December 17, 2010
Celebrated on 17 December, the National Day of Bhutan marks the coronation of Gongsa Ugyen Wangchuck as the first Druk Gyalpo of modern Bhutan and the independent Bhutanese nation. The crowning was done at Punakha Dzong in 1907. The Druk Gyalpo, meaning “Dragon King,” is the King of the Kingdom of Bhutan, while the Bhutanese refer to themselves as “Drukpa” (Dragon People) and the country as “Drukyul” (The Land of Dragons). Jigme Khesar Namgyel Wangchuck is the 5th Druk Gyalpo and has been in reign since 2006. The celebrations are held at the Changlimithang Stadium at in Thimphu, Bhutan, which is the National Stadium of Bhutan. It features His Majesty’s public address to the nation and a procession where a statue of Ugyen Wangchuck is carried in his honor. During the event, retired civil servants are conferred life service awards to celebrate their services to the nation.
