Korean history and holidays through the year
Dates before 1896 are given in today's calendar. Joseon records used the lunar calendar, so the original date is noted too.
- February 9, 2018 PyeongChang Winter Olympics open
Korea hosted its first Winter Olympics in PyeongChang, Gangwon Province. North and South Korean athletes marched together under a unification flag at the opening ceremony.
- February 14 Valentine's Day, Korean style
In Korea, Valentine's Day is mostly when women give chocolate to men. The favor is returned a month later.
- March 1, 1919 The March 1st Movement (삼일절)
A Declaration of Independence was read in Seoul and peaceful protests against Japanese rule spread across the country. Today it is a national holiday, Samiljeol.
- March 14 White Day
One month after Valentine's Day, men give candy or gifts back.
- April 11, 1919 The Provisional Government is founded
Korean independence activists set up the Provisional Government of the Republic of Korea in Shanghai, which today's constitution names as its root.
- April 14 Black Day
A playful day for singles who got nothing on Valentine's or White Day: friends meet to eat jajangmyeon, noodles in black bean sauce.
- April 19, 1960 The April Revolution
Students led mass protests against a rigged election. A week later President Syngman Rhee resigned.
- April 27, 2018 Panmunjom summit
The leaders of South and North Korea met at Panmunjom and signed the Panmunjom Declaration on peace on the Korean Peninsula.
- May 5 Children's Day (어린이날)
A public holiday since 1975. Families head to parks and zoos, and children get gifts.
- May 8 Parents' Day (어버이날)
Children give their parents red carnations and thank them.
- May 15 Teachers' Day, King Sejong's birthday
Korea's Teachers' Day falls on the birthday of King Sejong the Great (born 1397), who created Hangul.
- May 18, 1980 The Gwangju Uprising begins
Citizens of Gwangju rose up against martial law. The uprising was crushed, but it became a turning point for Korean democracy.
- May 23, 1592 The Imjin War begins
Japanese forces landed at Busan and invaded Joseon (lunar date: 13th day of the 4th month). The war lasted seven years.
- May 31, 2002 The World Cup opens in Seoul
Korea and Japan co-hosted the FIFA World Cup. Korea reached the semi-finals, and millions cheered in the streets in red shirts.
- June 6 Memorial Day (현충일)
Korea honors those who died for the country. At 10 a.m. sirens sound and people stand in silence for a minute.
- June 15, 2000 First inter-Korean summit declaration
After the first summit between the two Koreas in Pyongyang, the leaders signed the June 15 North–South Joint Declaration.
- June 25, 1950 The Korean War begins
North Korean forces crossed the 38th parallel, starting a war that devastated the peninsula.
- July 17, 1948 Constitution Day (제헌절)
The first Constitution of the Republic of Korea was proclaimed.
- July 27, 1953 The Korean War armistice
The fighting stopped with an armistice signed at Panmunjom. No peace treaty has followed, so the war has technically never ended.
- August 14, 1592 Battle of Hansan Island
Admiral Yi Sun-sin lured a Japanese fleet into open water and surrounded it in his "crane wing" formation, one of the great naval victories in history (lunar date: 8th day of the 7th month).
- August 15, 1945 and 1948 Liberation Day (광복절)
Korea was liberated from Japanese rule in 1945, and the government of the Republic of Korea was established on the same day in 1948.
- August 29, 1910 Korea is annexed by Japan
The annexation treaty took effect and the Korean Empire lost its sovereignty. Koreans remember it as a day of national shame (국치일).
- September 17, 1988 The Seoul Olympics open
The Summer Olympics opened in Seoul, showing the world a fast-changing Korea.
- October 3 National Foundation Day (개천절)
Celebrates the legendary founding of Gojoseon, the first Korean kingdom, by Dangun, traditionally dated to 2333 BC.
- October 9 Hangul Day (한글날)
Celebrates the Korean alphabet. Its explanatory book, Hunminjeongeum, was published in 1446 under King Sejong; the date is based on that publication.
- October 26, 1597 Battle of Myeongnyang
With only 13 ships, Admiral Yi Sun-sin used the strong currents of the Myeongnyang Strait to defeat a far larger Japanese fleet (lunar date: 16th day of the 9th month).
- November 11 Pepero Day
Friends and couples exchange Pepero, thin chocolate-dipped sticks, because 11/11 looks like four of them.
- December 16, 1598 Battle of Noryang
In the last great battle of the Imjin War, Admiral Yi Sun-sin was killed. His last words asked that his death be kept secret until the battle was won (lunar date: 19th day of the 11th month).
FAQ
Why are Joseon dates different from Korean books?
Joseon used the lunar calendar. Korean sources often give the lunar date (for example, the Battle of Myeongnyang on the 16th day of the 9th month); we convert it to today's calendar and note the original.
Why aren't Seollal and Chuseok listed?
They follow the lunar calendar, so their date changes every year. See the countdown on the home page.
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