| Field Listing :: National holiday |
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This entry gives the primary national day of celebration - usually independence day. |
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| Albania
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Independence Day, 28 November (1912) also known as Flag Day
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| Algeria
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Revolution Day, 1 November (1954)
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| Andorra
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Our Lady of Meritxell Day, 8 September (1278)
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| Angola
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Independence Day, 11 November (1975)
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| Armenia
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Independence Day, 21 September (1991)
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| Aruba
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Flag Day, 18 March (1976)
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| Australia
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Australia Day (commemorates the arrival of the First Fleet of Australian settlers), 26 January (1788); ANZAC Day (commemorates 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)
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| Austria
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National Day, 26 October (1955); note - commemorates the passage of the law on permanent neutrality
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| Azerbaijan
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Founding of the Democratic Republic of Azerbaijan, 28 May (1918)
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| Bahrain
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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
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| Bangladesh
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Independence Day, 26 March (1971); Victory Day; note - March 1971 is the date of the Awami League's declaration of an independent Bangladesh, and 16 December, known as Victory Day, memorializes the military victory over Pakistan and the official creation of the state of Bangladesh
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| Barbados
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Independence Day, 30 November (1966)
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| Belarus
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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
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| Belgium
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21 July (1831) ascension to the Throne of King LEOPOLD I
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| Belize
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Independence Day, 21 September (1981)
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| Benin
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National Day, 1 August (1960)
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| Bhutan
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National Day (Ugyen WANGCHUCK became first hereditary king), 17 December (1907)
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| Bolivia
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Independence Day, 6 August (1825)
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| Bosnia and Herzegovina
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National Day (Statehood Day), 25 November (1943); note - observed only in the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina entity
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| Botswana
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Independence Day (Botswana Day), 30 September (1966)
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| Brazil
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Independence Day, 7 September (1822)
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| Brunei
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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
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| Burkina Faso
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Republic Day, 11 December (1958); note - commemorates the day that Upper Volta became an autonomous republic in the French Community
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| Burma
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Independence Day, 4 January (1948); Union Day, 12 February (1947)
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| Burundi
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Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
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| Cambodia
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Independence Day, 9 November (1953)
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| Cameroon
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Republic Day (National Day), 20 May (1972)
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| Canada
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Canada Day, 1 July (1867)
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| Chad
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Independence Day, 11 August (1960)
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| Chile
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Independence Day, 18 September (1810)
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| China
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Anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China, 1 October (1949)
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| Colombia
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Independence Day, 20 July (1810)
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| Comoros
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Independence Day, 6 July (1975)
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| Cook Islands
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Constitution Day, first Monday in August (1965)
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| Croatia
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Independence Day, 8 October (1991) and Statehood Day, 25 June (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
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| Cuba
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Triumph of the Revolution, 1 January (1959)
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| Curacao
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Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
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| Cyprus
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Independence Day, 1 October (1960); note - Turkish Cypriots celebrate 15 November (1983) as "Independence Day"
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| Denmark
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none designated; Constitution Day, 5 June (1849) is generally viewed as the National Day
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| Djibouti
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Independence Day, 27 June (1977)
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| Dominica
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Independence Day, 3 November (1978)
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| Ecuador
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Independence Day (independence of Quito), 10 August (1809)
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| Egypt
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National Day, 23 July (1952)
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| Eritrea
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Independence Day, 24 May (1993)
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| Estonia
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Independence Day, 24 February (1918); note - 24 February 1918 was the date Estonia declared its independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 20 August 1991 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
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| Ethiopia
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National Day (defeat of MENGISTU regime), 28 May (1991)
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| European Union
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Europe Day 9 May (1950); note - the day in 1950 that Robert SCHUMAN proposed the creation of what became the European Coal and Steel Community, the progenitor of today's European Union, with the aim of achieving a united Europe
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| Fiji
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Independence Day, second Monday of October (1970)
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| Finland
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Independence Day, 6 December (1917)
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| France
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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)
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| French Polynesia
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Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - the local holiday is Internal Autonomy Day, 29 June (1880)
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| Gabon
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Independence Day, 17 August (1960)
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| Georgia
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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
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| Germany
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Unity Day, 3 October (1990)
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| Ghana
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Independence Day, 6 March (1957)
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| Gibraltar
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National Day, 10 September (1967); note - day of the national referendum to decide whether to remain with the UK or join Spain
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| Greece
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Independence Day, 25 March (1821)
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| Grenada
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Independence Day, 7 February (1974)
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| Guam
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Discovery Day, first Monday in March (1521)
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| Guatemala
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Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
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| Guinea
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Independence Day, 2 October (1958)
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| Guyana
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Republic Day, 23 February (1970)
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| Haiti
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Independence Day, 1 January (1804)
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| Honduras
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Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
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| Hong Kong
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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
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| Hungary
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Saint Stephen's Day, 20 August; note - commemorates the date when his remains were transferred to Buda (now Budapest)
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| Iceland
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Independence Day, 17 June (1944)
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| India
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Republic Day, 26 January (1950)
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| Iran
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Republic Day, 1 April (1979)
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| Iraq
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Republic Day, July 14 (1958); note - the Government of Iraq has yet to declare an official national holiday but still observes Republic Day
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| Ireland
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Saint Patrick's Day, 17 March
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| Israel
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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
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| Italy
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Republic Day, 2 June (1946)
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| Jamaica
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Independence Day, 6 August (1962)
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| Japan
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Birthday of Emperor AKIHITO, 23 December (1933)
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| Jersey
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Liberation Day, 9 May (1945)
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| Jordan
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Independence Day, 25 May (1946)
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| Kenya
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Independence Day, 12 December (1963); Madaraka Day, 1 June (1963); Mashujaa Day, 20 October (2010)
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| Kiribati
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Independence Day, 12 July (1979)
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| Korea, North
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Founding of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), 9 September (1948)
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| Kosovo
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Independence Day, 17 February (2008)
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| Kuwait
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National Day, 25 February (1950)
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| Laos
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Republic Day, 2 December (1975)
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| Latvia
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Independence Day, 18 November (1918); note - 18 November 1918 was the date Latvia declared independence from Soviet Russia and established its statehood; 4 May 1990 was the date it declared its independence from the Soviet Union
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| Lebanon
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Independence Day, 22 November (1943)
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| Lesotho
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Independence Day, 4 October (1966)
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| Liberia
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Independence Day, 26 July (1847)
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| Libya
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Liberation Day, 23 October (2011)
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| Lithuania
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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
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| Luxembourg
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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
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| Macau
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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
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| Macedonia
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Independence Day, 8 September (1991); also known as National Day
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| Malawi
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Independence Day (Republic Day), 6 July (1964)
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| Malaysia
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Independence Day 31 August (1957) (independence of Malaya); Malaysia Day 16 September (1963) (formation of Malaysia)
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| Maldives
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Independence Day, 26 July (1965)
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| Mali
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Independence Day, 22 September (1960)
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| Malta
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Independence Day, 21 September (1964); Republic Day, 13 December (1974)
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| Mexico
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Independence Day, 16 September (1810)
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| Moldova
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Independence Day, 27 August (1991)
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| Monaco
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National Day (Saint Rainier's Day), 19 November (1857)
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| Mongolia
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Independence Day/Revolution Day, 11 July (1921)
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| Montserrat
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Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926)
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| Morocco
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Throne Day (accession of King MOHAMMED VI to the throne), 30 July (1999)
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| Namibia
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Independence Day, 21 March (1990)
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| Nauru
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Independence Day, 31 January (1968)
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| Nepal
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Republic Day, 29 May
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| Netherlands
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Queen's Day (Birthday of deceased Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
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| New Caledonia
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Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - the local holiday is New Caledonia Day, 24 September (1853)
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| New Zealand
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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)
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| Nicaragua
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Independence Day, 15 September (1821)
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| Niger
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Republic Day, 18 December (1958); note - commemorates the founding of the Republic of Niger which predated independence from France in 1960
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| Nigeria
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Independence Day (National Day), 1 October (1960)
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| Niue
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Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
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| Norfolk Island
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Bounty Day (commemorates the arrival of Pitcairn Islanders), 8 June (1856)
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| Norway
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Constitution Day, 17 May (1814)
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| Oman
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Birthday of Sultan QABOOS, 18 November (1940)
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| Pakistan
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Pakistan Day (also referred to as Pakistan Resolution Day or Republic Day), 23 March (1940); note - commemorates both the adoption of the Lahore Resolution by the All-India Muslim League during its 22-24 March 1940 session, which called for the creation of independent Muslim states, and the adoption of the first constitution of Pakistan during the transition to the Islamic Republic of Pakistan on 23 March 1956
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| Palau
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Constitution Day, 9 July (1979)
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| Panama
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Independence Day, 3 November (1903)
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| Paraguay
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Independence Day, 14 May 1811 (observed 15 May)
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| Peru
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Independence Day, 28 July (1821)
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| Philippines
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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
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| Pitcairn Islands
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Birthday of Queen ELIZABETH II, second Saturday in June (1926); Discovery Day, 2 July (1767)
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| Poland
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Constitution Day, 3 May (1791)
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| Portugal
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Portugal Day (Dia de Portugal), 10 June (1580); note - also called Camoes Day, the day that revered national poet Luis de Camoes (1524-80) died
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| Puerto Rico
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US Independence Day, 4 July (1776); Puerto Rico Constitution Day, 25 July (1952)
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| Qatar
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Independence Day, 3 September (1971); also observed is National Day, 18 December (1878) (anniversary of Al Thani family accession to the throne)
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| Romania
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Unification Day (of Romania and Transylvania), 1 December (1918)
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| Russia
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Russia Day, 12 June (1990)
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| Rwanda
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Independence Day, 1 July (1962)
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| Saint Barthelemy
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Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is St. Barthelemy Day, 24 August (1572)
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| Saint Martin
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Fete de la Federation, 14 July (1789); note - local holiday is Schoalcher Day (Slavery Abolition Day) 12 July (1848)
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| Samoa
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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
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| San Marino
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Founding of the Republic, 3 September (A.D. 301)
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| Saudi Arabia
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Unification of the Kingdom, 23 September (1932)
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| Senegal
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Independence Day, 4 April (1960)
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| Serbia
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National Day, 15 February
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| Seychelles
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Constitution Day (National Day), 18 June (1993)
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| Sint Maarten
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Queen's Day (Birthday of Queen-Mother JULIANA and accession to the throne of her oldest daughter BEATRIX), 30 April (1909 and 1980)
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| Slovakia
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Constitution Day, 1 September (1992)
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| Slovenia
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Independence Day/Statehood Day, 25 June (1991)
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| Somalia
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Foundation of the Somali Republic, 1 July (1960); note - 26 June (1960) in Somaliland
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| Spain
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National Day, 12 October (1492); year when Columbus first set foot in the Americas
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| Sri Lanka
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Independence Day, 4 February (1948)
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| Sudan
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Independence Day, 1 January (1956)
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| Suriname
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Independence Day, 25 November (1975)
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| Swaziland
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Independence Day, 6 September (1968)
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| Sweden
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National Day, 6 June (1983); note - from 1916 to 1982 this date was celebrated as Swedish Flag Day
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| Switzerland
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Founding of the Swiss Confederation, 1 August (1291)
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| Syria
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Independence Day, 17 April (1946)
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| Taiwan
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Republic Day (Anniversary of the Chinese Revolution), 10 October (1911)
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| Tajikistan
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Independence Day (or National Day), 9 September (1991)
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| Tanzania
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Union Day (Tanganyika and Zanzibar), 26 April (1964)
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| Thailand
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Birthday of King PHUMIPHON (BHUMIBOL), 5 December (1927)
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| Timor-Leste
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Proclamation of Independence Day, 28 November (1975)
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| Togo
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Independence Day, 27 April (1960)
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| Tokelau
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Waitangi Day (Treaty of Waitangi established British sovereignty over New Zealand), 6 February (1840)
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| Tonga
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National Day, 4 November (1875)
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| Tunisia
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Independence Day, 20 March (1956); Revolution and Youth Day, 14 January (2011)
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| Turkey
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Republic Day, 29 October (1923)
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| Tuvalu
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Independence Day, 1 October (1978)
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| Uganda
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Independence Day, 9 October (1962)
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| Ukraine
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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 Greater (Eastern) Ukrainian republics united (1919), is now celebrated as Unity Day
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| United Kingdom
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the UK does not celebrate one particular national holiday
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| Uruguay
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Independence Day, 25 August (1825)
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| Vanuatu
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Independence Day, 30 July (1980)
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| Vietnam
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Independence Day, 2 September (1945)
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| Yemen
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Unification Day, 22 May (1990)
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| Zambia
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Independence Day, 24 October (1964)
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| Zimbabwe
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Independence Day, 18 April (1980)
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Central Intelligence Agency
