President Ndadaye Day is observed on October 21 in Burundi every year to mark the occasion of Melchior Ndadaye’s assassination in 1993. He was the first president of Burundi to be elected through a truly democratic process and he also belonged to one of the minority ethnic groups, the Hutu. The Hutu were a persecuted people group, and many fled to Rwanda during the rule of previous presidents of the country. He remains to this day an emblem of true democracy and unity for the nation of Burundi and a representative of the fight against ethnic divisions.
World Trauma Day
World Trauma Day is observed on October 17 each year with an emphasis on saving lives and how to properly attend to emergency cases. The day is structured to create increased awareness about trauma and to educate the public on ways to address traumatic incidents and deaths. Did you know that traumatic injuries have caused more deaths to people below the age of 45 than malaria, HIV/AIDS, and tuberculosis? Furthermore, over 9% of deaths around the world are caused by traumatic injuries! World Trauma Day observations seek to lower these rates.
Hispanic Day
Hispanic Day is celebrated every October 12 to mark Christopher Columbus’ first landfall in the Americas. Did you know that Columbus was seeking a direct route to Asia when he discovered the Americas? Spain Hispanic Day, also known as Fiesta Nacional de España or Día de la Hispanidad, is an official holiday in most Hispanic America under different names. All government administrative buildings and offices, banks, and stores are closed for the day. The day shines a light on Spanish identity and heritage — the bond between the old European country and Spanish-speaking Latin America. Learn about the historical significance of this day in Spain.