This monthly
recap of October 2008 worldwide public holidays news and updates, covers all the countries
of the world, and is based on our daily review
of hundreds of online newspapers, government sites, and institutional sources,
and over a decade of experience following
worldwide public holidays, to place current events in context, and anticipate on
possible future changes.
Maldives Run-Off Election Could Be Brought Forward (Source: Minivan-Malé) The Elections Commissioner of the Maldives, Mohamed Ibrahim, is quoted as saying that the second round of presidential elections might be held earlier than the announced October 29 date, due to a conflict with school exams (most schools serve as polling stations). full story and analysis
Chile Approves New October 31 Public Holiday (Source: Diario La Tribuna-Santiago) After almost 2 years of tractations (see our post of November 10, 2006), at noon, yesterday, Chile's President, Michelle Bachelet, signed law 20.299 making October 31st a new annual public holiday to coincide with Reformation Day and to be called "Día Nacional de las Iglesias Evangélicas y Protestantes". full story and analysis
Romania Adds August 15 Public Holiday (Source: Mediafax) Following the request of Romania's President, Traian Basescu, and of the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (our post of August 18) Romania's lower house of Parliament passed a law making August 15 (the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, also know as the Assumption) a public holiday, starting in 2009. full story and analysis
India Declares October 17 Women-Only Public Holiday In Himachal Pradesh The Himachal Pradesh government has declared a women-only gazetted public holiday for Friday, October 17, 2008, on the occasion of this year's Karvachauth festival. full story and analysis
Malaysia's Sabah State Announces Date Of Postponed Malaysia Day Public Holiday (Source: Sabah Tourism) The government of Malaysia's State of Sabah has finally announced the date of Saturday, October 11, 2008, as replacement for the Malaysia Day and Sabah Head of State mid-September public holidays which were postponed this year due to their occurrence during the Muslim month of Ramadan. full story and analysis
Australia Moving Towards A Harmonization Of ANZAC Day Public Holiday (Source: Tasmanian Government Communications-Hobart) The Government of Australia's State of Tasmania is considering allowing a day off work when ANZAC Day falls on a Sunday. This, in line with a recent principle agreement at the Federal level stating that all states should seek to harmonise their treatment of public holidays that fall on a Sunday. full story and analysis
Maldives Public Holidays October 8-9 (Source: MinivanNews-Malé) Following a request from the Elections Commission, Maldives' President Maumoon Abdul Gayoom has declared Wednesday and Thursday, October 8 and 9, 2008, as one-off public holidays on the occasion of the nation’s first multi-party election, set for October 8. full story and analysis
Argentina Passes Law Moving October 12 Public Holiday (Source: Diario el Litoral) As announced in our post of September 27, Argentina's parliament voted today to make the October 12 public holiday henceforth move to the following Monday, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. full story and analysis
Nepal Confirm Official End of Ramadan Public Holiday (Source: The Himalayan-Kathmandu) The government of Nepal has officially declared tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1, 2008, as the first occurrence of Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan) as a public holiday in Nepal. full story and analysis
Maldives Run-Off Election Could Be Brought Forward (Source: Minivan-Malé) The Elections Commissioner of the Maldives, Mohamed Ibrahim, is quoted as saying that the second round of presidential elections might be held earlier than the announced October 29 date, due to a conflict with school exams (most schools serve as polling stations). 
Chile Approves New October 31 Public Holiday (Source: Diario La Tribuna-Santiago) After almost 2 years of tractations (see our post of November 10, 2006), at noon, yesterday, Chile's President, Michelle Bachelet, signed law 20.299 making October 31st a new annual public holiday to coincide with Reformation Day and to be called "Día Nacional de las Iglesias Evangélicas y Protestantes". 
Romania Adds August 15 Public Holiday (Source: Mediafax) Following the request of Romania's President, Traian Basescu, and of the Patriarch of the Romanian Orthodox Church (our post of August 18) Romania's lower house of Parliament passed a law making August 15 (the feast of the Dormition of the Most Holy Mother of God, also know as the Assumption) a public holiday, starting in 2009. 
India Declares October 17 Women-Only Public Holiday In Himachal Pradesh The Himachal Pradesh government has declared a women-only gazetted public holiday for Friday, October 17, 2008, on the occasion of this year's Karvachauth festival. 
Malaysia's Sabah State Announces Date Of Postponed Malaysia Day Public Holiday (Source: Sabah Tourism) The government of Malaysia's State of Sabah has finally announced the date of Saturday, October 11, 2008, as replacement for the Malaysia Day and Sabah Head of State mid-September public holidays which were postponed this year due to their occurrence during the Muslim month of Ramadan. 
Australia Moving Towards A Harmonization Of ANZAC Day Public Holiday (Source: Tasmanian Government Communications-Hobart) The Government of Australia's State of Tasmania is considering allowing a day off work when ANZAC Day falls on a Sunday. This, in line with a recent principle agreement at the Federal level stating that all states should seek to harmonise their treatment of public holidays that fall on a Sunday. 
Argentina Passes Law Moving October 12 Public Holiday (Source: Diario el Litoral) As announced in our post of September 27, Argentina's parliament voted today to make the October 12 public holiday henceforth move to the following Monday, if it falls on a Saturday or Sunday. 
Nepal Confirm Official End of Ramadan Public Holiday (Source: The Himalayan-Kathmandu) The government of Nepal has officially declared tomorrow, Wednesday, October 1, 2008, as the first occurrence of Eid al Fitr (End of Ramadan) as a public holiday in Nepal.