Celebrated 11 February, National Foundation Day marks the accession of the first Emperor of Japan to the throne in 660 B.C.

Emperor Jimmu, according to Japanese mythology, was a descendant of the sun goddess Amaterasu and the storm god Susanoo. He assumed the throne “on the first day of the first month on the Chinese lunar calendar, which corresponds with 29 Januar on the modern Gregorian calendar. The holiday was moved to 11 February in 1872 to avoid confusion with New Year’s Day. Before World War II, the holiday was celebrated as Empire Day with large parades, fireworks and festivals. In the post-War constitution, it was abolished. The holiday was reestablished as Founding of a Nation Day in 1966 and observed on 11 February with the raising of Japanese flags and reflections on the meaning of Japanese citizenship. Overt displays of nationalism are not common.