Every year on the first Friday of December Saba commemorates the official launch of the Saban flag, coat of arms and national anthem, which took place on December 6, 1985.
The first Saba Day was held on December 5, 1975. Each year, only island officials were granted a day off for the celebration. Later the celebration was moved to the first Friday in December to allow for a weekend of festivities. In addition to sports and music competitions, barbecue and dance activities, ecumenical religious celebrations, parades, openings and inaugurations by local authorities and politicians as well as award ceremonies to prominent citizens also took place.
When three island areas were created after the split of the Windward Islands in 1983; Saba, Sint Maarten and Sint Eustatius, Saba decided on October 15, 1984 to set up a committee to design a flag, a coat of arms and an anthem. The main colors of the flag are white, red and blue. They remind about the historical bonds with the Netherlands. They also have their own meaning: blue symbolizes the Caribbean Sea, red stands for courage and white is for peace.
A five pointed star is situated in the center of the flag, and it symbolizes the island itself. The golden (or yellow) color of the star symbolizes the beauty and riches of the island and emphasizes, how much the islanders love Saba.
From the presentation on December 5, 1985. Saba Day is an official holiday for everyone.
This year Saba Day, also known as Flag Day, will be celebrated on December 1st and will last over the weekend with music, barbecue and dance activities.
