José Martí’s Birthday
Wednesday, January 28, 2026
In 1853, Birth of. José MartíJosé Martí is born on January 28 in Havana, Cuba, marking the beginning of a life that would shape the course of Cuban history
History
Birth of José MartíJosé Martí is born on January 28 in Havana, Cuba, marking the beginning of a life that would shape the course of Cuban history
How It's Celebrated
José Martí’s Birthday 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.
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View all →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.
Good Friday
Easter is regarded as the most important of holy days by Christians, and in Tonga it is celebrated with two holidays on Good Friday and Easter Monday. The date of the holiday changes each year based on the centuries-old calculations that determine the Christian Ecclesiastical Calendar, such that the date of Easter Sunday can be anytime between 22 March and 25 April. Easter is a festive, but somewhat low-key time of year in Tonga. People are off work and out of school for a while, and they are glad to catch up with family and friends. The large majority of the population in Tonga follows Christianity, though there is a very diverse mix of denominations. Many will attend a special church service and program for Palm Sunday, Good Friday, late on Holy Saturday, or early on Easter Sunday. Most people use Easter Monday as a time to relax and prepare to get back into their ordinary routine next day. It isn’t surprising that Tonga’s sunny, sandy beaches and crystal-blue waters are crowded on Easter Weekend. But less obvious activities many engage in include picnics and sports.
Independence Day
Mauritania became an independent nation by on 28 November 1960 by declaration of its “Constituent Assembly”. Independence Day is celebrated on this date each year to remember this important historic event. In 2026, Independence Day falls on Saturday 28 November. The holiday will be on Sunday 28 November in 2027. Although Berbers and other tribes had lived in the region for as long as anyone can remember, there was no “Mauritania” as such before the arrival of the French colonialists. They essentially created a new colony that incorporated the lands of numerous local tribes in the region into one “new country”. France colonised what is now Mauritania to block the expansion of Spanish Morocco and to create a “land bridge” between French Algeria and French West Africa. Their conquest of the area began at Adar and moved inland. After the French established a new constitution in 1958, they had hoped that Mauritania might remain within the “French Community” even if they opted for independence. But instead, the country fully left being under French influence by 1960. After independence, Morocco tried to oppose them or dominate them, but Mauritania successfully resisted.
Independence Day Holiday
Every July 26th, Maldives celebrates its complete independence. In 2026, Independence Day falls on Sunday 26 July. The holiday will be on Monday 26 July in 2027. This celebration highlights parades held by the National Security Services as well as the National Cadet Corps and other performances by colourfully dressed school children. Southwest of Sri Lanka and just north of the Equator is the country of Maldives, a conglomerate of islands under the same flag. Maldives, like many countries around the world, used to be held under the power of the British Empire. It wasn’t until 1887 that Maldives managed to become a British Protectorate. All this status did for Maldives was keep the British from interfering with their internal affairs. However, should Maldives want to do anything foreign, the British had to be consulted before action could be taken. In return for Maldives’s cooperation, the British promised to protect the country. Finally, on July 26th, 1965, Maldives was able to gain full independence. Independence for Maldives was significant because it enabled the country to seize control over its own economy and develop itself as it pleased. When the Prime Minister Ibrahim Nasir signed the agreement for independence with the British, the population in Maldives was merely 97,743. Both Sri Lanka and India, nearby countries under the same colonial power, had managed to gain independence from Britain at the conclusion of the World War. Maldives was particularly moved to seek this independence after three southern atolls were claimed as part of a brief Suvadive Republic between 1959 and 1963. Within two months of being granted this independence, Maldives gained membership at the United Nations (September 21, 1965). The country’s flag was then raised at the headquarters on the 12th of October 12, 1965. If you were to visit Maldives in July, you would be promised a show on the 26th. Every year, the country celebrates its Independence Day with a series of festivities held in on the island of Male’. The entire country is very much connected through a series of ferries, and most events you can expect to encounter on Independence Day will be held at Republic Square in the heart of the Male’ Island. Here are a few things that are promised each year during these festivities at the Square: Although the country is not very large or populated, and although the island Male’ is even smaller, these festivities are a regular show come Independence Day in Maldives. You can bank on seeing a number of performances by the local youth as well as the parades led by a variety of groups. One of the favorite instruments of the Maldivians is a bulbul, an instrument that is similar to an accordion but which is held horizontally. There is also the Bodu Beru, or “Big Drum”, which has possible African roots. This is an interesting bit of culture as most of the Maldivian language and lifestyle seems to be derived from a North Indian origin. Exposure to this festive side of the culture in Maldives on Independence Day is a rapid way to learn what it’s like to be Maldivian. If you plan to be traveling in this corner of the world during the summer, stopping in Maldives to see the Independence Day festivals and parades at Republic Square will surely be a good use of your time!