Thursday 15 August Independence Day Holiday in Gabon
The first Europeans to visit Gabon were the Portuguese in the late fifteenth century when Diego Cam explored the region. They gave Gabon its name…
Wednesday 14 August Independence Day in Pakistan
Pakistan had been part of the colony of India since the 18th century, firstly as part of the East India Company and then as part…
Tuesday 13 August Carnival Monday in Grenada
Like many countries in the Caribbean, Grenada celebrates a colourful and exuberant carnival. Since 1981, it has taken place on the second Monday and Tuesday…
Monday 12 August Mountain Day in Japan
A revision to the Law on National Holidays was enacted in a parliament session on May 23rd 2014 to be enforced from January 1st 2016. …
Sunday 11 August Father’s Day in Brazil
In Brazil, Father’s Day is celebrated on the second Sunday in August. The date was chosen in honour of St. Joachim, the father of Mary…
Saturday 10 August Descent of Saint Dominic in Managua
At the end of the 19th century, in the city of Managua, the discovery of a tiny statue of Santo Domingo de Guzmán, led to…
Friday 9 August National Day in Singapore
Today marks Singapore's sovereignty, which was gained on this day in 1965. Singapore declared independence from Britain in August 1963. It joined the Federation of…
Thursday 8 August Thursday in Anguilla
Across most Caribbean islands, cricket is the national sport, with athletics becoming more prominent in recent years. Uniquely Anguilla's national sport is boat racing, easily…
Wednesday 7 August Battle of Boyacá in Colombia
In 1819, Colombia was known as New Grenada and involved in a war for independence from Spain. Bogota was seen as a key strategic location…
Tuesday 6 August Independence Day in Jamaica
Jamaica was one of the first colonies in the so-called new world. Spanish rule began in 1509. Nearly 150 years later, the island was taken…
Monday 5 August Independence Day in Burkina Faso
With its inland location within Western Africa, the region that makes up modern-day Burkina Faso did not attract colonial attention until the late nineteenth century. …
Sunday 4 August Constitution Day in Cook Islands
The Cook Islands is a self-governing island country in free association with New Zealand. People inhabited the islands about 1,000 years ago, and the first…
Saturday 3 August Pidjiguiti Day in Guinea-Bissau
Guinea-Bissau had been under Portuguese control since the 19th century. A movement for national self-determination was gaining ground across Africa in the 1950s and Guinea-Bissau…
Friday 2 August Virgin of Los Angeles Day in Costa Rica
The 'La Negrita' is a small statue of the Virgin Mary carved from dark wood, that was found on August 2nd 1635 by a native woman…
Thursday 1 August National Day in Switzerland
It was in 1891 that the date of Swiss National Day was first decided upon, though it took over a hundred years before the industrious Swiss decided…
Wednesday 31 July Martyrdom Day of Shaheed Udham Singh in Haryana
The story of Shaheed Udham Singh is a tale of revenge that spans over twenty years. On April 13th 1919, Indian troops under the command…
Tuesday 30 July Enthronement in Morocco
His Majesty King Mohammed VI, son of the late King H.M. Hassan II, was born on August 21st 1963, in Rabat. Following the death of…
Monday 29 July H.M. King’s Birthday in Thailand
Known as Rama X, King Vajiralongkorn has reigned Thailand since October 13th 2016, following the death of his father, King Bhumibol. His father had ruled…
Saturday 27 July Revolution Anniversary Holiday in Cuba
Fulgencio Batista had led a military coup on 10 March 1952 installing himself as president, supported financially and militarily by the United States government. Batista…
Friday 26 July Independence Day in Liberia
The Republic of Liberia began as a settlement of the American Colonization Society (ACS), who believed black people would face better chances for freedom in…