Commonwealth Day

n (Government, Politics & Diplomacy) the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth, May 24, celebrated (now on the second Monday in March) as a holiday in many parts of the Commonwealth. Former name: Empire Day

Com′monwealth Day`

n. a holiday observed in some countries of the Commonwealth of Nations, originally on May 24, the anniversary of Queen Victoria's birth, but now on varying dates. Formerly, Empire Day.

Thesaurus

Noun

Commonwealth Day - British, anniversary of Queen Victoria's birthEmpire day, May 24legal holiday, national holiday, public holiday - authorized by law and limiting work or official businessMay - the month following April and preceding June

Commonwealth Day

Second Monday in MarchFrom 1903 until 1957, this holiday in honor of the British Empire was known as Empire Day and was celebrated on May 24, Queen Victoria's birthday. Between 1958 and 1966, it was called British Commonwealth Day . Then it was switched to Queen Elizabeth II's official birthday in June, and the name was shortened to Commonwealth Day. It is observed annually on the second Monday in March.
In Canada it is still celebrated on May 24 (or the Monday before) and referred to as Victoria Day .
CONTACTS:
Commonwealth Secretariat
Marlborough House
Pall Mall
London, SW1Y 5HX United Kingdom
44-20-7747-6500; fax: 44-20-7930-0827
www.thecommonwealth.org
Royal Commonwealth Society
25 Northumberland Ave.
London, WC2N 5AP United Kingdom
44-20-7930-6733; fax: 44-20-7930-9705
www.rcsint.org
SOURCES:
AnnivHol-2000, p. 87
DictDays-1988, pp. 23, 36, 125

Celebrated in: Gibraltar

Commonwealth Day