Falkland Day
The Falkland Islands are an archipelago that’s located on the Patagonian Shelf in the South Atlantic Ocean. They were unoccupied until the 1764 establishment of Port Louis on East Falkland by Louis Antoine de Bougainville. Falklands Day is a holiday that celebrates the first sighting of the Falkland Islands by John Davis in 1592.
Falkland Islands (Observance)This holiday was observed on August 14th but has since been replaced by Liberation Day — a holiday that falls on the same date. Although this day isn’t a public holiday, Liberation Day is, so government agencies, schools, and many businesses are closed.
The History Of Falkland Day In The Falkland Islands
In August 1592, John Davis sighted the Falkland Islands. This day initially became a holiday when the islands were under British rule, and it was established as a national holiday. However, this holiday is no longer celebrated.
In fact, a celebration of Falkland Day ended in 2002. This is when the Executive Council removed the holiday so that Peat Cutting Monday could be added to the public holiday calendar for the Falkland Islands. Instead, Liberation Day is celebrated on the 14th of August each year. And this holiday is a public holiday.
Observing Falkland Day In The Falkland Islands
As we’ve stated above, Falkland Day is a holiday that hasn’t been celebrated in quite a while. Liberation Day is celebrated though, and it’s celebrated as a public holiday. This means that it’s a day off for the general public and schools, businesses, and government agencies are closed. It also means that there are a variety of parades, festivals, exhibitions, and other special events celebrated on this day.
Falkland Islands (Observance)
