International Students Day
Tuesday, November 17, 2026
Demonstration in Prague. Students from the University of Prague staged a demonstration against the Nazi occupation which resulted in numerous student deaths and the closing of Czech universities
History
Student Demonstration in Prague. Students from the University of Prague staged a demonstration against the Nazi occupation which resulted in numerous student deaths and the closing of Czech universities
How It's Celebrated
International Students Day is observed by recognizing the importance of the day, learning about its background and significance, and sharing awareness with others through conversation and social media. Many people take time to reflect on the meaning of the observance and participate in relevant activities or community events.
Other Years
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The people of the Netherlands do not just celebrate Christmas on December 25. Christmas celebrations here begin on December 5, the eve of the feast of St. Nicholas In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. The saint was a bishop in the fourth century. One story about him claims he inherited money from his wealthy parents and used his wealth to help the poor. One legend tells how he helped a needy family. The three young girls in the family were unable to get married because their parents were too poor to provide dowries. St. Nicholas heard of their misfortune and dropped a bag of gold down their chimney to pay for the girls’ dowries. St. Nicholas’ generosity is commemorated in the Netherlands today. He is known as Sinterklaas, and he is credited with giving presents to children on December 5. Sinterklaas lives in Spain, and he arrives in Amsterdam by boat on December 5. He rides a white horse in a parade through the streets. Children put carrots and hay for the horse in their shoes. They leave their shoes near a fireplace or on a windowsill. Sinterklaas leaves presents in their shoes. December 5 is also a night for parties to celebrate St. Nicholas Day. Children receive presents from Sinterklaas at these parties. Other activities at the parties include games and treasure hunts. Biscuits made with marzipan or cinnamon are served for refreshments. The Netherlands’ Christmas celebration continues through the month of December. Houses are decorated with evergreens. People put up trees in their homes decorated with candles, bells and ribbons. Trees are put up in the city squares and decorated. Streets are adorned with strings of lights shaped like stars or bells. Food stalls in the streets sell seasonal sweet treats such as oliebollen and appelflappen. Oliebollen are similar to donuts, and appelflappen are apple beignets. People can hear Christmas music played in the streets. Red and green decorations are used in department stores. Children receive most of their presents during the celebrations of St. Nicholas Day, so Christmas Day is usually spent enjoying the company of family and eating. Children might hang up stockings and receive a few more presents. Some people attend church on Christmas Eve or Christmas. Christmas Day may begin with a brunch of smoked salmon and fancy rolls. The last meal of the day is a dinner that may include pork, goose or game meats. Special dishes served for these meals include kerststol for brunch and gourmetten for dinner. Kerststol is a loaf with fruits. Gourmetten is made by placing a small grill on the table. People can grill small pieces of meat and vegetables. The day ends with people gathering around the fireplace to sing carols and tell stories. This day is known as First Christmas Day in the Netherlands. December 26 is Second Christmas Day. People dine on leftovers or go out to eat. They may attend concerts. If the weather permits, they might spend time in an outdoor activity such as ice skating.
Christmas Day
Christmas in New Caledonia is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world. This Christian festivity commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is part of a 22-28 day season in the Christian calendar known as Advent. In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. Christmas Day and the Christmas season are a busy time of year in New Caledonia. This is one of the main tourist seasons on the island with many from Australia, New Zealand, and France coming here while the kids are out of school. About half in New Caledonia are Catholic and often go to mass all night on the day before Christmas. They seek to welcome Christmas morning while joyfully remembering the day that Christ was born. Many Protestants and Evangelicals in New Caledonia go to church on Christmas Day or the Sunday nearest to Christmas to celebrate the birth of the Saviour. The capital city of Noumea is lit up like a Christmas tree for the holidays each year. The city centre is the brightest spot, including Coconut Palm Square, the capital complex, and the Noumea Museum. Both palm trees and buildings are decked out with multi-coloured lights for the occasion.
Christmas Eve
Christmas Eve, Christmas Day, and Saint Stephen’s Day (the day after Christmas) are all significant days in Finland. Many Finns will take off 24 December through 1 January to spend time with family. In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. The biggest day of the season in Finland, is not Christmas Day but Christmas Eve. By early afternoon on Christmas Eve, most shops and other businesses will shut down, and public transport will even be hard to find. Sometime during the evening, the Biblical Christmas Story, from Luke’s Gospel, will likely be read. The youngest child who knows how to read normally is assigned the role. After dinner, “Joulupukki,” the Finnish version of Old Saint Nick, arrives and gives presents. The name “Joulupukki” is literally rendered “Christmas Goat.” This is because a goat used to frighten people and demand they hand over their presents in earlier Finnish Christmas tradition, but then Joulupukki had a change of heart and started giving out presents instead. He never lost his original name, however. On Christmas Day, most people just relax at home and recover from the previous night’s business. Others, however, get up early, attend Christmas morning church services, and rest at home later. On 26 December, Saint Stephen’s Day, people visit relatives, maybe even some who live far away or whom they have not seen for some time. It is also common to go ice skating or skiing on Saint Stephen’s Day.
Christmas Holiday
Christmas in Samoa is celebrated with a public holiday every 25 December, as it is in a majority of countries around the world. This Christian festivity commemorates the birth of Jesus, and is part of a 22-28 day season in the Christian calendar known as Advent. In 2026, Christmas falls on Friday 25 December. The holiday will be on Saturday 25 December in 2027. Samoa is a predominantly Christian nation and one of the few in the world that calls itself a Christian Nation in its own constitution. Unsurprisingly, then, Christmas Day is a major holiday in this South Pacific island country. Attending church on Christmas Day or Christmas Eve is traditional in Samoa. There are a wide range of denominations present, including Congregationalist, Roman Catholic, Methodist, Charismatic, and others. But all of them celebrate the birth of the Messiah, Jesus, who came into the world to save sinners. At church, at home, or on the street, you will likely be told to have a “fiafia” Christmas, the Samoan word for “merry”. You may see some people dancing for Christmas too. Traditional dances like the “siva” and “sasa” are a part of the “fa’asamoa”, meaning the Samoan way of life. Christmas is deemed the perfect time to combine Christianity with a Samoan traditional culture that is over 3,000 years old.