Evening star., 1922-07-23
Holidays of Nations

pire and it's dependencies as Empire
day. Days of less Importance but
still widely observed are the birth
of Wales.
Queens Birthday Patent.
few things did more to foster British
days of King George and the Prince
unity and patriotism than the queens
birthday. Every year on May "a, not
only in the British Isles, but in India,
Canada. and the other colonies and
dependencies. the theme of Grafton was
The Queen, God Bless Her" No
sovereign was ever more widely loved
by the people at home or abroad than
Victoria. After her death her birth
day was made a statutory holiday
throughout the empire.
Dominion day, in Canada, July 1. is
second in Importance in that country
only to Empire day. Dominion day
celebrates the adoption of the North
American act of 1857, which united
great confederation. henceforth to be
known as the Dominion of Canada.
Dominion day arouses national en-
thusiasm which Is a most important
factor in the development of any ma
ton. Large Importance is attached
to the day in educational circles.
School exercises are conducted in
connection with which a Canadian
sentiment Is inculcated. The prog
ress Of the people of Canada toward
freedom and self-government was
obtained only through struggle and
self sacrifice. Dominion day fosters
spirit which has made the people
Of British North America loyal not
only to Canada, but to the British
empire.
Other National Fete Days.
Throughout the French possessions
the national fete day celebrated in
I France Is observed. and the same
rule obtains throughout the Spanish
and Dutch possessions In Spanish
countries saints days are celebrated.
In Mohammedan countries events in
Mohammedan history are commemo-
rated. In Egypt holidays are cele-
brated by Mohammedans, Jews and
Christians. There is no general OBJ
| servance of any day. Some Of the
new nations. the Offspring Of the
fete days. The Baltic states have
designated November Is as their in
dependence day. Czechoslovakia has
named October 27 as marking the
date when independence was declared
Finland has set apart December for
, the same reason, while the German
republic honors November as the
anniversary of its revolution. Ar
menia has set apart May 2S as Jnde-
pendence day, to commemorate the
declaration of independence and the
establishment Of the republic In 1918.
| China observes October 10 as the an
iniversary Of the revolution that over
turned the throne and transformed the
empire into a republic, but the ma
ltional spirit is less in evidence than
in the occidental countries. for the
lnew year celebration Is the most I'M
Iportant holiday in that land. 1t lasts
for several days officially and perhaps
q month unodicially. The popular
holidays are those marking the com.
ing Of spring, summer, autumn ana
Imtd-autumn.
Spanish Inaueace Felt.
That the Spanish influence Is still
lfelt in South America and that pride
In the great. Spanish explorer is main
ltained is~shown by tho fact that Dis
covery day, October II. is observed In
| a number Of South American repuo-
lies. It is not the chief fete day. but
lit is one that is widely celebrated.
lArxentina observes May 26 as Inde-
lperdenco day; Bolivia, August 8;
lRraxl. .Septenber Z. Brazil also ceie-
brates February - as the day OF the
| nrornuleation, OF the constitution, and
! November Is al the day OF the procla-