Harmony Day
Harmony Day is a holiday celebrated in Australia on March 21st. It is a day when Australians celebrate the core values of inclusiveness, respect for other cultures, tolerance, and diversity. The day began in 1999 and coincides with the UN’s International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination.
Australia (Observance)History of Harmony Day
The history of Harmony Day can be traced back to the International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, created by the United Nations General Assembly in 1966. The International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is held annually on March 21st to commemorate the day when police opened fire and killed 69 peaceful protesters at an anti-apartheid demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, in 1960. In 1999, Australia established Harmony Day to coincide with this day.
Harmony Day Customs & Celebrations
Orange is the official color of this holiday, and many people wear orange bracelets, T-shirts, or other articles of clothing to show their support. Some take selfies wearing orange and post them online using the hashtag #harmonyday. Those tweeting about their activities for the day also use the same hashtag.
Parents often celebrate the day by showing their children photographs of themselves or their family members when they first came to Australia. They also tell stories about the cultures and countries that make up their ancestry. Another way to celebrate is by trying out traditional dances, food, or music from their own culture or other cultures.
Harmony Day is also an excellent opportunity for friends to get together. They can have a multicultural feast where everyone brings a different ethnic dish. It is also a good day for people to visit museums to learn about other cultures. On this day, there are usually various Harmony Day events, including book fairs, festivals, cultural awards, and concerts.
Australia (Observance)
