holiday

social practice

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holiday, (from “holy day”), originally, a day of dedication to religious observance; in modern times, a day of either religious or secular commemoration. Many holidays of the major world religions tend to occur at the approximate dates of more ancient, pagan festivals. In the case of Christianity, this is sometimes owing to the policy of the early church of scheduling Christian observances at dates when they would eclipse pagan ones—a practice that proved more efficacious than merely prohibiting the earlier celebrations. In other cases, the similarity of the date is due to the tendency to celebrate turning points of the seasons, or to a combination of the two factors.

In many countries, secular holidays are based on commemoration of historic events and the birthdays of national heroes—e.g., Independence Day in the United States and Bastille Day in France. Forms of observance of national holidays range from display of the national flag to exemption of public employees from work, the latter practice generally being followed also by business organizations. Traditionally, many holidays are celebrated by family reunions and the sending of greeting cards and gifts. In Great Britain, the so-called bank holidays are marked by the closing of banks and other institutions. See also feast.

Holiday, Christmas, Thanksgiving, turkey with stuffing and dressing. (holidays, Thanksgiving Day)

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Selected holidays and observances are provided in the table.

Selected holidays and other observances
January	April	July	October
February	May	August	November
March	June	September	December
January
*The Muslim lunar calendar of 354 or 355 days completely ignores the seasons or solar progress (so that a date in spring may over the years gradually move into winter, then autumn, then summer, and back to spring again). That is, relative to the Gregorian calendar, Muslim holidays continually move backward over the course of time, so that a holiday such as Ramadan may be in March one year and in February the next and, over a long span, may occur in every Gregorian month
1	various countries	New Year's Day, the first day of the modern calendar
1	Cuba	Liberation Day, for independence from Spain (1899)
1	Sudan	Independence Day, for independence from Britain and Egypt (1956)
1	Taiwan	Founding of Republic of China, for Chiang Kai-shek's founding of republic (1949)
1–2	Haiti	Independence Day and Heroes' Day, for independence from France (Jan. 1, 1804)
3	Burkina Faso	Revolution Day, for 1966 revolution
4	Myanmar (Burma)	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1948)
6	various Eastern Christians	Christmas, celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ
6	various Christians	Epiphany, 12th day after Christmas, for visit of Magi to the infant Jesus
7	Liberia	Pioneers Day, for early black settlers, mostly from U.S.
11	Albania	Proclamation of the Republic Day, for establishing the republic (1946)
11	Chad	Independence Day, for independence from France (actual date Aug. 11, 1960)
11	Nepal	National Unity Day, for founding of present royal dynasty (1769–75)
13	Togo	Liberation Day, for new constitution (1979)
15	Japan	Adults' Day, for persons attaining age 20
17	Philippines	Constitution Day, for 1935 constitution
17	Poland	Liberation Day, for liberation from the Nazis (1945)
18	Tunisia	Revolution Day, for struggles leading to independence from France (1956) and abolition of the monarchy (1957)
19 or 3rd Monday	southern U.S.	Robert E. Lee Birthday, for birth of Confederate general (1807)
19	various Eastern Christians	Epiphany, 12th day after Christmas, for visit of Magi to the infant Jesus
20	U.S.	Inauguration Day, for quadrennial inauguration of U.S. president
3rd Monday	U.S.	Martin Luther King, Jr., Day, for birth of the civil rights leader (1929)
1st Monday on or after 26	Australia	Australia Day, for first British settlement (1788)
26	Dominican Republic	Duarte's Day, for birthday of patriot Juan Pablo Duarte (1813)
26	India	Republic Day, for proclamation of the republic (1950)
31	Nauru	Independence Day, for release from Australian trusteeship (1968)
January/February
2nd new moon after winter solstice (earliest January 21; latest February 19)	Chinese	New Year, for Chinese lunar year, inaugurating 10–14-day celebration
Shebat 15	Jewish	Tu bi-Shebat, for Jewish arbour day
February
2	various Christians	Candlemas Day, for presentation of Jesus in the Temple and purification of Mary 40 days after his birth
4	Sri Lanka	Independence and National Day, for independence from Britain (1948)
6	New Zealand	Waitangi Day, or New Zealand Day, for Treaty of Waitangi (1840), granting British sovereignty
7	Grenada	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1974)
11	Iran	Revolution Day, or National Day, for overthrow of the shah (1979)
11	Japan	National Foundation Day, for founding by first emperor (660 BCE)
11	Vatican City	Independence Anniversary, for signing of Lateran Treaty (1929)
12	Myanmar	Union Day, for formation of Union of Myanmar, or Burma (1947)
12 or 1st Monday	various U.S. states	Lincoln's Birthday, for birth of President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12, 1809)
14	various	St. Valentine's Day, celebrating the exchange of love messages and named for either of two 3rd-century Christian martyrs
16	Lithuania	Independence Day, for proclamation of independence (1918)
18	The Gambia	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1965)
21	Bangladesh	Martyrs Day, for martyrs advocating the Bengali language (1952)
3rd Monday	various U.S. states	Presidents' Day, Washington-Lincoln Day, or Washington's Birthday, for birthdays of Presidents George Washington (Feb. 22, 1732) and Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12, 1809)
22	Saint Lucia	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1979)
23	Brunei	Independence Day, or National Day, for independence from Britain (granted Jan. 1, 1984)
23	Guyana	Republic Day, for proclamation of the republic (1970)
24	Estonia	Independence Day, for proclamation of independence (1918)
25	Kuwait	National Day, celebrating accession of Sheikh 'Abdullah al-Salim al-Sabah (1950), under whom came independence from Britain (June 19, 1961)
27	Dominican Republic	Independence Day, for independence from Haiti (1844)
February/March
3 days before Lent	various Christians	Carnival, or Shrovetide, Sunday, Monday, and Tuesday (Mardi Gras) before Ash Wednesday
40 days (except Sundays) before Easter	various Christians	Ash Wednesday, beginning of Lent (lasting until Easter)
Adar 14/15	Jewish	Purim, for Esther's intervention to save Jews of Persia (5th century BCE)
March
1	South Korea	Independence Day, for movement toward independence from Japan (1919)
3	Bulgaria	Liberation Day, for release from Ottoman rule (1878)
3	Morocco	National Day, or Feast of the Throne, for accession of King Hassan II (1961)
6	Ghana	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1957)
8	international	International Women's Day, celebration of the women's liberation movement
8	Syria	Revolution Day, for 1963 revolution
12	Gabon	Renovation Day, for national renewal
12	Lesotho	Mshweshwe's Day, for 19th-century leader of the Sotho
12	Mauritius	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1968)
15	Hungary	National Day, for uprising of 1848
17	Ireland/various	St. Patrick's Day, for patron saint of Ireland
20	Tunisia	Independence Day, for independence from France (1956)
21	Namibia	Independence Day, for independence from South Africa (1990)
21 or 22	Japan	Vernal Equinox Day, for beginning of spring
23	Pakistan	Republic Day, for establishment of the republic (1956)
25	Christian	Feast of the Annunciation, or Lady Day, for the angel Gabriel's announcement to Mary of the coming birth of Jesus
25	Greece	Independence Day, for proclamation of independence from the Ottoman Empire (1821)
26	Bangladesh	Independence Day, for independence from Pakistan (1971)
29	Madagascar	Memorial Day, for martyrs of rebellion against the French (1947)
31	Malta	National Day, or Freedom Day, for independence from Britain (1964)
March/April/May
Nisan 15–22 (earliest March 26–April 2; latest April 25–May 1)	Jewish	Passover, 8-day commemoration of liberation of the Jews from Egyptian bondage (13th century BCE)
Sunday before Easter	various Christians	Palm Sunday, for Jesus' entry into Jerusalem
Friday before Easter	various Christians	Good Friday, for Crucifixion of Jesus Christ
1st Sunday after 1st full moon after anciently calculated vernal equinox (March 21) in Gregorian calendar (earliest March 22; latest April 27)	Western Christians, some Eastern Christians	Easter, for Resurrection of Jesus Christ
1st Sunday after 1st full moon after anciently calculated vernal equinox (March 21) in Julian calendar (earliest April 3; latest May 10, New Style)	most Eastern Christians	Easter, for Resurrection of Jesus Christ
15th day of full moon of Phalguna	Hindu	Holi, spring festival commemorating the burning of the witch Holika
April
1	various	April Fools' Day, or All Fools' Day, day for playing jokes, falling one week after the old New Year's Day of March 25
3	Guinea	Independence Day, or Celebration of the Second Republic, commemorating renewal following Pres. Sékou Touré's death (1984)
4	Hungary	Liberation Day, for liberation from the Nazis (1945)
4	Senegal	National Day, or Independence Day, for completion of agreements with France giving sovereignty (1960)
5	Chinese	Ching Ming, for sweeping tombs and honouring the dead
6	South Africa	Founders' Day, for first settlement of Dutch (1652)
6	Thailand	Chakri Day, for founding of present dynasty by King Rama I (1782–1809)
7	international	World Health Day, for founding of the World Health Organization (1948)
8	Buddhist	Flower Festival, for Buddha's birthday
9	Bolivia	National Day, for popular revolution of 1952
11	Costa Rica	National Heroes' Day, for repelling Nicaraguan invasion (1856)
14	Americas	Pan American Day, for first conference of American states (1890)
14	Chad	Independence Day, for promulgation of constitution (1962)
15	Shinto	Sanno Festival, honouring mountain god Sanno
16	Denmark	Queen Margrethe's Birthday, for queen's birthday (1940)
17	American Samoa	Flag Day, for raising the American flag (1900) and establishing constitutional government (1960)
17	Syria	Independence Day, or National Day, for withdrawal of the French (1946)
18	Zimbabwe	Independence Day, for end to white minority rule (1980)
19	Sierra Leone	Republic Anniversary Day, for founding of the republic (1971)
19	Uruguay	Landing of the 33 Immortals, for return of 33 patriots, leading to independence from Brazil (1825)
19	Venezuela	Declaration of Independence Day and Day of the Indian, for founding of the republic (1830)
21/22	various	Earth Day, for conservation and reclaiming of the natural environment
25	Australia, New Zealand, Samoa, Tonga	ANZAC Day, for landing at Gallipoli (1915)
26	Tanzania	Union Day, for union of Tanganyika and Zanzibar (1964)
27	Sierra Leone	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1961)
27	Togo	Independence Day, for independence from France (1960)
30	various	Walpurgis Night, witches' sabbath, eve of May Day
30	Netherlands	Queen's Birthday, for Queen Beatrix's investiture and former Queen Juliana's birthday
April/May
Iyyar 5	Israel	Independence Day, for establishment of provisional government of Israel (1948)
Nisan 27	Israel	Holocaust Day, commemorating the Nazi Holocaust (1933–45)
1st full moon of month Vishakha	Buddhist	Vesak, for birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha
Vishakha 1	Hindu	Vishakhi, New Year festival
May
1	various	May Day, celebrated as labour day or as festival of flowers
1st Monday	Japan	Constitution Memorial Day, for establishment of democratic government (1947)
3	Poland	Constitution Day, for adoption of first constitution (1794)
5	Japan, South Korea	Children's Day, for honouring children
5	Mexico	Cinco de Mayo, for the defeat of the French at the Battle of Puebla (1867)
5	Thailand	Coronation Day, for crowning of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1946)
8/9	various	V-E Day, or Liberation Day, for end of World War II in Europe (proclaimed to take effect at 12:01 AM, May 9, 1945, Middle European Standard Time)
14	Malawi	Kamuzu Day, for birthday of Pres. H. Kamuzu Banda
14–15	Paraguay	Flag Day and Independence Day, for independence from Spain (May 14, 1811)
2nd Sunday	U.S.	Mother's Day, honouring mothers
17	Nauru	Constitution Day, for constitution amendments and independence from Australia (1968)
17	Norway	Constitution Day, for adoption of constitution (1814)
20	Cameroon	National Day, for independence from France (1960) and declaration of the republic (1972)
3rd Saturday	U.S.	Armed Forces Day, for U.S. armed forces
22	Haiti	Sovereignty and Thanksgiving Day, for Haitian rulers and Haitian customs
22	Sri Lanka	Heroes' Day, for ratification of constitution (1972)
24	Ecuador	Independence Battle Day, or Battle of Pinchincha Day, for independence from Spain (1822)
25	various African countries	African Freedom Day, or OAU Day, for founding of the Organization of African Unity (1963)
25	Argentina	National Day, for revolution against Spain (1810)
25	Jordan	Independence Day, for autonomy from Britain (1946)
last Monday or 30	most U.S. states	Memorial Day, or Decoration Day, in honour of the deceased, especially the war dead
last Monday	U.K.	Spring Bank Holiday, for recreation
31	South Africa	Republic Day, for establishment of the union (1910) and of the republic (1961)
May/June
40th day after Easter	various Christians	Ascension Day, for Jesus Christ's Ascension into heaven
7th Sunday after Easter	various Christians	Pentecost, or Whitsunday, for descent of the Holy Spirit among Christ's disciples, marking the beginning of the Christian mission
1st Sunday after Pentecost	various Christians	Trinity Sunday, in honour of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit
1st Thursday after Trinity Sunday	various Christians	Feast of Corpus Christi, in honour of the Holy Eucharist
Sivan 6/7	Jewish	Shabuoth, for the revelation of the Torah at Sinai
June
1–2	Tunisia	Constitution Day, or Victory Day, for promulgation of constitution (June 1, 1959)
1–3	Western Samoa	Independence Days, for release from New Zealand trusteeship (actual date Jan. 1, 1962)
2	Italy	Anniversary of the Republic, for the referendum establishing the republic (1946)
4	Tonga	Emancipation Day, for release from British protectorship (1970)
5	international	World Environment Day, for environmental concerns worldwide (marking anniversary of first UN Conference on Human Environment, 1972)
5	Denmark	Constitution Day, for two constitutions (1849, 1953)
5	Seychelles	Liberation Day, for change of government (1977)
6	Sweden	National Day, for Gustav I Vasa's ascent to the throne (1523) and adoption of constitution (1809)
10	Portugal	Portugal's Day, or Camões Memorial Day, for birthday of Luis de Camões (1580)
11	Hawaii	King Kamehameha I Day, for the Hawaiian monarch (1758–1819)
12	Philippines	Independence Day, for declaration of independence from Spain (1898)
13	Yemen	Reform Movement Day, for anniversary of 1974 reforms
14	U.S.	Flag Day, for honouring the flag
17	Iceland	Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, for independence from Denmark (1944)
3rd Saturday	U.K.	Queen's Official Birthday, for Queen Elizabeth II (born April 21, 1926)
3rd Sunday	U.S.	Father's Day, honouring fathers
23	Luxembourg	National Day, for Grand Duke Jean's official birthday (born Jan. 5, 1921)
23–24	various European	Midsummer Eve and Midsummer Day, for celebrating the return of summer
24	Zaire	Day of Fishers, for fishermen and for adoption of constitution (1967) and currency
25	Mozambique	Independence Day, for independence from Portugal (1975)
26	Madagascar	Independence Day, for independence from France (1960)
26	Somalia	Independence Day, for agreement on Italian Somaliland's release from Italian trusteeship and British Somaliland's independence from Britain (1960)
27	Djibouti	Independence Day, for independence from France (1977)
29	Seychelles	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1976)
final Sunday	international	Gay and Lesbian Pride Day, final day of weeklong advocacy of rights of homosexuals
July
1	Burundi	Independence Day, for independence from Belgium (1962)
1	Canada	Canada Day, or Dominion Day, for establishment of dominion (1867)
1	Ghana	Republic Day, for proclamation of republic (1960)
1	Rwanda	Independence Day, for independence from Belgium (1962)
1	Somalia	Union Day, for merger of Italian and British territories into new republic (1960)
1	Suriname	Day of Freedom, for abolition of slavery (1863)
3	Algeria	Independence Day, for independence from France (1962)
4	U.S.	Independence Day, for passage of Declaration of Independence from Britain (1776)
5	Cabo Verde	Independence Day, for independence from Portugal (1975)
5	Venezuela	Independence Day, for independence from Spain (1811)
6	Comoros	Independence Day, for independence from France (1975)
6	Malawi	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1964) and proclamation of republic (1966)
7	Solomon Islands	Independence Day, or National Day, for independence from Britain (1978)
9	Argentina	Independence Day, for independence from Spain (1816)
9	South Sudan	Independence Day, for independence from Sudan (2011)
10	The Bahamas	National Day, for independence from Britain (1973)
11–12	Mongolia	National Days, for revolution against China (1921)
12	Northern Ireland	Orangemen's Day, or Orange Day, anniversary of the Battle of the Boyne (1690)
12	Kiribati	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1979)
12	Sao Tome and Principe	Anniversary of National Independence, for independence from Portugal (1975)
14	France	Bastille Day, for fall of the Bastille and onset of the French Revolution (1789)
14	Iraq	Revolution Day, for revolution of 1958 ending the monarchy
15	Brunei	Sultan's Birthday, for birthday of Sultan Hassanal Bolkiah
17	Iraq	17th of July Revolution Day, for revolution of 1968
17	South Korea	Constitution Day, for adoption of constitution (1963)
18	Uruguay	Constitution Day, for adoption of constitution (1951)
19	Myanmar (Burma)	Martyrs' Day, for assassination of Aung San and compatriots (1947)
20	Colombia	Independence Day, for independence from Spain (1819)
21	Belgium	National Day, for separation from the Netherlands (1831)
22	Poland	National Liberation Day, for liberation from the Nazis (1944) and enactment of constitution (1952)
23	Egypt	Anniversary of the Revolution, for end of monarchy (1952)
24	various South American countries	Bolívar's Birthday, for birthday of Simón Bolívar (1783)
25	Puerto Rico	Commonwealth Day, or Constitution Day, for proclamation of constitution (1952)
25	Tunisia	Republic Day, for proclamation of the republic (1957)
25–27	Cuba	National Revolutionary Festival, in commemoration of Fidel Castro's 26th of July Movement, founded 1953
26	Liberia	Independence Day, for establishment of Liberia (1847)
26–27	Maldives	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1965)
28–29	Peru	Independence Days, for independence from Spain (1821)
30	Vanuatu	Independence Day, for independence from Britain and France (1980)
July/August
mid-July or mid-August	Buddhist	Bon Festival, lighting of lanterns in honour of ancestors
August
1	Benin	National Day, for independence from France (1960)
1	Switzerland	Anniversary of the Founding of the Swiss Confederation (1291)
2	Trinidad and Tobago	Discovery Day, for discovery by Christopher Columbus (1498)
3	Guinea-Bissau	Martyrs' Day, for martyrs of colonialism
3	Niger	Independence Day, for independence from France (1960)
4	Burkina Faso	Anniversary of the Revolution, for independence from France (Aug. 5, 1960)
6	Bolivia	Independence Day, for independence from Spain (1825)
6	Japan	Hiroshima Day, for dropping of atomic bomb (1945)
1st Monday	The Bahamas	Emancipation Day, for freeing of slaves (1838)
1st Monday	Jamaica	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (Aug. 6, 1962)
9	Singapore	National Day, for independence from Malaysia (1965)
10	Ecuador	Independence Day, for independence from Spain (1809)
11	Chad	Independence Day, for independence from France (1960)
11	Jordan	King's Accession Day, for accession to throne by King Hussein (1952)
11–12	Zimbabwe	Heroes' Day, for national heroes
13	Central African Republic	Proclamation of Independence Day, for independence from France (1960)
13–15	Congo (Brazzaville)	Three Glorious Days, for independence from France (Aug. 15, 1960)
14	Pakistan	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1947)
15	various Christians	Assumption Day, for Virgin Mary's Assumption into heaven
15	India	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1947)
15	South Korea	Independence Day, for liberation from Japan (1945) and proclamation of the republic (1948)
16	Dominican Republic	Restoration Day, for establishment of the first democratic government (1963)
16–18	Gabon	Independence Anniversary, for independence from France (Aug. 17, 1960)
17	Argentina	San Martín Day, for death of patriot José de San Martín (1850)
17	Indonesia	Independence Day, for proclamation of independence from the Netherlands (1945)
19	Afghanistan	Independence Day, for signing of the Treaty of Rawalpindi (1919)
23–24	Romania	National Holidays, for switch from Axis to Allied allegiance (1944)
25	Paraguay	Constitution Day, for adoption of constitution (1967)
25	Uruguay	Independence Day, for independence from Brazil (1825)
30	Peru	St. Rose of Lima Day, feast day of native-born saint
31	Malaysia	Merdeka Day, or National Day, for independence from Britain (1957)
31	Trinidad and Tobago	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1962)
last Monday	Hong Kong	Liberation Day, for liberation from Japan (1945)
last Monday	U.K.	Late Summer Holiday, for recreation
August/September
Bhadrapada 4	Hindu	Ganesa-caturthi, or Ganesh Chaturthi, festival honouring the elephant-headed god Ganesa and the independence leader Balgangadhar Tilak
full-moon day of 8th lunar month	Korea	Chuseok, harvest festival
September
1	Libya	National Day, or Revolution Day, for overthrow of monarchy and formation of the republic (1969)
2–3	Vietnam	Independence Days, for Ho Chi Minh's proclamation of independence (Sept. 2, 1945)
3	Qatar	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1971)
6	Swaziland	Sobhuza Day, for independence from Britain (1968), named in honour of the 19th-century founder King Sobhuza I
7	Brazil	Independence Day, for independence from Portugal (1822)
1st Monday	U.S., Canada	Labor Day, tribute to workers
9	North Korea	Independence Day, for founding of democratic republic (1948)
9–10	Bulgaria	National Days, or Liberation Days, for liberation from the Nazis (1944)
10	Belize	National Day, or St. George's Day, for victory against Spain (1798)
11	Pakistan	Jinnah Day, anniversary of death of founder Mohammed Ali Jinnah (1948)
12	Cabo Verde	National Day, for independence from Portugal (1974)
12	Ethiopia	National Revolution Day, for deposition of Emperor Haile Selassie (1974)
12	Saudi Arabia	National Day, celebrating national progress
14	Nicaragua	Battle of San Jacinto Day, for defeat of invaders under William Walker (1856)
15	Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua	Independence Day, for Central American independence from Spain (1821)
15	Japan	Respect-for-the-Aged Day, for the elderly
16	Mexico	Independence Day, for call for independence from Spain (1821)
16	Papua New Guinea	Independence Day, for release from Australian trusteeship (1975)
16	Singapore	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1963)
17	Angola	National Hero Day, for revolts against Portugal (1961–62) and civil war (1975)
18–19	Chile	Independence Day and Armed Forces Day, for independence from Spain (1818) and for armed forces
19	Saint Kitts and Nevis	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1983)
21	Belize	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1981)
21	Malta	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1964)
22	Mali	Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, for independence from France (1960)
23	Saudi Arabia	Unification of the Kingdom, for unification of the country (1932)
23 or 24	Japan	Autumnal Equinox Day, for beginning of autumn; in honour of ancestors
24	Guinea-Bissau	Independence Day, for proclamation of independence from Portugal (1973)
26	Yemen	National Day, for proclamation of the republic (1962)
29	Brunei	Constitution Day, for promulgation of the constitution (1959)
29	various Christians	Michaelmas, for celebration of the archangel Michael
30–Oct. 1	Botswana	Independence Days, or Botswana Days, for independence from Britain (Sept. 30, 1966)
September/October
Tishri 1 or 2	Jewish	Rosh Hashana, new year's day initiating a 10-day period of penance and prayer
Tishri 10	Jewish	Yom Kippur, day of atonement and collective purification
Tishri 15	Jewish	Sukkoth, harvest festival and time of thanksgiving
two weeks ending on 1st Sunday in October	Germany	Oktoberfest, festival of food and drink, formerly commemorating the marriage of King Louis (Ludwig) I on Oct. 17, 1810
October
1	Nigeria	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1960) and the establishment of the republic (1963)
1–2	China	National Days, for proclamation of the people's republic (Oct. 1, 1949)
1–2	Tuvalu	Tuvalu Days, for independence from Britain (Oct. 1, 1978)
2	Guinea	Anniversary of Guinean Independence, for independence from France (1958)
2	India	Mahatma Gandhi's Birthday, for nationalist Mohandas K. Gandhi (born 1869)
3	Germany	Day of German Unity, for reunification of Germany (1990)
3	South Korea	Foundation Day, for legendary founding of Korea in 2333 BCE
4	Lesotho	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1966)
5	Portugal	Republic Day, for founding of the republic
6	Egypt	Armed Forces Day, for Egyptian crossing of Suez in invasion of Sinai (1973)
9	Uganda	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1962)
10	Fiji	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1970)
10	Japan	Sports Day, or Physical Education Day, commemorating Tokyo Olympics of 1964
12 or 2nd Monday	Spain/various	Hispanic Day, Columbus Day, Discovery Day, or Day of the Race, for Christopher Columbus's discovery of the New World on behalf of Spain (1492)
12	Equatorial Guinea	Independence Day, for independence from Spain (1968)
2nd Monday	Canada	Thanksgiving Day, harvest festival
20	Kenya	Kenyatta Day, honouring nationalist Jomo Kenyatta (c. 1894–1978)
21	Marshall Islands	Independence Day, for release from U.S. trusteeship (1986)
21–22	Somalia	Revolution Days, for revolution of 1969
22	Vatican City	Anniversary of the Installation of Pope John Paul II, for beginning of pontificate (1978)
24	international	United Nations Day, for effective date of UN Charter (1945)
24	Zambia	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1964)
25	Taiwan	Restoration Day, for release from Japanese occupation (after 50 years) and return to Chinese control (1945)
26	Austria	National Day, for end of postwar occupation and return of sovereignty (1955)
27	Saint Vincent and the Grenadines	Thanksgiving and Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1979)
29	Turkey	Anniversary of the Declaration of the Republic, for establishment of the republic (1923)
31	various	Halloween, or All Hallows' Eve, festive celebration of ghosts and spirits, on eve of All Saints' Day
October/November
Asvina 13–Kartika 2	Hindu	Diwali, festival of lights honouring Lakshmi, goddess of wealth
November
1	various Christians	All Saints' Day, or All Hallows' Day, celebrating all saints
1	Algeria	Anniversary of the Revolution, for beginning of the revolution against France (1954)
1	Antigua and Barbuda	National Day, for independence from Britain (1981)
2	various Christians	All Souls' Day, Memorial Day, or Day of the Dead, paying respect to the dead
2–3	Dominica	Independence Days, for independence from Britain (Nov. 3, 1978)
3	Panama	Independence Day, for independence from Colombia (1903)
3	Japan	Culture Day, for cultural activities, originally commemorating Emperor Meiji's birthday (1852)
5	Britain	Guy Fawkes Day, anniversary of the Gunpowder Plot (1605) to blow up the king and Parliament
1st Tuesday after 1st Monday	U.S.	Election Day, for general and presidential elections
11	various countries	Armistice Day, Remembrance Day, or Veterans Day, honouring participants in past wars and recalling the Armistice of World War I (Nov. 11, 1918)
11	Angola	Independence Day, for independence from Portugal (1975)
11	Poland	Independence Day, for rebirth of Poland (1918)
11–12	Maldives	Republic Days, for founding of the republic (1953, 1968)
12	Taiwan	Sun Yat-sen's Birthday, for the republican patriot (1866)
15	Brazil	Proclamation of the Republic, for overthrow of the emperor (1899)
18	Latvia	Independence Day, for proclamation of independence (1918)
18–20	Oman	National Days, honouring the sultan and the nation's heritage
19	Monaco	Prince Rainier Day, in honour of Rainier III (acceded May 5, 1949)
22	Lebanon	Independence Day, for independence from France (1941–46)
23	Japan	Labour Thanksgiving Day, honouring workers
24	Zaire	Anniversary of New Regime, for beginning of a new government (1964)
25	Suriname	Independence Day, for independence from the Netherlands (1975)
28	Mauritania	Independence Day, for independence from France (1960)
28	Panama	Independence Day, for independence from Spain (1821)
28–29	Albania	Independence and Liberation Days, for independence from Turkey (1912) and liberation in World War II (1944)
4th Thursday	U.S.	Thanksgiving Day, harvest festival
30	Barbados	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1966)
December
1	Central African Republic	Anniversary of the Proclamation of the Republic, for independence from France (1958)
1	Romania	National Day, for reunification of Romanian territories (1918)
2	Laos	National Day, for establishment of the people's republic (1975)
2	United Arab Emirates	National Day, for independence from Britain (1971)
5	Thailand	King's Birthday, for birthday of King Bhumibol Adulyadej (1927)
6	Finland	Independence Day, for independence from Russia (1917)
6	Netherlands	St. Nicholas Day, for celebration of the saint and young children
7	Côte d'Ivoire	Independence Day, for independence from France (1960)
9	Tanzania	Independence and Republic Day, for independence from Britain (1961) and the establishment of the republic (1962)
12	Kenya	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1963)
12	Mexico	Fiesta of Our Lady of Guadalupe, commemorating the appearance of the Blessed Virgin to an Indian convert (1531)
13	Malta	Republic Day, for establishment of the republic (1974)
16	Bahrain	Independence Day, for independence from Britain (1971)
16	Bangladesh	Victory Day, for independence from Pakistan (1971)
17	Bhutan	National Day, for national consciousness
18	Niger	Republic Day, for independence from France (1960)
23	Japan	Emperor's Birthday, for birthday of Emperor Akihito (1933)
25	most Christians	Christmas, celebration of the birth of Jesus Christ
25	Taiwan	Constitution Day, for adoption of constitution of Republic of China (1946)
26	various countries	Boxing Day, second day of Christmas, for giving presents to service people
26	central Europe	St. Stephen's Day, feast day of first Christian martyr
28	Nepal	King's Birthday, birthday of King Birendra Bir Bikham Shah Deva (1945)
31	various countries	New Year's Eve, celebration ushering out the old year and in the new year
December/January
Kislev 25–Tebet 2/3	Jewish	Hanukkah, eight-day commemoration of Maccabean victory over the Syrians and rededication of the Temple of Jerusalem (165 BCE)
Muslim year*
Rabi' 1		Muhammad's Birthday (12 Rabi' 1, c. 570 CE)
Ramadan		Fast of Ramadan, monthlong fasting and other abstentions from dawn to dusk
Ramadan 29/30– Shawwal 3		Festival of Fast Breaking, feasting with the end of the Fast of Ramadan
Dhu al-Hijjah 10–13		The Great Festival, inaugurating the pilgrimage to Mecca and observing animal sacrifices

This article was most recently revised and updated by Amy Tikkanen.