Commonwealth Day is celebrated on May 24 in India and a couple of other countries. Commonwealth Day is also commonly known as Empire Day. It marks the development of the British Empire in India and other colonies of Britain.
History of Commonwealth Day
Most of the countries in the Commonwealth were formerly ruled by Britain as part of the British Empire. After the countries gained independence, the Commonwealth was formed. These countries were considered a family that can work together and helps each other. Commonwealth Day, formerly known as Empire Day, was established in 1902. After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, this day was established as a holiday that honored England, the unity between nations of the Commonwealth, and its ideals of freedom, tolerance, and justice. This day was first celebrated on May 24, 1902, which was the Queen’s birthday.
In the year of 1916 Empire Day was declared an official yearly event. After World War II, the relationship of commonwealth nations with Britain also saw a change, as they began to celebrate their own identity and idea of nationalism. Empire Day was then changed to Commonwealth Day as the British empire fell apart.
Significance of Commonwealth Day
This day is celebrated to understand the Commonwealth and its shared values of peace, equality, and democracy.
Commonwealth Day 2022 Theme
The theme for Commonwealth Day 2022 is ‘Delivering a Common Future’ – which highlights how the fifty-four member countries in the Commonwealth family are ‘innovating, connecting and transforming’ to help attain goals like fighting climate change, promoting good governance, and improving trade.
History of Commonwealth Day
Most of the countries in the Commonwealth were previously governed by Britain as part of the British Empire. After the countries declared independence, the Commonwealth was formed. The countries are considered a family that can work together and helps each other. Commonwealth Day, formerly known as Empire Day, was established in 1902. After the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, an idea was put forth to establish a holiday that honored England, the unity between nations of the Commonwealth, and its ideals of freedom, tolerance, and justice. Even though it was established in1902, it was not officially recognized until 1916 and it gained popularity in1925. In 1958, the then-Prime Minister, Harold MacMillan, rebranded Empire Day as Commonwealth Day because all of the Commonwealth shares history, legal systems, culture, and more. In 1973, the Royal Commonwealth Society proposed the day be changed, and the second Monday in March was selected by the Commonwealth Secretariat as the observance day.