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📅 holiday

Hangeul Day

Friday, October 9, 2026

— days to go

Every 9 October is Hangeul Day in South Korea to commemorate the invention of the Korean alphabet in the year 1443. Sometimes, this holiday is also called “Korean Language Day”. In 2026, Hangeul Day falls on Friday 9 October. The holiday will be on Saturday 9 October in 2027. It was Korean King Sejong, in conjunction with some scholars, who created Korea’s distinctive writing system. Three years after it was invented, it was first put into common use in 1446. The purpose of the new system was to increase literacy levels in Korea. The complex non-alphabetic system in use up till then was simply too hard for the people at large to learn. Also, the old system had been based on Chinese writing, while the new one was uniquely Korean. For this reason, Hangeul Day is as much a patriotic holiday as it is a celebration of the Korean language and alphabet. In the 1920s, while under the control of the Empire of Japan, Koreans first began to celebrate Hangeul Day. It was a form of protest against the occupation and against the suppression of Korean language and culture that was underway at that time. After freedom was restored to South Korea after World War II, Hangeul Day became an official holiday in the year 1949. In 1990, Hangeul Day was dropped from the official holiday calendar of South Korea. Then, it gained partial recognition in 2005 and full public holiday status again in 2013.

History

Every 9 October is Hangeul Day in South Korea to commemorate the invention of the Korean alphabet in the year 1443. It was Korean King Sejong, in conjunction with some scholars, who created Korea’s distinctive writing system. Three years after it was invented, it was first put into common use in 1446. Also, the old system had been based on Chinese writing, while the new one was uniquely Korean. In the 1920s, while under the control of the Empire of Japan, Koreans first began to celebrate Hangeul

How It's Celebrated

Every 9 October is Hangeul Day in South Korea to commemorate the invention of the Korean alphabet in the year 1443. Sometimes, this holiday is also called “Korean Language Day”. The holiday will be on Saturday 9 October in 2027. For this reason, Hangeul Day is as much a patriotic holiday as it is a

Other Years

2026 Fri
9 Oct
2027 Sat
9 Oct
2028 Mon
9 Oct
2025 Thu
9 Oct
2024 Wed
9 Oct

Countries

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St Andrew's Day

Saint Andrew’s Day is celebrated every 30 November in Scotland. The day celebrates the Feast of Saint Andrew and is also considered Scotland’s National Day. In 2026, Saint Andrew's Day falls on Monday 30 November. The holiday will be on Tuesday 30 November in 2027. *Please refer to this note for Scotland-specific information. This patron saint day was declared a bank holiday in 2006 by the Scottish Parliament although banks are not required to close if they do not wish to. If 30 November occurs on a weekend, the bank holiday is moved to the following Monday. Saint Andrew is notable in that he was one of the original twelve disciples of Jesus Christ and was also the brother of Saint Peter. Before following Jesus, Andrew was a fisherman. He was born at Bethsaida on the Sea of Galilee. The main colour you will see in Scotland on Saint Andrew’s Day is the white diagonal cross on blue background of the Scottish flag – the Saltire. This is the Saint Andrew’s cross, and represents the shape of the cross on which Saint Andrew was said to have been crucified. The history of the Scottish link to Saint Andrew goes back as far as 832AD when Óengus II promised God that if the Scots and Picts were victorious in battle against the Angles he would make Saint Andrew the patron saint of Scotland. And they were. Saint Andrew’s Day’s amazing menus include cullen skink (haddock and potato soup), highland venison casseroles, potted hough (shin) with mustard sauce and Scottish tablet (a very sweet treat). Events around Scotland include flag ceremonies, the Shindig in George Square of Glasgow that features live music, and local celebrations in the town of Saint Andrews in the Kingdom of Fife. There is also free entry to many of Scotland’s castles and attractions on the day. Scotland has a free Saint Andrew’s Day app available for iPhone and Android with Scottish and worldwide events, menu ideas and much more.

GB