| Chances are, you haven't heard of
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| | like Errol Barrow Day in Barbados. But
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| Peppercorn Day. A holiday in Bermuda,
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| | the islands also retain holidays from the
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| Peppercorn Day may be the oddest holiday
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| | conquerors, like Bastille Day, Queen's
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| in the Caribbean. Its history dates to
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| | Day, and the Prince of Wales' Birthday.
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| 1797 when a group of Freemasons began
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| | Emancipation and slavery abolition
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| renting the Old State House in St.
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| | holidays are also national holidays on
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| George, for the sum of one peppercorn. In
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| | many islands.Perhaps the largest number
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| 1816, the holiday tradition began. Every
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| | of holidays in the Caribbean are of
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| year on the Wednesday closest to April
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| | religious origin. Days venerating patron
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| 23, amidst pomp and circumstance, a
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| | saints can be found throughout the
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| horse-drawn carriage brings the governor
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| | islands, but nowhere to the extent of
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| to collect the peppercorn.While
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| | Puerto Rico. Even Puerto Rico's cities
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| Peppercorn Day is exclusive to Bermuda,
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| | have their own patron saints with
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| many Caribbean islands share similar
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| | attendant holidays. However, the most
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| holidays. For instance, while the
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| | important is St. John's Day, celebrating
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| specifics differ, many islands celebrate
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| | the island's patron saint and namesake of
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| their heritage with national holidays. In
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| | its capital city, San Juan. Beach parties
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| Dominica, late October ushers in Creole
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| | end with people walking backward into the
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| Week. Part of Creole Week is Heritage
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| | ocean and falling into the water to honor
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| Day, held in a different village every
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| | the tradition of baptism by St.
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| year and paying homage to that village's
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| | John.Christmas in the Caribbean may be
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| unique aspects and important citizens.
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| | more enthusiastic than anywhere else in
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| Island-wide, the biggest celebration of
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| | the world. The twelve days of Christmas
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| the week is Creole Day. Everyone dresses
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| | are still celebrated on many islands,
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| up in traditional Creole fashion and
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| | culminating in Epiphany on January 6. On
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| enjoys Creole style parades, music, and
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| | Guadeloupe, Epiphany marks the beginning
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| food.Similarly, Jamaica's Maroon Day
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| | of Carnival season, which continues until
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| (January 6) pays tribute to the Maroons,
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| | Lent. The carnival reaches its peak on
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| freed slaves who fled to the South coast
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| | Shrove Tuesday, when businesses close for
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| of Jamaica to start their lives anew.
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| | five days so all can participate in the
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| Their ancestors still live there and host
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| | parades.Even the weather has a place on
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| the biggest celebration of the holiday,
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| | the holiday calendar. In the U.S. Virgin
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| the Accompong Maroon Festival. Drawing
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| | Islands, the fourth Monday in July is
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| visitors from all over the globe, this
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| | Hurricane Supplication Day. Marking the
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| huge affair had an attendance of 16,000
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| | beginning of their hurricane season, it's
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| people in 2005. The feast includes
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| | a low-key day for people to go to church
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| traditional dancing, singing, and
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| | to pray that hurricanes pass them by, or
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| ceremonies.Then there's Indian Arrival
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| | at least spare lives and buildings. If
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| Day (May 30) in Trinidad and Tobago.
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| | all goes well, Hurricane Thanksgiving Day
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| Although it was only made official in the
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| | follows on the third Monday of
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| 1990s, the island's sizable Indian
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| | October.Holiday celebrations contribute
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| population has celebrated the holiday for
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| | greatly to the vibrant culture in the
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| many years. It commemorates the arrival
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| | Caribbean. If you're planning a trip
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| of indentured servants from India.Many
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| | there, consider going when you can take
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| Caribbean countries celebrate their
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| | part in one. There's no better way to
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| independence from conquering nations,
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| | truly experience island culture.Karen
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| such as Spain, the Netherlands, or
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| | Joslin writes for Guadeloupe-Guide.info,
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| France. Holidays honoring national heroes
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| | PuertoRico-Guide.info, and other Segisys
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| who fought for independence are common,
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| | travel Web sites.
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