This debate is now closed.
Who would you dedicate a special day to?
The United Nations General Assembly has declared 18 July Mandela Day, to mark the contribution of Nelson Mandela to world freedom. Do you agree with the proposal?
The resolution was tabled by the South African ambassador, who described his former president as an icon and a symbol of hope whose life had mirrored the United Nations' ideals.
The 18 July was chosen because it is Nelson Mandela's birthday. He turned 91 earlier this year. Charities associated with the former South African leader have been campaigning for such a day for some time.
Do you support the idea of a Mandela Day? Do you think it is important to have days dedicated to personalities? Who would you like to have a day dedicated to? And what date would it be?
Read the full story
Send us your story ideas
Published:
Wednesday, 11 November, 2009, 09:27 GMT
09:27 UK
All comments as they come in
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 19:49 GMT
19:49 UK
How about a Raoul Wallenberg day? He was a truly great man.
Or failing that a Horatio Nelson day?
Joe Blow
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 19:41 GMT
19:41 UK
It was the knowledge of Islamic scholars of Al-Andalus that ended the Dark ages of Europe.
Shahid Shahid, Chicago, United States
There is much truth in what you say. What went wrong?
Peter D South Carolina
Peter Dewsnap
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 19:16 GMT
19:16 UK
I'd dedicate a day to Richard Dawkins.
That'd annoy the extremist religious groups
Greg, UK
Atheism is a religion Greg.
Penny, USA
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 18:50 GMT
18:50 UK
Sir Patrick Moore is without doubt the greatest living Briton and should be afforded a full state funeral when he leaves us.
I just don't get this Mandela thing though, he didn't fight apartheid being locked up in jail all those years. It was all the pressure by people around the world which ended that vile system, Mandela was merely a beneficiary of the change. He seems a nice enough bloke and I wouldn't wish him any hard feelings but I just don't get the adoration for an accidental icon.
Tohellwith oursouls, The Last Age of Humanity, Christmas Island
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 18:34 GMT
18:34 UK
"Jesus. ist day of every month sp, usa"
He was/is a fiction.
Yes, we may dedicate a day for him/it, but for what?
He/it has enough of it...
Tibor TK, Neuss
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 18:24 GMT
18:24 UK
Basil Fawlty or Manuel, neither were terrorists but they made people laugh
Mr Creosote
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 17:30 GMT
17:30 UK
Me!! My Birthday should be a World Holiday. It will be called "Regular Guy Day". People get a day off to hang out, get drunk, watch TV, play with the kids - whatever they want "Mike Daly Day" - I like it. Hey BBC - get on that, you know how to reach me if you need more input.
Mike Daly, Miami, FL, United States
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 17:03 GMT
17:03 UK
I dedicate the scholars of Islamic Period of Andalusia, which created for the 1st time in human history a period of tolerance between Muslims, Jews & Christians that lasted almost 500 years. Qurtuba (Cordoba), Toledo & other cities were the places of higher learning. Just one library of Qurtaba had 600,000 to 700,000 books.
Even Pope Sylvester II studied in the Islamic Universities of Andalusia.
It was the knowledge of Islamic scholars of Al-Andalus that ended the Dark ages of Europe.
Shahid Shahid, Chicago, United States
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 15:18 GMT
15:18 UK
Yes A National Holiday for St Georges day
FLASHGRUMPY ratcliffe, manchester
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 15:08 GMT
15:08 UK
Would ask for a GLOBAL DAY dedicated to PLANT A TREE FOR MY FAMILY.
There is so much Co2 emissions from politicians talking ABOUT CLIMATE CHANGE?HOWEVER it is POSSIBLE , globally, for everyone to plant one little tree in their own country? Naive, yes, possible, totally!
[read_animalfarm]
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 14:54 GMT
14:54 UK
Mahatma Gandhi gets my vote. This man for all his peaceful acts
was never awarded the so called Nobel peace prize. I have always wondered the reason for not awarding this man the NPP. So how
about the UN dedicating July 18th as Mahatma Gandhi day. He
did a lot more for peace than any man dead or alive. Maybe its
time to honor this man now.
J. Pathak, Bonita
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 14:24 GMT
14:24 UK
Jesus. ist day of every month
sp, usa
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 14:18 GMT
14:18 UK
Nelson Mandela is certainly a wonderful choice and I strongly recommend that a man who was denied his personal freedom for many years be honored as deserved.
Ogochukwu Okonne, Lagos, Nigeria
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 14:13 GMT
14:13 UK
Mandela should definitely be recognized for his lifetime contributions to human freedom and justice.
Doug Harvey, Lawrence, United States
|
Added:
Saturday, 14 November, 2009, 13:54 GMT
13:54 UK
The Indian Emperor Asoka who passed laws promoting human rights, pacifism, environmentalism, and animal rights about 2300 years ago.
Prashant, New York
|
|
This Have Your Say is
CLOSED
DEBATE STATUS
Total comments: 1214
Published comments: 690
Rejected comments: 124
From Have Your Say
|
News and analysis
