Caribbean Community Day — also known as CARICOM Day — is celebrated on July 7 this year. The Caribbean Community (CARICOM) consists of 20 states throughout the Caribbean, of which 15 are member states and five associate members. Georgetown, Guyana, is home to the CARICOM secretariat headquarters. The day was chosen to commemorate the signing of the Treaty of Chaguaramas, which established CARICOM on July 4, 1973. It is recognized as an official public holiday in Guyana, and the governments of Antigua and Barbuda have declared it a holiday as well. The day is celebrated with parades, pageants, and campaigns to educate people about CARICOM.
Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day
Philippine-Spanish Friendship Day is observed on June 30 every year. It celebrates the strong relationship between the Republic of the Philippines and the Kingdom of Spain, despite a long history of colonization. It commemorates the 33 Spanish soldiers who defended the Spanish flag at the Siege of Baler and who remained there from 1898 to 1899, only to find out that Spain had already given the Philippines independence on December 10, 1898. Their endurance impressed the Revolutionary Army to the point that General Emilio Aguinaldo issued a decree requiring them to be treated as friends. The Philippine–Spanish Friendship Day Bill was passed on July 22, 2002.
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib
The Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib is observed on June 16 every year in India. It’s the day to commemorate and celebrate the life of religious figure Guru Arjan Dev who sacrificed his life for the Sikh people. This holiday is annually celebrated usually by reading the Sikh holy book from cover to cover. In some years, processions are held where sweets are distributed to people after a day of worship. It is important to note that this day is not just about sadness or remorse; it’s also about the celebration of his life, as well as the lives that lived because of him.