Human Rights Day remembers the Sharpeville Shooting: On 21 March 1960 the police shot 69 people in Sharpeville, a township near Johannesburg, during a demonstration against the apartheid regime's policies. As the event - known as the Sharpeville Massacre - made International headlines, the old government banned black political organisations as the ANC. Many black leaders were arrested or went in exhile abroad.

Human Rights Day has the objective to remember the Sharpeville Massacre and all the other occasions when human rights were abused in South Africa. This day has to make all South Africans aware of their human rights.

NOTE: The South African Public Holidays Act determines that when ever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following shall be a public holiday as well.

On 27 April 1994 the first democratic elections were held in South Africa. For the first time all adults regardless of race and colour, could vote. Three years later, on 27 April 1997 South Africa's new constitution took effect. Therefore April 27 was named Freedom Day or Constitution Day.

NOTE: The South African Public Holidays Act determines that when ever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following shall be a public holiday as well.

With Youth Day, South Africans honour those young people who lost their lives in the struggle against the apartheid regime.

On 16 June 1976, thousands of students in the township of Soweto rioted in protest against the introduction of Afrikaans as the language of instruction at school. On this day, many youngsters lost their lives when the police opended fire. The event sparked over eight months of violence and uprisings across the country.

NOTE: The South African Public Holidays Act determines that when ever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following shall be a public holiday as well.

National Women's Day celebrates women's rights and the contribution women made to society, and it acknowledges the difficulties and prejudices many women still face.

One of the events that forms the base for this South African national holiday was a protest march on 9 August 1956. About 20 000 women marched to Pretoria, to protest against a law requiring black women to carry identity passes.

NOTE: The South African Public Holidays Act determines that when ever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following shall be a public holiday as well.

Heritage Day is a celebration of South Africa's diversity of cultures, customs, traditions, histories, and languages.

NOTE: The South African Public Holidays Act determines that when ever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following shall be a public holiday as well.

Afrikaners used to celebrate 16 December as the day of the Vow, remembering the battle at Bloodriver in 1838, when a group of Voortrekkers as it is said, defeated a Zulu army.

ANC activists commemorated 16 December as the day in 1961 when the ANC started to arm its soldiers to overthrow Apartheid.

In the new South Africa's December 16 is a day of reconciliation.

NOTE: The South African Public Holidays Act determines that when ever a public holiday falls on a Sunday, the Monday following shall be a public holiday as well.