Special Days

The thing about Tuvalu you should know is Special Days. Tuvalu has a very small population. This means there is not much opportunity for grand festivals, although when the Tuvaluans do come together, they put on a wonderful display of happiness. Most of the festivals are centered on traditional public holidays, such as New Year’s Day and Independence Day; although particularly unique Tuvalu holidays include Bomb Day and Hurricane Day.

Bomb Day is celebrated in Funafuti only and commemorates when a Japanese bomb fell through the city’s church roof on April 23, 1943. An American soldier had pre-estimated the danger, and 10 minutes prior to this had evacuated 680 villagers out of the building, for which inhabitants of Funafuti remain thankful.

Besides, Tuvalu also has a special day is Hurricane Day. On October 21 Tuvaluans commemorate Hurricane Bebe, which hit the islands in 1972. Tragically, 18 people died during this severe storm and hundreds were injured. Every island and atoll in Tuvalu has its own activities to commemorate this important day in the country’s short history.