When is the Birth Anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyalpo?
Birth Anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyalpo / Constitution Day is a non-working public holiday in the Kingdom of Bhutan on November 11th each year.
As the name suggests, this holiday celebrates the birthday of the 4th Druk Gyalpo and one of the most notable achievements during his reign - the Constitution of Bhutan.
History of the Birth Anniversary of the 4th Druk Gyalpo
Jigme Singye Wangchuck was born on November 11th 1955. He became the 4th Druk Gyalpo ("Dragon King") aged 16, in 1972 after the death of his father, Jigme Dorji. He abdicated in favour of his eldest son, Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck, in 2006.
During his reign as Druk Gyalpo, Jigme Singye Wangchuck oversaw many social and cultural reforms in the country.
One important change he initiated was the Constitution of Bhutan. In many countries, the call for a constitution is usually made as a result of revolution or political pressure. In Bhutan, it was His Majesty the 4th Druk Gyalpo who formally inaugurated the process of the drafting of the constitution in 2001.
The 4th Druk Gyalpo felt that Bhutan must move with the times to ensure the nation can deal with internal and external threats, but would also be able to continue to prosper in an atmosphere of peace and stability.
The constitution was modelled on the post-apartheid South African constitution which was seen as a good example of enshrining human rights in the constitution.
The adoption of the constitution on July 18th 2008 by the first democratically elected parliament was a significant milestone in the history of Bhutan. It marked the country’s transition from monarchy to a democratic constitutional monarchy.
