When is the Day of the Azores?
The Day of the Azores (Portugese: 'Dia da Região Autónoma dos Açores') is a regional public holiday in the Portugese autonomous region of the Azores on the day after Pentecost Sunday.
This is a day to honour the "affirmation of the historical, cultural and social identity of the Azorean people, their philosophy of life and their regional unity."
History of the Day of the Azores
The Azores is a region of Portugal composed of nine islands. The archipelago discovered by Portuguese explorers in the 15th century, became an Autonomous Region of Portugal in 1976, following the Carnation Revolution of April 25th 1974.
The date moves each year to coincide with the first Monday following the Sunday of Pentecost, which is the beginning the Azorean traditional Holy Ghost festival cycle.
One of the highlights of the event is the bestowing of honours to distinguished Azorean personalities and institutions who have contributed to the wellbeing of the Azores and its people.
The Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores was established by the Legislative Assembly in 1980. The date, observed throughout the archipelago, as a public holiday.
According to the latest US census over 1.3 million individuals of Portuguese descent live in the United States, the majority with roots in the Azores.
