Holidays in South Korea
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New Year's Day(Sin-jeong)
New Year's Day is the first day of the year. On the modern Gregorian calendar, it is celebrated on January 1.
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Korean New Year's Day (Seol-nal)
Also called "Seol" or "Gujeong". The first day of the lunar Korean calendar. It is the most important of the traditional Korean holidays, and is considered a more important holiday than the solar New Year's Day.
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March 1st Movement(Sam-il-jeol)
Independence(Declaration) Day
This day commemorates the March 1st Movement in 1919. On March 1 of this year, the Korean people declared their nation's independence from Japan. It was a catalyst for the establishment of the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea(April 13, 1919).
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Children's Day(Eo-rin-i-nal)
The day on which to esteem the personalities of children and plan for their happiness. In Korea, Children's Day started on May 1, 1922, when 8 persons including Bang Jeong-hwan declared the Day and held an anniversary. In 1946, the Day changed to May 5, and became a public holiday in 1975.
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Buddha's Birthday(Seok-ga-tan-sin-il)
Also called "Bucheonnim Osinnal (부처님 오신 날)" or "Sawol Chopail (사월 초파일,四月初八日). The birthday of the Gautama Buddha. In South Korea, Buddhism is the one of two major religions, with Christianity.
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Memorial Day(Hyeon-chung-il)
The day commemorates men and women who died while in military service or the independence movement. It originated from the traditional customs of Mangzhong, one of the 24 solar terms. On this day, national commemorating ceremony is held in National Cemetery.
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Liberation Day(Gwang-bok-jeol)
The day celebrates national liberation from Japan in 1945. On this day, Emperor Shōwa announced surrender and World War II ended. On the same day in 1948, the government of the Republic of Korea was established. The word "Gwangbok" means "restoration of light".
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Harvest Festival(Chu-seok)
Mid-Autumn Festival
Also called "Han-gawi (한가위)". Korean traditional Harvest Festival. With Seollal, it is one of the most important Korean traditional holidays. As a celebration of the good harvest, Koreans visit their ancestral hometowns and share a feast of Korean traditional food.
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National Foundation Day(Gae-cheon-jeol)
The day celebrates the foundation of Gojoseon, the first state of Korean nation. According to Samguk Yusa, Dangun founded Gojoseon on the 3rd day of 10th lunar month, 2333 BCE. Today, South Koreans celebrate their national foundation on October 3 in solar calendar, for convenience's sake. "Gaecheonjeol" means "Heaven-opened Day".
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Christmas(Seong-tan-jeol)
Christmas is commonly called "Seongtanjeol (성탄절,聖誕節)" in Korean(especially among Christians), but the official Korean name fixed by law is "Gidoktansinil"2. In South Korea, Christianity is the one of two major religions, with Buddhism.
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