_States%29

[Tux Aubrey]

Just to be pedantic, January 26 celebrates the first unloading of transported convicts on Australian shores (Not, at least not officially the TripleJ Top 100 - although on second thoughts, that's probably a better reason to celebrate). We also celebrate "Gee, its good not to be English Day", along with our Scottish and Welsh and Irish cousins, anytime we feel like it.

[DoctorMO]

I am Welsh Citizen First and an European Union Citizen Second. I never count myself as British as I am Welsh.

You must not have heard of geography, I'll try and make this simple:

England + Wales = Britain
Britain + Scotland = Great Britain
Great Britain + Northern Ireland = The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland.

While the UK is a country, Britain and Great Britain are just geographical groupings at the moment. you may not feel "British" but I think you mean "I don't feel English" because Britain is more than just England.

As for St Georges day... don't make me laugh, if England or any of the regions mentioned above could ever agree or decide to celebrate anything with a national holiday it would have to be the 27th August, although I'd prefer to make it November 5th, at least we do the fireworks... although we're pretty much celebrating a failed plot against the country.

If that doesn't suit for fancy we could go for the day the french bar-stuard came over and set himself up as king with little consent of the natives (to paraphrase Tom Paine) or how about the exciting day we united under the german kings?

[xpod]

As for St Georges day... don't make me laugh, if England or any of the regions mentioned above could ever agree or decide to celebrate anything with a national holiday it would have to be the 27th August, although I'd prefer to make it November 5th, at least we do the fireworks... although we're pretty much celebrating a failed plot against the country.

We`ve never been able to agree amonst ourselves back home north of the border never mind with anyone else

Heres a good Scottish day....seeing as i noticed someone mention something about "Declarations"
http://www.geo.ed.ac.uk/home/scotland/arbroath.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Declaration_of_Arbroath

Being born in Arbroath as i was it seems only appropriate i mention it eh.

EDIT:I`m sure certain Irish factions would love August 27th btw

[Turboaaa2001]

July 4th - USA - Independence Day
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Indepen...ited_States%29

I disagree, I would say that our national holiday is Christmas. People have a lot more fun and celebrate more. Besides, people don't know what they are celebrating on the 4th. They just know to celebrate.

I personally hate Christmas simply because it brings out the worst in people.

Of course this is all my opinion.

[jseiser]

Our holidays make me feel like nazis, everything red white blue and on and on. Its imaginary lines, and colors

[Depressed Man]

I disagree, I would say that our national holiday is Christmas. People have a lot more fun and celebrate more. Besides, people don't know what they are celebrating on the 4th. They just know to celebrate.

I personally hate Christmas simply because it brings out the worst in people.

Of course this is all my opinion.

Most holidays are commercialized now anyway. Heck even birthdays (our own personal holidays).