It's interesting that public holidays on National days seem to be common elsewhere, I live in NZ now and we had Waitangi Day in February which commemorated the signing of a treaty between the Maori and the British Crown. We also get Anzac day tomorrow which is effectively remembrance Sunday but is held on the 25th April, regardless of the day.
The one that makes me chuckle the most is the 5th June this year...The Queen's birthday!! My Kiwi friends and colleagues find it bemusing that we get a public holiday for this and in the UK it isn't observed as one!
