Heritage Day Timeline

2008

The holiday is finally embraced

After belittling it in 2007, the National Heritage Council endorses National Heritage Day

2007

A national spokesperson is named

After years of celebrating Heritage Day, Desmond Tutu, the Archbishop Emeritus of Cape Town, is appointed the holiday's national spokesperson

1996

It's officially added to the bill

Varying political parties agree to add the commemoration to the bill under the new name of Heritage Day

1995

The day is jeopardized

The commemoration was not added to the Public Holidays Bill, meaning the holiday would no longer be recognized

1828

It begins as a commemoration

Heritage Day began as a holiday known as Shaka Day, a day that commemorated the death of King Shaka Zulu