📅 holiday

Uruguay Independence Day

Tuesday, August 25, 2026

— days to go

In 1811, Initial. Rebellion against Spain. Under the leadership of JosÃ© Gervasio Artigas, Uruguay started its rebellion against Spanish rule, which marked the beginning of Uruguay's struggle for independence

History

Uruguay's independence from Spain was declared on August 25, 1828, following years of conflict and diplomatic negotiations. The territory of Uruguay was originally inhabited by indigenous Charrua people before Spanish colonization in the early 17th century. During the early 19th century, Uruguay became caught between Spanish and Portuguese imperial ambitions, and later Brazilian forces. The struggle for independence was led by José Gervasio Artigas, who organized guerrilla forces against Spanish rule beginning in 1811. After multiple failed attempts at independence and periods of Brazilian and Portuguese control, Uruguay finally achieved sovereignty through the Treaty of Montevideo in 1828, brokered by the United Kingdom. August 25 is celebrated as Independence Day, commemorating the nation's emergence as an independent republic after decades of colonial struggle and regional conflict.

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

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🌍 observance Jan 6

Uruguay Children's

In 300, s. Origin of Ephiphany. The Ephiphany holiday has biblical origins, marking the visit of the three Wise Men to baby Jesus, dating back to the 4th century

USUR

📅 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:

🎉 festival Feb 15

Uruguay Carnival

Uruguay Carnival (Carnaval de Uruguay) is the longest carnival celebration in the world, typically extending for over 40 days from late January through early March. Centered in the capital city of Montevideo and celebrated throughout the country, Uruguayan Carnival is a vibrant fusion of African, Indigenous, and European cultural traditions that reflects the nation's diverse heritage. Unlike the more widely known Brazilian Carnival, Uruguay's celebration is distinguished by its unique emphasis on musical theater competitions, particularly the desfile de llamadas (call parade) featuring candombe drumming, and the tablados, which are neighborhood stages where comparsas (performance groups) present elaborate musical and theatrical shows. Candombe, a musical style with deep African roots characterized by its distinctive three-drum rhythm, is the heartbeat of Uruguayan Carnival and has been recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. The festival involves hundreds of thousands of participants across dozens of comparsas, murga groups, and humorists.

USUR

📅 holiday Feb 23

Defender of the Fatherland Day

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