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Happy birthday, sayang. May all your wishes come true. Hoping your day filled with joy and hapiness always. I love you so much adek. Thank u for everything, I always feel lucky to know and meet u in this world. Enjoy your special day oke?

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PARAGRAPH II — thank you for being there.

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PARAGRAPH II — thank you for being there.

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Benar dengan Nona Viseca? Adrian disini.

Sayangku, terimakasih sudah ada di sisi abang. Terimakasih untuk semuanya sayang. Abang sangat cinta kamu. Terimakasih karna adek gak sekedar beri abang harapan, tapi juga mewujudkannya. Terimakasih sudah menerima abang sampai kita bisa bersama seperti sekarang ini. Abang sangat sangat mencintai kamu. Abang sayang kamu sepenuhnya, dek. Maaf perilaku abang kasar dan emosian. Maaf abang belum cukup baik untuk kamu. Abang akan berusaha untuk berubah lagi dek. Abang ingin jadi lebih baik lagi buat kamu. Sayang, abang cuma ingin kamu tahu bahwa hati abang ini milikmu. Pikiran abang dipenuhi adek, tak ada waktu memilah milih orang lain. Tak ada waktu menghabiskan momen hangat dengan orang lain. Semua abang lakukan bersama adek. Hal hal kecil yang kita lakuin bareng, bertukar kabar atau sekedar melontarkan candaan. Abang suka melakukan apapun asal bersama kamu. Abang cuma punya kamu dek. You already own me, Viseca. Abang harap bersamaan dengan hari spesial ini, hari lahir kamu. Abang berharap kamu sama sama mengerti, memahami hati dan pikiran abang. Abang memaklumi adek yang overthinking, takut kehilangan abang. Abang cuma pengen adek yakin sama perasaan sendiri dan perasaan abang juga. I love you Viseca. Abang gak akan pernah bosen mengucapkan itu, abang cinta kamu. Semoga waktu kita ke depan lebih baik lagi. Berharap tahun ini lancar dan bahagia untuk adek, jangan pernah sedih ya sayang. Abang ada buat kamu. Kita saling support ya sayang? Semangat sayangku.

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Israel - Yom Hazikaron and yom hashoah (Late april-early may)

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Israel - Yom Hazikaron and yom hashoah (Late april-early may)

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Israel recognizes two days of remembrance. Yom Hazikaron commemorates those who died in combat in the service of establishing an independent Jewish state in Israel.

Yom Hashoah is a date of remembrance for the 6 million Jews lost in the Holocaust.

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Cambodia - Victory over Genocide Day (7 Jan)

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Cambodia - Victory over Genocide Day (7 Jan)

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Honors the day when the Cambodian people, with help from Vietnam, reclaimed their country from the Khmer Rouge in 1979. Over 2 million Cambodians lost their lives during the Khmer Rouge reign.

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Victory over Genocide Day

When is Victory over Genocide Day?

This national holiday is always celebrated annually on January 7th. Also known as Cambodian Victory Day, it marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979.

History of Victory over Genocide Day

During the Vietnam war, Cambodia was a base for communist forces, and at the end of that conflict, an offshoot from the Vietnam People's Army called the Khmer Rouge (Red Khmer) took power in 1975.

Mixing the ideology of communism and the Ankor Empire, they implemented extreme communist policies, enforcing strict self-sufficiency and taking children from parents, so they could be indoctrinated in communism.

An aim of the Khmer Rouge was to return Cambodia to a purely agricultural society. To implement this, many Cambodians were forced to leave the cities to work on labour camps.

It is estimated that around two million Cambodians (almost a quarter of the population) were killed in the four years of the Khmer Rouge regime from starvation, illness, overwork in the labour camps or execution for not embracing the ideals of the Khmer Rouge. This led to the reign of the Khmer Rouge under Pol Pot being seen as effectively a campaign of genocide against the Cambodian people.

On January 7th 1979, Vietnamese troops entered Cambodia and began the assault to remove the Khmer Rouge. The Khmer Rouge surrendered on April 17th 1979.

How is Victory over Genocide Day celebrated?

Commemorating such a dark period in history means this holiday is a solemn affair, with the day marked by remembrance services for those who lost their lives.

It is also not a universally welcome holiday in Cambodia as many Cambodians feel uneasy about their dependence for liberation on Vietnam.

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Victory over Genocide Day in Cambodia in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about Victory over Genocide Day in Cambodia in 2024. Victory over Genocide Day is a public holiday in Cambodia on January 7th. It marks the end of the Khmer Rouge regime in 1979

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Jamaica - Heroes Day (Third Monday in Oct)

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Jamaica - Heroes Day (Third Monday in Oct)

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Honors "those who fought for freedom against the tyranny of slavery, those who fought for Universal Adult Sufferage and the birth of independent Jamaica."

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When is National Heroes' Day in Jamaica?

National Heroes' Day is a public holiday in Jamaica observed on the third Monday in October.

The holiday commemorates seven national heroes from Jamaican history.

History of National Heroes' Day

The third Monday in October is when Jamaicans take time to acknowledge and show their appreciation to the current seven national heroes, who have all made significant contributions to the independence and development of modern Jamaica.

Declared as national heroes in 1969

Paul Bogle, birth date uncertain - 1865. A Jamaican Baptist deacon and activist. He was a leader of the 1865 Morant Bay protesters, who marched for justice and fair treatment for all the people in Jamaica.

Sir Alexander Bustmante, 1884-1977. A Jamaican politician and labour leader who in 1962 became the first prime minister of Jamaica.

Marcus Garvey, 1887-1940, born in St. Ann. A proponent of Black nationalism in Jamaica and especially the United States.

George William Gordon, 1815-1865. A wealthy Jamaican businessman, magistrate and politician, one of two representatives to the Assembly from St. Thomas-in-the-East Parish.

Norman Washington Manley, 1893-1969. A Rhodes Scholar, Manley became one of Jamaica's leading lawyers in the 1920s.

Declared as national heroes in 1969

Nanny. Queen Nanny or Nanny, Jamaican National Hero, was a well-known, 18th-century leader of the Jamaican Maroons.

Samuel Sharpe, 1801-1832. An enslaved African Jamaican man who was the leader of the widespread 1832 Baptist War slave rebellion in Jamaica.

The day is marked by various celebrations including flag-raising and tree-planting ceremonies, concerts and services to commemorate the heroes.

Award ceremonies also take place each year to honour and reward those who have made an outstanding contribution to Jamaica and Jamaican society.

National Heroes' Day was first celebrated as a public holiday in Jamaica on Monday 20 October and replaced Queen Elizabeth's Birthday.

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National Heroes' Day in Jamaica in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about National Heroes' Day in Jamaica in 2024. Celebrated on the Third Monday in October. Commemorates seven national heroes from Jamaican history.

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Honors the bravery of the Chilean navy in the Battle of Iquique - which they lost to Peru in 1879. In particular, Chileans pay tribute to Arturo Prat, a national hero who inspired many to fight for their country.

Chile also celebrates an Army Day closer to Chilean Independence Day.

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Navy Day in Chile in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about Navy Day in Chile in 2024. The Day of the Glories of the Chilean Navy is always celebrated on May 21st. It marks the date of the battle of Iquique on May 21st 1879.

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Czech Republic and Slovakia - Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (World Students Day) (17 Nov)

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Czech Republic and Slovakia - Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day (World Students Day) (17 Nov)

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Marks the date when Nazis stormed the University of Prague in 1939, executing 9 and sending 1200 students to concentration camps. A demonstration on this day in 1989 started the Velvet Revolution, which ended Communism in Czechoslovakia.

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Bratislava Main Square at night, Slovakia. Image by tomas1111 , via 123RF

Day of Freedom and Democracy

National Holiday

Regional Holiday

Not a public holiday

Govt Holiday

When is Day of Freedom and Democracy?

This public holiday is always celebrated on November 17th in the Czech Republic and Slovakia.

In the Czech Republic, the full title of this holiday is Day of Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day. The name of the holiday was the Struggle for Freedom and Democracy Day until 2019.

History of Day of Freedom and Democracy and International Student Day

The Twentieth century was a tumultuous time for both these countries. Indeed, until 1993 they were both part of the same country - Czechoslovakia.

During that time, they had to endure occupation by the Nazis during World War II and following that, the country was under communist rule until 1989.

During both regimes, it was students who lead nationwide protests and this day essentially celebrates the political role of students. November 17th is sometimes referred to as World Students Day.

The date of November 17th commemorates the 1939 Nazi storming of the University of Prague following demonstrations against the occupation of Czechoslovakia. It led to the execution of nine student leaders and over 1200 students were sent to concentration camps.

In 1989 there was a memorial march to mark the 50th anniversary of the student revolt. The authorities tried to suppress the march which only led to an avalanche of popular protests in Czech and Slovak cities. Over the following days, the protests grew into non-violent strikes at first involving students and later all citizens of Czechoslovakia.

This became known as the Velvet Revolution and marked the beginning of the end of the communist regime that had ruled the country for more than four decades. Vaclav Havel was elected president and Alexander Dubcek became federal Czechoslovak Speaker.

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Day of Freedom and Democracy around the world in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about Day of Freedom and Democracy around the world in 2024. Commemorating the student demonstration against Nazi occupation in 1939, and especially the demonstration in 1989 in Prague considered to mark the beginning of the Velvet Revolution.

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Commemorates the heroic defense of the Bataan Peninsula against the Japanese during WWII. Though the allied forces lost the battle on 9 Apr, they retook the peninsula in 1945.

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When is the Day of Valor?

Called 'Araw ng Kagitingan' in Filipino, this official regular nationwide holiday is celebrated annually on April 9th.

If the date clashes with an Easter holiday, then the day may be moved as was the case in 2009.

The holiday may also be known as 'Bataan Day' or 'Bataan and Corregidor Day'. It commemorates the fall of the Bataan peninsula during the second world war.

History of the Day of Valor

At dawn on April 9th 1942, Major General King, of the United States Army was forced to surrender his forces of over 76,000 Filipino, Chinese and American soldiers to the Japanese.

Unprepared for the number of prisoners, the Japanese decided to walk the prisoners 150km to a prison camp in San Fernando. Over 20,000 prisoners died on this march either through starvation, exhaustion or at the hands of the Japanese. The trek became infamous as the 'Bataan Death March'.

While the holiday marks an event which was a victory for the opposing forces, the heroic defence of Bataan by those soldiers was seen as a key event in the war, as it allowed the allies time to prepare for later battles which halted the Japanese progress in the pacific and eventually led to a turn in the fortunes and allied victory.

The Bataan peninsula was eventually retaken by American and Filipino forces on February 8th 1945.

How is the Day of Valor Celebrated?

To mark the day, veterans from the second world war will parade in many cities across the Philippines. The key event takes place at the Mt. Samat Shrine (pictured above) in Bataan, which honours the heroism and sacrifice of the Filipino and American troops during World War II. Here the president of the Philippines gives a speech to honour veterans.

In 1961, April 9th was declared Bataan Day. In 1987, it was renamed officially as 'Araw Ng Kagitingan' (Day of Valor) to pay tribute to those who defended Bataan, Corregidor and Bessang. From 2007, the holiday was designated to be observed on the Monday nearest April 9th, but since 2009 a yearly presidential decree has meant it is observed on April 9th.

As it is decreed as an official regular nationwide holiday, employers should abide by the Holiday pay rules.

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The Day of Valor in Philippines in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about The Day of Valor in Philippines in 2024. This Public Holiday in the Philippines on April 9th may also be known as 'Bataan Day' or 'Bataan and Corregidor Day'. It commemorates the fall of the Bataan peninsula during the second world war.

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Commemorates the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi. This day was declared by the UN and marks the beginning an official week of mourning each year in Rwanda.

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Macron wants April 7 to be memorial day for Rwandan genocide

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The French president Emmanuel Macron has called for 7 April to become an official memorial date for the Rwandan Genocide which began this day in 1994.

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Commemorates the death of young independence leader Aung San in 1947.

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YANGON (Reuters) - The Myanmar public got a glimpse into one of the country's darkest moments on Sunday as visitors were given rare access to the compound where Aung San, the country's independence hero and father of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was killed.

Aung San has remained a powerful force in Myanmar's politics in the 68 years since his death. His image has been used not only by his daughter but also her political rivals to give themselves legitimacy and gain popular support among a public that still largely reveres the fallen leader.

As Myanmar heads toward a crucial election on Nov. 8, his image is poised to become a campaign tool among hopeful politicians.

Security officers watched on Sunday as hundreds of visitors, some wearing black ribbons and carrying flowers, scrambled up staircases at the Secretariat building in Myanmar's largest city of Yangon and held their phones through broken windows to take pictures of the compound's sprawling courtyard.

For most it was their first time inside the building that had been off limits to the public for decades.

While grateful of the chance to step inside, some remained critical of the past government's efforts to keep the public at bay.

"They should know that even if they lock the building in which our national heroes were assassinated, they cannot erase them from our hearts," said Aye Lwin, 58, a visitor.

Aung San fought with the Japanese against the colonial British who ruled Myanmar, then Burma, during World War II, before switching sides to drive out the Japanese and set Myanmar on the path to independence.

On July 19, 1947, Aung San, 32, was gunned down along with several colleagues by political rivals as they held a meeting in the Secretariat. The assassination plot has never been fully explained.

A year later, Aung San's dream of an independent Myanmar was realized.

In death, Aung San became a symbol of Myanmar's struggle for independence, but use of his image was curbed by the military junta starting in 1988 for fear of bolstering his daughter who had returned to Myanmar from England and emerged as the leading figure in the country's democracy movement.

A quasi-civilian government that took power in 2011 began easing restrictions on media and political activity, fuelling a resurgence in his image.

Last year, the public was allowed into the Secretariat for the first time on July 19, known as Martyrs' Day. It remains closed to the public the rest of the year.

Editing by Amy Sawitta Lefevre and Robert Birsel

Our Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

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As polls loom, Myanmar remembers independence hero on Martyr's Day

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The Myanmar public got a glimpse into one of the country's darkest moments on Sunday as visitors were given rare access to the compound where Aung San, the country's independence hero and father of opposition leader Aung San Suu Kyi, was killed.

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UK, France, Belgium -Armistice Day (11 Nov)

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UK, France, Belgium -Armistice Day (11 Nov)

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Commemorates the signing of the armistice between the Allies and the Germans that ended WWI. It has been extended to honor all war dead.

In the U.S., this is Veteran's Day, which celebrates all veterans, living or deceased. It is also celebrated in certain regions of Canada, the Cayman Islands, and Serbia.

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Armistice Day, international holiday observed each year on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I.

The titular armistice was signed at 5:45 am on November 11, 1918, at Compiègne, in the region of Picardy, France. The agreement took effect at 11:00 am, thus officially ending the war on the Western Front "on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month."

From the beginning, countries around the world marked the peace's anniversary. In Great Britain the royal family hosted the first official Armistice Day events at Buckingham Palace. In the United States Pres. Woodrow Wilson likewise proclaimed the first Armistice Day in 1919, although Congress did not formally recognize it until 1926. In France Armistice Day was first observed in 1920, becoming a public holiday in 1924.

Many countries that observe Armistice Day have common rituals or memorials. For example, since 1919 services around the world have included a short silence starting at 11:00 am. The idea for this moment of silence is credited to an Australian resident of London named Edward George Honey. A veteran of the war himself, Honey strongly felt that the sacrifices made by his fellow soldiers deserved more sombre recognition than what he had seen in the streets on November 11, 1918. Honey wrote to the London Evening News on May 8, 1919, suggesting that each year's events include five minutes of silence. Two minutes was decided upon, but he received an invitation to the ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Participants in Armistice Day events have almost always worn or displayed flowers- red poppies in English-speaking countries and territories and cornflowers in France and Belgium. The poppy became associated with the holiday because of the popularity of the poem " In Flanders Fields," written in 1915 by Canadian soldier Lt. Col. John McCrae. In the United States a professor at the University of Georgia named Moina Belle Michael was so moved by the piece that she campaigned to make the poppy a national symbol of remembrance. By September 1920 the American Legion had come to agree with her, and the organization used the poppy as an official emblem at its convention in Cleveland. The idea spread overseas thereafter thanks to the efforts of a Frenchwoman named Anna Guérin, who had a still-greater vision of the poppy as an international symbol. She succeeded by convincing the newly founded British Legion to put the flower at the centre of its first charity drive. The resulting "Poppy Appeal," wherein volunteers for the organization exchanged artificial poppies for donations, was so well received that it did indeed create a connection.

Finally, " Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" (sometimes "Tomb of the Unknown Warrior") monuments have been built to symbolize the numerous dead in World War I whose remains could not be identified for burial. Each monument holds the body of an unidentified (or "known only to God," as the inscriptions sometimes read) soldier from the war. François Simon, president of the Rennes Remembrance Society, and an English chaplain, David Railton, independently conceived of the idea within a few months of each other. It was through Simon that the notion first made its way to the British government, as Railton largely kept the idea to himself, but it was Railton's connections-he wrote to the dean of Westminster Abbey, who in turn contacted Prime Minister David Lloyd George -that pushed the proposal through Parliament. England and France simultaneously buried their unknown soldiers on Armistice Day in 1920, and other countries quickly adopted the idea. Today there are over 50 countries with such tombs, although some of them honour the dead from other wars.

It was hoped by many that World War I, being an unprecedented conflict in its scope, would be "the war to end all wars," and that Armistice Day would therefore serve as an eternal warning never to repeat the past. The arrival of World War II, however, tragically complicated that view and, consequently, the meaning of Armistice Day. The United States switched the name of the holiday to Veterans Day on June 1, 1954, and repurposed it to honour veterans of the U.S. military in general. In Great Britain the Second World War resulted in the replacement of Armistice Day as a public holiday with Remembrance Sunday. France and Belgium have kept the day unchanged.

In 2018 special services were held in honour of the centenary of the armistice across the world. The largest occurred in Paris, where more than 60 heads of state and government gathered before France's Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the base of the Arc de Triomphe.

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Armistice Day | Meaning, 1918, & World War I

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Armistice Day, international holiday observed each year on November 11 to commemorate the end of World War I. The titular armistice was signed at 5:45 am on November 11, 1918, at Compiègne, in the region of Picardy, France.

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Commemorates the execution of Jose da Silva Xavier, also known as Tiradentes, in 1792. Tiradentes led a movement to rebel against Portuguese colonial rule.

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When is Tiradentes Day?

This national holiday in Brazil is celebrated annually on April 21st.

Tiradentes Day in Brazil commemorates the execution of Brazilian national hero Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier (August 16th 1746 - April 21st 1792).

History of Tiradentes Day

Xavier was a Brazilian revolutionary who, as a founder of the Inconfidência Mineira movement, fought for Brazilian independence and freedom from Portuguese colonial power.

At the time, Portugal was imposing onerous tax burdens on the Brazilians, as they tried to maintain income from the colony despite declining levels of gold being mined.

Tiradentes hatched a plan to take to the streets and declare independence on a day when taxes were due. The plan was betrayed and the rebels were arrested in February 1789.

During the subsequent trial, Tiradentes took full responsibility for the insurrection plot and executed by hanging on April 21st 1792. His body was quartered and his head displayed as a warning to other revolutionaries.

Did you know?

Xavier was a dentist by trade. This holiday gets its name from "tiradentes" meaning "tooth-puller", which was a nickname adopted during his trial.

His martyrdom led to Tiradentes becoming considered a national hero by the republicans of the 19th century, and his liberal ideas continued to influence Brazilian thinking until its independence, nearly 100 years after his death, in 1882.

The anniversary of his death (April 21st) became a national holiday after the republic was proclaimed in 1889.

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Tiradentes Day in Brazil in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about Tiradentes Day in Brazil in 2024. Tiradentes Day in Brazil is a national holiday is celebrated annually on April 21st. It commemorates the execution of Brazilian national hero Joaquim Jose da Silva Xavier on this day in 1792.

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Celebrates 10 key people in Barbados history.

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Bank Holidays in Barbados in 2023 | Office Holidays

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Comprehensive list of Bank Public Holidays that are celebrated in Barbados during 2023 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of holidays.

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Bahamas - National Heroes Day (2nd Monday in October)

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Bahamas - National Heroes Day (2nd Monday in October)

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Honors Bahamian national heroes and replaced a holiday celebrating the arrival of Christopher Columbus, which is seen as a negative event for many native American populations.

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When is National Heroes Day?

National Heroes Day is a public holiday in the Bahamas and is celebrated annually on the second Monday in October.

This holiday honours Bahamian national heroes.

History of National Heroes Day

This holiday has only been a national public holiday since 2013.

National Heroes Day has replaced Discovery Day, which was celebrated on October 12th each year. Discovery Day marked the arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas on October 12th 1492.

Columbus made landfall at an island in the Bahamas, which he named San Salvador, though it is not sure which island in the Bahamas this actually was.

For some, the arrival of Europeans in the Americas is seen as a negative event for the indigenous peoples in the region and also led to the rise in the slave trade. As a result of this changing attitude towards celebrating the arrival of Columbus and wanting to break with the colonial past, National Heroes Day was made a replacement holiday in 2013. Several other countries in the region have also adopted National Heroes Day, but not all are celebrated at the same time.

Legislation to declare October as National Heroes Month and the Second Monday as National Heroes Day and establish a system of National Honors was passed in the National Heroes Act 2007. In October 2013, Governor-General Sir Arthur Foulkes gave assent to the passage of the bill to create National Heroes Day and remove Discovery Day.

How is Bahamas National Heroes Day celebrated?

Banks/businesses and many shops will be closed on this public holiday. An official National Heroes Day ceremony is held with a keynote speech by the Prime Minister. National Heroes will be celebrated with a week of activities to honour heroes from a cross-section of civil society.

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National Heroes' Day in Bahamas in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about National Heroes' Day in Bahamas in 2024. The second Monday in October is National Heroes Day, which replaced Discovery Day in 2013.

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Marks a day to remember those who fought for the "freedom, welfare and progress" of India and sacrificed their lives. Takes place on Jan 30 because  Gandhi was assassinated on this day in 1948.

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Martyrs Day (Sarvodaya Day or Shaheed Diwas) in India
Martyrs day in India is celebrated to pay homage to the victims who fought for the freedom, welfare and progress of the India and sacrificed their lives. It is celebrated every year all over the country on 30th of January. India is the country among other 15 countries of the world where Martyrs Day is celebrated every year to pay homage to the freedom fighters.

Mahatma Gandhi was a Baniya (Merchant Cast) by birth but he always considered his religion humanity. For him, war was the blunt weapon and he followed non-violence, the sharpest weapon for getting the freedom.

Martyrs Day in India 2019

Martyrs Day (Sarvodaya Day or Shaheed Diwas) in India 2019 will be celebrated on 23 rd of March, Saturday. It was also celebrated on 30 th January on the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi.
Martyrs Day - 30th January
The nation paid homage to all the martyrs and freedom fighters of our country who sacrificed their lives for the nation. President Sri Ram Nath Kovind, Vice President Venkaiah Naidu and Prime Minister Narendra Modi paid tribute to Mahatma Gandhi on his 71 st martyrdom. Prime Minister also urged people to observe two minutes of silence on Shaheed Diwas in his monthly radio address program 'Mann Ki Baat'. He also dedicated Salt Satyagrah Memorial in Gujarat to the nation on the occasion.

In Guwahati, two minutes of silence were observed by the District and Sub-Divisional Administrators to pay tribute and commemorate the sacrifices of our martyrs. In Tiruvanantpuram, members of various political parties paid floral tribute to Mahatma Gandhi and organized an all-religion prayer meet on the occasion.
Martyrs Day - 23rd March
Martyrs Day (Sarvodaya Day or Shaheed Diwas) in India 2019 was celebrated on 23 rd of March, Saturday. It was also celebrated on 30 th January on the martyrdom of Mahatma Gandhi.

The Martyrs Day on 23 rd March 2019 was celebrated with great patriotism by each and every citizen of India. Prime Minister and the members of all political parties paid tribute to Shaheed-e-Azam Bhagat Singh who sacrificed his life for the country at a very young age.

Naman- Shaheedo ke Sapno ko, a social and cultural development organisation organised a march on Shaheed Diwas to pay tribute to the martyrs of our nation who sacrificed their lives on the borders protecting their motherland. The march was flagged off from the Agrico Ground, Jamshedpur. The organisation also facilitated around 45 soldiers and their family members on the occasion.

Schools and colleges across the country observed the day by organising essay, drawing, painting and debate competitions. Dramas and skits by the children showcasing Indian freedom struggle was also organised in schools.

Why Martyrs Day is Celebrated on 30th of January

Martyrs day is celebrated on 30th of January every year as on the same day, Mahatma Gandhi (Bapu) was assassinated in the year 1948 before the sunset during the evening prayers. He was a great freedom fighter of the India and counted as the greatest amongst the lakhs and lakhs of martyrs. He did a very hard work throughout his life for the independence, welfare and development of the India. 30th of January is the martyr day of the Mahatma Gandhi which was declared by the Government of India as the Martyrs' Day. Since then, 30th of January is celebrated as the Martyrs' Day every year to pay tribute to the Mahatma Gandhi.

January 30 of the year 1948 was the saddest day for the country which has become the most poignant day in the Indian history. Gandhi Smriti, a place where Mahatma Gandhi was killed at his 78 in the Birla House during evening prayers.

Losing the Father of the Nation just after the hard-won independence under his leadership was the biggest misfortune for the country. He was killed in front of the big crowed came for the evening prayer. After his assassination, a big crowed was gathered in front of the Birla House to have a look of the Bapu. Bapu was the great person who had sacrificed his whole life in company with the lakhs of men and women for the India Independence became a martyr.

So, the Martyrs Day in India is an occasion celebrated every year to memorize all the Indian martyrs and pay tribute to them. After the independence of India, Bapu had started working on the mission for setting up the harmony, peace and brotherhood among the people of India but, he was killed while working on this mission.

Why Martyrs Day is Celebrated on 23rd of March

23rd of March is also declared as the martyrs day in India to remember the sacrifice and pay homage to the Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar. Bhagat Singh, Shivaram Rajguru and Sukhdev Thapar were fought for India against the British rule for independence.

Bhagat Singh, a well-known freedom fighter in the history of India, was born on 28th of September in 1907 in the Lyallpur, Punjab in the Sikh family. His father was the member of an organization called Ghadar Party working for the independence of India. Bhagat Singh together with his companions Rajguru, Azad, Sukhdev and Jai Gopal fought for the assassination of Lala Lajpat Rai. The daring adventures of Bhagat Singh have become a great inspiration for the youngsters of today.

In the year 1929, on 8th of April he together with his companions threw bombs over the Central Legislative Assembly reading slogan "Inquilab Zindabad". They charged with the murder and hanged at 7.30 pm in the Lahore jail on 23th of March in the year 1931. Their body was cremated at the banks of the Sutlej River. Now a day, a big Shaheedi Mela (Martyrdom fair) is held in the birthplace Ferozepur, at the National Martyrs Memorial in the Hussainiwala (Indo-Pak border).

How Martyrs Day is Celebrated

At this day, the President of India including the Vice President, the Prime Minister, the Defense Minister, and the service Chiefs get together at the Rajghat to the Samadhi of the Mahatma Gandhi to put down flowers garland to the statue of Bapu. An honorable salute is then given by the armed forces personnel and inter-services contingent to pay respect to the martyrs.

Then, the gathered people keep silence for 2 mins in the memory of the Bapu, Father of the Nation, and other martyrs throughout the country. At the same place, religious prayers and bhajans are sung by the loved ones.

Children of the schools from the Kolkata are dressed like Bapu and gathered to play role in the function at this day. The various other functions related to the Bapu's life are carried out by the schools students while celebrating the Martyrs Day.

However in India, more than one Martyrs Day (also called as the Sarvodaya day at the national level) has been declared to honor the other martyrs of the nation.

13th of July

13th of July is also celebrated as the martyrs day in India in the Jammu and Kashmir to memorize the death of 22 people. They were killed by the royal soldiers while demonstrating adjacent to the Maharaja Hari Singh of the Kashmir on 13th of July in the year 1931.

17th of November

17th of November is celebrated as the martyrs day in the Odisha to observe the death anniversary of the Lala Lajpat Rai (also famous as the "Lion of Punjab"). He was a leader and freedom fighter during the independence of India from the British Raj.

19th of November

19th of November (birthday of Rani Lakshmibai) is also celebrated as the martyrs day in the state of Jhansi. It is celebrated to pay honor to those who sacrificed their lives during the rebellion of the year 1857. Rani Lakshmibai was the leading figure of that rebellion.

Martyrs Day Quotes

> "Martyrs, my friend, have to choose between being forgotten, mocked or used. As for being understood - never."

> "The people who have really made history are the martyrs."

> "The blood of the martyrs is the seed of the church."

> "Men do not accept their prophets and slay them, but they love their martyrs and worship those whom they have tortured to death."

> "They're not put on earth to be martyrs; they have to want to come out. It depends on your culture, where you work, where you live. Each person's circumstances are unique."

> "It is truer to say that martyrs create faith more than faith creates martyrs."

> "Martyrs do not underrate the body, they allow it to be elevated on the cross. In this they are at one with their antagonists."

> "Great persecutors are recruited among martyrs whose heads haven't been cut off."

> "We, who are the living, possess the past. Tomorrow is for our martyrs."

> "All religions have periods in their history which are looked back to with retrospective fear and trembling as eras of persecution, and each religion has its own book of martyrs."

> "These martyrs of patriotism gave their lives for an idea."

> "The tyrant dies and his rule is over, the martyr dies and his rule begins."

> "They may torture my body, break my bones, even kill me. Then they will have my dead body, but not my obedience."
Indian Martyrs
Mahatma Gandhi
Bhagat Singh
Shivaram Rajguru
Sukhdev Thapar
Lala Lajpat Rai
Rani Lakshmibai
Related Information: Jallianwala Bagh Massacre Independence Day of India - 15 August For Kids: Essay on Mahatma Gandhi Essay on Independence Day

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Martyrs Day in India (Shaheed Diwas) 2019 - Date, Information

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Find information about Martyrs Day in India (Shaheed Diwas), know How and Why Martyrs Day is celebrated on 23 March and 30 January, and Sarvodaya Day Quotes.

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Commemorates the victims of the 228 massacre by the Chinese in 1947.

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When is Peace Memorial Day?

Peace Memorial Day is a national public holiday in Taiwan on February 28th.

If the holiday falls on a Saturday, the Friday before will be a holiday and if it falls on Sunday, the following Monday will be a holiday.

The memorial day was established in 1997 and seeks to solemnly commemorate the 228 Incident which started on February 28th 1947 and resulted in the deaths of thousands during a brutal military crackdown under the KMT rule.

History of Peace Memorial Day

In 1945, the defeat of the Japanese in World War II meant the end of 50 years of Japanese rule of Taiwan.

The Allied Forces gave temporary control of Taiwan to the Republic of China, so they could handle the surrender of Japanese troops and local administration.

Over the next two years, many locals became increasingly resentful of what they felt was the corrupt and authoritarian rule by the Chinese administration.

On February 27th 1947, a dispute between a female cigarette vendor and a Chinese official started civil unrest and open rebellions. The Chinese responded with severe military force and put Taiwan under martial law. Martial law was only lifted in 1987.

The estimates of the number of people killed range from 10,000 to over 30,000. The massacre became known as the 228 (February 28th) massacre and was the start of the so-called 'White Terror' period in Taiwan, in which thousands were killed, disappeared or imprisoned.

The subject of the 228 massacre was taboo for decades. It wasn't until 1995 that the event was first publicly acknowledged by a Taiwanese head of state and February 28th made a national holiday to commemorate the memory of the victims of the events of 1947. Since then, several monuments have been erected in memory of those who lost their lives, and Taipei New Park was renamed 228 Memorial Park.

How is Peace Memorial Day celebrated?

Every February 28th, the president rings a commemorative bell in memory of the victims of the 228 massacre.

The president bows to family members of the victims and each one receives a certificate that officially exonerates any victims who until 1995, had been blacklisted as enemies of the state.

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Peace Memorial Day in Taiwan in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about Peace Memorial Day in Taiwan in 2024. This public holiday in Taiwan on February 28th marks the date of an uprising in 1947, that was suppressed by the Republic of China.

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Commemorates the end of the Paraguayan War in 1870 and all those who lost their lives in the conflict.

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National Heroes’ Day in Paraguay / March 1, 2023

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National Heroes’ Day in Paraguay is annually observed on March 1. This holiday honors men, who died in the Paraguayan War

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Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan - Victory Day (9 May)

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Ukraine, Russia, Kazakhstan, Belarus, Azerbaijan - Victory Day (9 May)

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Remembering over 20 million Russians lost defeating Nazi Germany in WWII.

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When is Victory Day?

On May 9th Russia and a handful of former Soviet Union republics celebrate Victory Day, which marks the day after Nazi Germany surrendered and Soviet forces took control of Berlin, bringing the second world war (also referred to as 'The Great Patriotic War' in Russia) in Europe to an end.

History of Victory Day

The second world war was the deadliest conflict in human history, which saw 50 to 85 million fatalities, most of whom were civilians in the USSR and China. The Soviet Union alone lost up to 27 million people in the war, nearly 13% of the population at the time.

Victory day is about remembering those who gave their lives to achieve the victory.

Some countries in Western Europe mark the victory in Europe on May 8th. May 9th was chosen in the Soviet Union, as it was already the next day when the German military surrendered to the Soviet Union and its Allies in Berlin late in the evening of May 8th 1945.

May 9th held no special significance between 1948 and 1964. The first military parade took place on May 9th 1965, marking 20 years since the victory over Nazi Germany. This is also when Victory Day became a public holiday in Russia and in 15 Republics of the Soviet Union. A military parade took place in Red Square. Parades were held again in 1985 and 1990, after which they have been held annually.

Given the loss of life it remembers, it is generally a solemn and sombre day.

It is celebrated by military parades (with the major one taking place in Moscow), concerts, fireworks, recognition of veterans (who usually dress up for the occasion) and food and drink.

As it is quite close to May Day, many will take the opportunity to have some extra time off and have a two-week break.

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Victory Day around the world in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about Victory Day around the world in 2024. May 9th celebrates the Soviet victory over Nazi Germany and the end of the Second World War

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Mozambique - Dia dos Heróis Moçambicanos (3 Feb) 

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Mozambique - Dia dos Heróis Moçambicanos (3 Feb) 

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Heroes' Day is celebrated in memory of those who fought for independence in 1975 and others who have contributed service to the country.

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National Holidays in Mozambique in 2023 | Office Holidays

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Comprehensive list of National Public Holidays that are celebrated in Mozambique during 2023 with dates and information on the origin and meaning of holidays.

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Malta celebrates those lost in the struggle for independence from Britain on a date when four rioters were killed in 1919.

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When is Sette Giugno?

This national holiday is always celebrated on June 7th.

Meaning 'Seventh of June' in Italian, this public holiday in Malta commemorates four rioters who were killed by British troops on June 7th 1919.

History of Sette Giugno

Malta's position in the Mediterranean sea has made the islands a strategically important location since classical times, with the islands passing from one ruler to another through the ages.

In 1800, the British had assisted Malta in removing the occupying French forces and the Maltese people had asked to become a sovereign nation in the British Empire. This was ratified in the treaty of Paris in 1815.

Following the end of World War I, tensions had been rising due to the inability of the colonial government to ensure basic supplies to the island. This had led to some merchants being seen to have made a lot of money from the situation, while others fared badly.

Added to this was the feeling that political moves for greater autonomy and independence for Malta were seemingly going unheard.

In early June 1919, a change in the governor of the island was treated with scepticism by some and on June 7th, a crowd started removing British flags from buildings that had been flying at half-mast across the island due to the recent death of the President of the Court.

The mob grew in size and turned their attention to the homes of the merchants who had been doing well from the recent supply issues. It was at one of these houses that a standoff between the mob and the army ended in tragedy with the soldiers firing and killing three protestors and injuring fifty others. The uprising continued for a few days during which time, a fourth civilian died from injuries received while resisting arrest.

The uprising was short-lasting, but the bloody events of June 7th 1919 led to the National Assembly drafting the new Constitution. Two years later, Malta was given responsibility for self-government and home affairs and the first Maltese Parliament was set up.

How is Sette Giugno celebrated?

In 1989, the Maltese Parliament declared the day to be one of the five national days of the island.

The five National Days of Malta are detailed in Article 3 of the National Holidays and Other Public Holidays Act (chapter 252), which states that "The National Holidays shall be public holidays and on those occasions, there shall be flown on public buildings the National Flag of Malta."

Sette Giugno is a time to remember those who gave their lives while standing up for the rights of all Maltese. The victims are remembered in official ceremonies at two monuments to the events at Valletta and the Addolorata cemetery.

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Sette Giugno in Malta in 2024 | Office Holidays

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Read about Sette Giugno in Malta in 2024. Meaning 'Seventh of June' in Italian, this public holiday in Malta commemorates the killing of four rioters by British troops on 7 June 1919.