Exploring our National Days: Day of Reconciliation 16 December by Sahm Venter

December 16 is commemorated every year in South Africa with a public holiday known as the Day of Reconciliation. This book tells how this day came about from two events that took place on 16 December in different years - the Battle of Blood River in 1838, and the day that the African National Congress launched Umkhonto we Sizwe in 1961.

December 16 used to be commemorated in different ways by different South Africans, and had many different names. Today it is celebrated by all South Africans as the Day of Reconciliation, and highlights the triumph of our present over our past. It promotes forgiveness, nation building, cultural building, cultural diversity, equal human rights and unity among South Africans.

This is the last book in a series of seven that explores important days in the history of South Africa. Other titles include Human Rights Day (21 March), Freedom Day (27 April), Worker's Day (1 May), Youth Day (16 June), Women' Day (9 August) and Heritage Day (24 September).