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A national day is a day on which celebrations mark the statehood or nationhood of a state or its people. It may be the date of independence, of becoming a republic, of becoming a federation, or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler (such as a birthday, accession, or removal).
The national day is often an official public holiday. Many countries have more than one national day. Denmark and the United Kingdom are the only countries without a national day. Denmark has what is not a public holiday but an unofficial celebration called Constitution Day. National days emerged with the age of nationalism, with most appearing during the 19th and 20th centuries.
National day may also be known as Independence Day, Liberation Day, or Republic Day, depending on the nation, and its history.
Contents
List of national days
See also: List of national independence daysNations that are not broadly recognized sovereign states are shown in pink. Defunct states are highlighted in light grey. For nations that are dependent on, or part of, a sovereign state (such as federal states, autonomous regions, or colonies), the name of the sovereign state is shown in parentheses.
Days that are not fixed to the Gregorian calendar are sorted by their occurrences.
Nation | Date | Significance | Description |
---|---|---|---|
Acadia (Canada) | 15 August | National Acadian Day | Assumption Day was preferred over 24 June to remember that Acadians are descendants of France and a separate nation from the French Canadians. |
Afghanistan | 19 August | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom and its control over Afghan foreign affairs in 1919. |
African Union | 25 May | Africa Day | Anniversary of the foundation of the Organisation of African Unity in 1963. |
Åland (Finland) | 9 June | Autonomy Day | It commemorates the first meeting of Åland County Council in 1922. |
Albania | 28 November | Independence Day | It commemorates the raising of the Albanian flag in Vlorë to announce the Albanian Declaration of Independence in 1912. |
Alderney (British Islands) | 15 December | Homecoming Day | It commemorates the return of the Islanders after the end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands during World War II in 1945. |
Algeria | 5 July | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1962. |
1 November | Revolution Day | Beginning of the Algerian War in 1954. | |
American Samoa (United States) | 17 April | Flag Day | . It commemorates the date American Samoa became a US territory and first flew the US flag in 1900. As well is the date of adoption of the American Samoan flag in 1960. |
Andalusia (Spain) | 28 February | Andalusia Day | It commemorates the date of the referendum on the Statute of Autonomy that established Andalusia as an autonomous community in 1980. |
Andorra | 8 September | Our Lady of Meritxell Day | Feast day of Our Lady of Meritxell, patron saint of Andorra. As well is the date of the signing of the first Paréage of Andorra in 1278. |
Angola | 11 November | Independence Day | Independence from Portugal in 1975. |
Anguilla (United Kingdom) | 30 May | Anguilla Day | It commemorates the beginning of the Anguillian Revolution in 1967. |
Antigua and Barbuda | 1 November | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. |
Aragon (Spain) | 23 April | Saint George's Day | Feast day of Saint George, patron saint of Aragon and his Crown. An old legend holds that during the battle of Alcoraz in 1096, Saint George appeared in support of Aragonese army force. |
Argentina | 25 May | May Revolution Day | It commemorates the May Revolution and creation of the First National Government in 1810. |
9 July | Independence Day | Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1816. | |
Armenia | 28 May | Republic Day | Independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic and establishment of the First Republic of Armenia in 1918. |
21 September | Independence Day | Independence from the Soviet Union recognised in 1991. | |
Aruba (Kingdom of the Netherlands) | 18 March | National Anthem and Flag Day | It commemorates the adoption of the national flag of Aruba and the official anthem in 1976. |
Ascension (United Kingdom) | 3rd Saturday in June | King's Official Birthday | |
Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) | 8 August | ASEAN Day | Commemorates the signing of the ASEAN Declaration in Bangkok on 8 August 1967 by five Foreign Ministers, marking the establishment of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN). |
Asturias (Spain) | 8 September | Our Lady of Covadonga Day | Feast of Our Lady of Covadonga, patron saint of Asturias. |
Australia | 26 January | Australia Day | It commemorates the establishment of a British prison settlement at Port Jackson in New Holland by Captain Arthur Phillip in 1788. |
Austria | 26 October | Austrian National Day | It commemorates the enactment of the Austrian Declaration of Neutrality in 1955. |
Azerbaijan | 28 May | Independence Day | Independence from the Transcaucasian Democratic Federative Republic in 1918. |
Azores (Portugal) | Pentecost Monday | Azores Day | It commemorates the establishment of political autonomy within the Portuguese laws, following the Carnation Revolution, in 1976. |
Bahamas | 10 July | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1973. |
Bahrain | 16 December | National Day | It commemorates the coronation of Isa bin Salman Al Khalifa, the first Emir of Bahrain, in 1961. |
Balearic Islands (Spain) | 1 March | Day of the Balearic Islands | It commemorates the date that the Statute of Autonomy establishing the Balearic Islands as an autonomous community became effective in 1983. |
Bangladesh | 26 March | Independence Day | Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Pakistan in 1971. |
16 December | Victory Day | It commemorates the Surrender of Pakistan, ending the Bangladesh Liberation War, in 1971. | |
Barbados | 30 November | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. As well is the anniversary of the formal proclamation of Barbados as a Republic within the Commonwealth in 2021. |
Basque Country (Spain) | Easter Sunday (unofficial) | Aberri Eguna (Fatherland Day) | No official National Day. Fatherland Day is the unofficial Basque national holiday, associated with Basque nationalism. From 2011 to 2013 the official national day was on 25 October. |
Belarus | 3 July | Independence Day | It commemorates the liberation of Minsk from German occupation by Soviet troops in 1944. |
Belgium | 21 July | National Day | It commemorates when Leopold of Saxe-Coburg-Saalfeld takes the oath as the first King of the Belgians in 1831. |
Belize | 21 September | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1981. |
Benin | 1 August | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1960. |
Bermuda (United Kingdom) | 4th Friday in May | Bermuda Day | It commemorates the islands' heritage and culture. Previously was known as Queen Victoria's birthday and celebrated on 24 May. |
Bhutan | 17 December | National Day | It commemorates when Ugyen Wangchuck was elected and enthroned as the first hereditary King of Bhutan in 1907. |
Bolivia | 6 August | Independence Day | Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1825. |
Botswana | 30 September | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1966. |
Brazil | 7 September | Independence Day | Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Portugal in 1822. |
British Empire | 24 May | Empire Day | Observed from 1890s to 1957. In 1958, the celebration was renamed from Empire Day to Commonwealth Day. |
British Virgin Islands (United Kingdom) | 1 July | Virgin Islands Day | It commemorates the day on which BVI gained self-governing status within British control in 1967. Previously was known as Colony Day and later as Territory Day. |
Brunei | 23 February | National Day | It commemorates the independence from the United Kingdom in 1984, which actually occurred on 1 January. |
Brussels-Capital Region (Belgium) | 8 May | Iris Day [fr; nl] | It commemorates the blooming season of the iris (also called fleur de Lys), which is the symbol of the Region. Also commemorates the victory day over the Nazis in World War II and a former feast day of Saint Michael, patron saint of the Region. |
Bulgaria | 3 March | Liberation Day | It commemorates the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano, that provided autonomy within Ottoman Empire in 1878. |
Burkina Faso | 11 December | Independence Day | It commemorates the establishment of a self-governing state within the French Community in 1958. |
Burundi | 1 July | Independence Day | Independence from Belgium in 1962. |
Cambodia | 9 November | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1953. |
Cameroon | 20 May | National Day | It commemorates the creation of a unitary state in 1972. |
Canada | 1 July | Canada Day | It commemorates the creation of Canadian Confederation, the process by Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into one federation called the Dominion of Canada in 1867. |
Canary Islands (Spain) | 30 May | Day of the Canary Islands | It commemorates the anniversary of the first session of the Parliament of the Canary Islands in 1983. |
Cantabria (Spain) | 28 July (unofficial) | Cantabria Institutions Day | No official Regional Day. Cantabria Institutions Day commemorates the establishment of the province in 1778. |
Castilla–La Mancha (Spain) | 31 May | Castilla–La Mancha Day | It commemorates the anniversary of the first session of the Cortes of Castilla–La Mancha in 1983. |
Castilla y León (Spain) | 23 April | Castile and León Day | It commemorates the anniversary of the Battle of Villalar and the Revolt of the Comuneros in 1521. |
Catalonia (Spain) | 11 September | National Day | It commemorates the fall of Barcelona during the War of the Spanish Succession in 1714. |
Cape Verde | 5 July | Independence Day | Independence from Portugal in 1975. |
Cayman Islands (United Kingdom) | 1st Monday in July | Constitution Day | It commemorates the adoption of the Constitution of the West Indies Federation in 1959. |
Central African Republic | 1 December | National Day | It commemorates the anniversary of becoming an autonomous territory within the French Community in 1958. |
Ceuta (Spain) | 2 September | Ceuta Day | It commemorates when Pedro de Meneses, 1st Count of Vila Real becomes the first Governor of Ceuta after the Conquest of Ceuta in 1415. |
Chad | 11 August | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1960. |
Chile | 18 September | Independence Day | It commemorates when the first Government Junta was created in 1810. |
China, People's Republic of | 1 October | National Day | It commemorates the founding of the People's Republic of China in 1949. |
China, Republic of | 1 January | Founding Day | It commemorates the establishment of the Provisional Government in 1912. |
10 October | National Day | It commemorates the Wuchang Uprising that led to abolishment of the monarchy and founding of the Republic in China in 1911. | |
Colombia | 20 July | Independence Day | Anniversary of the Declaration of Independence from Spain in 1810. |
Commonwealth of Nations | 2nd Monday in March | Commonwealth Day | Until 1958 was known as Empire Day. |
Comoros | 6 July | National Day | Independence from France in 1975. |
Democratic Republic of the Congo | 30 June | Independence Day | Independence from Belgium in 1960. |
Republic of the Congo | 15 August | National Day | Independence from France in 1960. |
Cook Islands | 4 August | Constitution Day | It commemorates the self-government in free association with New Zealand in 1965. |
Costa Rica | 15 September | Independence Day | Independence from the Kingdom of Spain in 1821. |
Croatia | 30 May | National Day | It commemorates when the multi-party Parliament was constituted in 1990. |
Cuba | 1 January | Liberation Day | It commemorates the Cuban Revolution and the overthrow of the Batista regime in 1959. |
10 October | Independence Day | Independence from the Spanish Empire in 1868. | |
Curaçao (Kingdom of the Netherlands) | 2 July | National Anthem and Flag Day | It commemorates when the first island council was elected and instituted in 1954. |
Cyprus | 1 October | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1960. |
Czech Republic | 28 October | Independent Czechoslovak State Day | Independence from Austria-Hungary and creation of Czechoslovakia in 1918. |
Côte d'Ivoire | 7 August | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1960. |
Denmark | 5 June (unofficial) | Constitution Day | Constitution Day is the unofficial national holiday of Denmark, which has no official National Day. It commemorates the signing as both the first Constitution in 1849 and the current constitution in 1953. |
Djibouti | 27 June | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1977. |
Dominica | 3 November | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1978. As well is the date when the island was discovered by Christopher Columbus in 1493. |
Dominican Republic | 27 February | Independence Day | Independence from Haiti in 1844. |
East Timor | 20 May | Independence Day | Independence from Indonesia in 2002 |
Ecuador | 10 August | Independence Day | Proclamation of independence from Spain in 1809 |
Egypt | 23 July | Revolution Day | Commemorating the revolution of 1952 |
El Salvador | 15 September | Independence Day | Independence from the Kingdom of Spain in 1821 |
England (United Kingdom) | 23 April | Saint George's Day | Feast day of Saint George, patron saint of England |
Equatorial Guinea | 12 October | Independence Day | Independence from Spain in 1968 |
Eritrea | 24 May | Independence Day | Eritrean People's Liberation Front (EPLF) fighters enter Asmara in 1991 and Eritrea becomes a de facto independent state; United Nations recognizes Eritrea's independence from Ethiopia in 1993 after a UN-supervised referendum on nationhood. |
Estonia | 24 February | Independence Day | Anniversary of the Republic of Estonia on the date of its declaration of independence from the Russian and German Empires in 1918 |
Eswatini | 6 September | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1968 |
Ethiopia | 28 May | Downfall of the Derg Day | The Derg regime is defeated in 1991 |
European Union | 9 May | Europe Day | Commemorating the Schuman Declaration of 1950 |
Extremadura (Spain) | 8 September | Our Lady of Guadalupe Day | Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, patron saint of Extremadura |
Falkland Islands (United Kingdom) | 14 August | Falklands Day | First recorded sighting of the islands in 1592 |
14 June | Liberation Day | Liberation from Argentinean occupation at the end of the Falklands War in 1982 | |
Faroe Islands (Denmark) | 29 July | Ólavsøka | Saint Olaf's death at the Battle of Stiklestad in 1030: opening of the Løgting (parliament) session |
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 1 March | Independence Day | Referendum on independence from Yugoslavia in 1992 |
Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 25 November | Statehood Day | Formation of the State Anti-fascist Council for the National Liberation of Bosnia and Herzegovina in 1943 |
Fiji | 10 October | Fiji Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1970 |
Finland | 6 December | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from Russia in 1917 |
Flanders (Belgium) | 11 July | Feestdag van de Vlaamse Gemeenschap | Battle of the Golden Spurs on 11 July 1302. |
Florida (United States) | 2 April | Pascua Florida | Day or week (as declared by the Governor) celebrating the founding of Florida by Juan Ponce de León on 2 April 1513. |
France | 14 July | Bastille Day | Bastille Day (known as la Fête Nationale in France), commemorating the storming of the Bastille on 14 July 1789 |
French Community (Belgium) | 27 September | French Community Holiday | |
French Guiana (France) | 10 June | Abolition of Slavery Day | |
French Polynesia (France) | 29 June | Internal Autonomy Day | |
Gabon | 17 August | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1960 |
Galicia (Spain) | 25 July | National Day | Commemorates the Feast of Saint James, patron saint of Galicia |
Gambia, The | 18 February | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1965 |
Georgia | 26 May | Day of First Republic | Declaration of independence from Russia in 1918 |
German Empire | 18 January | Proclamation of the German Empire on 18 January 1871 in the Palace of Versailles. | |
East Germany | 7 October | Republic Day | Declaration of the German Democratic Republic in 1949 |
German-speaking Community (Belgium) | 15 November | Day of the German-speaking Community | |
Germany | 3 October | German Unity Day | Unification of West Germany and East Germany in 1990 |
Ghana | 6 March | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1957 |
Gibraltar (United Kingdom) | 10 September | National Day | People of Gibraltar vote to reject Spanish sovereignty or association in 1967 |
Greece | 25 March | Independence Day | Start of the Greek Revolution against the Ottoman Empire in 1821 |
28 October | Ohi Day | Refusal to the surrender the country on the Italian troops, and honour at the dead during the Greco-Italian War and the Greek Resistance against the Axis in 1940–1944 | |
Greenland (Denmark) | 21 June | Greenland National Day | (Longest Day of the Year) Greenland National Day was introduced in 1983 as one of the Home Rule's traditions and is thus one of several expressions of national identity |
Grenada | 7 February | Independence Day | Independence from United Kingdom in 1974 |
Guadeloupe (France) | 27 May | Abolition of Slavery Day | |
Guam (United States) | 21 July | Liberation Day | American landing on Guam 1944, the beginning of the Battle of Guam |
Guatemala | 15 September | Independence Day | Independence from the Kingdom of Spain in 1821 |
Guernsey (British Islands) | 9 May | Liberation Day | The end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands in 1945 |
Guinea | 2 October | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1958 |
Guinea-Bissau | 24 September | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from Portugal in 1973 |
Guyana | 23 February | Mashramani | Declaration of the Republic in 1970 |
26 May | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 | |
Haiti | 1 January | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from France in 1804 |
Herm (British Islands) | 9 May | Liberation Day | The end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands in 1945 |
Honduras | 15 September | Independence Day | Independence from the Kingdom of Spain in 1821 |
Hong Kong (China) | 1 July | Establishment Day | Transfer of sovereignty to the PRC in 1997 |
1 October | National Day of the PRC | Proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949 | |
Hungary | 15 March | 1848 Revolution Memorial Day | Commemorating the 1848 Revolution |
20 August | Saint Stephen's Day | Feast day of Saint Stephen, patron saint of Hungary and first King of Hungary, crowned in 1000 and canonized in 1083 | |
23 October | 1956 Revolution Memorial Day | Commemorating the 1956 Revolution | |
Iceland | 17 June | National Day | Founding of the Republic and dissolution of the personal union with Denmark in 1944 |
India | 26 January | Republic Day | Adoption of the Constitution of India in 1950 |
15 August | Independence Day | Independence from the British Empire in 1947 | |
2 October | Gandhi Jayanti | Birth anniversary of Mahatma Gandhi (Father of the Nation) in 1869 | |
Indonesia | 17 August | Independence Day | Proclamation of Independence (Hari Proklamasi Kemerdekaan R.I.) from the kingdom of the Netherlands in 1945 |
Iran | 11 February | Islamic Revolution's Victory Day (Fajr decade) | Victory of the Islamic Revolution in 1979 |
1 April | Iranian Islamic Republic Day | ||
Iraq | 3 October | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1932 |
Ireland | 17 March | Saint Patrick's Day | Feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland |
Isle of Man (British Islands) | 5 July | Tynwald Day | Annual festive outdoor meeting of the Tynwald (parliament) |
Israel | 5 Iyar | Independence Day | Proclamation of independence from the British Mandate of Palestine in 1948 (date varies according to Jewish calendar on 5 Iyar.) |
Italy | 2 June | Republic Day | Italy is made a republic in 1946 |
Jamaica | 6 August | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 |
Japan | 11 February | National Foundation Day | Jimmu, the first emperor, is crowned in 660 BC |
Jersey (British Islands) | 9 May | Liberation Day | The end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands in 1945 |
Jordan | 25 May | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1946 |
Kazakhstan | 16 December | Independence Day | Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 |
Kenya | 12 December | Jamhuri Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1963; made a republic in 1964 |
Kiribati | 12 July | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 |
Kosovo (Disputed) | 17 February | Independence Day | Unilateral declaration of independence from Serbia in 2008 |
Kurdistan (Iraq) | 21 March | Nowruz, Persian New Year, celebrated on the spring equinox | |
Kuwait | 25 February | National Day, anniversary of the 1950 coronation of Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah, who won Kuwait's independence from the British Empire eleven years later | |
Kyrgyzstan | 31 August | Independence Day | Independence Day, declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 |
Laos | 2 December | National Day, declaration of the People's Republic in 1975 | |
La Rioja (Spain) | 9 June | Anniversary of the approval of La Rioja's Statute of Autonomy establishing it as an autonomous community | |
Latvia | 18 November | Proclamation Day of the Republic of Latvia, independence from the Russian Empire in 1918 | |
Lebanon | 22 November | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1943 |
Lesotho | 4 October | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1966 |
Liberia | 26 July | Proclamation of the Republic: independence from the United States in 1847 | |
Libya | 24 December | Independence Day | Anniversary of Libyan independence in 1951 |
Liechtenstein | 15 August | Feast of the Assumption and birth of Prince Franz Joseph II in 1906 | |
Lithuania | 16 February | Lithuanian State Reestablishment Day, declaration of independence from the Russian and German Empires in 1918 | |
Lombardy (Italy) | 29 May | Lombard League defeats the imperial army of Frederick Barbarossa in the Battle of Legnano | |
Luxembourg | 23 June | Grand Duke's Official Birthday | |
Macau (China) | 1 October | National Day of the People's Republic of China (Proclamation of the People's Republic of China in 1949) | |
20 December | Transfer of sovereignty to the PRC in 1999 | ||
Madagascar | 26 June | Independence Day | Independence from France in 1960 |
Madeira (Portugal) | 1 July | Madeira Day, day of autonomy within Portugal in 1976 | |
Madrid (Spain) | 2 May | Dos de Mayo Uprising, part of the Peninsular War, a civilian rebellion against the French occupation of the city | |
Malawi | 6 July | Independence Day | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1964; declaration of the Republic in 1966 |
Malaysia | 31 August | Hari Kebangsaan, independence from the United Kingdom (as Malaya) in 1957. Also known as Hari Kebangsaan (National Day) in Malay. | |
16 September | Malaysia Day, formation of Malaysia by uniting Malaya, Sabah, Sarawak, and Singapore into a single country in 1963. Proposed to be the second national day after Hari Merdeka. | ||
Maldives | 1 Rabi' al-Awwal | Independence Day | Independence from the Portuguese Empire in c.1573 (date varies according to the Islamic Calendar) |
Mali | 22 September | Independence Day | Independence from the Mali Federation in 1960 |
Malta | 31 March | Freedom Day | Freedom Day, withdrawal of the last British troops from Malta in 1979 |
7 June | Sette Giugno | Sette Giugno, bread riot of 1919 in which 4 Maltese men died | |
8 September | Victory Day | Victory Day, celebrating the victory of the Knights of St. John over the Ottoman Empire in the Great Siege of Malta in 1565, the end of the French occupation in 1800, and the surrender of Italy to the Allies in 1943 | |
21 September | Independence Day | Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 | |
13 December | Republic Day | Republic Day, adoption of the republican constitution of 1974 | |
Marshall Islands | 1 May | Constitution Day, adoption of the Compact of Free Association in 1979 | |
Martinique (France) | 22 May | Abolition of slavery day | |
Mauritania | 28 November | Independence from France in 1960 | |
Mauritius | 12 March | Independence Day | Independence Day - Independence from the United Kingdom in 1968; formation of the Republic in 1992 |
Mayotte (France) | 27 April | Abolition of slavery day | |
Melilla (Spain) | 17 September | Anniversary of the 1497 Conquest of Melilla by the Duke of Medina Sidonia | |
Mexico | 16 September | Independence Day | Grito de Dolores, beginning of the War of Independence from Spain in 1810 |
Micronesia | 3 November | Independence Day | Independence from the US-administered UN Trusteeship in 1979 |
Minas Gerais (Brazil) | 21 April | Hanging of Tiradentes in 1792 | |
16 July | Elevation of the village of Mariana to the status of city. | ||
Moldova | 27 August | Independence Day, declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 | |
Monaco | 19 November | Accession of Prince Albert II to the throne in 2005 | |
Mongolia | 26 November | Republic Day, proclamation of the Mongolian People's Republic in 1924 | |
29 December | Independence Day | Independence Day, this day commemorates the independence from China in 1911. | |
Montenegro | 21 May | Independence from Serbia and Montenegro in 2006 | |
13 July | recognised as independent at the Congress of Berlin in 1878 | ||
Montserrat (United Kingdom) | 3rd Saturday in June | King's Official Birthday | |
Morocco | 18 November | Accession of Muhammad V to the throne in 1927 | |
Mozambique | 25 June | Independence Day | Independence from Portugal in 1975 |
Murcia (Spain) | 9 June | Anniversary of the approval of the Region of Murcia's Statute of Autonomy establishing it as an autonomous community | |
Myanmar | 10th day of Tazaungmon | Commemorates the anniversary of the first university student strike at Rangoon University in 1920
Note: Not to be confused with Independence Day (Myanmar) | |
Namibia | 21 March | Independence from South Africa in 1990 | |
Nauru | 31 January | Independence from the Australia, NZ, and UK-administered UN trusteeship 1968 | |
Navarre (Spain) | 3 December | Feast of Saint Francis Xavier, patron saint of Navarre | |
Nepal | 19 September | Constitution Day, commemorating the adoption of the Constitution in 2015 | |
Kingdom of the Netherlands | 27 April | King's Day, King Willem-Alexander's birthday in 1967 | |
5 May | Liberation Day, end of German occupation in 1945 | ||
New Caledonia (France) | 24 September | Citizenship Day | Annexation to France in 1853 |
New Zealand | 6 February | Waitangi Day | Signing of the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840 |
Nicaragua | 15 September | Independence Day | Independence from the Kingdom of Spain in 1821 |
Niger | 18 December | Republic Day, made an autonomous state within the French Community in 1958 | |
Nigeria | 1 October | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1960 | |
Niue | 19 October | Self-government in free association with New Zealand in 1974 | |
Norfolk Island (Australia) | 8 June | Beginning of permanent settlement of the island by migrants from the Pitcairn Islands in 1856 | |
North Korea | 15 August | Liberation from Japanese rule in 1945 (Chogukhaebangŭi nal) | |
9 September | Day of the Foundation of the Republic in 1948 | ||
10 October | Party Foundation Day in 1945 | ||
North Macedonia | 2 August | Republic Day, proclamation of statehood in 1944 and proclamation of Kruševo Republic in 1903 during the Ilinden Uprising | |
8 September | Independence Day (Den na nezavisnosta), declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 | ||
Northern Ireland (United Kingdom) | 17 March | Saint Patrick's Day | Feast day of Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland; a public holiday sometimes associated with Irish nationalism |
12 July | The Twelfth (Orangemens' Day) | Commemorates the Battle of the Boyne in 1690; a public holiday associated with Ulster unionism | |
Northern Mariana Islands (United States) | 8 January | Commonwealth Day, the constitutional government takes office in 1978 | |
Norway | 17 May | Constitution Day, the signing of the Norwegian Constitution in Eidsvoll 1814 | |
Oman | 18 November | National Day of Oman, independence from Portugal in 1650 and the 1940 birthday of Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said who reigned 1970–2020 | |
Pakistan | 23 March | Pakistan Day, the Pakistan Resolution passed in Lahore in 1940. Pakistan became a Republic in 1956 with the 1956 Constitution of Pakistan. | |
14 August | Independence Day, independence from the British Empire in 1947 | ||
Palau | 9 July | Constitution Day, adoption of the Constitution in 1980 | |
1 October | Independence Day | Independence Day, full independence in 1994 | |
Palestine | 15 November | Independence Day | Declaration of independence in 1988 |
Panama | 3 November | Separation Day | Independence from Colombia in 1903 |
28 November | Independence Day | Independence from the Kingdom of Spain in 1821 | |
Papua New Guinea | 16 September | Independence from Australia in 1975 | |
Paraguay | 14 May | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from Spain in 1811 |
Peru | 28 July | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from Spain in 1821 |
Philippines | 12 June | Araw ng Kalayaan, declaration of independence from Spain in 1898 | |
Pitcairn Islands (United Kingdom) | 3rd Saturday in June | King's Official Birthday | |
Poland | 3 May | 3 May Constitution Day, celebrates the declaration of the Constitution of 3 May 1791, first constitution of its kind in Europe | |
11 November | Święto Niepodległości (Independence Day), restoration of independence from Austria-Hungary, Germany, and Russia in 1918 | ||
Portugal | 10 June | Portugal Day | Officially the Day of Portugal, Camões, and the Portuguese Communities, commemorates the death of national poet Luís de Camões in 1580 |
Puerto Rico (United States) | 25 July | Constitution Day | Commemorates the establishment of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico in 1952; formerly Invasion Day, day of the American invasion in 1898 |
23 September | Grito de Lares | Grito de Lares, also known as Independence Day, celebrates the first revolt for independence from the Spanish Empire in 1868 | |
Qatar | 18 December | Qatar National Day, the assumption of power by Emir Jassim bin Mohammed Al Thani in 1878 | |
Québec (Canada) | 24 June | Saint-Jean-Baptiste Day, feast day of John the Baptist, the patron saint of French Canadians | |
Rio Grande do Sul (Brazil) | 20 September | Expulsion of the Brazilian Army from Porto Alegre at the Farroupilha Revolution, followed by a Declaration of Independence on 1836. | |
Romania | 1 December | Great Union Day, unification with Transylvania and achievement of the Great Union in 1918 | |
Russia | 12 June | Russia Day, Declaration of State Sovereignty in 1990 | |
4 November | Unity Day, celebrates the end of Time of Troubles | ||
Rwanda | 1 July | Independence from Belgium in 1962 | |
Réunion (France) | 20 December | Abolition of slavery day | |
Saba (Kingdom of the Netherlands) | 1st Friday in December | Saba Day celebrates, on the first Friday in December, the adoption of the flag of Saba in December 1985 | |
Sabah (Malaysia) | 31 August | Sabah Day, is celebrated to commemorate Sabah's independence from United Kingdom before joining Malaysia along with Sarawak and Singapore on 16 September 1963. It has since been celebrated since 2023. | |
Saint Helena (United Kingdom) | 3rd Saturday in June | King's Official Birthday | |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | 19 September | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1983 | |
Saint Lucia | 22 February | Independence Day | Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | 27 October | Independence Day | Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1979 |
Samoa | 1 June | Independence Day | Independence Day, independence from New Zealand in 1962 |
San Marino | 3 September | Foundation of the city by Marinus in year 301 (traditional date); also is the St. Marinus Day. | |
Sardinia (Italy) | 28 April | Sardinian revolution and expulsion of Piedmontese Viceroy and Sardinian-Piedmontese officials from Cagliari, capital and largest city of Sardinia | |
São Paulo (Brazil) | 9 July | Constitutionalist Revolt against Vargas Regime in 1932 | |
Sarawak (Malaysia) | 22 July | Sarawak Independence Day, independence from United Kingdom before joining Malaysia along with Sabah and Singapore on 16 September. | |
Sark (British Islands) | 10 May | Liberation Day, the end of the German occupation of the Channel Islands in 1945 | |
Saudi Arabia | 23 September | Saudi National Day | Renaming of the Kingdom of Nejd and Hejaz to the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in 1932 |
Scotland (United Kingdom) | 30 November | Saint Andrew's Day | Feast day of Saint Andrew, patron saint of Scotland |
Senegal | 4 April | Independence from France in 1960 | |
Serbia | 15 February | Statehood Day, start of the Serbian Revolution against Ottoman Empire in 1804; Constitution Day, adoption of the first Constitution in 1835 | |
Seychelles | 18 June | Constitution Day, adoption of a multi-party democratic constitution in 1993. | |
29 June | National Day, marks the date when Seychelles gained independence from the United Kingdom in 1976. | ||
Sierra Leone | 27 April | Republic Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1961 | |
Singapore | 9 August | National Day, independence from Malaysia in 1965 | |
Sint Maarten (Kingdom of the Netherlands) | 11 November | Sint Maarten's Day | |
Slovakia | 1 January | Day of the Establishment of the Slovak Republic, this day commemorates when Czechoslovakia split into the Czech Republic and Slovakia in 1993 | |
Slovenia | 25 June | Statehood Day, declaration of independence from Yugoslavia in 1991 | |
Solomon Islands | 7 July | Independence Day | Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1978 |
Somalia | 1 July | Independence Day | Independence from Italy and unification with Somaliland in 1960 |
Somaliland (Disputed) | 18 May | Declaration of independence from Somalia in 1991 | |
26 June | Independence Day | Independence of the State of Somaliland from the United Kingdom in 1960 | |
South Africa | 27 April | Freedom Day, first democratic general election in 1994 | |
South Georgia and the South Sandwich Islands (United Kingdom) | 3rd Saturday in June | Liberation from Argentina at the end of the Falklands War in 1982 and King's Official Birthday | |
South Korea | 1 March | Declaration of independence from the Empire of Japan in 1919 | |
15 August | Liberation from Japanese rule in 1945 (Gwangbokjeol); declaration of the Republic in 1948 | ||
3 October | Gaecheonjeol, ancient Korea founded in 2333 BC | ||
South Sudan | 9 July | Independence Day, independence from Sudan in 2011 | |
South Vietnam | 26 October | 1955 South Vietnam referendum created First Republic of Vietnam replacing State of Vietnam | |
1 November | 1963 South Vietnam coup d'état created Second Republic of Vietnam replacing First Republic of Vietnam | ||
Soviet Union | 7 November | October Revolution Day, commemorating the Great October Socialist Revolution in 1917 | |
Spain | 12 October | National Day | Commemorates Christopher Columbus' discovery of the Americas in 1492 |
Sri Lanka | 4 February | Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1948 under the name of Ceylon | |
Republika Srpska (Bosnia and Herzegovina) | 9 January | Proclamation of the Republic, separate from Bosnia and Herzegovina and part of Yugoslavia, in 1992 | |
Sudan | 1 January | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1956 | |
Suriname | 25 November | Independence Day, independence from the Netherlands in 1975 | |
Sweden | 6 June | National Day: election of Gustav Vasa as King of Sweden in 1523; adoption of the constitutions of 1809 and 1974 | |
Switzerland | 1 August | National Day, alliance between Uri, Schwyz and Unterwalden against the Holy Roman Empire in 1291 | |
Syria | 17 April | Evacuation Day, end of French colonial rule in 1946 | |
São Tomé and Príncipe | 12 July | Independence from Portugal in 1975 | |
Tajikistan | 9 September | Independence Day, declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 | |
Tanzania | 9 December | Independence Day, independence from British rule in 1961 | |
Tatarstan (Russia) | 30 August | Declaration of independence from the RSFSR in 1990 | |
Thailand | 5 December | Father's Day | Birthday of Late King Bhumibol Adulyadej in 1927; More commonly known and celebrated as Father's Day |
Togo | 27 April | Independence from the French-administered UN trusteeship in 1960 | |
Tonga | 4 June | Emancipation Day abolition of serfdom 1862; independence from the United Kingdom in 1970 | |
4 November | Promulgation of the constitution in 1875 | ||
Transnistria | 2 September | Independence Day, declaration of independence from Moldova in 1990 | |
Trinidad and Tobago | 31 August | Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 | |
Tristan da Cunha (United Kingdom) | 3rd Saturday in June | King's Official Birthday | |
Tunisia | 20 March | Declaration of independence from France in 1956 | |
Turkey | 29 October | Republic Day (Cumhuriyet Bayramı), adoption of a republican constitution in 1923 | |
Turkmenistan | 27 September | Independence Day, declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 | |
Turks and Caicos Islands (United Kingdom) | 30 August | Constitution Day, adoption of a constitution in 1976 | |
Tuvalu | 1 October | Independence Day, independence from the Gilbert Islands (Kiribati) in 1975 and from the United Kingdom in 1978 | |
Uganda | 9 October | Independence from the United Kingdom in 1962 | |
Ukraine | 15 July | Statehood Day, commemoration of the Christianization of Kievan Rus' | |
24 August | Independence from the Soviet Union in 1991. See Independence Day of Ukraine | ||
United Arab Emirates | 2 December | National Day, formation of the federation of seven emirates on independence from the United Kingdom in 1971 | |
United Kingdom | 3rd Saturday in June (unofficial) | King's Official Birthday | Does not have a recognized national day (see proposed British national day), although the King's Official Birthday (King Charles III's was announced as being the third Saturday in June) is sometimes considered as such, for example, in British diplomatic institutions overseas |
United Nations | 24 October | United Nations Day | An annual commemorative day, reflecting the official creation of the United Nations on 24 October 1945 |
United States | 4 July | Independence Day | First 13 states declare independence from the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1776. |
United States Virgin Islands (United States) | 31 March | Transfer Day, transfer of the islands from Denmark to the United States in 1917 | |
Uruguay | 25 August | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from Brazil in 1825 |
Uzbekistan | 1 September | Independence Day, declaration of independence from the Soviet Union in 1991 | |
Valencian Community (Spain) | 9 October | Anniversary of the creation of the Kingdom of Valencia in 1238 | |
Vanuatu | 30 July | Independence Day, independence from the United Kingdom and France in 1980 | |
Vatican City | 11 February | Lateran Treaty Day | Foundation of Vatican City, signing of the Lateran Treaty in 1929 |
Venezuela | 5 July | Independence Day | Declaration of independence from Spain in 1811 |
Vietnam | 2 September | National Day, declaration of independence from France and Japan in 1945 | |
Wales (United Kingdom) | 1 March | Saint David's Day | Feast day of Saint David, patron saint of Wales |
Wallonia (Belgium) | 3rd Sunday of September | Day of the Walloon Region | |
Yemen | 22 May | Unity Day, North and South Yemen are unified as the Republic of Yemen in 1990 | |
Yugoslavia | 29 November | Day of the Republic, celebrating the anniversary of the second session of AVNOJ, paving way for the establishment of the second Yugoslav state | |
Zambia | 24 October | Independence Day, declaration of independence from the United Kingdom in 1964 | |
Zimbabwe | 18 April | Granting of independence by the United Kingdom in 1980; it had previously declared independence as Rhodesia on 11 November 1965 |
See also
- Public holiday
- Flag Day
- Independence Day
- Liberation Day
- Civil religion
- Fête nationale
- Republic Day
- Victory Day
References
- Fisher, Max (26 February 2013). "A surprising map of the world's national holidays (only two countries have no national day)". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on 31 March 2023. Retrieved 18 January 2021.
- Elgenius, Gabriella (2019). "National Days in Nation Building: Similarities and differences". Symbols of nations and nationalism : celebrating nationhood. Basingstoke, Hampshire. pp. 94–132. ISBN 9781349590476.
{{cite book}}
: CS1 maint: location missing publisher (link) - "Constitution Day in Cayman Islands in 2022". Office Holidays. Archived from the original on 15 July 2021. Retrieved 15 July 2021.
- "Bastille Day – 14th July". Official Website of France. Archived from the original on 15 July 2014.
Commemorating the storming of the Bastille on 14th July 1789, Bastille Day takes place on the same date each year. The main event is a grand military parade along the Champs-Élysées, attended by the President of the Republic and other political leaders. It is accompanied by fireworks and publics dances in towns throughout the whole of France.
- "India celebrates Republic Day". news.com.au. 26 January 2014. Archived from the original on 17 July 2014. Retrieved 25 May 2014.
- "Iran Islamic Republic Day". AnnivHol-2000. p. 55. Archived from the original on 31 March 2019. Retrieved 1 March 2016.
- "Kiribati National Day in Kiribati in 2021". Office Holidays. Archived from the original on 26 January 2021. Retrieved 7 February 2021.
- Hunter, Helen-Louise (2008). "The Society and Its Environment". In Worden, Robert L. (ed.). North Korea: A Country Study (Fifth ed.). Washington: Federal Research Division of the Library of Congress. p. 85. ISBN 978-0-8444-1188-0.
- "Serbia Observes Constitution Day – Constitution Day in Serbia: February 15th". aglobalworld.com. Archived from the original on 23 January 2020. Retrieved 5 October 2018.
- "Public Holiday Schedule". www.sintmaartengov.org. Archived from the original on 1 November 2018. Retrieved 11 January 2020.
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