A public holiday, “King Tupou I Day” was observed yesterday December 8 in respect of Tonga’s first Christian King and founder of the modern Kingdom of Tonga, King George (Siaosi) Taufa’ahau Tupou I.

The annual public holiday marks 169 years and four days since George Taufa’ahau Tupou I began his reign as King of Tonga on December 4, 1845. The occasion essentially marks the beginning of modern Tonga as a unified Christian Kingdom under the Tu’i Kanokupolu dynasty.

Taufa’ahau Tupou I is credited for helping spread Christianity throughout the Pacific and protecting Tonga from foreign domination.

Tupou I is also famed for his longevity. Fighting in many battles and surviving numerous epidemics, Tupou I lived until the age of 96 making him one of the longest living kings in history.  He reached an older age than all of his descendants so far (as well as most Tongans) and lived a longer life than all of the British Monarchs.

Tupou I passed away in 1893 after catching a cold. He was still active on the day of his passing, reportedly swimming outside his palace that morning.

This year the public holiday for the December 4 anniversary was observed on Monday December 8.