This day used to be called Tencho-setsu during Emperor Meiji's reign, and the anniversary called Meiji-setsu was established according to public opinion and consensus in memory of Emperor Meiji, who was regarded as a great ruler who laid the foundations for modern Japan.
明治天皇の在位中は天長節だった日付が、名君とされ近代日本の礎を築いた明治天皇の御聖徳を偲び「國民の與論・總意として」制定されたものである。