Founding of Asunción(Paraguay)
The Founding of Asunción commemorates the establishment of Paraguay’s capital on August 15, 1537. It honors the arrival of Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar de Espinosa. The day celebrates Asunción’s role as one of South America’s oldest cities.
The Founding of Asunción marks the day in 1537 when Spanish explorer Juan de Salazar de Espinosa and his companions established a settlement along the Paraguay River. Originally called Nuestra Señora Santa María de la Asunción, the city quickly became a hub for trade, culture, and colonial administration. Today, Asunción is celebrated as the political, economic, and cultural heart of Paraguay. Festivities on August 15 include historical reenactments, guided tours of colonial-era architecture, and traditional music and dance performances. Local museums and cultural centers offer special exhibitions that explore the city’s Indigenous Guaraní heritage and colonial history. Residents and visitors gather at public plazas to enjoy parades, art fairs, and culinary events showcasing Paraguayan dishes. The anniversary offers an opportunity to reflect on Asunción’s growth from a modest frontier outpost to a vibrant modern metropolis. It remains a focal point of national pride and a testament to Paraguay’s rich historical tapestry.
Founding of Asunción
Paraguay
Victory over Japan Day(United Kingdom), and its related observances:
End-of-war Memorial Day, when theNational Memorial Service for War Deadis held (Japan)
Victory over Japan Day marks Japan's surrender in World War II, commemorated with ceremonies in the UK and Japan.
Victory over Japan Day (VJ Day) on August 15 marks the end of World War II following Japan's formal surrender in 1945.
The UK observes this day with ceremonies honoring Allied forces and civilian contributions during the conflict.
In Japan, it coincides with End-of-War Memorial Day when the National Memorial Service for War Dead is held at Tokyo's Chidorigafuchi National Cemetery.
Families and officials lay flowers and offer prayers for those who lost their lives in the war.
The day serves as a moment of reflection on the devastation of war and a commitment to peace for future generations.
Though no longer a national holiday in most countries, commemorations continue to connect communities to their wartime history.
Victory over Japan Day
End-of-war Memorial Day
National Memorial Service for War Dead
Japan
Feast day of theAssumption of Mary, one of theCatholicholy days of obligation(a public holiday inAustria,Belgium,Benin,Bosnia,Burundi,Cameroon,Chile,Colombia,Croatia,Cyprus,France, some states inGermany,Greece,Guatemala,Italy,Ivory Coast,Lebanon,Liechtenstein,Lithuania,Luxembourg,Madagascar,Malta,Mauritius,Paraguay,Poland,Portugal,Romania,Senegal,Seychelles,Slovenia,Spain,Switzerland,Togo, andVanuatu); and its related observances:
Feast of theDormition of the Theotokos(Eastern Orthodox,Oriental OrthodoxandEastern Catholic Churches), Ferragosto(Italy), Lady's Day(Ireland), Māras(Latvia), Mother's Day(AntwerpandCosta Rica), National Acadian Day(Acadians), Navy Day(Romania), Virgin of Candelaria, patron of theCanary Islands. (Tenerife,Spain)
The Assumption of Mary celebrates the Virgin's ascent into heaven, observed by Catholics worldwide with solemn masses and processions.
The Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary on August 15 is one of the most important holy days of obligation in the Catholic Church.
It commemorates the belief that Mary was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory at the end of her earthly life.
In many countries, this day is a public holiday and is celebrated with vibrant processions, church services, and community festivals.
Italy observes Ferragosto, a secular holiday introduced by Emperor Augustus, coinciding with Assumption and marked by parades and seafood feasts.
Eastern Orthodox and Eastern Catholic Churches celebrate the Dormition of the Theotokos with liturgies focused on Mary's peaceful death and resurrection.
Other observances include Lady's Day in Ireland, Latvia's Māras, Mother's Day in Costa Rica and Antwerp, Romania's Navy Day, and Tenerife's Virgin of Candelaria festival.
Assumption of Mary
Catholic
holy days of obligation
Austria
Belgium
Benin
Bosnia
Burundi
Cameroon
Chile
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
France
Germany
Greece
Guatemala
Italy
Ivory Coast
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Madagascar
Malta
Mauritius
Paraguay
Poland
Portugal
Romania
Senegal
Seychelles
Slovenia
Spain
Switzerland
Togo
Vanuatu
Dormition of the Theotokos
Eastern Orthodox
Oriental Orthodox
Eastern Catholic Churches
Ferragosto
Italy
Lady's Day
Ireland
Māras
Latvia
Mother's Day
Antwerp
Costa Rica
National Acadian Day
Acadians
Navy Day
Romania
Virgin of Candelaria
Canary Islands
Tenerife
Spain
National Acadian Day(Acadians)
National Acadian Day on August 15 celebrates Acadian heritage and the historical flag raising of 1884 with music, festivals, and cultural ceremonies.
National Acadian Day commemorates the adoption of the Acadian flag and the resilience of the Acadian people following the Great Expulsion of 1755. The first official flag was hoisted in Miscou Island, New Brunswick, in 1884, symbolizing unity and cultural pride among Francophone Acadians. Modern celebrations feature parades, traditional music performances such as accordion and fiddle concerts, and the ceremonial raising of the blue, white, and red flag crowned with a golden star. Communities across Atlantic Canada and Louisiana host festivals showcasing Acadian cuisine like poutine râpée and fricot, along with joual dances and storytelling. In schools and cultural centers, workshops teach Acadian language and folklore to preserve heritage. National Acadian Day honors a history of survival and the vibrant spirit of a distinct Francophone culture in North America.
National Acadian Day
Acadians
Navy Day(Romania)
Romania's Navy Day on August 15 honors the naval forces with ceremonies, ship tours, and maritime displays along the Black Sea coast.
Romanian Navy Day is celebrated on August 15, coinciding with the Orthodox feast of the Assumption. Observances center in Constanța with ceremonial ship parades, open ship visits, wreath-laying at naval monuments, and maritime concerts. The day honors the service of naval personnel protecting Romania's coastline on the Black Sea and highlights the navy's historical achievements. Naval exercises and rescue demonstrations showcase operational capabilities, while veteran sailors and cadets participate in official ceremonies. Romania's naval bands perform sea shanties and patriotic marches, and families enjoy seafood festivals by the port. Navy Day fosters national pride in Romania's maritime heritage and the dedication of its sailors.
Navy Day
Romania
Gwangbokjeol, "Independence Day" (South Korea)
Gwangbokjeol on August 15 is South Korea’s National Liberation Day, celebrating freedom from Japanese colonial rule in 1945 with ceremonies and public events.
Gwangbokjeol, literally 'Restoration of Light Day,' commemorates Korea's liberation from 35 years of Japanese occupation on August 15, 1945. It was first celebrated in 1949 and reestablished after the Korean War's end in 1953 as a national holiday. Official observances include flag-raising ceremonies at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul, visits to independence memorials, and televised speeches by the President. Citizens decorate streets with the national flag (Taegukgi) and attend concerts, parades, and cultural festivals highlighting Korean heritage. Schools and government offices close, allowing families to participate in community events and reflect on the struggle for sovereignty. Gwangbokjeol inspires national pride and remembrance of those who fought for freedom.
Gwangbokjeol
South Korea
Jogukhaebangui nal, "Fatherland Liberation Day" (North Korea)
Fatherland Liberation Day in North Korea commemorates the nation’s liberation from Japanese rule on August 15 with mass rallies and military parades.
Known in Korean as Jogukhaebangui nal, this day marks the end of Japanese colonial occupation in 1945, paralleling South Korea's Gwangbokjeol. Celebrations in Pyongyang feature grand military parades showcasing the Korean People's Army's strength and ideological devotion. Citizens gather in Kim Il Sung Square to hear speeches praising the leadership and revolutionary achievements. Public performances of mass dances, fireworks, and drum displays underscore themes of national unity and resistance. Monuments to anti-Japanese heroes receive floral tributes from high-ranking officials and citizens alike. The holiday reinforces state narratives of liberation under the party's guidance and the enduring spirit of the Korean revolution.
Jogukhaebangui nal
North Korea