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The Story of Commonwealth Day

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Commonwealth Day 2010

Commonwealth Day is held on the second Monday in March, and is celebrated in the association of countries (that was formerly part of the British Empire) that now makes up the Commonwealth of Nations.

Commonwealth Day focuses on the partnership that exists between countries of the Commonwealth, bridging the gap between an important part of world history and the modern age. Encompassing the principles of human rights and democracy, it reminds us of the importance of working together to strive for ways in which the Commonwealth can produce a better quality of life for its 1.8 billion citizens.

The Commonwealth comprises of 53 independent states, which includes 32 republics, 16 constitutional monarchies that recognise the British monarch as their Head of State, and five monarchies (Brunei, Darussalam, Malaysia, Swaziland, Tonga and Lesotho).

Celebrating Commonwealth Day in the 21st Century

Today, celebrations and activities take place across the Commonwealth: in some countries the school programme is devoted to the day with projects, essays and debates; external celebrations include speeches, receptions, prayers and events.

In Canada the official observance includes a federal government stipulation that the Royal Union Flag be flown from sunrise to sunset alongside Canada’s flag at government buildings, military bases and airports.

The Commonwealth of Nations Flags (2005) In member states like Belize and The Bahamas, the day is marked with special programmes and flag-raising ceremonies.

In the UK the Union Flag is flown from public buildings, and the Scottish Parliament flies the Commonwealth Flag from the fourth flagpole; events in Britain focus around an Annual Celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations, an impressive multi-faith service held in Westminster Abbey attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth ll, Head of the Commonwealth, His Royal Highness Prince Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh, the Commonwealth Secretary, Commonwealth High Commissioners and 1000 schoolchildren – this is an impressive occasion on which the Queen delivers an address to the Commonwealth, broadcast throughout the world.

Each year Commonwealth Day takes a different theme, promoted by The Royal Commonwealth Society and associated societies.

In 2010 the theme focuses on the importance of science and technology to all Commonwealth citizens, highlighting current issues including the challenges of decarbonising the world’s energy system to address the threat of climate change, as well as the problems of feeding current and future generations.

Activities include a Commonwealth Lecture by a leading scientist and many events are taking place on 8th March linked to themes of science, technology and society.

A History of Commonwealth Day

The day has its roots in the 1800s and the time of the British Empire when many people of British origin who lived in the colonies wanted to celebrate their roots: the idea for Empire Day was first introduced by the author Clementina Trenholme in Ontario in 1898, and was celebrated on the Monday after 24th May – the birthday of the British monarch Queen Victoria; in some countries it became known as Victoria Day, and in parts of Canada and Scotland, Victoria Day is still a public holiday.

As the observation of Empire Day increased, it was instituted formally by Lord Meath in 1904 as an opportunity for people to express pride in being part of the British Empire, with theatrical events, speeches, singing, community bonfires and firework displays.

As countries began to achieve independence from Britain during the 20th century, there was a need to update the concept of The Commonwealth and rid it of empirical overtones: in 1949 the Heads of State from Australia, Britain, Ceylon, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa and
Canada met for a six-day consultation to decide how the Commonwealth should exist; this resulted in the Declaration of London, that laid out the basis of the modern Commonwealth that emphasised equality, co-operation and consensus rather than subservience, and in 1958 Empire Day became Commonwealth Day.

In 1976 at a meeting of Commonwealth Heads of Government in Canberra, it was decided that Commonwealth Day should be observed on the same day throughout all the countries of the Commonwealth; the second Monday in March was chosen in preference to 24th May, as it was a date without historical connotations.

Commonwealth Day 2010

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