Macau S.A.R Establishment Day
Macau Special Administrative Region Establishment (SARE) Day, or Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day, is a holiday observed annually on December 20th. It commemorates the day when the Chinese government assumed formal sovereignty over Macau in 1999 after it had been a possession of Portugal for many years.
Macau (Public holiday)This day is a day off for the general population, and as a result, most businesses and schools are closed. This holiday is typically celebrated with parades, fireworks, and people gathering together to celebrate the day. This makes it very similar to how Hong Kong celebrates Hong Kong Special Administrative Region Establishment Day.
The History of Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day
During the 16th century, Macau became a trading post and a major settlement for the Portuguese. In 1974, after the Carnation Revolution, Portugal decided it would relinquish its overseas possessions, and in 1976, Macau was reclassified as a Chinese territory under administration by the Portuguese.
In 1987, Portugal and China signed an agreement that made Macau a special administrative region of China. On December 20, 1999, China assumed formal sovereignty over the territory.
Interesting Facts About Macau
Below are some interesting facts about Macau. We hope that everyone reading about this holiday will find it as interesting as we do. Let’s take a quick look at them, shall we?
- Because of annual profits from casino taxes, the government of Macau gives permanent residents approximately 9,000 patacas ($1,200) a year.
- Macau was the last colony in China.
- The Historic Center of Macau is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Observing Macau S.A.R. Establishment Day
This holiday is celebrated with special events, parades, lectures, and special ceremonies. At the end of the day, the holiday is also marked with a special fireworks display. On social media, the word about this holiday is usually spread using the hashtag #MacauSAREDay.
Macau (Public holiday)
