Greenery Day 2023: Greenery Day is annually observed on May 4 in Japan. The national holiday encourages individuals to commune with nature in order to convey gratitude and appreciation for its benefits. Originally, the holiday was celebrated on April 29 to honour the birthday of Emperor Shwa, who reigned from 1926 to 1989. In recognition of the wartime emperor’s fondness for greenery, the name of the holiday was altered from Birthday of the Emperor to Greenery Day when Emperor Akihito ascended the throne. The new holiday gained a new date, May 4, while April 29 was renamed Shwa Day.
HISTORY OF GREENERY DAY
Emperor Shwa, born Hirohito, was Japan’s 124th monarch. Hirohito, who was born in 1901, ascended the throne in 1926 and ruled until his demise in 1989. During his reign, he was known as “the Emperor” by Japanese citizens and “Emperor Hirohito” by foreigners. He was granted the posthumous title of Emperor Shwa. During the second Sino-Japanese War, which led into the Second World War, Hirohito reigned as emperor. During the reign of Hirohito, Japan’s role as an Axis Power became clear.
Uncertain is Hirohito’s participation in Japan’s alliance with Italy and Germany during World War II. Japan’s postwar narrative stated that Hirohito was a powerless figurehead who was coerced into signing the treaty. Later, some historians concluded that he may have played a more direct role than was previously believed. Hirohito remained emperor throughout the reconstruction of Japan following World War II.
Hirohito was also a marine biologist and was renowned for his love of environment. As his successor and son, Emperor Akihito, ascended the throne after Hirohito’s death in 1989, he decreed that April 29 be celebrated as Greenery Day to honour his father’s passion for nature and greenery without mentioning the controversies in which he was involved. In 2007, Akihito shifted Greenery Day to May 4, previously known as the National Day of Rest, and designated April 29 as Shwa Day.
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HOW TO OBSERVE GREENERY DAY
Spend some time outdoors
The purpose of Greenery Day is to honour nature. Spend the day surrounded by natural elements.
Purchase a plant for oneself.
Purchase a plant for yourself to enhance your environment. Several studies have demonstrated that gardening has numerous psychological benefits.
Donate to a charity
Donate to a foundation working to preserve nature and biodiversity if possible. Green Dreamers and Rainforest Alliance are among the environmental groups striving to preserve biodiversity.
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5 INTERESTING FACTS ABOUT NATURE
Trees vs. stars
Scientists estimate that the Milky Way contains 200 to 400 billion stars, but at least one trillion trees!
Cultivating pineapples
Before you squander another pineapple fruit, consider that the plant takes two years to mature and produce fruit.
One more peculiar aspect of owls
Owls don’t have irises.
The deadliest climatic condition is extreme heat.
Tornadoes cause an average of 70 deaths per year and inundation causes an average of 81 deaths per year, but heat-related illnesses kill no less than 130 people per year.
Edible vegetation
Humans can only consume approximately 200 plant species.
WHY GREENERY DAY IS IMPORTANT
Nature is essential
Nature is vital to our survival. Greenery Day serves as a reminder of this essential fact.
It is an excuse to enjoy nature.
There is nothing quite like being surrounded by nature and its tranquilly. Greenery Day is an opportunity to interact with nature more intimately.
We are prompted to protect environment.
Because our very lives depend on nature, it is incumbent upon us to manage and preserve it with the utmost care. Greenery Day serves as a reminder not only to preserve nature but also to value its gifts.
GREENERY DAY DATES
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 | May 4 | Thursday |
| 2024 | May 4 | Saturday |
| 2025 | May 4 | Sunday |
| 2026 | May 4 | Monday |
| 2027 | May 4 | Tuesday |
