Tuvalu is an island nation that’s located in Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, this archipelago of three reef islands and six atolls is located about halfway between Australia and Hawaii.
A holiday that’s widely observed on this holiday is Gospel Day. This holiday is observed on the Monday after the second Sunday in May in Tuvalu and commemorates the arrival of Christianity to the nation. This is a holiday that’s been observed since the 19th century and continues to be important to this very day.
The History Of Gospel Day In Tuvalu
In 1860, Elekana brought Christianity to the islands. He was a deacon of the Congregational church in Manihiki in the Cook Islands. He had accidentally landed at the atoll of Nukuaelae when he was caught in a storm and drifted for two months before finally landing. Once he landed, he began to preach to the inhabitants of the archipelago. A few years later, other missionaries began to show up in the area and by 1878, Christianity was well established on every island.
Interesting Facts About Tuvalu
Let’s reveal to everyone reading about some of the things that we’ve learned about Tuvalu over the course of our research.
- The first settlers to Tuvalu were Tongans and Samoans during the 14th century.
- Tuvalu declared its independence from the United Kingdom in 1978.
- Tuvalu has no natural streams or rivers.
- Tuvalu is one of 22 countries that doesn’t have an army.
- Tuvalu’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2020 was just $48.86 million USD.
Observing Gospel Day In Tuvalu
This holiday is observed by widespread religious services across the archipelago. It’s also a day off for the general population, and therefore, most schools and government offices are closed. Many businesses are also closed on this holiday as well.
When is Gospel Day in Tuvalu? |
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| This year (2023) | May 8 (Monday) |
| Next year (2024) | May 13 (Monday) |
| Last year (2022) | May 9 (Monday) |