We are one of the few countries in the world that has more than one national holiday.
Usually every nation-state has a national holiday, a day that marks its history, a historical, political or sometimes cultural event that is connected to its historical course and which justifies the continuous renewal of the celebration on an annual basis.
Most countries celebrate their independence or liberation, a revolution, the end or beginning of a war.
We might think that our rich history justifies having two national holidays, although I don't think there are many nation-states that don't believe they have a rich history with many glorious events and many heroes. And if they don't have them, they make them. It is a necessary component of the creation of the nation and the national collective consciousness.
One visit to museums of all countries, on all continents is enough to discover dozens of glorious battles and immortal heroes of each country.
Vassilis Raphaelides mentioned in his book "The comic-tragic history of the Greek nation" that we are the only country that has two national holidays and a little more than one capital (since we constantly call Thessaloniki the co-capital).
Wrong, because some people surpass us.
Lithuania and India are champions, with three national holidays. (The more the merrier!?).
I would, arbitrarily, give the first place to Lithuania. It has a national holiday on February 16, the day of independence from Russia in 1918, but it also has a second holiday on March 11, the day of the Restoration (this time) of independence in 1991, from the Soviet Union. It didn't work well the first time, they had to consolidate it a second time and make sure.
Revelatory because it shows what tormented the Lithuanian people the most.
They also have a third national holiday on July 6, the day of King Mendog's coronation (1253).
Indians have another peculiarity.
A national holiday on January 26 for the declaration of the Republic, one on August 15 for independence in 1947 and a third on October 2 for Gandhi's birthday.
Three countries are competing for the bronze medal.
Greece, Poland and Japan.
Poland celebrates the proclamation of the Constitution (1791) on 3 May, its second national holiday is Independence on 11 November.
Japan celebrates its Founding Day (in 660 BC) on February 11. Its second national holiday is the Emperor's birthday on February 23.
Of the roughly 200 UN countries, only five have more than one national holiday.
There is also the peculiarity of Mongolia; it has a national holiday, but it needs two days (July 11-12) to enjoy it more.
*Cover photo: Soldiers in combat training. Albania, 1940 Dimitris A. Harisiadis / photo archive Benaki Museum