Commonwealth Day is the annual celebration of the Commonwealth of Nations held on the second Monday in March. The Head of the Commonwealth, (the British Monarch) delivers an address to the Commonwealth, broadcast throughout the world.

In 1958, Commonwealth Day replaced Empire Day, which had been celebrated on 24 May since Queen Victoria's reign. On that day school children would wear red, white and blue, the colours of the Union Jack.

In the United Kingdom, Commonwealth Day is marked by a multi-faith service in Westminster Abbey, normally attended by Queen Elizabeth II, Head of the Commonwealth, with the Commonwealth Secretary-General and Commonwealth High Commissioners in London.

Commonwealth Countries

Presently, there are 54 states that are members of the Commonwealth of Nations.

Three members are in Europe, twelve in North America, one in South America, nineteen in Africa, eight in Asia, and eleven in Oceania (including one suspended member, Fiji). There are six former members, four of which no longer exist.

The Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games are scheduled to be held in New Delhi, India between 3 October and 14 October 2010.

Links

www.thecommonwealth.org