An Independence Day is an annual event commemorating the anniversary of a nation's assumption of independent statehood, usually after ceasing to be a colony or part of another nation or state; more rarely after the end of a military occupation.

Most countries observe their respective independence days as a national holiday, and in some cases the observance date is controversial or contested. Not all countries observe an independence day holiday, choosing to celebrate other national days instead of or alongside an independence day.

Fraternal Day is a legal holiday in the state of Alabama in the United States. It is celebrated annually on the 2nd Monday in October on the same day as Columbus Day and American Indian Heritage Day.

Fraternal Day was originally celebrated on the 2nd Thursday of October beginning in 1915.^[1]

The International Association of Scientologists (IAS) is an English non-profit organization, which was formed in October 1984 by a group of Scientologists, who assembled at Saint Hill Manor in East Grinstead, Sussex, England. The stated purpose of the IAS is "To unite, advance, support and protect the Scientology religion and Scientologists in all parts of the world, so as to achieve the aims of Scientology as originated by L. Ron Hubbard."

The IAS followed the Hubbard Association of Scientologists International as the official membership organization of the Church of Scientology. It does not accept Free Zone Scientologists.