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Celebrating Independence Around the World
How do countries observe their independence?
Yesterday, the United States observed the Fourth of July, a celebration of the day in 1776 when the Articles of Confederation were ratified by the Second Continental Congress and declared that the Thirteen Colonies were a free and independent state. The new country was no longer subject or subordinate to the rule of the monarch of Britain, who was Charles III at the time. Celebrating freedom from British rule is something the United States is no exception to; in fact, dozens of countries' national days are in recognition of their freedom from the U.K., and if not that, then another European power.
It's understandable that most people's idea of what happens during a national day corresponds to the country they live in. Are there fireworks? Perhaps parades and cookouts? That's at least what it usually entails in the United States. But did you know that nearly every nation around the world celebrates either its independence or something else that gives the nation a key part of its identity?
Inspiration for National Days Around the World:
- Sudan celebrates its independence from both the U.K. and Egypt on January 1, and South Sudan celebrates its independence from Sudan on July 9 (South Sudan is the newest sovereign nation, having gained independence in just 2011).
- Australia Day is celebrated on January 26, which commemorates the founding of Sydney, the first British colony in Australia, back in 1788.
- Brazil celebrates its independence from Portugal in 1822 on September 7, while Uruguay celebrates its independence from Brazil in 1825 on August 25.
- Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua all celebrate their independence from Spain in 1821 on September 15.
- Countries like Ukraine, Moldova, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan celebrate their respective independence days from the Soviet Union sometime between late August and early September.
A few other countries celebrate things other than independence, like China which celebrates the founding of the People's Republic of China, and Japan, which celebrates the crowing of their first emperor all the way back in the year 660! Only two countries, the U.K. and Denmark, do not have some type of national day.
However your country celebrates its unique identity and founding, the HubPages team hopes you take the time to understand the holiday and partake how you see fit!
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