Australia : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

Sports events : Http://rolexsydneyhobart.com/default.asp 2023 edition confirmed

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.

Secular holiday : Boxing Day is a holiday celebrated on the day following Christmas Day, when servants and tradesmen would traditionally receive gifts known as a Christmas box from their masters, employers or customers. Due to historical reasons, depending on the year, Boxing Day can be celebrated BEFORE Christmas

Culture : Szilveszter

Secular holiday : The world's most widely celebrated holiday, New Years was set on January 1 by Julius Caesar because that was the date the Roman consuls took over their duties. Paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

School holidays : The summer school holidays in Australia last from December to February and include Christmas and New Year celebrations and usually last six weeks.
It should be noted, however, that school holidays in Australia are set individually by each State Department of Education. Please scroll to the concerned state School day duration: 6:30 hours
Average class size: more than 22


Dates confirmed till Dec 2025 in most states

cards/flowers :

Secular holiday : Celebrates the first settlement by the British lead by captain Arthur Phillip (1788)

cards/flowers : At New Year during the night, the Jade Emperor conveyed all animals. Only 12 showed up. To thank them, Buddha dedicated one symbolic year per visitor. Each new born would inherit the relevant animal's characteristics.

cards/flowers : Introduced by Pope Gelasus in 498, perhaps in response to a local Roman tradition of lovers writing their names on an urn in February

Catholic or protestant : The First Council of Nicaea (a gathering of bishops in the early days of Christianity) wanted to find a day to commemorate the crucifixion and resurrection of Christ. This commemoration had to be linked to Jewish holiday traditions, since the last supper of Christ was believed to be a Jewish Passover meal. But the Jewish calendar is based on lunar and solar cycles, so the Easter celebration had to follow the same calendar.

Catholic or protestant : paid holiday

cards/flowers : As the story goes, in 1564, France was one of the first nations to make January 1 officially New Year's Day, instead of the last week of March which was previously observed. In 1582, the Pope followed suit. Those who went on celebrating April 1st were mocked. As the zodiacal sign was the fish, The French placed dead fish on the backs of one another. Traditions vary from country to country.

Catholic or protestant : In the year 325, the Council of Nicée determined a date fo Easter. Full Moon would fall the 14th day of a moon month (1). Easter would be marked by the dominical letter(2)and the epactus(3). With the establishment of the equinox ne variatur on March 21, algorithms where elaborated to attribuate a date for Easter whatever the year.
Time between two consecutive new moons: 20 days 12 hours 44 minutes 2.8 - Gives a letter code for the year's calendar Age of the moon on January 1st, minus one unity, 0 being the new moon's age.

Special Events : Used to be last Sunday of March until 2007.

cards/flowers : The month of Ramadan is that in which was revealed the Quran; a guidance for mankind, and clear proofs of the guidance, and the criterion (of right and wrong). And whosoever of you is present, let him fast the month, and whosoever of you is sick or on a journey, a number of other days. Allah desires for you ease; He desires not hardship for you; and that you should complete the period, and that you should magnify Allah for having guided you, and that perhaps you may be thankful [Wikipedia]

Secular holiday : ANZAC(Australia and New Zealand Army Corps)Day commemorates those soldiers who died during world wars (from the Boer war to the Vietnam war), and particuarly remembers those who died during the Gallipoli campaign during WW1(Turkey).

cards/flowers : Deliverance of the Jewish people from Egypt. The Seder service on the first two evenings recounts the story of the Exodus

cards/flowers : Probably linked with a celebration in England in the 1600s ( Mothering Sunday ). Honored all mothers in England. Mothering Sunday gave poor servants who lived and worked for the wealthy a day off to actually go home and dedicate time to their mothers. Mothering Cake , a special cake, was common for the celebration.

Culture : Formerly known as National Sorry Day, this day started in 1998, to express regret over the historical mistreatment of Aboriginal peoples.

Secular holiday : Australia is a member of the Commonwealth Realms that recognise King Charles III as their monarch. Queen Elizabeth Alexandra Mary Windsor was actually born at 2:40 am on April 21, 1926. Except in Queensland and Western Australia