Commonwealth Day is an annual celebration held on the second Monday in March, which is marked by a service in Westminster Abbey attended by Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The Queen also records a Commonwealth Day message which is broadcast by radio throughout the member nations of the Commonwealth.

Schools activities are an important part of the Commonwealth Day celebrations, and the second Monday in March was agreed upon by Commonwealth leaders because it was a day when schools in most of the member nations would be in session.

Commonwealth Day is a day to promote understanding about global issues, international cooperation and the work of the modern Commonwealth, which is made up of 1.7 billion people in 53 independent states, or 30% of the world's population.

Commonwealth Day grew out of 'Empire Day', which was celebrated from the time of Queen Victoria. Empire Day was changed to Commonwealth Day in 1958 and it is celebrated by all member nations.

The day is celebrated in many different ways in each of the Commonwealth nations. Some cities host multi-faith services and many parliaments and legislatures mark the day with speeches and events.

(pictured, top right: Commonwealth Day
celebrations in British Virgin Islands)

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