Orangemen's Day Canada: Newfoundland 2024, Meaning, History, Holiday?
What is Orangemen's Day, Orangemen's Day 2024, Orangemen's Day meaning, what's Orangemen's Day
Orangemen’s Day, often called The Twelfth or The Glorious Twelfth, is celebrated on July 12th in Northern Ireland and other areas with notable Protestant populations, especially those historically linked to the British Empire. The holiday commemorates the Battle of the Boyne, which occurred on July 1, 1690 (July 12 in the Gregorian calendar), when Protestant King William III of Orange triumphed over Catholic King James II. This victory ensured Protestant dominance in Ireland and is a significant event in the history of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The day is marked by parades, bonfires, and other festivities organized by the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization. The parades feature participants wearing Orange sashes and carrying banners, often accompanied by bands playing traditional music. The celebrations, however, can be contentious and have been a source of tension between Protestant and Catholic communities in Northern Ireland.
Orangemen's Day Newfoundland, What is Orangemen's Day Newfoundland, Orangemen's Day Newfoundland 2024
Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland is a public holiday celebrated on the Monday closest to July 12. It commemorates the same historical event as in Northern Ireland: the Battle of the Boyne in 1690, where Protestant King William III of Orange defeated Catholic King James II. This victory is celebrated by the Orange Order, a Protestant fraternal organization.
In Newfoundland, local Orange Lodges have typically marked Orangemen’s Day with parades and community festivities. The celebrations often include members wearing distinctive Orange regalia, carrying banners, and being accompanied by bands playing traditional music. The day is an occasion for community gatherings and festivities, reflecting the historical and cultural ties between Newfoundland and the British Isles.
Why does Newfoundland celebrate Orangemen's Day
Newfoundland celebrates Orangemen’s Day due to its historical and cultural connections to the British Isles, particularly to Ireland and Northern Ireland. The tradition was brought to Newfoundland by immigrants from these regions, who established the Orange Order in Newfoundland in the early 19th century. The Orange Order is a Protestant fraternal organization that commemorates the Battle of the Boyne, a significant event in Protestant history.
Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland reflects the province’s colonial past and its settlers’ efforts to preserve their cultural and religious traditions. The celebrations serve as a way for the Protestant community to maintain their heritage and remember the historical events that shaped their identity. Additionally, Orangemen’s Day is a testament to the lasting influence of British and Irish immigrants in shaping Newfoundland’s cultural landscape.
Is Orangemen's Day a state holiday
Orangemen’s Day is not a state holiday in the sense of being a public holiday recognized across all of Canada. Nonetheless, it is observed as a public holiday in the province of Newfoundland and Labrador. In this province, the holiday is observed on the Monday closest to July 12th. On this day, many businesses and government offices are closed, and there are parades and other community events organized by local Orange Lodges to commemorate the Battle of the Boyne and celebrate the cultural heritage of the Protestant community.
Orangemen's Day history
Orangemen’s Day, also known as The Twelfth or The Glorious Twelfth, has its origins in the late 17th century and is closely tied to the political and religious conflicts of that era in the British Isles. The holiday commemorates the Battle of the Boyne, which took place on July 1, 1690 (July 12 in the Gregorian calendar). Here’s a brief history:
The Battle of the Boyne
- Background: The Battle of the Boyne was a significant conflict in the Williamite War in Ireland, fought between the deposed Catholic King James II of England and Ireland (also James VII of Scotland) and his Protestant rival, William III of Orange, who had taken the English throne during the Glorious Revolution of 1688.
- Outcome: William’s forces defeated James’ army, securing Protestant control over Ireland and solidifying William and his wife, Mary II, as the ruling monarchs of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Establishment of the Orange Order
- Formation: The Orange Order was created in 1795 in County Armagh, Ireland, to support Protestant ascendancy and honor William’s victory at the Battle of the Boyne.
- Purpose: The organization aimed to protect Protestant interests and promote loyalty to the British Crown, often in opposition to Irish Catholic nationalist movements.
Orangemen’s Day Celebrations
- Origins: Celebrations of the Battle of the Boyne began shortly after the event, but the formalized observance known as Orangemen’s Day developed in the 18th and 19th centuries as the Orange Order grew in influence.
- Traditions: The day is marked by parades, bonfires, and wearing orange sashes, symbolizing loyalty to William of Orange. The parades often include bands playing traditional music and participants carrying banners depicting historical and religious themes.
Orangemen’s Day in Newfoundland
- Introduction: The tradition was brought to Newfoundland by immigrants from Ireland and Northern Ireland in the early 19th century. The Orange Order established itself in Newfoundland, and Orangemen’s Day became an important cultural event for the Protestant community.
- Observance: In Newfoundland and Labrador, the holiday is observed on the Monday closest to July 12th. It encompasses parades, local events, and the display of Orange attire.
Contemporary Significance
- Northern Ireland: Orangemen’s Day remains a significant cultural and political event, reflecting ongoing religious and political divisions. It can be a source of tension between Protestant and Catholic communities.
- Newfoundland: The holiday is a reminder of the province’s historical ties to the British Isles and the cultural heritage of its Protestant settlers. The celebrations are more community-focused and generally peaceful.
Orangemen’s Day continues to be a symbol of Protestant heritage and historical memory, commemorating a pivotal event that shaped the religious and political landscape of the British Isles and its former colonies.