Total Defence Day (Singapore)
Total Defence Day marks the surrender of the British to the Japanese in 1942, precursoring 3 years and 6 months of Japanese Occupation. The commemoration seeks to remind people of the sufferings endured by our fore fathers during the Japanese Occupation. It is also an occasion to refamiliarise our people with the modern defence strategy of "Total Defence" that Singapore has adopted to ensure our continued survival and security. Schools frequently organize activities, such as quizzes or fire drills, for students to remind them on the importance of Total Defence, to remind students that Singapore is defensible and is worth defending, and only Singaporeans would have the will to defend Singapore. Each year, the "Important Message" signal of the Public Warning System is sounded to commemorate the day.
EDSA People Power Revolution (Philippines)
People Power Anniversary is a nationwide observance and school holiday in the Philippines each year. This event holds a special place in the hearts of many Filipinos as they remember a revolution that restored democracy in the Philippines in 1986.Many people celebrate People Power Anniversary by wearing yellow, which was the official color of the LABAN party, the rival political group that challenged the government back in 1986. Much of the festivities and activities occur in the city of Manila, particularly Epifanio Delos Santos Avenue (EDSA), a major public road where people flock to visit. Activities include programs such as church masses and concerts.
Valentine's day
Valentine's Day, also known as Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is a celebration observed on February 14 each year. It is celebrated in many countries around the world, although it is not a public holiday in most of them.
National Foundation Day (Japan)
Every year during the 11th of February, Japan observes the anniversary of their National Foundation Day. It is in this day that they honor Japan’s founder and first emperor Jimmu, a successor of the Sun Goddess.It was believed that the National Foundation Day of Japan was based on the New Year festivity in which the calendar’s date relies on the moon phase and the solar year. The Japanese believes that Emperor Jimmu’s power and authority to become ruler of the empire was designated on the first day of the month. This significant moment of appointing Jimmu as emperor was declared by the people as a holiday and was named Kigen-setsu or the Empire Day.
Berlin International Film Festival
The Berlin International Film Festival (German: Internationale Filmfestspiele Berlin), also called the Berlinale, is one of the world's leading film festivals and most reputable media events. It is held annually in Berlin, Germany. Founded in West Berlin in 1951, the festival has been celebrated annually in February since 1978. With around 300,000 tickets sold and 500,000 admissions it is considered the largest publicly attended film festival worldwide based on actual attendance rates. Up to 400 films are shown in several sections, representing a comprehensive array of the cinematic world.
Waitangi Day - Observed (New Zealand)
Waitangi Day commemorates the first signing of New Zealand’s founding document – the Treaty at Waitangi in 1840. It is a public holiday in New Zealand on February 6 each year.Māori cultural performances, speeches from Māori and Pakeha (European) dignitaries, and a naval salute are all part of the official Waitangi Day celebrations at Waitangi, New Zealand. Waitangi Day is also a time when people publicly debate on issues such as national identity and multiculturalism. Various activities and events are held at the Waitangi Treaty Grounds. It’s a day that bubbles with ceremonies, music, sports and fun. Waitangi Day itself has always involved performances and parades from the Royal New Zealand Navy and local cultural groups.
Lunar New Year
Chinese New Year is the largest and most important annual festival celebrated by Chinese and Chinese descendants around the world. Also known as the Spring Festival, Chinese Lunar New Year and Lunar New Year, the Chinese New Year is based on the Chinese lunar calendar, begins on the first day of the first month and ends with Lantern Festival on the 15th day of the first month. Hong Kong - Feb 8-10 Lunar New Year is the most spectacular holiday of Hong Kong’s year and runs officially for three days, and even four if the holiday coincides with a Sunday. Unofficially, it is celebrated for up to two weeks.Chinese communities around the world, and particularly in Hong Kong, come alive with colour, fragrance, music and celebrations over the holiday. It is a time for massive festivities, temple rituals, fortune telling, family gatherings and the exchanging of gifts. Source: http://publicholidays.hk/lunar-new-year/ Taiwan - Feb 7-12 Most of the shops and tourist attractions in Taiwan bring down their shutters during the first or second day of the Chinese New Year, while hotels and restaurants will be open and busy on the Chinese New Year’s Eve, being the home to family dinners. People would spend their days on family visits, and join the myriad of events and celebrations across Taiwan cities during the Chinese New Year period. As most of the shops will be closed during some days of the Chinese New Year period, Chinese New Year markets are great places in Taiwan to prepare for your Chinese New Year feast and prepare presents to your families and friends. Source: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/taiwan/republic-day Vietnam - Feb 6-12 Tet Nguyen Dan, or Tet for short, is considered the biggest and most popular festival of the year in Vietnam. Celebrated on the first day of the first month in Lunar Calendar, Tet’s celebration is the longest holiday which may last up to seven days. Source: http://www.vietnamonline.com/tet.html South Korea - Feb 7-10 Seollal is the first day of the first lunar month. For the Koreans, Seollal holds more significance than the new year of the Gregorian calendar. It is similar to the Chinese New Year holiday, and is a time for prayer and paying respect to one’s ancestor. Koreans also travel back to their hometowns to visit relatives. Preparations are done on the days leading up to Seollal, and many take the day off to travel. On the day itself, people get together to play traditional games, partake in feasts with traditional foods, or just simply enjoy one another’s company. The hanbok is traditionally worn, but many choose to don formal wear instead. The day begins with an ancestral rite of praying before a ritual table for respect and thanks, as well as praying for the family’s well being for the upcoming year. Source: http://thaholiday.com/south-korea-public-holidays-2016/ Singapore - Feb 8-9 Also known as Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, Chinese New Year is the most important event in the Chinese calendar. Traditionally, the festival was a time to honour deities, as well as ancestors. Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as China, Hong Kong and Taiwan, as well as countries in South East Asia. The most significant part about the festival is the reunion dinner on New Year's Eve, where families gather for a scrumptious meal at home or restaurant. In some families it is essential to serve fish to symbolize the popular Chinese phrase (nian nian you yu), whihc means may there be surpluses every year. Another common practice during Chinese New Year is the giving of red packets, commonly known as "ang pow" in Singapore. Sources: http://www.yoursingapore.com/festivals-events-singapore/cultural-festivals/chinese-new-year.html https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chinese_New_Year http://publicholidays.sg/chinese-new-year/ Philippines - Feb 8 Chinese New Year is considered to be the most important festival for the Chinese community in the Philippines. It does not follow a fixed date in the Gregorian calendar, which is widely used in many countries. The celebration stretches to about 15 days with varied observations each day. Filipino-Chinese communities in the Philippines celebrate Chinese New Year every year in hope of attracting prosperity, closer family ties and peace. Most Filipino-Chinese families usually clean their homes thoroughly, prepare lucky money in red envelopes, serve sweet foods and display various food and fruits on a table, which is believed to invite good fortune. People also participate in parades and dragon dances that are organized in China Towns in different cities in the Philippines. Source: http://www.timeanddate.com/holidays/philippines/chinese-new-year-day Malaysia - Feb 8-9 In Malaysia many people light fireworks during Chinese New Year. At Chinese New Years Eve, you can enjoy fireworks until the deepest hours of the night. Also at other days, people will light fireworks. The best chance to witness this is in the more Chinese areas in Kuala Lumpur (like Chinatown, Old Klang Road/Kuchai Lama and many areas in Petaling Jaya) and also in cities like Georgetown (at Penang Island), Ipoh and Malacca. Hokkien Chinese in Malaysia also light a lot a fireworks at the ninth day of Chinese New Year, in celebration of the birthday of the Jade Emperor. Source: http://www.wonderfulmalaysia.com/attractions/chinese-new-year-in-malaysia.htm Indonesia - Feb 8 Lunar Chinese New Year’s celebrations in Indonesia, known locally as Imlek, incorporate customs, beliefs and practices brought to Jakarta Indonesia by Chinese immigrants who still follow the practices handed down from their parents.Within the ethnic Chinese community there are immigrants from many regions throughout China. Distinctively different Chinese communities are found in Pontianak for example, when compared to Medan or even Jakarta. Each of these immigrant communities brought the unique traditions of their hometowns to Jakarta Indonesia. This diversity in origins explains the diversity in the way Lunar Chinese New Year is celebrated by communities throughout the Indonesian archipelago. Source: http://newyearseveblog.com/jakarta-chinese-new-year/ Thailand - Feb 8 Chinese New Year or Spring festival is hugely celebrated in many Chinese community in Thailand. The festival begins on the first day of the first lunar month and ends on the 15th day of the month . Although it is not considered to be an official holiday, numbers of Sino-Thai people usually take at least a day off in order reunite with their relatives in order to celebrate the beginning of the year together. Source: Infoquest
World Cancer Day
A truly global event taking place every year on 4 February, World Cancer Day unites the world’s population in the fight against cancer. It aims to save millions of preventable deaths each year by raising awareness and education about the disease, pressing governments and individuals across the world to take action. Taking place under the tagline ‘We can. I can.’, World Cancer Day 2016-2018 will explore how everyone – as a collective or as individuals – can do their part to reduce the global burden of cancer.
Federal Territory Day (Malaysia)
Federal Territory Day is celebrated on 1st February every year in Kuala Lumpur, Putrajaya and Labuan. The date marks the anniversary of the formation of Kuala Lumpur Federal Territory, which took place in 1974.
Australia Day (Australia)
Australia Day commemorates the establishment of the first European settlement at Port Jackson, now part of Sydney, in 1788. It is an opportunity for Australians to come together to celebrate their country and culture. There are reflections on the achievements of the nation and explorations of way to make the country even better in the future.
Thaipusam (Malaysia)
Thaipusam is a key Hindu ceremony that is held each year during the full moon in the tenth month of the Hindu calendar – Thai – falling from mid-January to mid-February in the Gregorian calendar. It is marked in Malaysia by a public holiday. Thaipusam is celebrated by the Hindu people of South India and the mainly Tamil-speaking Hindu communities throughout Malaysia. Thaipusam is dedicated as a thanksgiving to Lord Subramaniam (also known as Murugan) for answered prayers, and is also a day of penance.
Australian Tennis Open (Jan 18-31)
The Australian Open is a major tennis tournament held annually over the last fortnight of January in Melbourne, Australia. First held in 1905, the tournament is chronologically the first of the four Grand Slam tennis events of the year – the other three being the French Open, Wimbledon, and the US Open. It features men's and women's singles; men's, women's, and mixed doubles and junior's championships; as well as wheelchair, legends and exhibition events. Prior to 1988 the tournament had been played on grass. Since 1988 two types of hardcourt surfaces have been used at Melbourne Park – green Rebound Ace to 2007 and bluePlexicushion from 2008.
Hong Kong Marathon (Hong Kong)
The Hong Kong Marathon, sponsored by Standard Chartered Bank, is an annual marathon race held in February or March in Hong Kong. In addition to the full marathon, a 10 km run and a half marathon are also held. Around 70,000 runners take part each year across all events. In 2016, the Standard Chartered Hong Kong Marathon will celebrate its 20th anniversary.
Coming of Age Day (Japan)
The Coming of Age festival (Seijin no Hi) is celebrated on the second Monday in January. Until 1999, it used to be celebrated on January 15th. The day honors young Japanese who will reach the age of 20 at any point during the year. Twenty is the age of majority in Japan, and people who have reached this age gain the right to vote in elections as well as to drink.
73rd Golden Globe Awards
The Golden Globe Award is an American accolade bestowed by the 93 members of the Hollywood Foreign Press Association (HFPA) recognizing excellence in film and television, both domestic and foreign. The annual formal ceremony and dinner at which the awards are presented are a major part of the film industry's awards season, which culminates each year with the Academy Awards.
National Children's Day (Thailand)
Thailand celebrates its Children’s Day on the second Saturday of January. On this day, the Prime Minister announces the motto to motivate kids to behave and perform in order to reach national goals. Government and private sectors will launch a variety of activities for kids nationwide.
International Consumer Electronics Show
For 50 years, CES has been the launch pad for new innovation and technology that has changed the world. Held in Las Vegas every year, it is the world’s gathering place for all who thrive on the business of consumer technologies and where next-generation innovations are introduced to the marketplace.
New Year's Day
New Year’s Day, which is on January 1, marks the start of the year in the Gregorian calendar and it's a public holiday in many countries.
New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve is a social holiday to celebrate the last day of the year. Many countries celebrate this special event with fireworks, friends and family gathering, countdown activities, food and parties. The celebrations usually go on past midnight into January 1.
India Ocean Tsunami Memorial
India Ocean Tsunami Memorial Day is a day to pay respect to the lives lost, the injured and the missing as a result of one of the worst natural disasters in 2004. In the past, ceremonies were held to pay tribute and to express thanks to all individuals and agencies, both in Thailand and internationally, who provided assistance and to build confidence in Thailand’s early warning system and readiness in disaster prevention in the future.