National Holidays Around the World

Updated August 5, 2020 | Infoplease Staff

The following table lists the date and name for select national holidays in countries around the world. Find the day, month, and year of inception for independence, revolution, flag, and founding days of more than 100 nations.

Country Date Holiday
Afghanistan August 19 (1919) Independence Day
Albania November 28 (1912) Independence Day
Algeria November 1 (1954) Revolution Day
American Samoa April 17 (1900) Flag Day
Andorra September 8 (1278) Our Lady of Meritxell Day
Angola November 11 (1975) Independence Day
Antigua and Barbuda November 1 (1981) Independence Day (National Day)
Argentina May 25 (1810) Revolution Day
Armenia September 21 (1991) Independence Day
Aruba March 18 (1976) Flag Day
Australia January 26 (1788) Australia Day
Austria October 26 (1955) National Day2
Azerbaijan May 28 (1918) Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan
Bahamas July 10 (1973) Independence Day
Bahrain December 16 (1971) National Day3
Bangladesh March 26 (1971) Independence Day4
Barbados November 30 (1966) Independence Day
Belarus July 3 (1944) Independence Day5
Belgium July 21 (1831) Ascension to the Throne of King Leopold I
Belize September 21 (1981) Independence Day
Benin August 1 (1960) National Day
Bermuda May 24 Bermuda Day
Bhutan December 17 (1907) National Day6
Bolivia August 6 (1825) Independence Day
Bosnia and Herzegovina November 25 (1943) National Day
Botswana September 30 (1966) Independence Day (Botswana Day)
Brazil September 7 (1822) Independence Day
British Virgin Islands July 1 (1956) Territory Day
Brunei February 23 (1984) National Day7
Bulgaria March 3 (1878) Liberation Day
Burkina Faso December 11 (1958) Republic Day
Burundi July 1 (1962) Independence Day
Cambodia November 9 (1953) Independence Day
Cameroon May 20 (1972) Republic Day (National Day)
Canada July 1 (1867) Canada Day
Cape Verde July 5 (1975) Independence Day
Cayman Islands First Monday in July Constitution Day
Central African Republic December 1 (1958) Republic Day
Chad August 11 (1960) Independence Day
Chile September 18 (1810) Independence Day
China, People's Rep. of October 1 (1949) Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China
Colombia July 20 (1810) Independence Day
Comoros July 6 (1975) Independence Day
Congo August 15 (1960) Independence Day
Congo, Dem. Rep. of June 30 (1960) Independence Day
Cook Islands First Monday in August (1965) Constitution Day
Costa Rica September 15 (1821) Independence Day
Cí´te d'Ivoire August 7 (1960) Independence Day
Croatia October 8 (1991) Independence Day8
Cuba January 1 (1959) Triumph of the Revolution
Cyprus October 1 (1960) Independence Day9
Czech Rep. October 28 (1918) Czech Founding Day
Denmark June 5 (1849) Constitution Day10
Djibouti June 27 (1977) Independence Day
Dominica November 3 (1978) Independence Day
Dominican Rep. February 27 (1844) Independence Day
East Timor November 28 (1975) Independence Day
Ecuador August 10 (1809) Independence Day (independence of Quito)
Egypt July 23 (1952) Revolution Day
El Salvador September 15 (1821) Independence Day
Equatorial Guinea October 12 (1968) Independence Day
Eritrea May 24 (1993) Independence Day
Estonia February 24 (1918) Independence Day11
Ethiopia May 28 (1991) National Day (defeat of Mengistu regime)
European Union May 9 (1950) Europe Day12
Fiji 2nd Monday of October (1970) Independence Day
Finland December 6 (1917) Independence Day
France July 14 (1790) Fete de la Federation13
French Polynesia July 14 (1789) Bastille Day
Gabon August 17 (1960) Independence Day
Gambia, The February 18 (1965) Independence Day
Georgia May 26 (1918) Independence Day14
Germany October 3 (1990) Unity Day
Ghana March 6 (1957) Independence Day
Gibraltar September 10 (1967) National Day15
Greece March 25 (1821) Independence Day
Greenland June 21 Longest day
Grenada February 7 (1974) Independence Day
Guam 1st Monday in March (1521) Discovery Day
Guatemala September 15 (1821) Independence Day
Guernsey May 9 (1945) Liberation Day
Guinea October 2 (1958) Independence Day
Guinea-Bissau September 24 (1973) Independence Day
Guyana February 23 (1970) Republic Day
Haiti January 1 (1804) Independence Day
Holy See (Vatican City) April 24 (2005) Coronation Day of Pope Benedict XVI
Honduras September 15 (1821) Independence Day
Hong Kong October 1 (1949) National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China)16
Hungary August 20 Saint Stephen's Day
Iceland June 17 (1944) Independence Day
India January 26 (1950) Republic Day
Indonesia August 17 (1945) Independence Day
Iran April 1 (1979) Republic Day
Iraq July 17 (1968) Revolution Day17
Ireland March 17 Saint Patrick's Day
Isle of Man July 5 Tynwald Day
Israel April or May 14 (1948) Independence Day1
Italy June 2 (1946) Republic Day
Jamaica August 6 (1962) Independence Day
Japan December 23 (1933) Birthday of Emperor Akihito
Jersey May 9 (1945) Liberation Day
Jordan May 25 (1946) Independence Day
Kazakhstan December 16 (1991) Independence Day
Kenya December 12 (1963) Independence Day
Kiribati July 12 (1979) Independence Day
Korea (North) September 9 (1948) Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea
Korea (South) August 15 (1945) Liberation Day
Kuwait February 25 (1950) National Day
Kyrgyzstan August 31 (1991) Independence Day
Laos December 2 (1975) Republic Day
Latvia November 18 (1918) Independence Day18
Lebanon November 22 (1943) Independence Day
Lesotho October 4 (1966) Independence Day
Liberia July 26 (1847) Independence Day
Libya September 1 (1969) Revolution Day
Liechtenstein August 15 Assumption Day
Lithuania February 16 (1918) Independence Day19
Luxembourg June 23 National Day (Birthday of Grand Duchess Charlotte)20
Macau October 1 (1949) National Day (Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China)21
Macedonia August 2 (1903) Ilinden Uprising Day22
Madagascar June 26 (1960) Independence Day
Malawi July 6 (1964) Independence Day (Republic Day)
Malaysia August 31 (1957) Independence Day/Malaysia Day
Maldives July 26 (1965) Independence Day
Mali September 22 (1960) Independence Day
Malta September 21 (1964) Independence Day
Marshall Islands May 1 (1979) Constitution Day
Mauritania November 28 (1960) Independence Day
Mauritius March 12 (1968) Independence Day
Mayotte July 14 (1789) Bastille Day
Mexico September 16 (1810) Independence Day
Micronesia, Federated States of May 10 (1979) Constitution Day
Moldova August 27 (1991) Independence Day
Monaco November 19 (1857) National Day (Saint Rainier's Day)
Mongolia July 11 (1921) Independence Day/Revolution Day
Montenegro July 13 (1878) National Day
Morocco July 30 (1999) Throne Day (accession of King Mohamed VI to the throne)
Mozambique June 25 (1975) Independence Day
Namibia March 21 (1990) Independence Day
Nauru January 31 (1968) Independence Day
Netherlands April 30 (1909 and 1980) Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother Juliana and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter Beatrix)
Netherlands Antilles April 30 (1909 and 1980) Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother Juliana and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter Beatrix)
New Caledonia July 14 (1789) Bastille Day
New Zealand February 6 (1840) Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)
Nicaragua September 15 (1821) Independence Day
Niger December 18 (1958) Republic Day
Nigeria October 1 (1960) Independence Day (National Day)
Niue February 6 (1840) Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)
Norfolk Island June 8 (1856) Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders)
Northern Mariana Islands January 8 (1978) Commonwealth Day
Norway May 17 (1814) Constitution Day
Oman November 18 (1940) Birthday of Sultan Qaboos
Pakistan March 23 (1956) Republic Day
Palau July 9 (1979) Constitution Day
Panama November 3 (1903) Independence Day
Papua New Guinea September 16 (1975) Independence Day
Paraguay May 14-15 (1811) Independence Day
Peru July 28 (1821) Independence Day
Philippines June 12 (1898) Independence Day23
Poland May 3 (1791) Constitution Day
Portugal June 10 (1580) Portugal Day (Day of Portugal)24
Qatar September 3 (1971) Independence Day
Romania December 1 (1918) Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania)
Russia June 12 (1990) Russia Day
Rwanda July 1 (1962) Independence Day
St. Kitts and Nevis September 19 (1983) Independence Day
St. Lucia February 22 (1979) Independence Day
St. Martin July 14 (1789) Bastille Day25
St. Pierre and Miquelon July 14 (1789) Bastille Day
St. Vincent and the Grenadines October 27 (1979) Independence Day
Samoa June 1 (1962) Independence Day Celebration26
San Marino September 3 (A.D. 301) Founding of the Republic
Sí£o Tomé and Prí­ncipe July 12 (1975) Independence Day
Saudi Arabia September 23 (1932) Unification of the Kingdom
Senegal April 4 (1960) Independence Day
Serbia February 15 National Day
Seychelles June 18 (1993) Constitution Day (National Day)
Sierra Leone April 27 (1961) Independence Day
Singapore August 9 (1965) National Day
Slovakia September 1 (1992) Constitution Day
Slovenia June 25 (1991) Independence Day/Statehood Day
Solomon Islands July 7 (1978) Independence Day
Somalia July 1 (1960) Foundation of the Somali Republic27
South Africa April 27 (1994) Freedom Day
Spain October 12 (1492) National Day28
Sri Lanka February 4 (1948) Independence Day
Sudan January 1 (1956) Independence Day
Suriname November 25 (1975) Independence Day
Swaziland September 6 (1968) Independence Day
Sweden June 6 (1916) Swedish Flag Day, National Day (1983)
Switzerland August 1 (1291) Founding of the Swiss Confederation
Syria April 17 (1946) Independence Day
Taiwan October 10 (1911) Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution)
Tajikistan September 9 (1991) Independence Day (or National Day)
Tanzania April 26 (1964) Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar)
Thailand December 5 (1927) Birthday of King Phumiphon (Bhumibol)
Togo April 27 (1960) Independence Day
Tokelau February 6 (1840) Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand)
Tonga June 4 (1970) Emancipation Day
Trinidad and Tobago August 31 (1962) Independence Day
Tunisia March 20 (1956) Independence Day29
Turkey October 29 (1923) Republic Day
Turkmenistan October 27 (1991) Independence Day
Turks and Caicos Islands August 30 (1976) Constitution Day
Tuvalu October 1 (1978) Independence Day
Uganda October 9 (1962) Independence Day
Ukraine August 24 (1991) Independence Day30
United Arab Emirates December 2 (1971) Independence Day
United States July 4 (1776) Independence Day
Uruguay August 25 (1825) Independence Day
Uzbekistan September 1 (1991) Independence Day
Vanuatu July 30 (1980) Independence Day
Venezuela July 5 (1811) Independence Day
Vietnam September 2 (1945) Independence Day
Virgin Islands March 27 (1917) Transfer Day (from Denmark to the US)
Wallis and Futuna July 14 (1789) Bastille Day
Yemen May 22 (1990) Unification Day
Zambia October 24 (1964) Independence Day
Zimbabwe April 18 (1980) Independence Day
1. Israel declared independence on May 14, 1948, but the Jewish calendar is lunar and the holiday may occur in April or May
2. Commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality
3. August 15, 1971 was the date of independence from the UK, December 16, 1971, was the date of independence from British protection
4. March 26, 1971 is the date of independence from West Pakistan, December 16, 1971 is Victory Day and commemorates the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
5. July 3, 1944 was the date Minsk was liberated from German troops, August 25, 1991 was the date of Independence from the Soviet Union
6. Ugyen Wangchuck became first hereditary king
7. January 1, 1984 was the date of Independence from the UK, February 23, 1984 was the date of independence from British protection
8. June 25, 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 October 8, 1991 to sever constitutional relations with Yugoslavia
9. Turkish Cypriots celebrate November 15, 1983 as Independence Day
10. Generally viewed as the National Day
11. February 24, 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia; August 20, 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
12. A Union-wide holiday, the day that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of the European Coal and Steel Community to achieve an organized Europe
13. 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 July 14, 1789) and the establishment of a constitutional monarchy; other names for the holiday are Fete Nationale (National Holiday) and quatorze juillet (14th of July)
14. May 26, 1918 was the date of independence from Soviet Russia, April 9, 1991 was the date of independence from the Soviet Union
15. Day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or go with Spain
16. July 1, 1997 is celebrated as Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
17. This holiday was celebrated under the Saddam Husayn regime; the Government of Iraq has yet to declare a new national holiday
18. November 18, 1918 was the date Latvia declared itself independent from Soviet Russia; May 4, 1990 is when it declared the renewal of independence; August 21, 1991 was the date of de facto independence from the Soviet Union
19. February 16, 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
20. 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
21. December 20, 1999 is celebrated as Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment Day
22. Also known as Saint Elijah's Day
23. June 12, 1898 was date of declaration of independence from Spain; July 4, 1946 was date of independence from US
24. Also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died
25. Local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) July 12 (1848)
26. January 1, 1962 is the date of independence from the New Zealand-administered UN trusteeship; it is observed in June
27. June 26 (1960) in Somaliland
28. Year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas
29. Also the anniversary of Ben Ali's assumption of the presidency, November 7 (1987)
30. January 22, 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
Source: CIA World Factbook.

 

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