March Public Holiday (Adelaide Cup Day) : Second Monday in March

The March Public Holiday (also known as Adelaide Cup Day) is a local public holiday in the state of South Australia that occurs annually on the Second Monday in March. This is an important day on the calendar in South Australia because of the Adelaide Cup horse race that takes place on this day.

 

The Adelaide Cup is a Thoroughbred horse race held annually on the Morphettville Racecourse in Adelaide. The race was organised for the first time in 1864, just 3 years after the Melbourne Cup was held for the first time. The event began as a sports event but has become one of the most important social events in South Australia.

Although the Adelaide Cup has a long history it became an official public holiday only in 1973. In that time the event took place in May. Since 2006, Adelaide Cup Day is held on the second Monday in March. The public holiday is now called the March Public Holiday and will stay on the calendar at least till 2015. According to a survey, this date is favoured above the previous holiday in May as it allows the habitants of South Australia to make the most of the season and the many festivals and events that are organised in March.

 

The Adelaide Cup Day is not the only public holiday in Australia that is observed on the second Monday in March. The holiday coincides with Canberra Day that is celebrated in the Australian Capital Territory, the Eight Hours Day observed in Tasmania and Labour Day held in Victoria.