Virgin Islands Day is observed in the British Virgin Islands on the first Monday of July. This public holiday commemorates the day when the Virgin Islands became a standalone self-governing colony of the United Kingdom. Originally celebrated as Colony Day on July 1, the holiday was renamed Territory Day in 1977 and later changed to Virgin Islands Day in 2020 to reflect the islands' unique identity and cultural history. The day features patriotic speeches, cultural festivals, musical concerts, and various festivities held across the archipelago. The British Virgin Islands, part of the Greater Antilles in the Caribbean, were first sighted by Christopher Columbus and have a rich history involving Spanish and English claims before falling under British control in 1672.