📅 holiday

Barbados Independence Day

Monday, November 30, 2026

— days to go

In 1627, British. Colonization. British settlers landed at present-day Holetown, marking the beginning of British colonization of Barbados

History

Barbados achieved independence from Britain on November 30, 1966, after over 300 years of British colonial rule. The island was originally inhabited by indigenous Arawak and Carib peoples before English settlers arrived in 1627 and established the first permanent English settlement in the Caribbean at Holetown. Barbados became one of the most profitable British colonies through the cultivation of sugar cane, built on the labor of enslaved Africans brought to the island over nearly two centuries. Following the abolition of slavery in 1834, Barbados remained under British control while local political movements gradually gained momentum. In the 20th century, the Barbados Labour Party led by Errol Barrow advocated for independence, which was achieved on November 30, 1966. Barbados maintains a Westminster-style parliamentary democracy and maintains strong ties with Britain as a member of the Commonwealth of Nations.

How It's Celebrated

Celebrate by learning more about the occasion, sharing on social media with relevant hashtags, participating in community events, or taking small personal actions that align with the day's theme.

Countries

🇧🇦 BA

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📅 holiday Feb 10

Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck

The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is a holiday unique to Malta because it was on Malta that the Apostle Paul was shipwrecked around the year A.D. 60. In 2027, Feast of St Paul's Shipwreck falls on Wednesday 10 February. The holiday will be on Thursday 10 February in 2028. The feast is kept on February 10th each year, and as Paul is the patron saint of Malta, it is a much-anticipated event. Out of dozens of “saint days” on the church calendar in Malta, the Feast of Saint Paul is one of only a handful that have the status of a national holiday. The account of Paul’s shipwreck and three-month, wintertime stay on Malta is found in the Bible’s Acts 27:27 through 28:11. He was being taken to Rome as a prisoner to eventually stand trial before Caesar. God let him know in advance he would be shipwrecked but would spare the lives of all on board, which promise was later kept and in answer to Paul’s prayers for their lives. The Bible says the storm was in the Adriatic Sea, though Malta borders the Ionian Sea, because in ancient times, the Adriatic’s boundaries were considered to extend much farther south. The ship broke up on the rocks near the shores of Malta, and all swam ashore. The local population greeted them, but thought he might be a murderer whom the “goddess of justice” had finally caught up with after he was bitten by a poisonous snake. After he lived, however, they supposed him to be, perhaps, a god. Paul, however, soon showed them it was God’s power at work in a mere man by healing the governor of the island, Publius, and many others who were sick or disabled among the island’s population. No doubt, Paul preached the Gospel to them as well, and when he left Malta, the inhabitants gave him all necessary supplies out of gratitude. The Feast of Saint Paul’s Shipwreck is kept at the “Parish Church of Saint Paul Shipwrecked” in Malta’s capital city of Valletta. It is also a day of processions and family get-togethers. Three things to do should you visit Malta, though hopefully not be shipwrecked there, on February 10th are:

🌍 observance Feb 21

International Mother Language Day

Mother's Day, on the second Sunday in May in the U.S., honors mothers and maternal figures with gifts, cards, flowers, meals, and quality time. It is one of the busiest days for restaurants and florists.

BAPA

🌍 observance Feb 21

Language Day

In 1952, Bangla. Language Movement. The Bangla Language Movement took place in Bangladesh to recognize Bangla as an official language after the country was demanded to use Urdu

BAUS

📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

Defender of the Fatherland Day is a public holiday in RU.