Heritage Day

24 September (South Africa)

The aim of Heritage Day is to focus public attention on the importance of South Africa's diverse natural and cultural heritage. The day promotes the need for a new South African identity, fostering reconciliation and promoting the notion that variety is a national asset as opposed to igniting conflict.
Nelson Mandela coined the phrase "rainbow nation" to describe South Africa's diverse cultures, customs, traditions, histories, and languages. This day is a celebration of that diversity.
From an environmental perspective, it is a reminder to respect the biological diversity that contributes to our very special heritage ... our heritage is "that which we inherit: the sum total of wild life and scenic parks, sites of scientific or historical importance, national monuments, historic buildings, works of art, literature and music, oral traditions and museum collections together with their documentation."

More info: http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/holidays.htm and http://africanhistory.about.com/library/bl/blsaholidays.htm