March 1977: First observance of Commonwealth day across the Commonwealth

Commonwealth day is an opportunity to promote understanding on global issues, international co-operation and the work of the Commonwealth’s organisations, which aim to improve the lives of its citizens.

During the 1975 Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) in Kingston, Canada proposed that a "simultaneously observed Commonwealth Day would focus attention upon the association and its contribution to a harmonious global environment". The date was settled at the following Senior Officials Meeting in Canberra in 1976.

With the deliberate focus on reaching a young audience the second Monday in March was selected as one when all Commonwealth children would be in school. So 1977 marked the first simultaneous observance day across the Commonwealth.

Did you know? That Commonwealth Day, until 1958, was previously known and celebrated as Empire Day. The day was renamed in accordance with the new post-colonial relationship between the nations of the former empire.