While festivals and parties vary more from city to town, holidays tend to fall on the same dates every year. While some, like Christmas or Easter, are celebrated around the world there are others, like Thanksgiving, that are only celebrated in certain countries. So who will be celebrating what holidays this November? Let’s find out.

9. Melbourne Cup Day – Australia

Melbourne Cup Day may seem like a strange holiday but has been an annual tradition in Austrlia since 1861.The holiday marks the beginning of a major thoroughbred race in which only horses that are three years or older are allowed to race. The event is held on the first Tuesday in November each year.

8. Thanksgiving Day – United States

It’s no secret that those in the United States will be celebrating the Thanksgiving holiday this November. Always celebrated on the 4^th Thursday, Thanksgiving is sometimes considered more of a harvest festival. In the past, Thanksgiving was celebrated in order to give thanks for the survival of our ancestors upon their arrival in the New World. Today, Thanksgiving is a time for giving thanks for our harvests and all that is around us.

7. Vertieres Day – Haiti

On November 18^th, residents of Haiti gather to celebrate Vertieres Day. The Battle of Vertieres is particularly notable to Hatians because it was the last important battle in the Second War of Haitian Independence. On November 18, 1804, the Hatians attacked the Vertieres fort which, at the time, was held by the French. They were victorious and on January 1, 1804 Haiti was declared an independent republic.

6. Iqbal Day – Pakistan

In Pakistan, the birth of Muhammad Iqbal is considered an important holiday, usually celebrated on November 9^th. Iqbal served as a role model and had a vision for a safe and independent state where the Muslims currently under British rule could live. His ideas and life work led to the inspiration for the creation of the country of Pakistan.

5. Independence Day – Poland

On November 11^th in Poland you’ll find people taking off from work in celebration of Independence Day. Every country has its own but Poland, instead of celebrating Veteran’s Day with so many other countries, will spend the day celebrating the restoration of its independence in 1918 after having been controlled by Russia, Austro-Hungary, and Prussia for more than 120 years.

4. Discovery Day – Puerto Rico

November 19^th marks Discovery Day in Puerto Rico. Despite what people may think about Christopher Columbus and his “discoveries” today, Puerto Ricans celebrate the day that he celebrated their island during his second trip to the “New World.”

3. St. George’s Day – Georgia

In the country of Georgia, and in any other country that considers Saint George to be a patron Saint, you’ll find celebrations of St. George’s Day. Celebrated on November 23^rd, many will celebrate by building fires and blessing their houses, families, and anything else they can find with holy water. St. George’s Day may be celebrated on different days in other countries.

2. Obama Day – Kenya

Yes, believe it or not, there is a national holiday named after the President of the United States, Barack Obama. Obama Day was declared a national holiday in Kenya that will be celebrated annually, beginning this year, in order to celebrate the election of the president. The president of Kenya declared the holiday because Barack Obama’s father was from Kenya.

1. Remembrance Day – Global

All around the world, individuals stop what they are doing to celebrate Remembrance Day on November 11^th. The day, also known as Poppy Day, Armstice Day, or Veterans day (depending on the country you live in), is recognized globally in order to honor those who lost their lives during World War I. It’s held on the 11^th of November because the war ended on the “11^th hour of the 11^th day of the 11^th month” during the year 1918. Countries observing the holiday include Australia, Bermuda, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Canada, and the United States, amongst others.

Ready to celebrate with friends and family from around the world? Gather together, plan a dinner or party, and honor your cultures and traditions. You don’t need to be in the country of origin in order to celebrate it’s holidays!