Historical Public Holidays
South Africa's present calendar of public holidays was introduced in 1994. During the period between Union in 1910, and the establishment of the present republic in 1994, the following were the official public holidays:
| Date | English Name |
|---|---|
| 1 January | New Year's Day (1910–present) |
| The Friday before Easter Sunday | Good Friday (1910–present) |
| The Monday following Easter Sunday | Easter Monday (1910–1979), Family Day (1980–present) |
| 6 April | Van Riebeeck's Day (1952–1974), Founder's Day (1980–1994) |
| 1st Friday in May | Workers' Day (1987–1989) |
| 1 May | Workers' Day (1990–present) |
| 40th day after Easter | Ascension Day (1910–1993) |
| 24 May | Empire Day (1910–1951) |
| 31 May | Union Day (1910–1960), Republic Day (1961–1993) |
| 2nd Monday in July | Queen's Birthday (1952–1960) |
| 10 July | Family Day (1961–1974) |
| 1st Monday in August | King's Birthday (1910–1951) |
| 1st Monday in September | Settlers' Day (1952–1979) |
| 10 October | Kruger Day (1952–1993) |
| 16 December | Dingaan's Day (1910–1951), Day of the Covenant (1952–1979), Day of the Vow (1979–1993), Day of Reconciliation (1994–present) |
| 25 December | Christmas Day (1910–present) |
| 26 December | Boxing Day (1910–1979), Day of Goodwill (1980–present) |
Read more about this topic: Public Holidays In South Africa
Famous quotes containing the words historical and/or public:
“We can imagine a society in which no one could survive as a social being because it does not correspond to biologically determined perceptions and human social needs. For historical reasons, existing societies might have such properties, leading to various forms of pathology.”
—Noam Chomsky (b. 1928)
“These native villages are as unchanging as the woman in one of their stories. When she was called before a local justice he asked her age. “I have 45 years.” “But,” said the justice, “you were forty-five when you appeared before me two years ago.” “Señor Judge,” she replied proudly, drawing herself to her full height, “I am not of those who are one thing today and another tomorrow!””
—State of New Mexico, U.S. public relief program (1935-1943)