The World Factbook. 2008.
National holiday
Country | National holiday |
Afghanistan | Independence Day, 19 August (1919) |
Albania | Independence Day, 28 November (1912) |
Algeria | Revolution Day, 1 November (1954) |
American Samoa | Flag Day, 17 April (1900) |
Andorra | Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278) |
Angola | Independence Day, 11 November (1975) |
Anguilla | Anguilla Day, 30 May (1967) |
Antigua and Barbuda | Independence Day (National Day), 1 November (1981) |
Argentina | Revolution Day, 25 May (1810) |
Armenia | Independence Day, 21 September (1991) |
Aruba | Flag Day, 18 March (1976) |
Australia | Australia Day, 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) |
Austria | National Day, 26 October (1955); note – commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality |
Azerbaijan | Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918) |
Bahamas, The | Independence Day, 10 July (1973) |
Bahrain | National Day, 16 December (1971); note – 15 August 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, 16 December 1971 was the date of independence from British protection |
Bangladesh | Independence Day, 26 March (1971); note – 26 March 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, 16 December 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh |
Barbados | Independence Day, 30 November (1966) |
Belarus | Independence Day, 3 July (1944); note – 3 July 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, 25 August 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union |
Belgium | 21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I |
Belize | Independence Day, 21 September (1981) |
Benin | National Day, 1 August (1960) |
Bermuda | Bermuda Day, 24 May |
Bhutan | National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907) |
Bolivia | Independence Day, 6 August (1825) |
Bosnia and Herzegovina | National Day, 25 November (1943) |
Botswana | Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966) |
Brazil | Independence Day, 7 September (1822) |
British Virgin Islands | Territory Day, 1 July (1956) |
Brunei | National Day, 23 February (1984); note – 1 January 1984 was the date of independence from the UK, 23 February 1984 was the date of independence from British protection |
Bulgaria | Liberation Day, 3 March (1878) |
Burkina Faso | Republic Day, 11 December (1958) |
Burma | Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947) |
Burundi | Independence Day, 1 July (1962) |
Cambodia | Independence Day, 9 November (1953) |
Cameroon | Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972) |
Canada | Canada Day, 1 July (1867) |
Cape Verde | Independence Day, 5 July (1975) |
Cayman Islands | Constitution Day, first Monday in July |
Central African Republic | Republic Day, 1 December (1958) |
Chad | Independence Day, 11 August (1960) |
Chile | Independence Day, 18 September (1810) |
China | Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China, 1 October (1949) |
Christmas Island | Australia Day, 26 January (1788) |
Cocos (Keeling) Islands | Australia Day, 26 January (1788) |
Colombia | Independence Day, 20 July (1810) |
Comoros | Independence Day, 6 July (1975) |
Congo, Democratic Republic of the | Independence Day, 30 June (1960) |
Congo, Republic of the | Independence Day, 15 August (1960) |
Cook Islands | Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965) |
Costa Rica | Independence Day, 15 September (1821) |
Cote d’Ivoire | Independence Day, 7 August (1960) |
Croatia | Independence Day, 8 October (1991); note – 25 June 1991 was the day the Croatian Parliament voted for independence; following a three-month moratorium to allow the European Community to solve the Yugoslav crisis peacefully, Parliament adopted a decision on 8 October 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia |
Cuba | Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959) |
Cyprus | Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note – Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as Independence Day |
Czech Republic | Czech Founding Day, 28 October (1918) |
Denmark | none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day |
Djibouti | Independence Day, 27 June (1977) |
Dominica | Independence Day, 3 November (1978) |
Dominican Republic | Independence Day, 27 February (1844) |
Ecuador | Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809) |
Egypt | Revolution Day, 23 July (1952) |
El Salvador | Independence Day, 15 September (1821) |
Equatorial Guinea | Independence Day, 12 October (1968) |
Eritrea | Independence Day, 24 May (1993) |
Estonia | Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note – 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union |
Ethiopia | National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991) |
European Union | Europe Day 9 May (1950); note – a Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community to achieve an organized Europe |
Falkland Islands (Islas Malvinas) | Liberation Day, 14 June (1982) |
Faroe Islands | Olaifest (Olavasoka), 29 July |
Fiji | Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970) |
Finland | Independence Day, 6 December (1917) |
France | Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1790); note – although often incorrectly referred to as Bastille Day, the celebration actually commemorates the holiday held on the first anniversary of the storming of the Bastille (on 14 July 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July) |
French Polynesia | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) |
Gabon | Independence Day, 17 August (1960) |
Gambia, The | Independence Day, 18 February (1965) |
Georgia | Independence Day, 26 May (1918); note – 26 May 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, 9 April 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union |
Germany | Unity Day, 3 October (1990) |
Ghana | Independence Day, 6 March (1957) |
Gibraltar | National Day, 10 September (1967); note – day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain |
Greece | Independence Day, 25 March (1821) |
Greenland | June 21 (longest day) |
Grenada | Independence Day, 7 February (1974) |
Guam | Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521) |
Guatemala | Independence Day, 15 September (1821) |
Guernsey | Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) |
Guinea | Independence Day, 2 October (1958) |
Guinea-Bissau | Independence Day, 24 September (1973) |
Guyana | Republic Day, 23 February (1970) |
Haiti | Independence Day, 1 January (1804) |
Holy See (Vatican City) | Coronation Day of Pope BENEDICT XVI, 24 April (2005) |
Honduras | Independence Day, 15 September (1821) |
Hong Kong | National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note – 1 July 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day |
Hungary | Saint Stephen’s Day, 20 August |
Iceland | Independence Day, 17 June (1944) |
India | Republic Day, 26 January (1950) |
Indonesia | Independence Day, 17 August (1945) |
Iran | Republic Day, 1 April (1979) |
Iraq | Revolution Day, 17 July (1968); note – this holiday was celebrated under the SADDAM Husayn regime; the Government of Iraq has yet to declare a new national holiday |
Ireland | Saint Patrick’s Day, 17 March |
Isle of Man | Tynwald Day, 5 July |
Israel | Independence Day, 14 May (1948); note – Israel declared independence on 14 May 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May |
Italy | Republic Day, 2 June (1946) |
Jamaica | Independence Day, 6 August (1962) |
Japan | Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933) |
Jersey | Liberation Day, 9 May (1945) |
Jordan | Independence Day, 25 May (1946) |
Kazakhstan | Independence Day, 16 December (1991) |
Kenya | Independence Day, 12 December (1963) |
Kiribati | Independence Day, 12 July (1979) |
Korea, North | Founding of the Democratic People’s Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948) |
Korea, South | Liberation Day, 15 August (1945) |
Kuwait | National Day, 25 February (1950) |
Kyrgyzstan | Independence Day, 31 August (1991) |
Laos | Republic Day, 2 December (1975) |
Latvia | Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note – 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; 4 May 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; 21 August 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union |
Lebanon | Independence Day, 22 November (1943) |
Lesotho | Independence Day, 4 October (1966) |
Liberia | Independence Day, 26 July (1847) |
Libya | Revolution Day, 1 September (1969) |
Liechtenstein | Assumption Day, 15 August |
Lithuania | Independence Day, 16 February (1918); note – 16 February 1918 was the date Lithuania declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 11 March 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union |
Luxembourg | National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte) 23 June; note – the actual date of birth was 23 January 1896, but the festivities were shifted by five months to allow observance during a more favorable time of year |
Macau | National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People’s Republic of China), 1 October (1949); note – 20 December 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day |
Macedonia | Ilinden Uprising Day, 2 August (1903); note – also known as Saint Elijah’s Day |
Madagascar | Independence Day, 26 June (1960) |
Malawi | Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964) |
Malaysia | Independence Day/Malaysia Day, 31 August (1957) |
Maldives | Independence Day, 26 July (1965) |
Mali | Independence Day, 22 September (1960) |
Malta | Independence Day, 21 September (1964) |
Marshall Islands | Constitution Day, 1 May (1979) |
Mauritania | Independence Day, 28 November (1960) |
Mauritius | Independence Day, 12 March (1968) |
Mayotte | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) |
Mexico | Independence Day, 16 September (1810) |
Micronesia, Federated States of | Constitution Day, 10 May (1979) |
Moldova | Independence Day, 27 August (1991) |
Monaco | National Day (Saint Rainier’s Day), 19 November (1857) |
Mongolia | Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921) |
Montenegro | National Day, 13 July (1878) |
Montserrat | Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) |
Morocco | Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999) |
Mozambique | Independence Day, 25 June (1975) |
Namibia | Independence Day, 21 March (1990) |
Nauru | Independence Day, 31 January (1968) |
Nepal | in 2006, Parliament abolished the birthday of King GYANENDRA (7 July) and Constitution Day (9 November) as national holidays |
Netherlands | Queen’s Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980) |
Netherlands Antilles | Queen’s Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980) |
New Caledonia | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) |
New Zealand | Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840); ANZAC Day (commemorated as the anniversary of the landing of troops of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps during World War I at Gallipoli, Turkey), 25 April (1915) |
Nicaragua | Independence Day, 15 September (1821) |
Niger | Republic Day, 18 December (1958) |
Nigeria | Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960) |
Niue | Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) |
Norfolk Island | Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856) |
Northern Mariana Islands | Commonwealth Day, 8 January (1978) |
Norway | Constitution Day, 17 May (1814) |
Oman | Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940) |
Pakistan | Republic Day, 23 March (1956) |
Palau | Constitution Day, 9 July (1979) |
Panama | Independence Day, 3 November (1903) |
Papua New Guinea | Independence Day, 16 September (1975) |
Paraguay | Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May) |
Peru | Independence Day, 28 July (1821) |
Philippines | Independence Day, 12 June (1898); note – 12 June 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; 4 July 1946 was date of independence from US |
Pitcairn Islands | Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) |
Poland | Constitution Day, 3 May (1791) |
Portugal | Portugal Day (Day of Portugal), 10 June (1580); note – also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died |
Puerto Rico | US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952) |
Qatar | Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December |
Romania | Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918) |
Russia | Russia Day, 12 June (1990) |
Rwanda | Independence Day, 1 July (1962) |
Saint Barthelemy | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note – local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August |
Saint Helena | Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926) |
Saint Kitts and Nevis | Independence Day, 19 September (1983) |
Saint Lucia | Independence Day, 22 February (1979) |
Saint Martin | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789); note – local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848) |
Saint Pierre and Miquelon | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) |
Saint Vincent and the Grenadines | Independence Day, 27 October (1979) |
Samoa | Independence Day Celebration, 1 June (1962); note – 1 January 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship; it is observed in June |
San Marino | Founding of the Republic, 3 September (AD 301) |
Sao Tome and Principe | Independence Day, 12 July (1975) |
Saudi Arabia | Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932) |
Senegal | Independence Day, 4 April (1960) |
Serbia | National Day, 15 February |
Seychelles | Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993) |
Sierra Leone | Independence Day, 27 April (1961) |
Singapore | National Day, 9 August (1965) |
Slovakia | Constitution Day, 1 September (1992) |
Slovenia | Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991) |
Solomon Islands | Independence Day, 7 July (1978) |
Somalia | Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note – 26 June (1960) in Somaliland |
South Africa | Freedom Day, 27 April (1994) |
Spain | National Day, 12 October (1492); year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas |
Sri Lanka | Independence Day, 4 February (1948) |
Sudan | Independence Day, 1 January (1956) |
Suriname | Independence Day, 25 November (1975) |
Swaziland | Independence Day, 6 September (1968) |
Sweden | Swedish Flag Day, 6 June (1916); National Day, 6 June (1983) |
Switzerland | Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291) |
Syria | Independence Day, 17 April (1946) |
Taiwan | Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911) |
Tajikistan | Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991) |
Tanzania | Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964) |
Thailand | Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927) |
Timor-Leste | Independence Day, 28 November (1975) |
Togo | Independence Day, 27 April (1960) |
Tokelau | Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840) |
Tonga | Emancipation Day, 4 June (1970) |
Trinidad and Tobago | Independence Day, 31 August (1962) |
Tunisia | Independence Day, 20 March (1956); also the anniversary of BEN ALI’s assumption of the presidency, 7 November (1987) |
Turkey | Republic Day, 29 October (1923) |
Turkmenistan | Independence Day, 27 October (1991) |
Turks and Caicos Islands | Constitution Day, 30 August (1976) |
Tuvalu | Independence Day, 1 October (1978) |
Uganda | Independence Day, 9 October (1962) |
Ukraine | Independence Day, 24 August (1991); note – 22 January 1918, the day Ukraine first declared its independence (from Soviet Russia) and the day the short-lived Western and Central Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day |
United Arab Emirates | Independence Day, 2 December (1971) |
United Kingdom | the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday |
United States | Independence Day, 4 July (1776) |
Uruguay | Independence Day, 25 August (1825) |
Uzbekistan | Independence Day, 1 September (1991) |
Vanuatu | Independence Day, 30 July (1980) |
Venezuela | Independence Day, 5 July (1811) |
Vietnam | Independence Day, 2 September (1945) |
Virgin Islands | Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US), 27 March (1917) |
Wallis and Futuna | Bastille Day, 14 July (1789) |
Yemen | Unification Day, 22 May (1990) |
Zambia | Independence Day, 24 October (1964) |
Zimbabwe | Independence Day, 18 April (1980) |