How does Japan mark National Days?
建國記念の日
- Local date
- February 11, 2027
Japan's National Foundation Day is 11 February, and it differs from the other six: what it marks is not a historical event with a recorded date but the legendary enthronement of Emperor Jimmu. It was only designated a national holiday by ordinance in 1966, and its stated purpose is to reflect on the founding of the nation and cultivate love of country — note 'reflect on', because there is no identifiable founding date. The date exists and the event does not; that is what makes it unusual here.
What is this topic?
The seven national days commemorate different kinds of events: the United States, Brazil, Indonesia and India mark the moment of leaving colonial rule or declaring independence; mainland China marks the founding of a state; Taiwan marks an uprising that ended an empire; and Japan's National Foundation Day has no corresponding dated historical event at all, being set on a legendary enthronement.
What this page compares is where each place places the day a country is counted from.
🗳️ What about you?
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On your national day, do you go and watch the ceremony or parade?
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Sources and dates
Dates follow local time zones, calendars, and official notices. Check the source when a date is estimated or locally variable.