Holiday A Day

Hello and welcome to Holiday a Day, your daily dose of Holidays, festivals, celebrations and remembrances from around the world.   I am your host Jeffrey Johnson   On July 13th 2014 we recognize   Ireland’s National Day of Commemoration which is held on the Sunday closest to July 11th   This is the day when ceremonies take place to honor those who have died in service of Ireland.  First held in 1985, it replaced several other days that were used to remember those who died in different armed conflict throughout Irelands history.  With Ireland being such a new country (fully independent in 1931) and there being opposition to that independence as well as the Irish Civil war, people objected to the different dates for various reasons.  July 11th was chosen since it was the date of the signing of the truce ending the Irish War of Independence.   The ceremony  has both military and religious elements, starting with an interfaith service with members of Christian denominations, Jewish and Islamic faiths.  Then ther

Hello and welcome to Holiday a Day, your daily dose of Holidays, festivals, celebrations and remembrances from around the world.   I am your host Jeffrey Johnson   On July 12th 2014 we celebrate   Independence Day for Independent and Sovereign Republic of Kiribati   In 1979 Kiribati gained it's independence from Great Britain. An island nation in the south pacific straddling the equator it is also the furthest east of all the countries as it is next to the International Date line.  Actually prior to 1995 it straddled the IDL so that government offices could only work with other offices 4 days a week since it was the weekend in the eastern most part when the western part was Friday.   Happy Independence Day Kiribati!   We also celebrate   Independence Day for the Democratic Republic of São Tomé and Príncipe   In 1975 this small island nation in the Gulf of Guinea, near the equator, received it's independence from Portugal. It was one of the first African nations to embrace democratic reform in the 1990s.  Ori

Hello and welcome to Holiday a Day, your daily dose of Holidays, festivals, celebrations and remembrances from around the world.   I am your host Jeffrey Johnson   Today is July 11th 2014 and we are celebrating   Maritime Day of China - This is the day when China's greatest sea captain, Zheng He, sailed west some 609 years ago. The ships of China will fly colorful flags and whistle today to mark the event.  Each year there are different themes that will have different events associated with the theme.   So happy Maritime Day China!   So this is all I have for today so if I have missed anything or if you think I might miss a holiday let me know at holidayaday@gmail.com or on twitter @holidayaday.   And remember to have a great day because there is a holiday out there somewhere.

Hello and welcome to Holiday a Day, your daily dose of Holidays, festivals, celebrations and remembrances from around the world.   I am your host Jeffrey Johnson   Today is July 10th 2014 and we are celebrating   Independance day in The Bahamas.  An island nation in the Caribbean which got it's independence from Great Britain in 1973.  Leading up to the 10th are days of festivals throughout the country and culminating with fireworks on the night of the 10th. So Happy Independence Day The Bahamas.   Also today is   Nikola Tesla Day (A Day of Science in the World).  ON July 10th 1856 Tesla was born, a contemporary with the more famous Thomas Edison he was an inventor who studied electricity.  Many have credited him with being more intelligent and imaginative in his inventions but he did not do nearly as well as a business man.  While this is not an official holiday anywhere there is an initiative to establish an International Tesla day by the United Nations.  So Happy Nikola Tesla Day.   So this is all I have