Commonwealth Day

Commonwealth Day is celebrated on the second Monday of March in countries that were formerly part of the British Empire. Every year in March, authorized delegates from 52 countries gather to develop a strategy for shaping public opinion on global issues, discuss critical topics in international cooperation, listen to reports on the past year's work, and select a program and main theme for the next year. According to tradition, the meetings take place in Westminster Abbey in London and begin with a multi-faith service, after which the head of the Commonwealth, Queen Elizabeth II of England, addresses the nations, and her speech is broadcast on television in partner countries. Since the 19th century, Britain and its colonies have celebrated Empire Day, coinciding with Queen Victoria's birthday. As the struggle for independence from Great Britain began, in the late 1950s, British Prime Minister Harold Macmillan announced that Empire Day would be changed to Commonwealth Day. It was decided to create a union of states, which included Great Britain and the countries of its former colonies. In the 20th century, many states gained freedom, but their new leaders decided to join the Commonwealth. To solve important issues in the future, community members rely on youth. On this day, mini-games are played to simulate a Commonwealth meeting, with schoolchildren and students playing the roles of various leaders. They discuss the same issues as the participants in a large meeting - research in the field of science, geography and medicine, environmental problems, helping those in need, etc. In some large cities, thematic exhibitions and concerts are held on this day dedicated to the cultural and artistic diversity of the community . Today, all members of the organization, regardless of social system, size, wealth, race or religion, are located throughout the globe and have equal voting rights. Membership is completely voluntary, and each member has the right to withdraw from the association at any time. For all this time, only two countries have left its membership - Ireland in 1949 and Zimbabwe in 2003. Canada, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa are the oldest members of the Commonwealth - they joined in 1931. Canada is the largest member of the organization, its territory is almost 10 million sq. km. India is the most populous country in the union, with a population of more than 1 billion, while Nauru is the smallest, with a population of 13,000.