National Days.

[Lyrebird]

What do you guys do on your national day? What happens on that day that you don't do? How do you feel about your national day?

Please respect other people's views, other cultures and nations.

 

[DerMißingno]

You mean like the Fourth of July? We eat hamburgers and set off fireworks.

 

[Beth Pavell]

I don't think the UK has a national day. The closest I can think of would be the patron saint's days, but they're not even Bank Holidays (In other words, no-one gets them free as standard), and as far as St George's Day is concerned it's not much of a big deal. St David's Day and St Andrew's Day are probably more popular in Wales and Scotland respectively.

 

[Hector]

Yeah Fourth of July is pretty great. No work, fireworks on the beach, barbecues, beer... it's always a great day.

Memorial Day is a bit more somber, but that's a given due to the nature of the two holidays (Fourth of July is pretty much America's FUCK YEAH AMERICA day, where Memorial Day is in memory of the lost)

 

[Rainbow Cloud]

I don't even know what date St George's Day is on

I don't think we're very nationalistic in England.

 

[Lyrebird]

For Australia Day, we have the Australian Open and a cricket match always which is normally a One Day International.

What happens is that there celebrations with fireworks in the main cities and great activities around the cities all over parks, the harbours, you know the main locations. We as a family have backyard cricket, a lot of beers and a barbecue.

The day is the anniversary of the 1788 arrival of the First Fleet of British Ships at Port Jackson, so that's the point of the celebration.

 

[Jolene]

I don't think the UK has a national day. The closest I can think of would be the patron saint's days, but they're not even Bank Holidays (In other words, no-one gets them free as standard), and as far as St George's Day is concerned it's not much of a big deal. St David's Day and St Andrew's Day are probably more popular in Wales and Scotland respectively.

I thought Bonfire Night was a big deal. Unless I mistook it for a "National Day".

You mean like the Fourth of July? We eat hamburgers and set off fireworks.

This basically covers all bases for the Fourth of July.

 

[Beth Pavell]

I thought Bonfire Night was a big deal. Unless I mistook it for a "National Day".

Well, sort of. When I was little it was more nationalistic, but after a fashion. It used to be that the weekend before and after Bonfire Night, and the night itself you'd hear fireworks going off and it was very specifically for the celebration of the brutal execution of would-be republicans. Nowadays it's just a general autumn period where people (Teenagers and young idiots mostly) let off fireworks for kicks. It also kinda merges with Diwali as well.

Aside from fireworks and the odd bonfire (I don't know anyone who has a bonfire in their back garden on Bonfire Night any more) not a lot of the Bonfire Night traditions are practised much. I never saw a Guy being burned even growing up. I don't think anyone was ever raising a toast to the failure of the Plot - much like so many days, within my lifetime at least it's always been an excuse to badly barbecue burgers, light a big fire, and make something explode.

Come to think of it, most people remember Bonfire Night because bloody V for Vendetta is always on.

 

[Ziggy Stardust]

September 18. The whole week is dedicated to barbecue, empanadas, meat, more meat, many kinds of meat, and alcohol (wine, chicha and the epic terremoto). During that week, stands (called fonda) are installed in massive places, selling all thats stuff. Everyone gains at least 2 kg in that week, haha.


The funny thing is, the date commemorates the first reunion when someone talked about separating from Spain in 1810. The true independence came in February 1817. So, as I say, it's like celebrating your birthday the day your parents "did the thing".

 

[Nero the Giant Whiscash]

I thought Bonfire Night was a big deal. Unless I mistook it for a "National Day".

Well, sort of. When I was little it was more nationalistic, but after a fashion. It used to be that the weekend before and after Bonfire Night, and the night itself you'd hear fireworks going off and it was very specifically for the celebration of the brutal execution of would-be republicans. Nowadays it's just a general autumn period where people (Teenagers and young idiots mostly) let off fireworks for kicks. It also kinda merges with Diwali as well.

Aside from fireworks and the odd bonfire (I don't know anyone who has a bonfire in their back garden on Bonfire Night any more) not a lot of the Bonfire Night traditions are practised much. I never saw a Guy being burned even growing up. I don't think anyone was ever raising a toast to the failure of the Plot - much like so many days, within my lifetime at least it's always been an excuse to badly barbecue burgers, light a big fire, and make something explode.

Come to think of it, most people remember Bonfire Night because bloody V for Vendetta is always on.

Remember Remember the 5th of November and i love that movie by the way and Guy Fawkes to many people is a hero and thats what they celebrate.

 

[Chibster]

I observe American Independence Day, Indian Independence Day and Republic Day (which was on the 26th). I don't exactly do much on American Independence, except watch the fireworks at night and watch American history programs on TV. xD

The date of Indian Independence Day is the same as my parents anniversary, so we go to our favorite Indian restaurant to celebrate both and I exchange sweets or snacks with my friends. Although a parade is held every year in NYC, I have yet to go to it!

There isn't much to do to celebrate Republic Day, but watch the parade online haha.

 

[Beth Pavell]

I thought Bonfire Night was a big deal. Unless I mistook it for a "National Day".

Well, sort of. When I was little it was more nationalistic, but after a fashion. It used to be that the weekend before and after Bonfire Night, and the night itself you'd hear fireworks going off and it was very specifically for the celebration of the brutal execution of would-be republicans. Nowadays it's just a general autumn period where people (Teenagers and young idiots mostly) let off fireworks for kicks. It also kinda merges with Diwali as well.

Aside from fireworks and the odd bonfire (I don't know anyone who has a bonfire in their back garden on Bonfire Night any more) not a lot of the Bonfire Night traditions are practised much. I never saw a Guy being burned even growing up. I don't think anyone was ever raising a toast to the failure of the Plot - much like so many days, within my lifetime at least it's always been an excuse to badly barbecue burgers, light a big fire, and make something explode.

Come to think of it, most people remember Bonfire Night because bloody V for Vendetta is always on.

Remember Remember the 5th of November and i love that movie by the way and Guy Fawkes to many people is a hero and thats what they celebrate.

I daresay, if one forgets that the whole plot was just another chapter in the history of religious murder and paint it as some sort of heroic blow against wealth and privilege.

 

[Nero the Giant Whiscash]

I thought Bonfire Night was a big deal. Unless I mistook it for a "National Day".

Well, sort of. When I was little it was more nationalistic, but after a fashion. It used to be that the weekend before and after Bonfire Night, and the night itself you'd hear fireworks going off and it was very specifically for the celebration of the brutal execution of would-be republicans. Nowadays it's just a general autumn period where people (Teenagers and young idiots mostly) let off fireworks for kicks. It also kinda merges with Diwali as well.

Aside from fireworks and the odd bonfire (I don't know anyone who has a bonfire in their back garden on Bonfire Night any more) not a lot of the Bonfire Night traditions are practised much. I never saw a Guy being burned even growing up. I don't think anyone was ever raising a toast to the failure of the Plot - much like so many days, within my lifetime at least it's always been an excuse to badly barbecue burgers, light a big fire, and make something explode.

Come to think of it, most people remember Bonfire Night because bloody V for Vendetta is always on.

Remember Remember the 5th of November and i love that movie by the way and Guy Fawkes to many people is a hero and thats what they celebrate.

I daresay, if one forgets that the whole plot was just another chapter in the history of religious murder and paint it as some sort of heroic blow against wealth and privilege.

That and i was thinking more of anarchist or some Libertarians or people that hate the monarchy

 

[lavachickens]

St. Patrick's Day is the only real national day we have here. Not much happens on it except a bunch of shitty parades throughout the country.

 

[GhostFingers]

To me, nationalism is misplaced pride in one's own country for no apparent reason other than its status as a country. English nationalists are either football hooligans or racist skinheads (or both) and i want nothing to do with them (except maybe a good shafting like in the plots of pornos i don't believe).

You don't hear anyone say, "Oh yes, England has so much to be proud of, the traditional myths of King Arthur and Robin Hood inspired so many American movies."

In all fairness there is a lot to celebrate about English culture and heritage, but who needs one specific day for that?

 

[Jyo]

To me, the 4th of July is just another boring day.
The only good thing about it is the food.

The worst part are the banned fireworks. Took the fun out of the holiday, so many people not following directions kept getting hurt.

 

[Saucedo]

English nationalists are either football hooligans or racist skinheads (or both) and i want nothing to do with them (except maybe a good shafting like in the plots of pornos i don't believe).

Well... your comment certainly took a turn for the unexpected lol.
And personally I'd say I was an English Nationalist, mirroring the Scottish Nationalists. I think we should celebrate our country and its traditional culture but I'm not one of these that hates modern culture either, I think St George's Day should be a bank holiday (as should the other national days in other parts of the country) and I do think England should have its own Parliament and first minister like Scotland. I would also be in favour of independence for all nations.

Ps i am neither a skin head nor a racist

 

[Lysson]

I don't celebrate st George's day, I don't like the legend and I didn't like it since a child because I liked dragons and still do and hated it when anything died.

I do celebrate the 5th of November, but mostly because I like to go and see the fireworks.

Even though I love English heritage (obviously not all of it), it's not something I'd get excited about one day a year.

 

[aquadrop]

Well.. in Canada our National Day would be July 1st... aka Canada Day! XD

That was the day all 3 colonies merged to form Canada... Woot woot. On that day there are bunches of festivities , concerts, outdoor food festivals, and just fun stuff. Also military demonstrations (like airplanes and stuff). It's usually super fun so I go to them every year.

And then I also celebrate Pakistan day (August 14), aka the day when the British finally left. XD Usually just wear green and go to a festival if there is one. Since I live in Toronto there are quite a few events that happen that day. XD