Chinese National Day is celebrated annually on October 1st to commemorate the founding of the People’s Republic of China. The day is marked with grand military parades, state dinners, and fireworks displays. The festivities begin with the ceremonial raising of the Chinese national flag in Tiananmen Square in Beijing. The Chinese government expanded the celebrations by several days to give its citizens a seven-day vacation period similar to the Golden Week holiday in Japan. During this time, Chinese people often travel and visit relatives. The holiday is also celebrated by China’s two special administrative regions: Hong Kong and Macau.