JapanForum.com - World Wide Holidays...?

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Quote:

Originally Posted by RobinMask (Post 785211)

In the UK the only holidays we have unique to us are Guy Fawkes Day and Remeberance Day (although I think some other countries in the commonwealth celebrate that). I think people have a healthy respect for the latter, and still tend to enjoy the former. Other holidays like Christmas, Easter etc. tend to be more about commercialism than religion, and Halloween - like another poster said - had little respect at all. I think most people consider holidays a time to just have fun, so there's little respect to be had ;)

Guy Fawkes has always been my favorite holiday! But it would be extremely strange to celebrate it anywhere other than in England.

However, Remembrance Day is celebrated in almost all of the countries who were allies in WWI & II. The Americans call it Veterans Day, other places its still called Armistice Day. Though I don't know if anyone other than the UK has the tradition of wearing the poppies referring to Flanders' Fields.

FDR was the one who tried to extend the Christmas shopping season in 1939-1941, but signed the bill to keep it at the 4th Thursday starting in 1942.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TalnSG (Post 785319)

Maybe you need to learn a bit about the former colonies of the UK... Guy Fawkes Day is celebrated in New Zealand, for the same reason as the Queen is still the head of state- because of we were a British colony. Not really strange at all, considering our history. We do not celebrate Armistice Day, instead in NZ and Australia we have Anzac Day (to remember the sacrifices of the Australia and NZ Army Corps during the wars) on the 25th of April, and yes, people wear red poppies around Anzac Day.

To answer the original question, about 10 years ago Japan moved a number of public holidays from their original dates to the nearest Monday- the main reason being that 3-day weekends are supposed to stimulate the economy. People are more likely to make big trips, go shopping etc on a long weekend. So it's not just the US.