Day of the Covenant, noun phrase

Origin:
AfrikaansShow more Probably translation of Afrikaans Geloftedag, gelofte vow, covenant + dag day.
Day of the Vow. Also attributive.
Note:
See note at Day of the Vow. Although officially renamed in 1980, the name ‘Day of the Covenant’ remained in popular use throughout the 1980s.
1952 Act 5 in Stat. of Union 39Section one hundred and seventy-five of the Liquor Act, 1928, is hereby amended by the insertion..of the following paragraph: (d)..Day of the Covenant (sixteenth day of December).
1964 H.H.W. De Villiers Rivonia 74The 16th December is a National Day in the Republic. It is called ‘The Day of the Covenant’.
1971 Daily Dispatch 16 Dec. 10The main theme of the Day of the Covenant should surely be reconciliation as an expression of positive gratitude.
1980 A. Paton Towards Mountain 52Before the battle the Boers swore a covenant to keep the day holy forever should God give them the victory. It was called Dingane’s Day for more than a hundred years, but was then called more appropriately the Day of the Covenant. It is by law observed as a Sunday, and no cinema or theatre or race meeting or public sports event may be held on that day. [Source Note: In 1980 it was renamed the Day of the Vow.]
1983 S. Robertson in Optima Vol.31 No.3, 147An overtly religious occasion, such as the Day of the Covenant service, can be used to remind the people of their wrongs and of their heritage.
1986 P. Le Roux in Burman & Reynolds Growing Up 191The volksfeeste (folk festivals) — Republic Day, Kruger Day, and Day of the Covenant — interspersed with National Party stryddae (fêtes), attracted fewer participants every year.
1991 A. Van Wyk Birth of New Afrikaner 47December 16 has come to be celebrated by Afrikaners as an extra Sunday — with religion and politics blended for the grown-ups, and in between much romping about for the children. Known as Dingane’s Day in those years, its name was changed by the National Party Government to the Day of the Covenant in 1952.
Day of the Vow. Also attributive.
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19521991