India: Republic Day
India became the Commonwealth’s first Republic on 26 January 1950.
Australia: Australia Day
Australia Day commemorates the landing of the First Fleet at Sydney Cove in 1788—the start of European settlement in Australia.
Burns Night
Scots the world over celebrate the life of their National Bard, Robert Burns, on 25 January – the anniversary of his birth in 1759.
Cuba: Liberation Day
Cuba celebrates its Liberation Day on 1 January – the anniversary of the day in 1959 that the Batista regime collapsed, leaving Fidel Castro’s revolutionary forces in control of the island.
Qatar: National Day
Qatar celebrates its National Day on 18 December, the anniversary of the date in 1868 when the British gave its autonomy informal recognition.
Kenya: Independence Day/Republic Day
Kenya celebrates twice over on 12 December: independence was granted in 1963 and the country became a republic in 1964.