Established in 1980, the Day of the Azores is a movable public holiday to celebrate Azorean self-rule and regional pride.

Designated, Dia da Região Autónoma dos Açores (Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores), the day is dedicated to commemorate Azorean self-government granted in the Portuguese constitution, in 1976,  following the Carnation Revolution of April 25, 1974.

The celebration does not always occur on the same date every year. The date is movable to coincide with the first Monday following the Sunday of Pentecost, which sets the beginning the Azorean traditional Holy Ghost festival cycle.

The Day of the Azores is marked by various festivities on all the nine islands of the Azorean archipelago. One of the highlights of the celebrations is the bestowing of honors to distinguished Azoreans. This year, 37 Azorean personalities and instituitions will be awarded.

While each year celebrations are held on each one of the nine islands of the Azores, every year one of the islands is selected to hold the official celebrations. This year, the Day of the Azores will be officially celebrated on Monday, May 20th, in Horta city, Faial island.

Day of the Autonomous Region of the Azores >> Wikipedia >>

The Azores (population 250,000) became an Autonomous Region of Portugal in 1976. The government of the Autonomous Region of the Azores includes the Legislative Assembly, composed of 57 elected deputies, elected by universal suffrage for a four-year term; the Regional Government and Presidency, with parliamentary legitimacy, composed of a President, a Vice-President and seven Regional Secretaries responsible for the Regional Government executive operations. The Autonomous Region of the Azores is represented in the Council of Ministers of the Central Government by a representative appointed by the President of Portugal.

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General Information on the Azores – Official Name: Autonomous Region of the Azores; Number of Islands: 9 main islands; Capital: Ponta Delgada; Area: 2314 km2; Population: 241,700 inhabitants (2004); Population density: 106 inhabitants/km²; GDP/inhabitant: 17 800€ (2005); Climate: humid, maritime sub-tropical; Economic activities: agriculture, fisheries and tourism; Official language: Portuguese; Status: Portuguese Autonomous Region, EU Outermost Region (OR);