XVI Jon. I 2014 (Public Holidays)

The Purpose of this Act is to establish a list of celebratory and commemorative public holidays to be observed within the Empire of Austenasia, and to approve the Imperial Decrees of HIM Emperor Jonathan I numbered XI and XII.

The Gregorian calendar is recognised to be the calendar devised in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII and adopted in the Kingdom of Great Britain in 1752 (under which the Foundation of the Empire of Austenasia fell on 20 September 2008), whereas the Julian calendar is recognised to be the calendar introduced by Gaius Julius Caesar in 46 BC and currently used on Mount Athos (currently 13 days behind the Gregorian calendar). Unless otherwise specified, all dates in this same Act and in all other pieces of legislation are under the Gregorian calendar.

The following days are public holidays:

1. 1 January – New Year’s Day, celebrating the start of the new year

2. 20 January – Imperial Ascension Day, celebrating the ascension to the Throne of HIM Emperor Jonathan I (the date of this public holiday shall be changed by Act of Parliament, Imperial Decree or Imperial Edict after the reign of HIM Emperor Jonathan I so as to coincide with the date of the ascension to the Throne of his successors)

3. 4 June – Imperium Day, celebrating the anniversary of the recognition of the imperial rank of the Austenasian Throne by the then German Emperor in 2011

4. 26 September – Saint John’s Day, to honour the patron saint of the Empire of Austenasia, Saint John the Apostle (date may be changed in individual Towns and Territories in accordance with Paragraph 10, Subsections E and I of this same Act)

5. 13 October – Emperor Day, celebrating the birthday of HIM Emperor Jonathan I (the date of this public holiday shall be changed by Act of Parliament, Imperial Decree or Imperial Edict after the reign of HIM Emperor Jonathan I so as to coincide with the birthday of his successors)

6. 25 December – Christmas Day, celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ

Public holidays are days of celebration, on which employers are encouraged to offer leave from work to their employees. Any day which is a public or bank holiday in the United Kingdom will also be observed as a public holiday in Austenasia.

The first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March according to the Gregorian calendar will be celebrated as the public holiday of Western Easter, whereas the first Sunday after the first full moon on or after 21 March according to the Julian calendar (that is, the first full moon on or after 3 April according to the Gregorian calendar) will be celebrated as the public holiday of Orthodox Easter, to be known simply as Easter should the two fall on the same date, celebrating the Resurrection of Jesus Christ.

The third Saturday in September will be celebrated as the public holiday of Independence Day, celebrating the anniversary of the Foundation of the Empire of Austenasia and the Declaration of Independence from the United Kingdom.

In accordance with the First Imperial Decree of HIM Emperor Declan I, Act 64 (National Symbols and Animals) of the Parliament of Austenasia as passed under the Austenasian Constitution of 2008 was reaffirmed with the force of an Imperial Decree and so has remained in force under the Austenasian Constitution of 2011; Law 6 of said Act 64 is hereby repealed, with the feast day of Saint John the Apostle to be celebrated in accordance with Paragraph 3, Subsection D and with Paragraph 10, Subsections E and I of this same Act.

The second Sunday in November will be observed as Remembrance Sunday, remembering all those who have fought and died in wars. Should this not fall on 11 November, that date will also be observed separately as Armistice Day, with the same focus of remembrance, although more specifically those who have died in the First World War and all subsequent conflicts. Neither day shall be considered a public holiday as they are not times of celebration, but appropriate methods of observing them (such as holding a minute or two minutes of silence at 11 am) are encouraged.

Pets Day will be celebrated every 17 May, as a day for expressions of appreciation and affection to the pets of the Empire’s population. This shall not be considered a public holiday, but Wrythe Town Council is directed to make provisions for flowers to be laid on each grave in Wrythe Pet Cemetery, and for any necessary repairs to said cemetery to take place.

The following days may be adopted as public holidays in individual Towns and Territories should the respective Town Council or Governor decide to do so:

1. 6 January – Epiphany or Theophany, celebrating the revelation of Jesus Christ to the world

2. 25 January – Burns Night, celebrating the life and works of the poet Robert Burns, traditionally observed with an evening meal of haggis

3. The Tuesday 47 days before Western Easter – Shrove Tuesday or Pancake Day, traditionally observed with the eating of pancakes so as to use up rich foods before Lent

4. The Friday before Western/Orthodox Easter – Good Friday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ

5. 8 May – an alternative/extra date for the celebration of Saint John’s Day, observed in Orthodox Christianity as a secondary feast day in commemoration of a miracle reported to have taken place at the tomb of said saint

6. 29 September – Michaelmas, to honour the patron saint of the Austenasian Throne, Archangel Michael

7. 5 November – Bonfire Night, celebrating the thwarting of the Gunpowder Plot of 1605, traditionally observed with the lighting of bonfires and fireworks

8. 8 November – Synaxis of the Archangel Michael and the other Bodiless Powers, to honour the patron saint of the Austenasian Throne, Archangel Michael, together with any other guardian angels any person may wish to commemorate

9. 27 December – an alternative/extra date for the celebration of Saint John’s Day, observed in Western Christianity since the medieval period in place of the older tradition of the September date

In accordance with Article IV, Paragraph D, Subsection C of the Austenasian Constitution of 2011, the House of Representatives hereby grants its approval and consent to the Imperial Decrees of HIM Emperor Jonathan I numbered XI and XII (decreed on 16 November and 11 December 2013), thereby making them permanent law. In accordance with XII Jon. I: Decree on Kumano and Corinium Terentium, Paragraph 13 of the Spheres of Influence Act 2012 is hereby repealed.