Formerly called the Feast of Purification of the Blessed Virgin Mary. All Mexico celebrates. Dances, processions, bullfights. Commemorates presentation of Jesus in the Temple and the purification of Mary 40 days after his birth. Traditional Chinese festival falls on 15th day of first month of the Chinese lunar calendar year.
Lantern processions mark the end of the Chinese New Year holiday season.
Commemorates independence from Great Britain in 1974. Participation in the Needle Mass hopefully leads to a happy marriage. The holiday was abolished after WWII, but was revived as National Foundation Day in 1966. Ceremonies are held with Their Imperial Majesties the Emperor and Empress, the Prime Minister and other dignitaries attending. The Lateran Treaty, signed by Pietro Cardinal Gasparri and Benito Mussolini, guaranteed the independence of the State of Vatican City and recognized the sovereignty of the Holy See over it.