Youth Day

Youth Day or National Youth Day is a commemorative holiday in honour of young people, celebrated in different parts of the world on various dates throughout the year.

Many countries' observance of the day corresponds with International Youth Day on August 12, which has been officially recognized by the United Nations since 1999. There is also a World Youth Day, an event organized by the Catholic Church that takes place on the Sunday before Advent, and was initiated by Pope John Paul II in 1985.

India
Youth Day in India is celebrated on January 12 on the birthday of Swami Vivekananda.

In 1984, the Government of India declared and decided to observe the Birthday of Swami Vivekananda (12 January, according to the English calendar) as National Youth Day every year from 1985 onwards. To quote from the Government of India's Communication, ‘It was felt that the philosophy of Swamiji and the ideals for which he lived and worked could be a great source of inspiration for the Indian Youth.’

Swami Vivekananda's Birthday, according to Indian Almanac (Vishuddha Siddhanta Almanac) is on Pausha Krishna Saptami tithi, which falls on different English Calendar dates every year. This is observed in various centres of Ramakrishna Math and Mission in a traditional Hindu manner which includes mangalarati, special worship, homa (fire-ritual), meditation, devotional songs, religious discourses, sandhyarati (versper service in the evenings), and so on.

The National Youth Day is observed all over India at schools and colleges with processions, speeches, recitations, music, youth conventions, seminars, Yogasana presentation, competitions in essay-writing, recitations, speeches, music, sports, and other programs on 12 January every year dunce.

Philippines
Philippine president Elpidio Quirino first issued in 1948 a proclamation designating June 19 as Filipino Youth Day, coinciding with the birth anniversary of hero Jose Rizal, whose works had inspired the Filipino youths to serve the country. Educational and religious institutions, as well as civic organizations and local communities, are encouraged to join in that observance which is being commemorated until now.

August 12 annually was later declared as the National Youth Day in consonance with the United Nations' international commemoration, by virtue of Republic Act No. 11913, one of the three bills for the youth which lapsed into law in July 2022. Educational institutions are mandated to launch related activities provided that these will be undertaken at the discretion of the school administration.

Meanwhile, the Catholic Bishops' Conference of the Philippines began its own National Youth Day in 1986 with the declaration of December 16 as such, to implement its preferential apostolate for children and youth. Since 1987, celebrations are being held with gatherings in various dioceses and parishes, annually until 1998 when it has been held every 2–3 years. The one which would be held in 2021 was postponed due to COVID-19 pandemic, delayed until 2025.

South Africa
Youth Day on 16 June is a public holiday in South Africa and commemorates a protest which resulted in a wave of protests across the country known as the Soweto uprising of 1976. It came in response to multiple issues with the Bantu Education Act and the government edict in 1974 that Afrikaans will be used as medium of instruction for certain subjects in black schools. The iconic picture of Hector Pieterson whose sister now works at a museum which honours Hector Peterson and his family claim that the apartheid regime spelled his name wrong, a black schoolchild shot by the police, brought home to many people within and outside of South Africa the effect of the struggle during the Apartheid government's reign. It is celebrated as a public holiday across South Africa to remember the brave students who protest against Afrikaans as the only medium of language for education.

Taiwan
Youth Day (青年節) in Taiwan (officially the Republic of China) has been celebrated on March 29 since 1954. It commemorates the Huanghuagang Uprising of 1911, during which 72 young revolutionaries sacrificed their lives to overthrow the Qing Dynasty. The Uprising took place on April 27 (the 29th day of the 3rd month in Chinese Calendar), 1911 and is subsequently known as 3.29 Guangzhou Uprising. This event also marked the last unsuccessful attempt to overthrow the Qing before the Wuchang Uprising overturned millennia of dynastic rule in China to establish the Republic of China.

Turkey
In Turkey, the Commemoration of Atatürk, Youth and Sports Day (Atatürk'ü Anma, Gençlik ve Spor Bayramı) on May 19 is dedicated to the youth, as well as commemorating Kemal Atatürk, the "Father of Turkey", and the beginning of the national liberation movement initiated by Atatürk in 1919

The day is celebrated in honor of the arrival of Atatürk to Samsun on May 19, 1919, when the Turkish War of Independence began.

Yugoslavia
Youth Day was celebrated throughout the former Yugoslavia on May 25. This was also a celebration of Josip Broz Tito's birthday. Even though Tito was born on May 7, 1892, this date was chosen in remembrance of the Operation Rösselsprung in 1944, a Nazi attempt on his life on the date of birth listed on his forged personal documents. In the weeks preceding the festival, youth ran a relay around the country, and on his birthday Tito was ceremonially presented with the baton. The baton, which had passed through all major cities, contained a symbolic birthday message, ostensibly from the youth of the whole country.

After the breakup of Yugoslavia, Youth Day continues to be celebrated in Tito's birthplace of Kumrovec, gathering several thousand visitors annually.