HOLIDAYS

Following the end of the Second World War and the expulsion of Japan from Korea, Korea had split into two sovereign states in 1948. The socialist state in the north was backed by the Soviet Union, while the capitalist state in the south was supported by the United States.

Both the two new Korean states saw themselves to be the sole legitimate government of all of Korea, and neither accepted the border as permanent.

The Korean War began when North Korean military forces, supported by the Soviet Union and China, crossed the border into South Korea on June 25th 1950. The US-backed United Nations gave military support to the South Koreans, turning the conflict into the largest conflict since the second world war.

After three years of devastating bombing raids and a traumatic ground campaign, around three million Koreans – 10% of the overall population – were estimated to have been killed, injured, or missing.

“I shrink with horror that I cannot express in words… at this continuous slaughter of men in Korea,” commander-in-chief of United Nations Command Gen. Douglas MacArthur said during a congressional hearing. “I have seen, I guess, as much blood and disaster as any living man, and it just curdled my stomach, the last time I was there.”

Though it was clear that the war had reached a stalemate by the middle of 1951, it took two years of negotiations to reach an armistice.

On July 27th 1953 the Korean Armistice Agreement was signed between China, North Korea, the United States and the United Nations. South Korea never signed the Armistice Agreement due to President Syngman Rhee’s refusal to accept the division of Korea.

The armistice is yet to be replaced with a peace treaty, meaning the Korean Peninsula is technically in a state of war.

North Korea declared the July 27th Armistice signing “the Day of Victory in the Great Fatherland Liberation War” in 1973, later promoting it to a national holiday in 1996.

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 Africa than in the United States.

Between 1822 and 1861, thousands of free blacks were relocated to the settlement at Cape Mesurado on the Pepper Coast of West Africa. In 1824 the colony was named Liberia, and the main settlement was named Monrovia, which remains the present-day capital.

Monrovia is named in honour of U.S. President James Monroe, who supported the colonization of Liberia by the American Colonization Society. This makes it the only other national capital to be named after a U.S. President; Washington, D.C. being the other.

The settlers faced immense hardships in the initial years with atrocious mortality rates due to disease and conflict with the indigenous peoples. Within twenty years, the colony had grown and established economic stability.

On July 26th 1847, the settlers issued a Declaration of Independence and promulgated a constitution. The constitution was heavily based on the United States Constitution and established the independent Republic of Liberia. The United Kingdom was the first country to recognize Liberia’s independence, the United States only recognized Liberia’s independence in 1862 during the American Civil War.

Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence, and is Africa’s first and oldest modern republic, maintaining independence despite the colonial expansion in Africa in the late nineteenth century.

The Liberian flag is based on the flag of the united States and was adopted on July 26th 1847. It has 11 horizontal red stripes representing the 11 men who signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence. The single star represents African freedom. 

Under the “Energetic and Social Observances Law”, Title 26, Liberian Code of Laws of 1956, July 26th every year is put aside as an open holiday to be known as “Independence Day” and fittingly celebrated.

Each year, the President makes a proclamation for the holiday, usually a few days before July 26th.

The current president of Liberia is George Weah, who was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995.

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 Africa than in the United States.

Between 1822 and 1861, thousands of free blacks were relocated to the settlement at Cape Mesurado on the Pepper Coast of West Africa. In 1824 the colony was named Liberia, and the main settlement was named Monrovia, which remains the present-day capital.

Monrovia is named in honour of U.S. President James Monroe, who supported the colonization of Liberia by the American Colonization Society. This makes it the only other national capital to be named after a U.S. President; Washington, D.C. being the other.

The settlers faced immense hardships in the initial years with atrocious mortality rates due to disease and conflict with the indigenous peoples. Within twenty years, the colony had grown and established economic stability.

On July 26th 1847, the settlers issued a Declaration of Independence and promulgated a constitution. The constitution was heavily based on the United States Constitution and established the independent Republic of Liberia. The United Kingdom was the first country to recognize Liberia’s independence, the United States only recognized Liberia’s independence in 1862 during the American Civil War.

Liberia was the first African republic to proclaim its independence, and is Africa’s first and oldest modern republic, maintaining independence despite the colonial expansion in Africa in the late nineteenth century.

The Liberian flag is based on the flag of the united States and was adopted on July 26th 1847. It has 11 horizontal red stripes representing the 11 men who signed the Liberian Declaration of Independence. The single star represents African freedom. 

Under the “Energetic and Social Observances Law”, Title 26, Liberian Code of Laws of 1956, July 26th every year is put aside as an open holiday to be known as “Independence Day” and fittingly celebrated.

Each year, the President makes a proclamation for the holiday, usually a few days before July 26th.

The current president of Liberia is George Weah, who was the FIFA World Player of the Year in 1995.

Sources: Wikipedia, Complete Flags of the World, The Executive Mansion, Encyclopaedia Brittanica

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 moved to suspend the 1940 Constitution and revoked most political liberties, including the right to strike. 

Fidel Castro was a lawyer with strong communist views. He had participated in the elections that were cancelled due to Batista’s coup. Castro viewed Batista as an oppressive dictator in the pocket of the US and had begun training rebels with the aim of removing Batista. 

On the morning of 26 July 1953, around 160 men under the command of Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada army garrison in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s second-largest city. The attack was seen as an opportunity to arm the rebels and instigate a revolution that would bring down Batista. 

By any measure, the assault was a failure, with deaths on both sides. Many of the rebels were hunted down and executed. Those that were captured, including Castro, were sentenced to long prison sentences; though they only served 22 months due to an amnesty for political prisoners.

Fulgencio Batista was removed from power on 12 January 1959. 

Despite the failure of the attack on the Moncada barracks, it is seen as the catalyst for the Castro-led insurrection that eventually expelled Fulgencio Batista. The date of the attack was adopted by Castro as the name for his revolutionary movement. (Movimiento 26 Julio or M 26-7). 

The damage to the Moncada Barracks was quickly repaired by the military after the attack. The bullet holes were recreated in the façade of the barracks after the revolution’s success. 

In addition to the Moncada attack, Santiago’s position as the birthplace of the revolution is furthered enhanced as Castro conducted his guerrilla campaign from the nearby Sierra Maestra mountains and his remains were laid to rest in Santiago.

Fidel Castro died in 2016. One of his last wishes was that he didn’t want any streets or buildings named after him, or any statues built in his honour to avoid creating a cult of personality. Despite this, his tomb in Santiago has become a popular tourist attraction.

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 moved to suspend the 1940 Constitution and revoked most political liberties, including the right to strike. 

Fidel Castro was a lawyer with strong communist views. He had participated in the elections that were cancelled due to Batista’s coup. Castro viewed Batista as an oppressive dictator in the pocket of the US and had begun training rebels with the aim of removing Batista. 

On the morning of 26 July 1953, around 160 men under the command of Fidel Castro attacked the Moncada army garrison in Santiago de Cuba, Cuba’s second-largest city. The attack was seen as an opportunity to arm the rebels and instigate a revolution that would bring down Batista. 

By any measure, the assault was a failure, with deaths on both sides. Many of the rebels were hunted down and executed. Those that were captured, including Castro, were sentenced to long prison sentences; though they only served 22 months due to an amnesty for political prisoners.

Fulgencio Batista was removed from power on 12 January 1959. 

Despite the failure of the attack on the Moncada barracks, it is seen as the catalyst for the Castro-led insurrection that eventually expelled Fulgencio Batista. The date of the attack was adopted by Castro as the name for his revolutionary movement. (Movimiento 26 Julio or M 26-7). 

The damage to the Moncada Barracks was quickly repaired by the military after the attack. The bullet holes were recreated in the façade of the barracks after the revolution’s success. 

In addition to the Moncada attack, Santiago’s position as the birthplace of the revolution is furthered enhanced as Castro conducted his guerrilla campaign from the nearby Sierra Maestra mountains and his remains were laid to rest in Santiago.

Fidel Castro died in 2016. One of his last wishes was that he didn’t want any streets or buildings named after him, or any statues built in his honour to avoid creating a cult of personality. Despite this, his tomb in Santiago has become a popular tourist attraction.

As the holidays coincide with the Feast day of St. James (Spanish: Santiago), they are celebrated widely with a carnival in Santiago.

Children’s Day was first celebrated in the capital city of Port Vila in response to a recommendation from the United Nations Human Rights Committee on the Rights of the Child.

This is a day to promote the welfare and well-being of children and also to celebrate children and what they contribute to society. The theme of the day changes from year to year, though the topic of fighting child abuse remains a perennial theme of the day.

As a public holiday, it’s a day for families to spend extra time together.

Children’s Day takes place a week before Independence Day and the parades, concerts, public speeches, sports events, and other celebratory activities held to mark Children’s Day are seen as marking the start of Vanuatu’s national Independence week.

Lieutenant José Quiñones Gonzales was a Peruvian pilot during the Ecuadorian–Peruvian War. On July 23rd 1941, his plane, a North American NA-50 fighter, was hit while performing a low-level attack on an Ecuadorian border post on the banks of the Zarumilla River. 

According to Peruvian accounts, instead of parachuting to safety, Quiñones chose to make the supreme sacrifice by crashing his damaged aircraft onto the Ecuadorian position, rendering the battery out of action. 

Quiñones was promoted posthumously to the rank of Air Force Captain and was declared a national hero by law on May 10th 1966.

When a roll call of world leaders who have ruled the longest is read out, King Bhumibol of Thailand (70 years), Queens Victoria (63 years) and Elizabeth II (Over 70 years and counting) of the United Kingdom are names that will be familiar to many of us. 

What may be less known is that these illustrious monarchs all fall short of the reign of King Sobhuza II, who ruled Swaziland for an astonishing 82 years and 254 days, making his reign the longest verifiable in history.  

Ingwenyama Sobhuza was born on July 22nd 1899. Four months later, on December 10th 1899, the infant Sobhuza became king after the death of his father. As you might expect, King Sobhuza didn’t have to perform all his royal duties whilst still a child and his grandmother served as regent, until handing power to her grandson when he was 21.

From almost the start of his reign, his country was a British protectorate. It gained independence in 1968 and Sobhuza was a driving force for independence, even forming a political party which is a very unusual step by a monarch. He also changed the constitution strengthening the power of the King.

Following the traditional tribal practice, Sobhuza had many wives, 70 according to the Swaziland National Trust Commission. His 210 offspring from these consorts earned him the sobriquet, “Bull of Swazi” and also places him at number five in the Wikipedia all-time list of males with the most children.

Sobhuza died on August 21st 1982.

For the length of his reign and his impact on overseeing Swazilands transition to an independent state, it is fitting that his birthday is marked with a public holiday.

The Lao Women’s Union (LWU) was established on July 20th 1955 to promote the role of women under the National Constitution.

The aim of the LWU is to protect the rights and interests of Lao women and children. The union also promotes the implementation of policy geared toward gender equality and the advancement of women in national socio-economic development.

The other official functions and mandates of the LWU are to:

• Mobilize and unite Lao women to become actively involved in the national protection and development process. 
• Educate women of all ethnic groups and social strata to have a proper understanding of the government’s policies, constitution, laws and various international instruments concerning the legitimate rights and interests of women adhered to by the Lao PDR.
• Make considerable contributions toward the protection and the support of the rich customs, fine traditions of the people and of the Lao women of all ethnic groups in particular. 

In 1962, LWU became a member of the International Democracy Women’s Union, whose members attended the first Vietnamese Women’s Union meeting in Hanoi, Vietnam.

With a membership of over 600,000, LWU is a popular and important organisation involving women at levels of society throughout Lao.

Brazil had gained its independence from Portugal in 1822. The region now known as Uruguay lay on the Eastern bank of the River Plate, and had passed through English, Spanish, Portuguese and Brazilian control in a short period at the start of the nineteenth century.

In August 1825, Uruguay declared its independence from Brazil, instigating the Argentina- Brazil War. The conflict lasted until August 1828, when a British negotiated a resolution to the war that led to Brazil recognising Uruguay’s independence.

The constitution for the nation was drawn up by the General Constituent and Legislative Assembly of the State , the predecessor of the Uruguayan Parliament. Influenced by the French and American revolutions, it divided the government among the executive, legislative, and judicial powers. It established a republican unitary state; the official religion was Roman Catholic. It was promulgated on July 18th 1830.

The first constitution lasted until 1918 and has had many subsequent revisions.

In Montevideo, the Avenida 18 de Julio celebrates the founding moment of the Uruguayan constitution.

Following the end of World War II and liberation from Japanese Rule, Korea was split in two by the occupation of Allied and Soviet forces.

In April 1948 a democratic election for National Assembly members was held in Allied-controlled South Korea. The elected assembly members then created a constitution, based on a presidential and unicameral system.

This constitution was formally adopted by President Syngman Rhee on July 17, 1948

On 15 August 1948, the Republic of Korea was established, with Syngman Rhee as the first president. On 9 September 1948, the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (North Korea) was established under Kim Il-sung.

The Samoan Islands are an archipelago that covers just over 3,000 km2 (1,170 sq mi) in the central South Pacific. In the late 19th century, Germany and the United States agreed on the partition of the islands, with the western half coming under German control, with the eastern islands becoming American Samoa, an unincorporated territory of the United States on April 17th 1900. At that time the High Chiefs of Manu’a did not wish to cede their group of islands and opted out of the agreement.

Four years later in 1904, Tui Manu’a Elisara, the King of Manu’a, signed a Deed of Succession swearing allegiance to the United States and ceding the Manu’a Islands as a protectorate of the United States.

Since then, July 16th has been observed as Manu’a Cession Day, although it was not made a public holiday until 1983 when the first official celebration was held in the Manu’a Islands with a church service, parade, and cultural activities. 

Palermo is located on the northern coast of Sicily and is the capital of the autonomous region of Sicily.

Rosalia was a devout Christian hermit who lived in a cave on Mount Pellegrino, a few miles north of Palermo. Rosalia died in the cave in 1166 and although she was revered during her life for her piety and had been associated with some miracles, Rosalia wasn’t in line for sainthood… yet.

Our story now rolls forward almost 500 years to 1624. While Sicily was being ravaged by a recurrence of the Plague (Black Death), a Palermo soap seller had a dream. In the dream, Rosalia told him to bring her bones to the city and parade them around the streets. Her remains were found buried in her cave, brought back to Palermo and carried around the city three times, freeing Palermo from the Plague.

In honour of the miracle of saving the city, Urban VIII added Saint Rosalia’s name to the Roman Martyrology on July 15th 1625,  and this is the date celebrated in Palermo, even though her actual feast day is September 4th. St. Rosalia then became the patron saint of Palermo, replacing Saints Agatha, Christina, Nympha and Olivia, who had been patron saints for different parts of the city.

All of this has led to the famous annual Festino in Palermo, the most important festival of the year in Palermo and a truly unique spectacle. On the evening of July 14th, a statue of Rosalia (known as Santuzza, the “Little Saint”) is paraded through the main streets of Palermo on a massive and elaborate boat-shaped chariot, that is made each year. Pulled by oxen, the chariot is joined by colourful dancers, with cries of “Viva Palermo and Santa Rosalia” (long live Palermo and Santa Rosalia) from the crowd driving the procession on from the old town to the marina, where a large fireworks display takes place.

On July 15th, Saint Rosalia’s relics are paraded around Palermo before returning to their resting place in the Cathedral, where they are blessed by the Archbishop of Palermo.

Until the end of the First World war, Iraq had been part of the Ottoman Empire. Following the collapse of Ottoman rule, Britain took control of Iraq, naming it the ‘State of Iraq’ and installing the Hashemite King, Faisal I.

In 1932, Iraq became independent from Britain, with King Faisal as its monarch. King Faisal died a year later in 1933 with his son, King Ghazi taking power. On the death of King Ghazi in July 1939, his son, King Faisal II became King. 

On 14 July 1958, a coup d’état overthrew the Hashemite monarchy with the King and members of the royal family killed during the uprising. The coup and formation of the republic brought Abd al-Karim Qasim to power as Prime Minister. 

From 1968 until 2006, Republic Day was Iraq’s official national day. Iraqi Independence Day (3 October) is now the national day.

A MAN has decided the best way to clean his shower is to wash himself in it.

Lateral-thinking probable genius Corey from Perth, not his real name, 34, has found his innovative method of shower cleaning obviates the need for expensive cleaning products and personal effort.

He said: “The shower looks pretty clean so I doubt it needs stronger cleaning products than I’m using on myself. Is it actually dirtier than my pits, balls and arse crack? I doubt it.

“With global warming threatening to destroy the planet, my method is eco-friendly and sustainable. You don’t see car washes being scrubbed down and sanitised after every vehicle. It’s exactly the same.

“Sure, the shower head gets a buildup of mildew, but over time that gets pressure-washed off by the shower itself. It’s the same method by which my toilet stays clean, if you catch my drift.

“Come to think of it, if the shower needs extra cleansing I could piss in it. I’ll start doing that.”

Corey’s wife Sian, not her real name, not her real name, said: “Our bathroom is minging. I can’t use that disgusting shower and I have to hold my shits in to avoid using his toilet. 

“We’re only together because I’m too embarrassed to tell my friends that poos are why we’re splitting up.”

Bhanu Bhakta may have been a Nepalese poet but he holds a place of special importance in the lives of Sikkimese people in part because the Nepalese language is lingua franca in the Sikkim-Darjeeling region. 

July 13th marks the birth anniversary of Bhanu Bhakta who has been awarded the status of ‘Adhikavi’ or ‘First Poet’ in Sikkim. 

Bhanu Bhakta is credited with the translation of Ramayana in simple Nepalese and his birth anniversary is celebrated with events such as poetry recitation competitions and literary seminars. Banks and most public institutions remain closed on the day in Sikkim.

The poet has been given the title ‘Adhikavi’ or ‘First Poet’ in Sikkim. Bhanubhakta is credited with translating the Ramayana into basic Nepalese, and his birthday is commemorated with poetry recitation competitions and literary conferences. The pioneering poet’s birth anniversary used to be celebrated for a week with a meeting of Nepali literature enthusiasts from around the world. Therefore, banks and most public organizations in Sikkim are closed on this day in honour of the poet.

Adikavi Bhanubhakta was born at Chundiramgha village of Bhanu Municipality in Tanahu on July 13th 1814 (Asar 29, 1871BS). Similarly, he died in 1868 (Asoj 6, 1925BS).

Bhanubhakta was born into an affluent Brahmin family in Chundiramgha, Tanahu, Nepal. His grandfather, Shri Krishna Acharya, was a well-known figure in his day. His grandfather provided him with a good education with a strong religious bent.

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When Bhanubhakta was 22 years old, he was reportedly so impressed by an incident involving a grass cutter that he decided to become a poet. One day, he met a grass cutter, and during their talk, he discovered that the grass cutter wished to contribute to society so that he, too, would be remembered after death.

The first people to inhabit these two islands in the Gulf of Guinea were the Portuguese. They first landed on São Tomé, the larger of the two islands on December 21st (Saint Thomas’ Day, hence the name) 1471.

They found the islands’ rich volcanic soil a good basis to support sugar plantations. The plantations were manned by African slaves and ‘undesirables’ from Portugal.

In 1974, the so-called Carnation Revolution in Portugal ended the dictatorial regime and a new approach to its overseas territories.

São Tomé and Príncipe gained its independence from Portugal on July 12th 1975, making it the second-smallest country in Africa. The smallest is another island nation on the other side of the continent – Seychelles.

During the Naadam Festival, Mongolians participate in the “Three Manly Games” of archery, wrestling and horseback riding which represent the heritage of the nation. 

The festival originated in the 12th century as a way for Mongolians to demonstrate their military prowess. From the 17th century, Naadam contests were held during religious holidays. Since 1922, they have been held on Revolution Day, the anniversary of the People’s Revolution. 

The coldest capital in the world is not in Russia or Canada, but is Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The annual average temperature in the city is -1.3°C.

The main Naadam festival takes place in the country’s capital Ulaanbaatar and opens with a cultural performance with ethnic dancing and music before the games get underway. Everyone, young and old are encouraged to participate in the games. 

Wrestling is usually the first sport. The main wrestling event is a knockout competition involving 512 or 1,024 participants. The participants are all men and have to enter the ring bare-chested as legend has it that a woman once infiltrated the games beating the men, so now all the wrestlers have to show they are male before the grappling begins.

The second sport is Archery. From the time of Ghengis Khan, Mongolian archers were famed for their skill and precision with a bow. At its time, the recurved Mongol bow was a weapon without compare on the Eurasian battlefields of the steppe and deep into Western Europe. The games consist of three categories of archery – Buriat, Khakh and Uriankhai – which have differing bows, arrows and distances.

Though there is some dispute as to the actual location, The Bahamas is the site of Columbus’ first landfall in the New World in 1492. 

The Bahamas became a British Crown colony in 1718 as a result of the British trying to suppress piracy in the region. Following the American war of independence, many British loyalists moved to The Bahamas, bolstering its British connections.

Moves toward independence didn’t start until after the end of the second world war, with local political parties only forming in the 1950s. A new constitution giving more local autonomy came into effect in 1964. In 1967, The Bahamas achieved majority rule for the first time.

The British House of Lords voted to give The Bahamas its independence on 22 June 1973.

On July 10th 1973, The Bahamas was officially declared an independent nation when the documents relating to independence were delivered to Prime Minister Lynden Pindling by Prince Charles.

The Bahamas joined the Commonwealth of Nations on July 10th 1973.

Six years after the creation of the first Argentine government on 25 May 1810, delegates from the United Provinces of South America declared themselves independent from Spain on 9 July 1816.

The delegates gathered at a family home in Tucumán. The home remains and has been turned into a museum known as the Casa Histórica de la Independencia.

Argentina takes its name from a legend that the country contained silver mountains. ‘Argentum’ is the Latin for silver. 

After European explorers arrived in the region in the early part of the sixteenth century, Spain quickly established a permanent colony on the site of modern-day Buenos Aires in 1580.

During the early part of its history, Argentina was largely a country of Spanish immigrants and their descendants (known as creoles). The population was split between those who lived in Buenos Aires and other cities, with others living on the pampas as gauchos.

Descendants of African slaves were also present in significant numbers. The Indigenous peoples of the region inhabited much of the rest of Argentina.

In 1806 and 1807 the British Empire launched two invasions of Buenos Aires but were repelled on both occasions by the Creole population. This ability to lead a military campaign against foreign forces bolstered the idea that they could win a war for independence.

On 28 May 1810, when rumors about the overthrow of King Ferdinand VII by Napoleon proved to be true, the citizens of Buenos Aires took advantage of the situation and created their First Government Junta.

The defeat of Napoleon at Waterloo in 1816 then led to the opportunity for the provinces to unite and declare independence.

The Avenida 9 de Julio – or July 9 Avenue – located in Buenos Aires is the widest street in the world. The street has a total of twelve lanes, or six on each side.