Today is the fourth of July - the day that U.S. citizens celebrate their independence (1776).
As a child, growing up in New York State, I remember the parades, marching bands, big outdoor parties and fireworks. What I didn't know at the time what that the Fourth of July was also the date that
slavery was abolished in New York State (51 years later, in 1827). And that in turn got me thinking about other kinds of independence, like women's rights, only to end up with a completely unexpected idea: wouldn't it be nice to have an international independence day?
If so, it should be truly international, in the sense of celebrating independence as an abstract value, and not liberation from occupation, as is the case for most countries. And with a little bit of luck, it would also strike a chord in countries that are not really independent yet, but would like to be ...
The only practical problem with this is the date: it should not coincide with any other major holiday (and especially not with a national independence day) anywhere. The logical solution would be the 29th of February, but that would make it too infrequent. The 8th of July might be a good one, the only disadvantage being that it is also Gay Pride Day in the Netherlands (see the Earth Calendar for this or any other date, and if so do, note how many independence, national, liberation or emancipation days there already are!).
So ... suggestions welcome!
As a child, growing up in New York State, I remember the parades, marching bands, big outdoor parties and fireworks. What I didn't know at the time what that the Fourth of July was also the date that
slavery was abolished in New York State (51 years later, in 1827). And that in turn got me thinking about other kinds of independence, like women's rights, only to end up with a completely unexpected idea: wouldn't it be nice to have an international independence day?
If so, it should be truly international, in the sense of celebrating independence as an abstract value, and not liberation from occupation, as is the case for most countries. And with a little bit of luck, it would also strike a chord in countries that are not really independent yet, but would like to be ...
The only practical problem with this is the date: it should not coincide with any other major holiday (and especially not with a national independence day) anywhere. The logical solution would be the 29th of February, but that would make it too infrequent. The 8th of July might be a good one, the only disadvantage being that it is also Gay Pride Day in the Netherlands (see the Earth Calendar for this or any other date, and if so do, note how many independence, national, liberation or emancipation days there already are!).
So ... suggestions welcome!
What about the 31st of June? I think a virtual holiday would be highly symbolic.
ReplyDeleteSymbolic, yes, but I want a day that actually exists, because I would want the celebrations to be very real!
ReplyDelete:-)
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