Commonwealth Day (14/03)

Commonwealth Day — is an annual holiday of the 56 member countries of the international community, the Commonwealth of Nations (until 1947 — British Commonwealth of Nations), an association of independent states formerly part of the British Empire, recognizing the British monarch as a symbol of free unity. Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday of March and is dedicated to a specific topic every year.

The Commonwealth began in 1887 at a colonial conference in London, at which the most developed colonies of the British Empire were given the status of dominions of — autonomous entities (later — effectively independent states), all of which became part of the British Commonwealth of Nations — association, designed to unite the huge British Empire. Such dominions were Canada, the Commonwealth of Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Newfoundland and Ireland.

The legal status of the Commonwealth of Nations is determined by the Statute of Westminster 1931 (specified in 1947). There is a Commonwealth Secretariat and annual conferences of Commonwealth countries are held. In the UK, the post of Commonwealth Secretary has been established as part of the government.

After the British Empire lost 13 American colonies, leaving behind Canada, India, some possessions in the West Indies and a number of scattered and remote settlements, two political lines emerged in the metropolis. The first involved a focus on expanding British influence in India and the Far East.

The second line, along with the expansion of this influence (in the interests of British industry and in order to save government spending), allowed the development of self-government in the colonies in order to prevent a repeat of the Revolutionary War of the North American colonies.

Commonwealth member countries are located around the world — in Africa, Asia, North and South America, Europe and the Pacific. Among them are both large and rich states, as well as small and poor countries of the world. All members have equal voting rights, regardless of size or economic growth. Representatives of member countries form the policies and priorities of the Commonwealth's activities. Every two years they meet to discuss all pressing issues.

On the holiday itself, a multi-religious ministry is held at Westminster Abbey in London, in which the British monarch takes part as the head of the Commonwealth. In a number of countries, Commonwealth Day is a public holiday, and in other member states, thematic events and Commonwealth flag raising ceremonies are held everywhere on this day.

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