Shōwa Day

In 2007 the Japanese Parliament reestablished the 29th of April as a day to celebrate the birth of Emperor Shōwa (Emperor Hirohito, ruled during World War II). Until his death in 1989 the day was seen as a day to celebrate the birth of the Emperor. After his death the name was changed to Greenery Day to distance the day from the war time leader but still connect the day to him as he was known for having a deep interest in nature.

Several attempts where made to change the name back before it was successful but due to the devastating events of the war brought on the neighbor of Japan there was great opposition from both outside and inside the country. In 2005 by an overwhelming majority (202-14) the Parliament of Japan changed the name and moved Greenery Day to May 4th.

There is still a lot of opposition from many groups to this name change but from what I have been able to gather it does not seem that the day is actually celebrated but used to signal the start of Golden Week in Japan, one of the vacation times in the country.

Links:
Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sh%C5%8Dwa_Day

General
http://www.wsws.org/articles/2005/may2005/jap-m21.shtml
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/05/13/AR2005051301557.html
http://www.worldeventsguide.com/event/1770/Japan/Showa-Day-Golden-Week.html
http://www.japan-guide.com/e/e2062.html

Workers' Memorial Day

Through out the world April 28th is marked as Workers' Memorial Day, a day to remember those who have died from work and labor injuries.  This memorial day traces it'sorigins to the Canadian National Day of Mourning.  The significance of the 28th of April in Canada goes back to 1914 when the Workers Compensation Act received it's third reading, in 1984 the Canadian Labor Congress declared the National Day of Mourning and in 1990 it became an official national observance by Parliament.  In the same year that Canada official recognized the observance the AFL-CIO also adapted the day as an observance day.

In 1996 the United Nations made the day a truly international day by lighting the Commemorative Candle and Incense for workers who had been killed, injured or became ill due to the work place.  With theinspiration of the tragedy of the Kader toy factor fire they choose "Day of the Workplace".  In 2005 the process of marking the 28th of April as an official day of observation was started within the United Nations.

At present many countries through out the world mark the 28th of April including Algeria, Angola, Argentina, Australia, Austria, Bangladesh, Belgium, Bermuda, Bolivia, Brazil, Cambodia, Cameroon, Canada, Colombia, Croatia, Denmark, Dominican, Republic, Ecuador, El Salvador, Ethiopia, Finland, France, French, Polynesia, Greece, Guatemala, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Japan, Kenya,Kosovo , Latvia, Lithuania, Malaysia, Malta, Mexico, Moldova, New  Zealand, Nicaragua, Oman, Pakistan, Palestine, Panama, Paraguay, Peru, Philippines, Rwanda, San,Marino , Scotland, Senegal, Serbia, Singapore, South, Africa, South, Korea, Sweden, Tunisia, Uganda, Ukraine, United, Kingdom, Uruguay, United States of America, Venezuela, Yemen, and, Zimbabwe.

Links
Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Workers'_Memorial_Day

General
http://www.hazards.org/wmd/countrylistings.htm
http://www.aflcio.org/issues/safety/memorial/

Freedom Day, South Africa

The 27th of April is celebrated in South Africa as Freedom Day. In 1994 elections where held that where the first to be inclusive of all the peoples of South Africa regardless of race. This vote was, in my opinion, was the largest victory of the struggle against Apartheid.

The day is still celebrated through out the country least people forget the struggle and sacrifice of all the people who fought for freedom. Events are organized to showcase the unity of the different ethnic and cultures of the area. It is hoped that people will celebrate the freedom they enjoy.

This years celebrations will center around Bisho in Eastern Cape Province, the capital of the province. Along with a fly by of the South African National Defense Force (SANDF) and a speech delivered by Thabo Mibeki, the president, the people will also be able to see events featuring the full diversity of the culture emphasizing unity and reconciliation and the love of cultural performances celebrating the freedom of the country.

Links:
Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Freedom_Day_%28South_Africa%29

General
http://www.dac.gov.za/events/freedom_day.htm
http://scnc.ukzn.ac.za/doc/SOC-cult/holidays/freedomday.htm
http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/holidays.htm#27april
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/world/africa/3659619.stm

Kapyong Day

In Australia April 24th is the day to remember those who fought in Korea during the conflict in the '50s.  This day was chosen because it was the date of a battle fought by an Australian unit along with both a Canadian and United States unit, the Battle of Kapyong .  They where out numbered considerably and the Regular Chines solders had very high moral but the three groups of solders stood their ground and bought time allowing for the regrouping of others.  Because of these actions they where successful and is known as a turning point in the conflict. 

The 3rd Battalion, Royal Australian Regiment received the United States Presidential Unit Citation, the highest award that a unit can receive in the United States and not given out often to those from other countries for their action during the Battle of Kapyong.

Links:
Wiki None dealing with this particular day.

Others
http://www.diggerhistory.info/pages-tributes/special-days.htm
http://www.defence.gov.au/news/armynews/editions/1142/topstories/story05.htm
http://www.defence.gov.au/ARMY/AHU/On_This_Day/April/24_April.htm

Emancipation Day, Washington, DC

On April 16th, 1862 President of the United States of America Abraham Lincoln signed the Compensated Emancipation Act.  This act freed the the slaves of the District of Columbia as well as compensating the former owners with approximately $300 ($6,846.53 according to The Inflation Calculator) per slave.  This was the only time that owners where compensated by the federal government and came nine months prior to the better known Emancipation Proclamation.

 Emancipation Day was celebrated from 1866 to 1901 originally.  Because of the hard work of Loretta Carter Hanes the day started to be celebrated again in 2002 and then in 2005 was made a public holiday in the District of Columbia. 

It is celebrated by parades and demonstrations as well as school programs to help educate the school children.

Links:

Wiki http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Emancipation_Day#Washington.2C_D.C.

General

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/articles/A59449-2005Apr16.html

http://www.dc.gov/mayor/news/release.asp?id=660&mon=200501

http://os.dc.gov/os/cwp/view,a,1207,q,608954,osNav_GID,1494,osNav,%7C31372%7C.asp

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2006/04/15/AR2006041501110.html