COMMONWEALTH DAY - 11 MARCH 2013

‘Opportunity through Enterprise’ – the Commonwealth theme for 2013

This year, Commonwealth Day will be 

celebrated across the world on Monday, 11 

March. Since 1977, Commonwealth Day has 

been celebrated on the second Monday in 

March each year – a day when schools are 

open in all Commonwealth countries – and is 

an opportunity to promote understanding on 

democratic values, the dignity of citizens and opportunities for youth across the 

Commonwealth.

In 1958, Commonwealth Day replaced Empire Day, which had been celebrated on 24 May since Queen Victoria's reign. On that day school children would wear red, white and blue, the colours of the Union Jack.

In the United Kingdom, Commonwealth Day is marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth High Commissioners in London.

Commonwealth Countries

Presently, there are 54 states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Three members are in Europe, twelve in North America, one in South America, nineteen in Africa, eight in Asia, and eleven in Oceania (including one suspended member, Fiji). There are six former members, four of which no longer exist.

More information link http://www.thecommonwealth.org/