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Belize National Holidays

Belize, a country located on the northeastern coast of Central America, celebrates several national holidays throughout the year. Here’s a list of some of the major ones:

1. New Year’s Day (January 1st): Celebrated as the first day of the Gregorian calendar year, it’s a time for festivities, reflection, and often includes parties and fireworks.
2. Baron Bliss Day (March 9th): This holiday commemorates the death of Baron Bliss, a British-born traveler and philanthropist who fell in love with Belize and left a considerable amount of his fortune to the country upon his death. It’s celebrated with regattas and various sporting events.
3. Good Friday and Holy Saturday (variable): These are observed in accordance with the Christian calendar, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday and his entombment on Holy Saturday. They are typically marked by religious observances and services.
4. Easter Monday (variable): This holiday falls on the day after Easter Sunday and is often celebrated with family gatherings, picnics, and various outdoor activities.
5. Labour Day (May 1st): Celebrated globally, Labour Day honors the contributions of workers and the labor movement. In Belize, it often includes parades, rallies, and speeches advocating for workers’ rights.
6. Sovereign’s Day (formerly Commonwealth Day) (May 24th): This holiday celebrates the birthday of Queen Victoria, the British monarch during Belize’s colonial period. In recent years, it has been renamed Sovereign’s Day to reflect Belize’s move towards full sovereignty and independence.
7. St. George’s Caye Day (September 10th): This holiday commemorates the Battle of St. George’s Caye, a key event in Belizean history where British settlers and their African slaves successfully defended against a Spanish invasion in 1798. It’s celebrated with parades, cultural events, and reenactments.
8. Independence Day (September 21st): This is one of the most significant holidays in Belize, marking the day in 1981 when Belize gained independence from British colonial rule. It’s celebrated with parades, fireworks, cultural performances, and other festivities across the country.
9. Pan American Day (October 12th): Celebrated to commemorate the anniversary of the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas, this holiday emphasizes pan-American unity and solidarity.
10. Garifuna Settlement Day (November 19th): This holiday celebrates the arrival of the Garifuna people in Belize in 1832 after their exile from the Caribbean island of St. Vincent. It’s marked by traditional music, dance, food, and cultural activities, particularly in Garifuna communities.
11. Christmas Day (December 25th): Celebrated as the birth of Jesus Christ, Christmas in Belize is a time for family gatherings, gift-giving, feasting, and religious observances.
12. Boxing Day (December 26th): This holiday originated in the United Kingdom and is observed in several countries, including Belize. It’s typically a day for relaxation, sports, and spending time with family and friends.

These holidays reflect Belize’s rich cultural diversity and history, incorporating elements from its indigenous, African, European, and Caribbean heritage.