When is Day of Community Service?
Day of Community Service is a national holiday in Dominica on November 4th each year. It is held on the next working day after Independence Day, so it may move from November 4th depending on what day of the week it falls on.
History of Day of Community Service
There are several countries who extend their national day holidays by one day. There are also countries who have a national day of service (In the US, MLK Day and September 11th are days of service), but these are usually not public holidays.
In Dominica, they uniquely combine these two traditions, with the day after Independence Day being the National Day of Community Service.
In the aftermath of Hurricane David in 1979, then-acting Prime Minister Oliver Seraphine declared November 4th a National Day of Community Service to get Dominicans involved in the massive cleanup effort required to get the island back to a presentable state.
Before that November 4th was a national jump-up day.
The Day of Community Service has now become a day when all citizens turn out to complete approved community projects in a single day.
Did you know?
Dominica is one of only two countries whose flag features the colour purple. The other is Nicaragua.
