Jamhuri is the Swahili word for “republic,” and the holiday
officially marks the day of Kenya’s establishment as a republic
on Dec. 12, 1964. However, as the country also gained full
independence from the United Kingdom one year earlier, Jamhuri
Day is thus a dual celebration. Today is Neutrality Day in
Turkmenistan. This national holiday commemorates the UN
recognition of Turkmenistan as a neutral country. For the last
few years, Neutrality Day has also been celebrated as the
country’s Youth Day. Turkmenistan is the third neutral country
in the world, after Switzerland and Austria. Today is
Constitution Day in Russia, which commemorates the adoption of a
new constitution on Dec. 12, 1993. The day replaced the previous
Soviet Constitution Day and is celebrated with ceremonies,
speeches and a fireworks display in St. Petersburg. The original
Soviet Constitution Day was first observed on Dec. 5 and then
changed to Oct. 7 in 1977. Today is Poinsettia Day in the United
States. The day honors Joel Robert Poinsett