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The celebration of Oman’s National Day takes place every year on November 18 as a celebration of independence from the Portuguese in 1650.National Day coincides with Sultan Qaboos bin Said’s birthday, which occurs November 19, adding additional significance to the day.

Quick History of National Day in Oman

In 749, the tribes of Oman chose an Imam, a Muslim spiritual leader, marking its first ruler after the influx of Islam into the region. Despite pressure from neighbouring Arabic countries, Oman remained relatively independent right up until 1507.

In 1507, Portugal’s naval fleet arrived taking the strategic ports of Muscat and Sohar. Strategically placed along the spice trade route, these ports were especially important to the Portugese.

Trading spices and other Eastern commodities was a lucrative activity for the British, Dutch and Portugese in the 17th century.Unsatisfied with the Portuguese exploitation of resources in Oman, the Al-Ya’ribi clan wooed the British East India Company in 1646. The British signed an agreement with Oman which effectively reduced Portugese power in the area. The agreement guaranteed certain legal and religious rights to Oman, in exchange for the East India company to hold trading positions.

On November 18, 1650, Imam Sultan Bin Saif and others led an uprising that effectively expelled Portugal from Oman and its ports. Since then, Oman has been relatively independent and is certainly one of the longest continually independent Arab states.

Oman’s National Day Traditions, Customs and Activities

Today, people celebrate both Oman’s independence from the Portuguese and the Sultan’s birthday on November 18. Fireworks displays, images of the sultan, and Oman’s flag can be seen during celebrations that focus on the progress the current sultan, Qaboos bin Said, has made for the people of Oman.

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On 30th November, The Philippines celebrate the birthday of their home-grown nationalist revoutionary, Andres Bonifacio y de Castro. He lived from 1836-1897. As the founder and leader of the Katipunan movement, his party sought independence from Spanish colonial rule which was in place in the 19th century.He is considered as a national hero of the Philippines.Bonifacio is also considered by some Filipino historians to be the first president of the Philippines, but he is not officially recognized as such.

The history of Bonifacio Day

Born to Santiago and Catalina Bonifacio, Andres was the eldest of six children. His father was a tailor who served as a teniente mayor of Tondo while his mother worked in a cigarette factory.He was orphaned in his late teens – his mother died of tuberculosis in 1881 and his father followed a year after. To support the rest of the family, he dropped out of school after his parents died. His job was as a clerk for Fleming & Company – an English firm which traded tar and other commodities.

After that, he decided to start his own business which sold canes and paper fans. Bonifacio re-married after his first wife died of leprosy. His second wife, Gregoria de Jesus gave him a son, but he unfortunately died in his infancy. Although Bonifacio did not finish his time in formal education, he did succeed in educating himself and eventually become a Freemason.

Then in 1892, Bonifacio joined the main party calling for political reform – La Liga Filipina (translated as The Philippine League). However, this involvement was short-lived as the party in question was disbanded; the leader Rizal being deported to another part of the country. Undeterred, the party re-formed without Rizal, and Bonifacio set about organising the involvement of locals with the party.

Financial support was given from Spain, and eventually another party was formed – this time called Katipunan (the highest, most respected society of the sons of the country) – whose goal was to bring about freedom from Spain using arms.

What Happens On Bonifacio Day?

November 30 is celebrated as a public holiday in memory of Filipino hero Andres Bonifacio Filipinos to thank him for his heroic attitude for fought for Country’s Independence during the Filipino – Spanish war. As such, the many monuments to Bonifacio that are scattered around Philippines are decorated with flowers on this day, and many people come to visit the monuments to give their thanks.

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