Commonwealth Day

Following the death of Queen Victoria in 1901, there was a call to commemorate her life throughout the British Empire, and her birthday, 24th May, was selected for an annual celebration known as "Empire Day".

Although the day was enthusiastically celebrated in many countries which fell under British rule (Australia and New Zealand, for example), it was not universally observed, although the British administrators usually held some form of ceremony.

During the first half of the 20th century, where Empire Day was celebrated it was often by parties, bonfires and fireworks, linked to a celebration of the links with Britain.

With the political changes which took place in the Dominions (the self-determining countries within the Empire) and the increasing number of countries gaining their independence, the name of Empire Day was changed to Commonwealth Day in 1958.

For many years the Commonwealth of Nations, to give it its full name, has held Heads of Government Meetings. It is usual for the Queen (as Head of the Commonwealth) to attend the formal gathering and opening (and sometimes closing) ceremonies. Following a Canadian suggestion, it was agreed in 1976 that the second Monday in March would be adopted as a common day for the whole of the Commonwealth to celebrate a day of unity.

Celebrations take various forms around the world. In Britain, the Queen attends a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey, which is also attended by the Secretary-General of the Commonwealth and all Commonwealth national High-Commissioners to the UK. [Members of the Commonwealth do not have "Embassies" or "Ambassadors" in other Commonwealth countries. The Queen (and her British Government) are represented by High Commissioners, who head High Commissions, except in the Dominions, where the Queen's representative is the Governor General].

On Commonwealth Day (as well as at Christmas), the Queen broadcasts a message to all members of the Commonwealth on the BBC World Service, in conjunction with local broadcasters.

Despite the fact that the Commonwealth is the second largest voluntary group of nation states in the world (behind the United Nations) awareness of the Commonwealth is minimal in many member countries. In fact, very few regard Commonwealth Day as being worthy of a public holiday, although this might well change if the United Kingdom took a lead on this matter. Some countries (Canada, Australia and New Zealand in particular) do have holidays which are specifically linked to Britain or the Queen as Head of State.

Although the assumption is that all Commonwealth countries are former members of the British Empire that is not the case. Because of their geographic location and proximity to countries within the Commonwealth, both Cameroon (a former French Possession) and Mozambique (formerly Portuguese) applied for and were admitted in recent years.

If you're looking for a way to commemorate this event, you might be interested in this article: Commemorations with Cross Stitch

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