Gospel Day in Tuvalu
Tuvalu is an island nation located in Oceania in the Pacific Ocean. Formerly known as the Ellice Islands, this archipelago comprises three reef islands and six atolls, situated about halfway between Australia and Hawaii.
Tuvalu (Public holiday)A holiday widely observed in Tuvalu is Gospel Day. This holiday is observed on the Monday after the second Sunday in May and commemorates the arrival of Christianity in the nation. It has been observed since the 19th century and continues to be significant to this 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 accidentally landed at the atoll of Nukulaelae when he was caught in a storm and drifted for two months before finally landing. Once he arrived, he began preaching to the inhabitants of the archipelago. A few years later, other missionaries arrived in the area, and by 1878, Christianity was well-established on every island.
Interesting Facts About Tuvalu
Let’s reveal some of the things we’ve learned about Tuvalu over the course of our research.
- The first settlers in 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 do not 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 with widespread religious services across the archipelago. It is also a day off for the general population, and as a result, most schools and government offices are closed. Many businesses also close on this holiday.
Tuvalu (Public holiday)
