German Unity Day (Oct 3): What It Marks
German Unity Day, or Tag der Deutschen Einheit, is Germany’s national day, observed every October 3. In 2026, October 3 falls on a Saturday, and it…
Category: Holiday Explainers
Plain-language explainers on how public holidays work, from lunar calendars to substitute days.
Bastille Day (July 14): France’s National Celebration
Bastille Day, known in France as la Fete nationale, is celebrated every July 14 and marks the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, the dramatic…
Gandhi Jayanti (Oct 2): National Holiday Explained
Gandhi Jayanti, observed every October 2, marks the birthday of Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi, the leader of India’s independence movement and one of the most influential figures…
Independence Day of India (Aug 15): Holiday Guide
Independence Day of India, celebrated every August 15, marks the end of British colonial rule in 1947 and the birth of independent India. In 2026, August…
Republic Day of India (Jan 26): Holiday Guide
Republic Day of India, celebrated every January 26, marks the day India’s Constitution came into effect, making the country a sovereign republic. In 2026, January 26…
Veterans Day vs Remembrance Day vs Armistice Day (Nov 11 2026)
On November 11 each year, several countries pause to remember the dead of war, but they do not all call it the same thing. The United…
Columbus Day: History and the Modern Debate (Oct 12 2026)
Columbus Day, observed in the United States on the second Monday of October, is one of the most debated holidays on the American calendar. In 2026,…
Labor Day vs Labour Day: US, Canada and the World (Sep 7 2026)
Labor Day in the United States and Labour Day in Canada fall on the same date: the first Monday of September. In 2026, that is Monday,…
Independence Day (July 4): How America Celebrates (Observed July 3 in 2026)
Independence Day, celebrated every July 4, is the national day of the United States, marking the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776. In 2026,…
Juneteenth: America’s Newest Federal Holiday (June 19 2026)
Juneteenth, observed every June 19, is the newest federal holiday in the United States. In 2026, June 19 falls on a Friday, and as a federal…