The National Day is a designated date on which celebrations mark the nationhood of a nation or non-sovereign country. This nationhood can be symbolized by the date of independence, of becoming republic or a significant date for a patron saint or a ruler (birthday, accession, removal etc). Often the day is not called “National Day” but serves and can be considered as one. The National Day will often be a national holiday.

Some countries have more than one National Day. For example, Pakistan has three National Days, none of which is named the “National Day”. This signals the use of a ”class” of National Days, that are equally important in the foundation of the nation, and a ”class” of less important official public holidays.

Importance attached to the National Day as well as the degree to which it is celebrated varies enormously from country to country.

In Spain, for example, the Hispanic Day commemorates the exact date of October 12, 1492 when Christopher Columbus first set a foot in the Americas. To commemorate it, there is a parade led by the military (usually held in Madrid) presided by the King of Spain.

In France, National Day is 14 July and is known as the Fête nationale (only outside France is it called Bastille Day). It is widely celebrated and the French Tricolour is much in evidence, while the President of the Republic attends a military parade on the Champs-Élysées of Paris.

In the United States, the Fourth of July celebrations are widely celebrated with parades, fireworks, picnics and barbecues.