Venezuela : public and bank holidays, closure of banks, stock exchanges, school vacations

Culture : in El Callao

Culture : in El Callao

Banks only : Commemorates the Last supper. Pope Urban IV ordered the observance of such a feast in 1264, and in the following century it became universal in the Western Church. For six hundred years that feast was observed on the Thursday after Trinity Sunday, but in 1970 the new Roman Missal, while retaining that day for some countries, provided that in others the feast be observed on the Sunday after Trinity.

cards/flowers :

Banks only :

Secular holiday : Bolivar's victory in 1823 over the Spanish army

Special Events :

Banks only : Christian holiday commemorating the date around 258, under the Valerian persecution, when what were believed to be the remains of the two apostles were both moved temporarily to prevent them from falling into the hands of the persecutors.

Secular holiday : Even though the actual independence was granted by Spain in 1830, claim for independence was declared in 1811, making Venezuela the first South American nation to declare independence

School holidays :

Secular holiday : Born in 1783

Banks only : The Assumption of the Blessed Virgin is the dogma so far defined by the Church. The definition was made by Pope Pius XII on 1st November 1950. The Pope proclaimed: We pronounce, declare and define it to be a divinely revealed dogma that the Immaculate Mother of God, the ever Virgin Mary, having completed the course of her earthly life was assumed body and soul into heavenly glory.

Banks only : A celebrated Catholic image of an alleged apparition of the Virgin Mary. In 1942, she was declared the Patroness of Venezuela.

School holidays :

Secular holiday : Replaces the former Spanishness Day

Banks only : José Gregorio Hernández Cisneros (26 October 1864 – 29 June 1919) was a Venezuelan physician. Born in Isnotú, Trujillo State, he became a highly renowned doctor, more so after his death. He was beatified by the Catholic Church in 2021.

Banks only :

School holidays :

School holidays :

cards/flowers : In tribute to the former President from 2013 onwards Not a paid holiday

Banks only :

School holidays :

Secular holiday : In certain countries, businesses may be closed half a day only. paid holiday when falling on Saturday or Sunday

Catholic or protestant : Since pre-historic times in Europe, festivities (bonfires, offrerings) were marking the beginning of longer hours of daylight with fires and ritual. The Roman festival of Saturnalia lasted several days in December (gambling and offerings). Germanic tribes also celebrated mid-winter (drinking and rituals). The Bulgarian (with Koleduvane) and the Polish (with Gwiazdka) perpetuate this tradition. Jesus of Nazareth was probably born in springtime (Reformists favour autumn). But in the 4th century, December 25th was chosen for the celebration of his birth by Pope Julius I (Bishop Liberus is also mentioned in 354 A.D.). Thus, a Christian element was introduced in the long-established mid-winter festivals. Before 1582, the Papal States and other Italian city states celebrated New Year’s Day on Christmas Day.