31 Oct 2006

Tonga chooses November 4th as national day

5:00 pm on 31 October 2006

The Tongan government says November the 4th will be designated as Tonga National Day.

The government says there have been days celebrated before in association with the country, but the declaration of a Tonga National Day is a recognition of the need to celebrate the nation for her own sake.

It was on November the 4th in 1875 when the founder of modern Tonga, King George Tupou I, gave his Royal assent to the constitution.

Tonga's Privy Council also approved that the Coronation of the new King George Tupou V will be held on August the 1st next year.

The birthday of the late Monarch, King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, July the 4th will no longer be a public holiday.