What Other Countries Celebrate May 24th?
A handful of other nations around the world also have holidays today [May 24], celebrating things ranging from independence, a sovereign’s birthday, with the European nations having holidays stemming from Saints Cyril and Methodius Day.
Eritrea
- On May 24 1991, the African nation of Eritrea became a self-governing sovereign nation, and every May 24th they celebrate ‘Eritrean Independence Day’ with parades, parties and more. You can see some photos of their celebrations here.
Canada
- Victoria Day is a federal Canadian statutory holiday celebrated on the last Monday before or on May 24th, in honour of both Queen Victoria’s birthday and the current reigning Canadian sovereign’s official birthday. Like Bermuda, it is also considered an informal mark of the beginning of the summer season.
Bulgaria
- In Bulgaria May 24th is known as the “Bulgarian Education and Culture, and Slavonic Literature Day” a national holiday celebrating Bulgarian culture and literature as well as the alphabet.
Macedonia
- In the Republic of Macedonia, May 24th is known as the “Saints Cyril and Methodius, Slavonic Enlighteners’ Day”, and has been a national holiday since 2007.
Russia
- In Russia, May 24th is known as the “Slavonic Literature and Culture Day”, although it is not a public holiday.
On a related note, the celebrities below also celebrate their birthday today:
- 1938 – Tommy Chong, Canadian actor and comedian
- 1941 – Bob Dylan, American singer
- 1944 – Patti LaBelle, American R&B singer
- 1945 – Priscilla Presley, American actress, wife of Elvis Presley
- 1955 – Roseanne Cash, American country singer
- 1966 – Eric Cantona, Manchester United & French national footballer
- 1966 – Ricky Craven, American NASCAR driver
- 1978 – Elijah Burke, American Professional Wrestler
- 1979 – Tracy McGrady, American basketball player
- 1995 – Prince Joseph Wenzel of Liechtenstein
the name “Bermuda Day” was introduced following the 1977 riots to make us fell better about ourselves and radical.
Before that the same holiday was Commomwealth Day, before that Empire Day and before that Victoria Day: in conjunction with the rest of the commonwealth.
Various counrties have moved the date of observance but its the same spring holiday.
For example the UK has moved it to the last Monday in May and now call it a bank holiday.
This years theme for commonwealth day is “Women as Agents of Change”
Well said franktalk, I am surprised they left this important info out.
I have told numerous people this week the same facts and none of those were aware!