The National Day of Prayer and Thanksgiving is observed in Montserrat on July 8 each year. This public holiday commemorates the victims of the catastrophic Soufrière Hills volcano eruption that began in 1995. It serves as an opportunity for the people of Montserrat to thank God for blessings and seek mercy for the island. Churches across Montserrat open their doors for prayer and reflection on this day. The holiday was established by the government to honor the memory of those affected by the eruption and to provide a moment of collective remembrance and gratitude. Montserrat, a British Overseas Territory in the Caribbean, has a rich history, including Irish settlement and significant cultural ties to Ireland, which contribute to its identity as "the Emerald Isle of the Caribbean."