Marlborough Anniversary Day in New Zealand ― Date, History, and Details
Marlborough Anniversary Day in New Zealand may be something you want to learn more about, and we want to help with that.
Let's dive deeper into learning more about the history of Marlborough Anniversary Day in New Zealand and why people celebrate or observe it.
History of Marlborough Anniversary Day in New Zealand and How to Celebrate/ Observe It
Marlborough Anniversary Day is a public holiday in New Zealand, observed on the first Monday in November. It commemorates the founding of the Marlborough Province in 1859.
The province was named after John Churchill, 1st Duke of Marlborough, an ancestor of Prime Minister Winston Churchill. The duke had won several battles in the War of the Spanish Succession, including the Battle of Blenheim, for which he was awarded the lands around Blenheim Palace in Oxfordshire, England.
In 1859, the Marlborough Province was founded out of parts of the Canterbury and Nelson provinces. It covered an area that is now known as the Marlborough Region, at the top of the South Island of New Zealand. The capital was at Blenheim, and the first superintendent was James FitzGerald.
Marlborough Anniversary Day was first celebrated in 1860. It was originally called Provincial Anniversary Day, but was renamed in 1911.
The day is still celebrated in the Marlborough Region with events and activities held in Blenheim and other towns. These include parades, markets, sports tournaments, and concerts.