Constitution Day-Public Holiday

 A Day of Remembrance Dedicated to the Leaders who framed the country’s first laws.

Vanuatu is today an independent, constitutional republic. Every 5 October is the day when the signing of the Vanuatu constitution is celebrated.

The islands of Vanuatu were long divided among local island chieftains. Then the European colonizers began to explore and lay claim to the region during the 1800’s. Finally, in 1906, Britain and France agreed to jointly rule the islands, which they called the colony of New Hebrides.

During the 1970’s, an independence movement got under way, and independence was achieved by 1979. That same year, on 5 October, the constitution for Vanuatu was adopted. It was the result of a committee made up of various parties and representatives from all over the country. The constitution went into effect on 30 July, 1980.

Vanuatu Constitution Day is observed with the delivering of patriotic speeches, special governmental ceremonies, and special events all over the archipelago. It is a day to celebrate the document that holds the islands together as one nation and the freedoms that document is designed to secure.

It is important that the country must properly utilize this national day (public holiday) to educate the younger generation to acknowledge, appreciate, and respect national historic events, rather than going out for picnics.

This respect is very important for the over-all stability and Unity of this nation.