When I left Papua New Guinea for Burma in early 1975, Michael ('Sir Michael Somare' to you; Papua New Guinea's first Prime Minister) offered to make my birthday a national holiday in the country.
Being a modest man, I declined the offer but instead suggested he should combine it with the country's Independence Day.
Since then, they have happily ever after celebrated their national holiday on the 16th of September. That's my story and I stick to it! ☺