Most of us are familiar with how Memorial Day is celebrated
in the US. It takes place on the last Monday in May and it is a day of
remembrance for loved ones and lost soldiers.Other countries put their own
spin on Memorial Day.
In the Netherlands,
they celebrate Dodenherdenking on
May 4.The Royal Family holds a ceremony in Dam Square in Amsterdam and at 8PM,
the entire country stops for two minutes to remember lost loved ones.Public
transportation, radio and television broadcasts come to a halt.
In Germany, Volkstrauertag
is celebrated.
Originally proposed in 1919 to commemorate lost war heroes from World War I, it
was disputed about whether it was appropriate or not until 1934, when the Nazis
declared it an official holiday. However, the Nazis turned into something
called Heldengedenktag (the “day of the
commemoration of heroes”). In 1948, the
holiday was revitalized and was celebrated how it was originally intended. It is usually celebrated two Sundays before Advent.
In Australia and New Zealand on April 25, Anzac Day is celebrated.
Anzac stands for Australian and New Zealand
Army Corps (the
soldiers who fought in World War I).This holiday was officially declared in
1920. Many people add rum to their
coffee that day to celebrate the “gunfire breakfast” that was used
to warm the bellies of the soldiers.
In Canada, Vimy Ridge day is celebrated. Although it is an unofficial
holiday and has been celebrated since 2003, it was established to commemorate
the Canadian soldiers who battled the Germans in World War I (the Battle of
Vimy Ridge). It is celebrated on April 9 each year. More than 4000 soldiers lost their lives in
this battle. Canadians honor these dead soldiers by lowering flags to half-mast
and placing wreaths on monuments and graves.
Whether a
country celebrates lost love ones or war heroes or fallen soldiers on their
version of Memorial Day, one thing is common among all countries. Memorial Day is a day to ensure that no one’s
life has been lost in vain.
Happy Memorial Day Weekend!
No comments:
Post a Comment