International Youth Day
On 17 December 1999, in its resolution 54/120, the United Nations General Assembly endorsed the recommendation made by the World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August 1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day.
Her Majesty the Queen’s Birthday (Thailand)
This holiday marks the birthday of the current queen of Thailand, Queen Siriki
Eid al-Adha (Indonesia)
Also called the "Sacrifice Feast", it honors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son
Thai's Mother's Day
Every country has its own Mother’s Day, which is a time to pay respects to all the mums for their undying love and care they bestow upon their children, and in the Land of Smiles, this day falls on the Queen of Thailand’s birthday, August 12th. Mother’s Day in Thailand sees many activities and gatherings that are dedicated to mothers everywhere and as this day is also Queen Sirikit’s birthday. Mother’s Day is a national holiday.
Eidul Adha (Philippines)
Eidul Adha is a Muslim celebration that honours the willingness of Ibrahim to obey Allah and also commemorates the end of the Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca). In 2019, Eidul Adha is expected to fall on Sunday 11 August. However the date will only be confirmed once the NCMF informs the President’s office of the actual day and a proclamation is made.
Mountain Day (Japan)
Mountain Day is also known as 'Yama no hi' and is Japan's newest public holiday.Since 2016, it has been celebrated on 11 August. It is presumed that if 11 August falls on a Sunday, the following Monday will be observed as a holiday.
Hari Raya Haji & Holiday (Malaysia & Singapore)
Hari Raya Haji is the local Malaysian name for the Muslim holiday of Eid al Adha, "the Feast of Sacrifice". In general, people celebrate by rising early to pray, going to mosque to hear a sermon, wearing new clothes, visiting family and friends, and eating a large, festive, meat-heavy meal.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples
This year’s International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples is devoted to the right to education.The right of indigenous peoples to education is protected by the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples, which in Article 14 states that “Indigenous peoples have the right to establish and control their educational systems and institutions providing education in their own languages, in a manner appropriate to their cultural methods of teaching and learning.” The right of indigenous peoples to education is also protected by a number of other international human rights instruments, including the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Nagasaki Peace Memorial Ceremony (Japan)
Every year, on 9 August, the anniversary of the atomic bombing on Nagasaki, the Peace Memorial Ceremony is held in front of the statue (a large bronze figure with one hand pointing up and the other extending sideways) at the Nagasaki Peace Park and the Mayor of Nagasaki delivers a Peace Declaration to the World. This year commemorates the 74th aniversary of the atomic bomb on Nagasaki.
Singapore's National Day
The National Day of Singapore is celebrated every year on August 9, in commemoration of the Singapore's independence from Malaysia in the year 1965. This holiday features a National Day Parade, an address by the Prime Minister of Singapore, and fireworks celebrations.
Chinese Valentine's Day
Chinese Valentine's Day is on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month in the Chinese calendar. A love story for this day is about the 7th daughter of Emperor of Heaven and an orphaned cowherd. The Emperor separated them. The 7th daughter was forced to move to the star Vega and the cowherd moved to the star Altair. They are allowed to meet only once a year on the day of 7th day of 7th lunar month.
Anniversary of AJI
It celebrates the founding of AJI, the Alliance of Independent Journalists
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony
Hiroshima Peace Memorial Ceremony is an annual Japanese vigil held on Hiroshima Peace City Memorial Monument in Peace Memorial Park that takes place on August 6 with the aim of consoling the victims of the atomic bombs, reasurring people of Japan's desire for a nuclear weapons free world and praying for the realization of lasting world peace. This year commemorates the 74th aniversary of the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
World Day against Trafficking in Persons
Human trafficking is a crime that exploits women, children and men for numerous purposes including forced labour and sex. The International Labour Organization estimates that 21 million people are victims of forced labour globally. This estimate also includes victims of human trafficking for labour and sexual exploitation. While it is not known how many of these victims were trafficked, the estimate implies that currently, there are millions of trafficking in persons victims in the world. Every country in the world is affected by human trafficking, whether as a country of origin, transit, or destination for victims. Children make up almost a third of all human trafficking victims worldwide, according to the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime Global Report on Trafficking in Persons. Additionally, women and girls comprise 71 per cent of human trafficking victims, the report states.
International Day of Friendship
The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.The resolution (A/RES/65/275) places particular emphasis on involving young people, as future leaders, in community activities that include different cultures and promote international understanding and respect for diversity.
World Hepatitis Day
Every year on July 28th, World Hepatitis Day aims to increase the awareness and understanding of viral hepatitis as a major global health threat. All types of viral hepatitis can cause inflammation of the liver; however, hepatitis B and C infection can result in a lifelong, chronic infection. The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that nearly 400 million people have chronic viral hepatitis worldwide and most of them do not know they are infected. More than 1 million people die each year from causes related to viral hepatitis, commonly cirrhosis and liver cancer. The date of July 28 was chosen for World Hepatitis Day in honour of the birthday of Nobel Laureate Professor Baruch Samuel Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus.
1976 Tangshan Earthquake
At 3:42 a.m. on July 28, 1976, a magnitude 7.8 earthquake hit the sleeping city of Tangshan, in northeastern China. The very large earthquake, striking an area where it was totally unexpected, obliterated the city of Tangshan and killed over 240,000 people - making it the deadliest earthquake of the twentieth century.
King Vajiralongkorn’s Birthday (Thailand)
The day commemorates the birthday of the King of Thailand, Vajiralongkorn, also known as Rama X.
Racial Harmony Day
Racial Harmony Day is an annual event held on 21 July to commemorate the communal riots of 1964 and teach students the importance of maintaining racial and religious harmony in Singapore’s multicultural and multi-ethnic society.
Nelson Mandela International Day
On July 18, every year, we invite you to mark Nelson Mandela International Day by making a difference in your communities. Everyone has the ability and the responsibility to change the world for the better! Mandela Day is an occasion for all to take action and inspire change.