Sunday 9 May 2021

6th February: Waitangi Day

Waitangi Day

Every year on 6th February, New Zealand marks the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi as Waitangi Day.

Māori, the indigenous Polynesian people, arrived in Aotearoa New Zealand at least 800–1000 years ago. Pākehā, the European settlers arrived just 250 years ago. 

In the year 1840, to give equal power to both Pākehā and Māori, representatives of the British Crown and Māori signed what is often considered to be New Zealand’s founding document. 

In 1932 Governor-General Lord Bledisloe gifted the Treaty House and grounds at Waitangi to the nation. In February 1934 Bledisloe's gift was marked by celebrations. Many from the Māori attended the 1934 celebrations, this is marked as the first official Waitangi Day.

Prime Minister Norman Kirk declared that it would be a national holiday starting from 1974 and he renamed Waitangi day, as "New Zealand Day".  But the “New Zealand Day” was celebrated for just 2 years, and reverted back to the original name, Waitangi Day, which has stuck on till date.

Below is the Miniature sheet issued by NZ post on 5th February 1974 to commemorate "New Zealand Day".  

The top left stamp depicts Treaty House at Waitangi

The bottom left stamp shows the Signing the Treaty of Waitangi

In the middle, Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, who was the chief guest for the 1974 "New Zealand Day"

The top right is the Parliament Buildings and the Beehive

The bottom right is Pakeha and Maori Children Studying Together

Wednesday 5 May 2021

May 4th : Star Wars Day

Star Wars Day

Are you a Star Wars fan?  Then you must be knowing the famous Jedi's catchphrase, “May the Force be with you” and a pun related to this dialogue "May the fourth(4th) be with you".  Thus, "Star Wars Day" was born.

Star war fans decided to celebrate May 4th, as a Star wars day unofficially to pay tribute to the movie and its maker George Lucas of Lucasfilm. First known, organized Star Wars Day events were held at the Toronto underground Cinema on this day in 2011.

In 2012, The Walt Disney Company purchased the Lucas film.  In 2013, they decided to celebrate Star Wars Day officially at both Walt Disney World and Disneyland.  Since then it has been celebrated throughout the world.

The interesting thing about this day is, The iron lady of the world, Margaret Thatcher took office as Prime minister of the UK on 4th May 1979.  Her conservative party members congratulated with the ad saying "May the Fourth(May, 4th) Be with you, Maggie".

Enjoy the day with the 3-D Star Wars stamps issued by Spain.



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