A diamond jubilee celebrates the 60th anniversary of a significant event related to a person (e.g. accession to the throne or wedding, among others)[1] or the 60th anniversary of an institution's founding. The term is also used for 75th anniversaries,[2] [3] [4] although the human lifespan makes this usage more common for institutions.[5]
George III of the United Kingdom died nine months before his diamond jubilee was due in 1820. The Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria celebrated her 60-year reign on 22 June 1897. The Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II, was celebrated across the Commonwealth of Nations throughout 2012.[6]
In East Asia, the diamond jubilee coincides with the traditional 60-year sexagenary cycle, which is held in special importance despite not generally being called a "diamond jubilee." Monarchs such as the Kangxi and Qianlong emperors of China and Emperor Hirohito of Japan held celebrations for their 60th year of reign, as did King Bhumibol Adulyadej of Thailand on 10 June 2006.
National governments also mark their 60th anniversary as diamond jubilees, as did the Republic of Korea in 2005 and the People's Republic of China in 2009. In South Asia, the term is also used for certain 100-day anniversaries. In the Indian and Pakistani film industries, a "diamond jubilee" film is a title that has been featured in cinemas for 100 days, and beyond.
The longest reigning monarch in history, Sobhuza II of Swaziland, celebrated his (60 year) diamond jubilee in 1981, dating from when he gained direct rule. There does not appear to have been any (75 year) diamond jubilee celebration.
| Monarch | Realm | Accession day | Commemoration | More information | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Queen Victoria | United Kingdom of Great Britain and Ireland and the rest of the British Empire | 20 June 1837 | 22 June 1897[7] [8] | Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria | |
| Emperor Franz Joseph I | Austrian Empire, Austria-Hungary | 2 December 1848 | 12 June 1908 | ||
| Prince Johann II | Liechtenstein | 12 November 1858 | 1918 | ||
| Sultan Ibrahim of Johor | Johor | 7 September 1895 | 17 September 1955 | ||
| King Sobhuza II | Swaziland | 10 December 1899 | 1959 | ||
| Emperor Hirohito | Japan | 25 December 1926 | 29 April 1986 | ||
| King Bhumibol Adulyadej | Thailand | 9 June 1946 | 10 June 2006 | 60th Anniversary Celebrations of Bhumibol Adulyadej's Accession | |
| Queen Elizabeth II | United Kingdom, Australia, Canada and New Zealand | 6 February 1952 | 2–5 June 2012 | Diamond Jubilee of Elizabeth II | |
| His Highness Prince Aga Khan IV | Nizari Isma'ilism | 11 July 1957 | 11 July 2017 - 11 July 2018 |