Historical information

Commonwealth Day (formerly Empire Day) is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations, since 1977 often held on the second Monday in March. It is marked by an Anglican service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by the monarch as Head of the Commonwealth along with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth High Commissioners in London. The monarch delivers a broadcast address to the Commonwealth.

While it has a certain official status, Commonwealth Day is not a public holiday in most Commonwealth countries, and there is little public awareness of it. It is marked as a holiday in Gibraltar, but not in March. In Canada "Victoria Day" is celebrated on the Monday closest to 24 May (Queen Victoria's birthday).

Physical description

Empire Youth Sunday - A Dedication Service - 3rd May 1953 - hymns, prayers and the meanings of the coronation symbols, six pages.