What are your country's national day celebrations like? (home, live)
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By "national day" I mean your main patriotic holiday.
The USA has several such holidays (including Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, and Presidents' Day) but the main one is, of course, Independence Day. Celebrated on July 4th, it marks the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. For most people, it's a day off work (which is ALWAYS on the 4th, unlike other holidays that move around the calendar). It is typically marked by parades, barbecues, and of course fireworks. Some places hold free outdoor concerts, most notably in Boston where the traditional concert by the Boston Pops always features Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture -- complete with the sound of actual church bells from nearby towers. Rather ironic, since it celebrates a victory against the French, who of course were on the side of the US during the war of independence...
In the Netherlands, where I lived for 3 years, the big patriotic holiday was Queen's Day at the end of April. It has now been renamed to King's Day, but either way it involves big street parties and lots of people dressed up in orange.
Previously I lived in Belgium, whose national day on July 21 is marked by a day off and a military parade in Brussels; I attended it once and found it rather quaint.
I also happened to be in Australia once on Australia Day, but I missed the party because I was flying out that morning. One of you Aussies will have to fill us in.
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I know that in France they celebrate Bastille Day on July 14th, in Israel they celebrate the Israeli Independence Day according to a lunar calendar so that date varies somewhere between late April to mid-May, in England they celebrate Guy Fawkes Day on Nov. 5th, in China they celebrate National Day of the People's Republic of China on October 1st and in Australia there is ANZAC Day which is the Memorial Day for their fallen soldiers.
By "national day" I mean your main patriotic holiday.
The USA has several such holidays (including Memorial Day, Veterans' Day, and Presidents' Day) but the main one is, of course, Independence Day. Celebrated on July 4th, it marks the day in 1776 when the Declaration of Independence was signed. For most people, it's a day off work (which is ALWAYS on the 4th, unlike other holidays that move around the calendar). It is typically marked by parades, barbecues, and of course fireworks. Some places hold free outdoor concerts, most notably in Boston where the traditional concert by the Boston Pops always features Tchaikovsky's 1812 Overture -- complete with the sound of actual church bells from nearby towers. Rather ironic, since it celebrates a victory against the French, who of course were on the side of the US during the war of independence...
In the Netherlands, where I lived for 3 years, the big patriotic holiday was Queen's Day at the end of April. It has now been renamed to King's Day, but either way it involves big street parties and lots of people dressed up in orange.
Previously I lived in Belgium, whose national day on July 21 is marked by a day off and a military parade in Brussels; I attended it once and found it rather quaint.
I also happened to be in Australia once on Australia Day, but I missed the party because I was flying out that morning. One of you Aussies will have to fill us in.
Sounds a lot like Australia Day. They also have the Australia day Awards, and hold large citizenship ceremonies Across the Country on Australia day.
12 June --- Dia Independencia de Filipinas ( Philippine Independence Day ). It is not only celebrated in the Philippines but celebrated everywhere in the world where Filipino communites are. Abroad, Filipino communities gather together and wear traditional Filipino clothes. The Party starts with the Philippine National Anthem followed by Different Filipino Dances from different regions of the Philippines then followed by Parlour games for entertainment and ends with Potluck lunch or dinner brought by every one.
IMG]http://i41.tinypic.com/2zjg6tf.jpg[/IMG]
30 Junio--- Dia de la Amistad Hispano- Filipino (Spanish - Filipino Friendship Day ).
04 July--- Philippine American friendship Day
30 December --- Rizal Day ( Philippine National Hero )
Spain: 12th October. Anniversary of discoverment of Americas by Columbus.
The main celebration is a militar parade in Madrid, militars and the navy show their militar clothing, weapons, airplanes, tanks, the legions's goat etc. lol Royal family members are there of course.
Apart from that a normal bank holiday, in Latin America it is also bank holiday this day if I am not wrong, also called DÃa de la Raza.
The national day in Finland is on 6 December, the day of declaring independence. It's mostly a day of relaxation and being home watching the President's independence ball. Last year 2.2 million watched it, me included. As the day is during the darkest and gloomiest time of the year, people just spend time with friends and family, light candles on war veterans' graves and watch current event TV shows about "what does the independence mean to you?". Maybe a document about past years. A military parade, each year in a different city, is held during the day. One of the few festivities in Finland where alcohol is not usually included.
If the independence day would be like on 6 July, the celebration would be totally different...
Here's from the last year's parade, probably joining the Norwegian forces...
Australia Day, 26th of January, the date when the First Fleet arrived and founded Australia, is a huge deal here. The main event is the fireworks display. In Perth, up to half a million people watch it. It lasts about 20 minutes or so. They will often arrive early in the day, to have a barbie, soak up the sun, drink and play sports. As mentioned the 'Australian of the Year' is also announced. Some have protested by calling it 'Invasion Day' for obvious reasons.
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One of you Aussies will have to fill us in.
