Category Celebration All Around the World

Bastille Day

In Paris, France, on July 14, 1789, a ragged mob of people swept through the streets shouting for justice. The people were on their way to the Bastille, a dreadful prison.

The Bastille stood for all that was evil in France. At that time, the king and the rich lived in luxury. The poor were often starving and treated badly. Anyone who complained was thrown into a prison such as the Bastille.

But on that day in July, the people rose up in anger. They stormed the Bastille, freed the prisoners, and began to tear down the prison. This event was part of the French Revolution. The revolution led to greater freedom and a better government for the French people.

Today, French people everywhere celebrate July 14 in memory of that important day in 1789. It is Bastille Day, a national holiday in France.

The celebration of Bastille Day includes parades, games, speeches, and fireworks. In the evening, people dance in the street until dawn, just as they did on the first Bastille Day.

Bon Festival

The smell of incense fills the air. Paper lanterns light up homes and cemeteries. It’s the Japanese festival of Bon, the time of year when Buddhists believe the spirits of their ancestors come to visit them. The festival takes place from July 13 to 15.

Obon (Japanese) or just Bon is a Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the spirits of one’s ancestors. It has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years and traditionally includes a dance, known as Bon Odori. This custom has evolved into a family reunion holiday during which people return to ancestral family places and visit and clean their ancestors’ graves, and when the spirits of ancestors are supposed to revisit the household altars.

The festival of Obon lasts for three days; however, its starting date varies within different regions of Japan. In modern Japan, it is held on July 15 in the eastern part (Kant?), on August 15 in the western part (Kansai), and in Okinawa and the Amami Islands it is celebrated like China’s Ghost Festival on the 15th day of the 7th lunar month.

During the festival, Buddhists light paper lanterns at their homes to guide the spirits. They also leave food in their homes and cemeteries to welcome the spirits. Families go to the cemetery to clean family graves. They may also entertain guests at home or exchange gifts.

On the last evening, families float the lanterns down rivers or on the sea. They believe the lanterns carry the spirits back to the spirit world.

Independence Day

During the American Revolution, the legal separation of the thirteen colonies from Great Britain in 1776 actually occurred on July 2, when the Second Continental Congress voted to approve a resolution of independence that had been proposed in June by Richard Henry Lee of Virgina declaring the United States independent from Great Britain’s rule. After voting for independence, Congress turned its attention to the Declaration of Independence, a statement explaining this decision, which had been prepared by a Committee of Five, with Thomas Thomas Jefferson as its principal author. Congress debated and revised the wording of the Declaration, finally approving it two days later on July 4.

Independence Day is commonly associated with fireworks, parades, barbecues, carnivals, fairs, picnics, concerts, baseball games, family reunions, political speeches, and ceremonies, in addition to various other public and private events celebrating the history, government, and traditions of the United States. Independence Day is the national day of the United States.

The second day of July 1776 will be the most memorable epoch in the history of America. I am apt to believe that it will be celebrated by succeeding generations as the great anniversary festival. It ought to be commemorated as the day of deliverance, by solemn acts of devotion to God Almighty. It ought to be solemnized with pomp and parade, with shows, games, sports, guns, bells, bonfires, and illuminations, from one end of this continent to the other, from this time forward forever more.

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Canada Day

Canada has a birthday on July 1. It’s Canada Day. People across Canada celebrate this national holiday with parades, fireworks, and other festivities.

Canada was once part of Great Britain. In time, it formed its own government. This new nation remained loyal to Britain.

On July 1, 1867, the British government approved the plan to make Canada an independent country. It was called the Dominion of Canada. The new country had only 4 provinces. Now Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. Canada no longer calls itself a dominion, so July 1 is now Canada Day instead of its former name, Dominion Day.

The British North America Act came into effect on 1 July 1867, creating the country of Canada with its initial four provinces of Ontario, Québec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. In June 1868, Governor General Charles Stanley Monck called for a celebration of the anniversary of Confederation on 1 July 1868. While several communities did organize celebrations on this day, the legal status of Dominion Day as a public holiday was uncertain. In May 1869, a bill to make Dominion Day a public holiday was debated in the House of Commons, but it was withdrawn after several members of Parliament voiced objections. A more successful effort, sponsored by Senator Robert Carrall of British Columbia, passed through Parliament in 1879, making Dominion Day a public holiday.

In the decades following the Second World War, several private members’ and government-sponsored bills were proposed to change the name of Dominion Day, but none succeeded. In July 1982, a private member’s bill to change the name to Canada Day was proposed by Vaudreuil MP Hal Herbert. The bill quickly passed through the House of Commons, and was ratified by the Senate in the fall.

Picture Credit : Google

Highland Games

Bagpipes sound and drums thunder. Men and women in tartan kilts perform traditional Scottish dances. All around are contests of athletics and strength. It’s the Highland Games, traditional Scottish contests of athletics, dancing, and music.

Highland games have been a part of Scotland’s culture for hundreds of years and are just as popular today as they’ve ever been. And it’s no wonder when you experience the sense of community, heritage and celebration at each of Scotland’s Highland games.

Every Highland games event has a unique character and traditions, and many are held in simply stunning locations. Make new friends with the locals and other visitors as you enjoy our Scottish hospitality and watch a gripping sporting spectacle of champions, with dancing, music, and more.

Highland games are events held in spring and summer in Scotland and other countries with a large Scottish Diaspora, as a way of celebrating Scottish and Celtic culture, especially that of the Scottish Highlands Games. Certain aspects of the games are so well known as to have become emblematic of Scotland, such as the bagpipes, the kilt, and the heavy events, especially the caber toss. While centered on competitions in piping and drumming, dancing, and Scottish heavy athletics, the games also include entertainment and exhibits related to other aspects of Scottish and Gaelic cultures.

There are races, jumping contests, and more. One of the unusual events at the games is the caber-throwing contest. A caber looks a bit like a short telegraph pole. This game is a test of strength.

Highland games were first held in the rugged Highlands of northern Scotland. Today, they are held at different times in Scotland, Canada, New Zealand, and the U.S.A.

Picture Credit : Google

Flag Day

On Flag Day in Sweden, June 6, the Swedes remember the day in 1523 when Gustavus I became king and Sweden became an independent country. Before then, Sweden was part of a group of countries ruled by the king and queen of Denmark. Sweden was part of this group for many years. But some people were not happy under Danish rulers. Gustavus was one of them. He joined the fight for independence from Denmark when he was only 18 years old. Sweden won its independence, and the happy Swedes elected Gustavus as their king.

Today, Swedes celebrate the day with parades. Many people fly the country’s flag outside their home. The king and queen of Sweden also give flags to schools, sports clubs, and other groups in a special ceremony.

There are other flag days in June. The U.S.A. celebrates Flag Day on June 14. Finland’s Flag Day is the Saturday closest to June 24.

Picture Credit : Google