The Department of Personnel Management has issued a circular instruction to all departmental heads and government bodies in the country informing that Monday 24th July has been declared a public holiday, to observe National Remembrance Day. The memo released by Secretary Taies Sansan stated that this was confirmed by the National Executive Council under its instrument on the Public Notice for 2023 Public holidays and observance days and National Gazette No. 18 of 2022 on Public Holidays for 2023. Remembrance Day usually falls on the 23rd of July but due to the Holiday falling on the weekend, they have made amends for Monday to be a public holiday. Sunday July 23rd is National Remembrance Day in Papua New Guinea. It is a memorial day observed to honor PNG soldiers and officers who lost their lived during World War I, World War II and other military engagements within Papua New Guinea and abroad. Australia began to recruit PNG soldiers immediately before Japan entered the Second World War. They eventually formed five battalions of the PIR (Pacific Island Regiment). After the war, PNG soldiers continued to serve in the Australian military. When Papua New Guinea gained independence, it established its own defense force. The date of July 23 was chosen to commemorate the First Battle of Kokoda that occurred during the New Guinea campaign of the Pacific War. This battle was fought between allied forces (primarily Australian) and invading Japanese forces in the territory of Papua. It took place on July 23, 1942. National Remembrance Day commemorates PNG soldiers who served in the Australian military and servicemen of the Papua New Guinea Defense Force who died in service. All Public offices are advised to return to normal business on the 25th.