📅 holiday

Iceland Independence Day

Wednesday, June 17, 2026

— days to go

In 1800, s. Nationhood Seed Planted. In the late 1800s, nationalistic ideals began to rise in Iceland, laying groundwork for the independence movement

History

Iceland gained independence from Denmark on June 17, 1944, though the foundations of Icelandic nationhood were planted much earlier. Iceland was settled by Norse Vikings around 874 AD and established the Althing, one of the world's oldest parliaments, in 930 AD. Iceland was under Danish rule from 1380 following a union of Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. Nationalistic movements emerged in the late 1800s, advocating for Icelandic language and culture. In 1918, Iceland became a sovereign state in personal union with Denmark. Following the German occupation of Denmark in 1940, Iceland came under British and American occupation. With Denmark liberated in 1944, Iceland held a referendum on independence and became a fully independent republic on June 17, 1944, with Sveinn Björnsson as the first president. June 17 commemorates Icelandic independence and the establishment of the modern Icelandic republic.

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.

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🌍 observance Feb 2

National Brendan Day

The Navigatio and a Legendary Crossing. Brendan's fame rests on a single Latin text: the. Navigatio Sancti Brendani Abbatis, composed in the 9th century. The narrative describes a seven-year sea voyage in which Brendan and a crew of monks sailed a hide-covered currach westward in search of the "Promised Land of the Saints." Over 120 manuscript copies survive, making it one of the most widely circulated medieval adventure texts in Europe.The Navigatio's descriptions of volcanic islands, crystal pillars, and enormous sea creatures have fueled centuries of debate over whether the voyage reached Iceland, Greenland, or even North America.In 1976, British explorer Tim Severin set out to test the question directly. He built a 36-foot currach using ash, oak, and49 tanned ox hidesstitched with nearly two miles of leather thong, then sailed it from Brandon Creek in Kerry to Newfoundland. The 13-month crossing, completed in June 1977, proved the journey was physically possible with 6th-century technology

ICUS

📅 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:

📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

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

📅 holiday Mar 19

St Joseph's Day

Every 19 March is celebrated as Saint Joseph’s Day in Roman Catholic cantons of the Swiss Confederation. In 2027, St Joseph's Day falls on Friday 19 March. The holiday will be on Sunday 19 March in 2028. However, in recent years, people have paid it less and less mind, and many local businesses in these regions don’t even close on Saint Joseph’s Day like they used to. Interestingly, there are two different religious feast days dedicated to Joseph in Roman Catholicism. Saint Joseph’s Day focuses on his role as the husband of Mary and “step father” of the child Jesus. But on 1 May, Saint Joseph the Worker day focuses on his role as the patron saint of all carpenters. There aren’t many events in areas of Switzerland celebrating Saint Joseph’s Day on 19 March. For those who have the day off, it is often spent relaxing, shopping or getting outdoors in the Spring weather.

CHESVA +1