📅 holiday

Koriteh

Friday, March 20, 2026

— days to go

Koriteh is celebrated in The Gambia with much religious fervour and general merriment. This celebration is also known as Eid al-Fitr here and in many other parts of the world. In 2027, Koriteh falls on Tuesday 9 March. The holiday will be on Saturday 26 February in 2028. The national holiday comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, immediately following the holy month of Ramadan and month-long period of fasting, prayer and devotion. It is one of the most important of all Muslim commemorations. In The Gambia, Koriteh is an official holiday. It is one of the most celebrated days of the year for Muslims in The Gambia and worldwide. This festivity is also known as Eid Al-Fitr. Every Muslim is supposed to fast from dawn till dusk during Ramadan, the eighth month of the Islamic year. But when the first day of the ninth month, Shawwal, arrives, all fasting is forbidden. The main events of Koriteh include morning prayers, mosque attendance, giving alms to the needy, making the rounds to the houses of friends and relatives, and enjoying large, festive meals at home. Many children in The Gambia go door to door during Koriteh to ask for a small gift of money or sweets, which is called “Salibo”. Many go to special events during the whole day and night, with no greater purpose than simply having a good time.

History

The national holiday comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, immediately following the holy month of Ramadan and month-long period of fasting, prayer and devotion. It is one of the most celebrated days of the year for Muslims in The Gambia and worldwide. Every Muslim is supposed to fast from dawn till dusk during Ramadan, the eighth month of the Islamic year. But when the first day of the ninth month, Shawwal, arrives, all fasting is forbidden. The main events of Koriteh include

How It's Celebrated

Koriteh is celebrated in The Gambia with much religious fervour and general merriment. This celebration is also known as Eid al-Fitr here and in many other parts of the world. The holiday will be on Saturday 26 February in 2028. The national holiday comes on the first day of the Islamic month of Sha

Other Years

2026 Fri

20 Mar

2027 Tue

9 Mar

2028 Sat

26 Feb

2025 Sun

30 Mar

2024 Wed

10 Apr

Countries

🇬🇲 GM

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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:

📅 holiday Feb 23

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📅 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

📅 holiday Mar 30

Seward's Day

Seward’s Day commemorates the signing of the treaty with the Russian Empire on 30 March 1867 that secured the purchase of Alaska. This holiday differs from Alaska Day, which commemorates the “formal actual transfer” of Alaska. In 2027, Seward's Day falls on Monday 29 March. The holiday will be on Monday 27 March in 2028. The treaty was single-handedly negotiated by Secretary of State William Seward, which arranged for the vast territory’s purchase at only $7.2 million. Russia was willing to sell because, at the time, Alaska was costing them more to maintain as a territory than it was producing in revenues. Thus, Seward was mocked by many and his purchase dubbed “Seward’s Folly” and, other times, “Seward’s Icebox.” However, in 1897, the discovery of gold in the Klondike River and the subsequent Alaska Gold Rush quelled the objections of “the doubters.” Seward, having passed away in 1872, never lived to witness his vindication. Later, the discovery of large oil, gas, and coal deposits and the development of the lumber and fishing industries proved once again how valuable Alaska was economically. Another factor to remember is that the removal of Russian influence from the North American continent was a significant political benefit the U.S. gained from the deal. Seward’s Day is observed every final Monday of March in Alaska, and many are off work or school. There are events held every year in Anchorage, Sitka, and Seward.