When is Commemoration Day of King’s Father?
Commemoration Day of King’s Father is a public holiday in Cambodia on October 15th each year.
The full title of this holiday is "Commemoration Day to the Royal Soul of His Majesty Preah Bat Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk, Preahmahaviraksat, King-Father of the Cambodian National Independence, Territorial Integrity and Unity".
History of Commemoration Day of King’s Father
Norodom Sihanouk was born in Phnom Penh on October 31st 1922. He was the only son of HRH Prince Norodom Suramarit and HRH Princess Sisowath Kossomak Nearirath Serey Vatthana.
Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk became the King of the Kingdom of Cambodia in April 1941 after the death of his grandfather.
From 1941 he was head of state of Cambodia several times as it changed its name and status.
From the fall of the Democratic Kampuchea on January 7th 1979 to 1990, Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk left Cambodia and returned back in 1991 and became the King of Cambodia in 1993 until he abdicated in October 2004.
His Majesty the King-Father Samdech Preah Norodom Sihanouk passed away on October 15th 2012 at 01:20 am (time in Phnom Penh) in Beijing, China at the age of 90 from natural causes.
A ceremony is held inside the Royal Palace and at royal governmental institutions on October 15th every year to revere His Majesty King-Father Norodom Sihanouk, or His Majesty Preah Barom Ratanakaodh*, which is his posthumous name.
*Meaning "the king who lives in the diamond urn" - Sihanouk was cremated after his death.
