Apr 01 2009
Public Holidays, Festivals and Events in April
Continuing the a malaysian abroad monthly overview of Public Holidays, Festivals and other events going on in Malaysia, Switzerland and the USA: today we will cover the month of April. It’s springtime, so there are a lot of “awakening” observances…
 April Fool by Michelle Dennis 2008 |
1st April - April Fools’ Day (worldwide)
While not a holiday per se, this almost worldwide day of mischief and tomfoolery has us on the lookout for hoaxes perpetrated sometimes even by the most stodgy of establishments.
I remember a newspaper in Malaysia featured an exclusive 3-page description of the lost Lirpa Loof tribe way back when, which was swallowed by my English teacher hook line and sinker.
In the French-speaking world, this day is known as poisson d’avril (April’s fish), where people try to pin a paper fish on others’ back without being caught. Oh, have you heard about the new Gmail Autopilot feature?
April 3rd 4th & 5th - F1 PETRONAS Malaysian Grand Prix
If you like to see cars go round and round a track, for one of the cheapest priced ticket within the F1 circuit, then you could make your way here… can you tell I’m not a fan? 
April 10th - Good Friday (CH, USA, MY)
Commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Golgotha, this is a solemn day for Christians who observe this event. This is a public holiday for all except two cantons in Switzerland. In Malaysia, only the states of Sabah and Sarawak take the day off, while in the USA it’s not an official holiday, but is certainly marked by those who observe.
 Easter Greetings! by dnorton |
April 12th - Easter Sunday (CH, USA)
Commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ, many observe this day by attending a solemn Sunday Mass followed by a family feast that may or may not involve an Easter Egg Hunt, and lots and lots of chocolate. I start by chewing off the chocolate bunny’s ears — you?
April 13th - Easter Monday / Dyngus Day (CH, USA)
This is a day off for all cantons in Switzerland except Valais. If you’re in Washington D.C., you could try to catch the Easter Egg Roll held on the lawn of the White House every year. In Polish communities, this day is known as Dyngus Day, and involves switching people’s legs with pussy willows and dousing people with water.
April 15th - Tax Day (USA)
The last day on which US citizens and legal aliens (the immigration kind, not the Grey kind) are to be submitted or postmarked to the Internal Revenue Service (IRS): a day of high tension and frantic activity for procrastinators. I’ll be glad when this day is over - enough with those tax software ads already!
 Malacca by sebastian ceriani |
April 15th - Declaration of Malacca as a Historical City (MY)
A day off only in the state of Melaka (Malacca), this day commemorates the declaration of the city of Malacca as a historical city by the UNESCO World Heritage Center in 2003. (fyi, on 8th July 2008, Malacca and Georgetown [Penang] were jointly inscribed as “Historic Cities of the Straits of Malacca” by the same institution)
Sunset of 19th April - sunset of April 26th/27th - Passover (USA)
Celebrating the passing-over of the Israelites when the first-born sons of Egypt were killed, followed by the seven day Feast of the Unleavened Bread commemorating the Exodus from Egypt and the liberation of the Israelites from slavery.
 Gaia Shineby flaivoloka |
April 22nd - Earth Day (worldwide)
A day to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth’s environment, first established in 1970. Did you know the United Nations observes its own Earth Day on the March Spring equinox, and has been since 1969?
April 23rd - Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day (USA)
Started in 1993 specifically for daughters, it was changed to include sons ten years later. This is a day where parents are encouraged to expose their children to various career opportunities. Usually marked on the last Thursday of April. Did you hear about the guy who took his daughter with him to rob a convenience store recently? Silly man, he was almost a whole month too early!
April 24th - Arbor Day (USA)
Originating in Nebraska City, Nebraska, this is a day where you are encouraged to plant or care for trees. Not an official day off, but there are numerous activities organised, oftentimes at school level, to mark the occasion. Marked on the last Friday of April.
In the USA, April is also:
- National Poetry Month
- National Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Related Posts:
- Days of note in January
- Days of note in February
- Public Holidays - March
our taxes are D-U-N done!! whoo-hoo! but i agree, hearing the friggin’ ads is a whole ‘nother annoyance altogether. but we just got our refund… cheddar bay biscuits anyone?
by the way, i think the whole world (minus malaysia & switzerland, which have jewish populations in the single digits) celebrates passover, not just the USA.
Very nice listing of April days - Thanks.
Love it all except for tax day
I agree with jodapoet. I could go for all the holidays, just get rid of April 15 as tax day - then the world would be a good place.
CORRECTION: for some reason, Wikipedia had the wrong dates for Passover this year … I should have checked other sources, but I admit, I’ve been complacent about double-checking wikipedia information. Anyways, Passover for this year is sunset of April 8 to nightfall of 15 April / 16 April. A good resource other than wiki for specific festival dated might be when-is.com.