Here you can explore and learn about different events and why they are celebrated.Ā As you might expect, there are a lot of wonderful events throughout all the cultures in the world.Ā Click the month to see what people are celebrating.Ā
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Sometimes we make mistakes and with so many different events and holidays we are bound to miss something.Ā If you see a mistake or have an event you feel should be added, send a message to Compliments and Complaints and we will address it.
Did we miss something?
Sometimes we make mistakes and with so many different events and holidays we are bound to miss something.Ā If you see a mistake or have an event you feel should be added, send a message to Compliments and Complaints and we will address it.
Did we miss something?
Sometimes we make mistakes and with so many different events and holidays we are bound to miss something.Ā If you see a mistake or have an event you feel should be added, send a message to Compliments and Complaints and we will address it.
International Holocaust Remembrance DayĀ is anĀ international memorial dayĀ on 27 January that commemorates the victims ofĀ the Holocaust, theĀ genocideĀ ofĀ European JewsĀ byĀ Nazi GermanyĀ between 1941 and 1945. 27 January was chosen to commemorate the date thatĀ Auschwitz concentration campĀ was liberatedĀ by theĀ Red ArmyĀ in 1945.
The day remembers the killing of 6 million Jews and 11 million others by the Nazi regime and its collaborators.[1][2]Ā It was designated byĀ United Nations General Assembly resolutionĀ 60/7 on 1 November 2005.[3]Ā The resolution came after a special session was held earlier that year on 24 January to mark the 60th anniversary of the liberation of theĀ Nazi concentration campsĀ and the end of the Holocaust.[4][5][6]
Many countries have instituted their ownĀ Holocaust Memorial Days. Many, such as the UK’sĀ Holocaust Memorial Day, also fall on 27 January, while others, such as Israel’sĀ Yom HaShoah, are observed at other times of the year.
Since 1976, the month has been designated to remember the contributions of people of the Ā African diaspora.
Black History Month is an annual observance originating in theĀ United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom in October.
KwanzaaĀ (/ĖkwÉĖn.zÉ/) is an annual celebration ofĀ African-American cultureĀ that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu, usually held on the 6th day.Ā It was created byĀ Maulana Karenga, based on African harvest festival traditions from various parts ofĀ Africa, includingĀ WestĀ andĀ Southeast Africa. Kwanzaa was first celebrated in 1966.
AmericanĀ Maulana KarengaĀ created Kwanzaa in 1966 during the aftermath of theĀ Watts riotsĀ as a specifically African-American holiday.Ā Karenga said his goal was to “give blacks an alternative to the existing holiday ofĀ ChristmasĀ and give blacks an opportunity to celebrate themselves and their history, rather than simply imitate the practice of the dominant society.”Ā For Karenga, a major figure in the Black Power movement of the 1960s and 1970s, the creation of such holidays also underscored the essential premise that “you must have a cultural revolution before the violent revolution. The cultural revolution gives identity, purpose, and direction.”
ChristmasĀ (or theĀ Feast of the Nativity) is an annual festival commemoratingĀ the birthĀ ofĀ Jesus Christ, observed primarily on December 2,Ā as a religious and cultural celebration among billions of peopleĀ around the world.Ā AĀ feastĀ central to theĀ ChristianĀ liturgical year, it is preceded by the season ofĀ AdventĀ or theĀ Nativity FastĀ and initiates the season ofĀ Christmastide, which historically in the West lastsĀ twelve daysĀ and culminates onĀ Twelfth Night.Ā Christmas Day is aĀ public holidayĀ inĀ many of the world’s nations,Ā is celebrated religiously by a majority of Christians,Ā as well asĀ culturallyĀ by many non-Christians,Ā and forms an integral part of theĀ holiday seasonĀ centered around it.
The traditional Christmas narrative, the Nativity of Jesus, delineated in theĀ New TestamentĀ says that Jesus was born inĀ Bethlehem, in accordance withĀ messianic prophecies.Ā WhenĀ JosephĀ andĀ MaryĀ arrived in the city, the inn had no room and so they were offered aĀ stableĀ where theĀ Christ ChildĀ was soon born, withĀ angelsĀ proclaiming this news to shepherds who then further disseminated the information.
Although the month and date of Jesus’ birth are unknown, the church in the early fourth century fixed the date as December 25.
HanukkahĀ (/ĖhÉĖnÉkÉ/Ā HAH-nÉ-kÉ;Ā Hebrew:Ā ×Ö²× Ö»×ÖøÖ¼×āĀ įø„anÅ«kkĆ”,Ā Tiberian:Ā įø„anÅ«kkÄ, usually spelledĀ ×Ö²× ×Ö¼×ÖøÖ¼×ā, pronouncedĀ [ĻanuĖka]Ā inĀ Modern Hebrew,Ā [ĖĻanukÉ]Ā orĀ [ĖĻanikÉ]Ā inĀ Yiddish; a transliteration alsoĀ romanizedĀ asĀ Chanukah,Ā įø¤anukah, Chanuka, Hanuka) is aĀ Jewish festivalĀ commemorating the recovery ofĀ JerusalemĀ and subsequent rededication of theĀ Second TempleĀ at the beginning of theĀ Maccabean revoltĀ against theĀ Seleucid EmpireĀ in the 2nd century BCE.Ā It is also known as theĀ Festival of LightsĀ (Hebrew:Ā ×Ö·× ×Ö·××ּר֓××ā,Ā įø„ag ha’urim).
Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day ofĀ KislevĀ according to theĀ Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in theĀ Gregorian calendar. The festival is observed by lighting the candles of aĀ candelabrumĀ with nine branches, called aĀ menorahĀ (or hanukkiah). One branch is typically placed above or below the others and its candle is used to light the other eight candles. This unique candle is called theĀ shamashĀ (Hebrew: שַ××ָּש×ā, “attendant”). Each night, one additional candle is lit by theĀ shamash until all eight candles are lit together on the final night of the festival.Ā Other Hanukkah festivities include singingĀ Hanukkah songs, playing the game ofĀ dreidelĀ and eating oil-based foods, such asĀ latkesĀ andĀ sufganiyot, and dairy foods. Since the 1970s, the worldwideĀ ChabadĀ HasidicĀ movement has initiated public menorah lightings in open public places in many countries.
TheĀ International Human Solidarity DayĀ (IHSD),Ā observedĀ on December 20, is an international annual unity day of theĀ United NationsĀ and its member states introduced by theĀ general assemblyĀ during theĀ 2005 World Summit.Ā It was established on December 22, 2005 by resolution 60/209.Ā Its main goal is to recognize theĀ universal valuesĀ of poor by making theĀ associated countriesĀ aware ofĀ reducing povertyĀ and to formulate its countermeasures as signed by theĀ independent states. IHSD is a part ofĀ World Solidarity FundĀ andĀ United Nations Development ProgrammeĀ focused on to achieve goals set for worldwide poverty eradication.
Background
Solidarity is identified in theĀ Millennium DeclarationĀ as one of the fundamental values of international relations in the 21st Century, wherein those, who either suffer or benefit least deserve help from those who benefit most. Consequently, in the context of globalization and the challenge of growing inequality, strengthening of international solidarity is indispensable.
Therefore, the UN General Assembly, convinced that the promotion of the culture of solidarity and the spirit of sharing is important for combating poverty, proclaimed 20 of December as International Human Solidarity Day.
Through initiatives such as the establishment of the World Solidarity Fund to eradicate poverty and the proclamation of International Human Solidarity Day, the concept of solidarity was promoted as crucial in the fight against poverty and in the involvement of all relevant stakeholders.
Human Rights DayĀ isĀ celebratedĀ annually across the world onĀ 10 DecemberĀ every year.
The date was chosen to honor theĀ United Nations General Assembly‘s adoption and proclamation, on 10 December 1948, of theĀ Universal Declaration of Human RightsĀ (UDHR), the first global enunciation ofĀ human rightsĀ and one of the first major achievements of the newĀ United Nations. The formal establishment of Human Rights Day occurred at the 317th Plenary Meeting of theĀ General AssemblyĀ on 4 December 1950, when the General Assembly declared resolution 423(V), inviting all member states and any other interested organizations to celebrate the day as they saw fit.
The day is normally marked both by high-level political conferences and meetings and by cultural events and exhibitions dealing with human rights issues. Besides, it is traditionally on 10 December that the five-yearlyĀ United Nations Prize in the Field of Human RightsĀ andĀ Nobel Peace PrizeĀ are awarded. ManyĀ governmentalĀ andĀ non-governmental organizationsĀ active in the human rights field also schedule special events to commemorate the day, as do many civil and social-cause organisations.
International Day of Persons with DisabilitiesĀ (December 3) is anĀ international observanceĀ promoted by theĀ United NationsĀ since 1992. It has been observed with varying degrees of success around the planet. The observance of the Day aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for theĀ dignity, rights andĀ well-beingĀ of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increaseĀ awarenessĀ of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect ofĀ political,Ā social, economic and culturalĀ life. It was originally called “International Day of Disabled Persons” until 2007.[1]Ā Each year the day focuses on a different issue.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities – United Nations
TheĀ United Nations General AssemblyĀ has designatedĀ November 25Ā as theĀ International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against WomenĀ (Resolution 54/134).Ā The premise ofĀ the dayĀ is toĀ raise awarenessĀ of the fact that women around the world are subject toĀ rape,Ā domestic violenceĀ andĀ other forms of violence; furthermore, one of the aims of the day is to highlight that the scale and true nature of the issue is often hidden. For 2014, the official Theme framed by theĀ UN Secretary-Generalās campaign UNiTE to End Violence against Women, isĀ Orange your Neighbourhood.Ā For 2018, the official theme is “Orange the World:#HearMeToo”, for 2019 it is “Orange the World: Generation Equality Stands Against Rape” and for 2020 it is “Orange the World: Fund, Respond, Prevent, Collect!”.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – United Nations
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women – Wikipedia
TheĀ Transgender Day of RemembranceĀ (TDoR), also known as theĀ International Transgender Day of Remembrance, has beenĀ observedĀ annually (from its inception) on November 20 as a day toĀ memorializeĀ those who have been murdered as a result ofĀ transphobia.Ā It is a day to draw attention to the continued violence endured byĀ transgenderĀ people.
Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 byĀ Gwendolyn Ann Smith, aĀ transgender woman,Ā to memorialize the murder of transgender woman Rita Hester inĀ Allston, Massachusetts.Ā It has slowly evolved from theĀ web-based project started by Smith into an international day of action. In 2010, TDoR was observed in over 185 cities throughout more than 20 countries.
TheĀ International Day for ToleranceĀ is an annualĀ observanceĀ day declared byĀ UNESCOĀ in 1995 to generate publicĀ awarenessĀ of the dangers ofĀ intolerance. It is observed onĀ 16 November.
Fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples
The United Nations is committed to strengthening tolerance by fostering mutual understanding among cultures and peoples. This imperative lies at the core of theĀ United Nations Charter, as well as theĀ Universal Declaration of Human Rights, and is more important than ever in this era of rising and violent extremism and widening conflicts that are characterized by a fundamental disregard for human life.
In 1996, the UN General Assembly (by resolutionĀ 51/95) invited UN Member States to observe theĀ International Day for ToleranceĀ on 16 November. This action followed up on the United Nations Year for Tolerance, 1995, proclaimed by the UN General Assembly in 1993 at the initiative ofĀ UNESCO, as outlined in theĀ Declaration of Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.
DiwaliĀ (English:Ā /dÉŖĖwÉĖliĖ/;Ā DeepavaliĀ (IAST:Ā dÄ«pÄvali) orĀ Divali) is a festival of lights and one of the major festivals celebrated byĀ Hindus,Ā JainsĀ andĀ Sikhs.[7]Ā The festival usually lasts five days and is celebrated during theĀ Hindu lunisolarĀ monthĀ KartikaĀ (between mid-October and mid-November).[8][9][10]Ā One of the most popular festivals of Hinduism, Diwali symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance”.[11][12][13][14]Ā The festival is widely associated withĀ Lakshmi, goddess of prosperity, with many other regional traditions connecting the holiday toĀ SitaĀ andĀ Rama,Ā Vishnu,Ā Krishna,Ā Yama,Ā Yami,Ā Durga,Ā Kali,Ā Hanuman,Ā Ganesha,Ā Kubera,Ā Dhanvantari, orĀ Vishvakarman. Furthermore, it is, in some regions, a celebration of the day LordĀ RamaĀ returned to his kingdomĀ AyodhyaĀ with his wifeĀ SitaĀ and his brotherĀ LakshmanaĀ after defeatingĀ RavanaĀ inĀ LankaĀ and serving 14 years of exile.
Remembrance DayĀ (sometimes known informally asĀ Poppy DayĀ owing to the tradition of theĀ remembrance poppy) is a memorial day observed inĀ CommonwealthĀ member states. Remembrance Day has been observed since the end of theĀ First World WarĀ to remember armed forces members who have died in the line of duty. Following a tradition inaugurated by KingĀ George VĀ in 1919,Ā the day is also marked by war remembrances in many non-Commonwealth countries. In most countries, Remembrance Day is observed on 11 November to recall the end of First World War hostilities. Hostilities formally ended “at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month”, in accordance withĀ the armisticeĀ signed by representatives of Germany and the Entente between 5:12 and 5:20 that morning. (“At the 11th hour” refers to theĀ passingĀ of the 11th hour, or 11:00Ā am.) The First World War officially ended with the signing of theĀ Treaty of VersaillesĀ on 28 June 1919.
ThanksgivingĀ (French:Ā Action de grĆ¢ce), orĀ Thanksgiving DayĀ (French:Ā Jour de l’Action de grĆ¢ce) is an annualĀ Canadian holiday, held on the second Monday in October, which celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.Ā Outside of Canada it is sometimes calledĀ Canadian ThanksgivingĀ to distinguish it fromĀ Thanksgiving in the United States, held on a different date.
Thanksgiving has been officially celebrated as an annualĀ holiday in CanadaĀ since November 6, 1879.Ā While the date varied by year and was not fixed, it was commonly the second Monday in October.
On January 31, 1957, theĀ Governor General of CanadaĀ Vincent MasseyĀ issued aĀ proclamationĀ stating: “A Day of General Thanksgiving to Almighty God for the bountiful harvest with which Canada has been blessed ā to be observed on the second Monday in October.”
Mawlid,Ā Mawlid al-Nabi al-SharifĀ orĀ Eid Milad un NabiĀ (Arabic:Ā Ł
ŁŁŁŁŲÆ Ų§ŁŁŁŁŲØŁŁā,Ā romanized:Ā mawlidu n-nabiyyi,Ā lit.Ā ‘Birth of the Prophet’, sometimes simply called inĀ colloquial ArabicĀ Ł
ŁŁŲÆ,Ā mawlid, mevlid, mevlit, mulud, among other vernacular pronunciations; sometimesĀ Ł
ŁŁŲ§ŲÆ,Ā mÄ«lÄd) is the observance of the birthday of theĀ Islamic prophetĀ MuhammadĀ which is commemorated inĀ Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in theĀ Islamic calendar.Ā 12th Rabi’ al-awwalĀ is the accepted date among most of theĀ SunniĀ scholars, while mostĀ ShiaĀ scholars regard 17th Rabi’ al-awwal as the accepted date, though not all Shias consider it to be this date. Also calledĀ MaouloudĀ inĀ West Africa.
The history of this celebration goes back to the early days of Islam when some of theĀ TabiāunĀ began to hold sessions in which poetry and songs composed to honour Muhammad were recited and sung to the crowds.Ā It has been said that the first Muslim ruler to officially celebrate the birth of Muhammad in an impressive ceremony wasĀ Muzaffar al-Din GƶkbƶriĀ (d. 630/1233).Ā TheĀ OttomansĀ declared it an official holiday in 1588,Ā known asĀ Mevlid Kandil.Ā The termĀ MawlidĀ is also used in some parts of the world, such asĀ Egypt, as a generic term for the birthday celebrations of other historical religious figures such asĀ SufiĀ saints.
World Mental Health DayĀ (10 October) is anĀ international dayĀ for globalĀ mental healthĀ education,Ā awarenessĀ and advocacy againstĀ social stigma.[1]Ā It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of theĀ World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries.[2]Ā This day, each October, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annualĀ awareness programĀ to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples’ lives worldwide.[3][4]Ā In some countries this day is part of an awareness week, such asĀ Mental Health WeekĀ in Australia.
World Mental Health Day – TimeAndDate.com
Burns had a significant influence onĀ Alexander McLachlan Ā and some influence onĀ Robert Service. While this may not be so obvious in Service’s English verse, which is Kiplingesque, it is more readily apparent in his Scots verse.
Scottish Canadians have embraced Robert Burns as a kind of patron poet and mark his birthday with festivities. ‘Robbie Burns Day’ is celebrated fromĀ Newfoundland and LabradorĀ toĀ Nanaimo.Ā Every year, Canadian newspapers publish biographies of the poet,Ā listings of local eventsĀ and buffet menus.Ā Universities mark the date in a range of ways:Ā McMaster UniversityĀ library organized a special collectionĀ andĀ Simon Fraser University‘s Centre for Scottish Studies organized a marathon reading of Burns’s poetry.Ā Senator Heath MacquarrieĀ quipped of Canada’s first Prime Minister that “While the lovable [Robbie] Burns went in for wine, women and song, his fellow Scot,Ā John A.Ā did not chase women and was not musical!”Ā ‘Gung Haggis Fat Choy’ is a hybrid ofĀ Chinese New YearĀ andĀ Robbie Burns Day, celebrated inĀ VancouverĀ since the late 1990s.
Orange Shirt DayĀ (French:Ā Jour du chandail orange)[1]Ā is an event, created in 2013, designed to educate people and promote awareness in Canada about theĀ Indian residential school system[2]Ā and the impact it has had onĀ IndigenousĀ communities for over a centuryāan impact recognized as aĀ cultural genocide, and an impact that continues today. It is held annually on September 30 in Canadian communities, especially in schools, where people are encouraged to wear an orange shirt.
Yom KippurĀ (/ĖjÉmĀ kÉŖĖpŹÉr,Ā ĖjÉĖmĀ ĖkÉŖpÉr,Ā ĖjoŹm-/;Ā Hebrew:Ā ××Ö¹× ×Ö“Ö¼×פּ×ּרā,Ā IPA:Ā [Ėjom kiĖpuŹ], orĀ Hebrew:Ā ××× ×××פ×ר××ā,Ā romanized:Ā Yom HaKippurim), also known as theĀ Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year inĀ Judaism. Its central themes areĀ atonementĀ andĀ repentance.Ā JewsĀ traditionally observe this holy day with a day-longĀ fastĀ and intensiveĀ prayer, often spending most of the day inĀ synagogueĀ services.
International Day of Sign Languages (IDSL)Ā is celebrated annually across the world on 23 September every year along withĀ International Week of the Deaf.
The choice of 23 September is the same date that theĀ World Federation of the DeafĀ was established in 1951.Ā
The International Day of Sign Languages is an unique opportunity to support and protect the linguisticĀ identity and cultural diversity of all deaf people and other sign language users. In 2020, the World Federation of the Deaf is issuing aĀ Global Leaders Challenge.Ā This challenge aims to promote the use of sign languages by local, national, and global leaders in partnership with national associations of deaf people in each country, as well as other deaf-led organisations.
According to the World Federation of the Deaf, there are approximately 72 million deaf people worldwide. More than 80% of them live in developing countries. Collectively, they use more than 300 different sign languages.
Rosh HashanahĀ (Hebrew: רֹ××©× ×ַשָּ×× Öø×ā), literally meaning “head [of] the year”, is theĀ JewishĀ New Year. TheĀ biblicalĀ name for this holiday isĀ Yom TeruahĀ (××Ö¹× ×ŖÖ°Ö¼×Ø×Ö¼×¢Öø×ā), literally “day of shouting or blasting”. It is the first of the JewishĀ High Holy DaysĀ (×Öø×Ö“×× × ×ֹרָ×Ö“××āĀ Yamim Nora’im. “Days of Awe”) specified byĀ Leviticus 23:23ā32Ā that occur in the early autumn of the Northern Hemisphere.
Rosh Hashanah is a two-day celebration that begins on the first day ofĀ Tishrei, which is the seventh month of theĀ ecclesiastical year. In contrast to the ecclesiastical year, where the first monthĀ Nisan, the Passover month, marks Israel’s exodus from Egypt, Rosh Hashanah marks the beginning of the civil year, according to the teachings of Judaism, and is the traditional anniversary of the creation ofĀ Adam and Eve, the first man and woman according to the Hebrew Bible, and the inauguration of humanity’s role in God’s world.
World Suicide Prevention DayĀ (WSPD) is anĀ awareness dayĀ observed on 10 September every year, in order to provide worldwide commitment and action to prevent suicides, with various activities around the world since 2003.[1]Ā TheĀ International Association for Suicide PreventionĀ (IASP) collaborates with theĀ World Health OrganizationĀ (WHO) and theĀ World Federation for Mental HealthĀ (WFMH) to host World Suicide Prevention Day.[2]Ā In 2011 an estimated 40 countries held awareness events to mark the occasion.[3]Ā According to WHO’s Mental Health Atlas released in 2014, no low-income country reported having a nationalĀ suicide preventionĀ strategy, while less than 10% of lower-middle income countries, and almost a third of upper-middle and high-income countries had.
World Suicide Prevention Day – TimeAndDate.com
World Suicide Prevention Day – Wikipedia
World Suicide Prevention Day – Canadian Association for Suicide Prevention
Muscular Dystrophy CanadaĀ (MDC) (French:Ā Dystrophie musculaire Canada) is a non-profit organization that strives to find a cure for neuromuscular disorders. Founded in 1954 as Muscular Dystrophy Association of Canada, volunteers and staff nationwide have helped to provide support and resources to those affected. Since the founding year, over $64 million has been put towards research via collaborations, fundraising events, and donations.[1]
Muscular Dystrophy Canada provides various programs within five areas of service: Education, Information, Advocacy, Support and Equipment.
In 2000, Muscular Dystrophy Canada joined with the ALS Society of Canada and the Canadian Institutes of Health Research in the Neuromuscular Research Partnership (NRP).[2]
Currently, there are over 38 chapters and two affiliates across Canada.
Sept. 3, 2019 the Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) launched “MDA National Muscular Dystrophy Awareness Month,” as part of an extensive campaign to raise awareness around the organization’s advancements in neuromuscular disease research, treatment and care.
Muįø„arramĀ (Arabic:Ā Ł±ŁŁŁ
ŁŲŁŲ±ŁŁŁ
ā) is the first month of theĀ Islamic calendar.
It is one of the four sacred months of the year when warfare is forbidden. It is held to be the second holiest month, afterĀ RamaįøÄn. The Tenth day of Muharram is known as theĀ Day of Ashura. Better known as part of theĀ Mourning of Muharram,Ā ShiaĀ Muslims mourn the tragedy of Imam Hussein’s family, andĀ SunniĀ Muslims practice fasting on Ashura.
Muslims mourn the martyrdom ofĀ įø¤usayn ibn ŹæAlī and his family, honoring the martyrs by prayer and abstinence from joyous events. Shia Muslims eat as little as possible on the 10th of Muharram however this is not seen as fasting. Some (children, elderly or sick) don’t eat or drink untilĀ ZawalĀ (afternoon) as a part of their mourning for Husayn.Ā In addition there is an importantĀ ziyaratĀ book, theĀ Ziyarat AshuraĀ about Husayn ibn Ali. In the Shia sect, it is popular to read this ziyarat on this date.
TheĀ Slavery Abolition Act 1833Ā ended slavery in the British Empire on 1 August 1834, and thus also in Canada. However, the first colony in the British Empire to have anti-slavery legislation wasĀ Upper Canada, nowĀ Ontario.Ā John Graves Simcoe, the firstĀ Lieutenant Governor of Upper CanadaĀ (1791ā1796), passed anĀ Act Against SlaveryĀ in 1793, which ended the importation of slaves in Upper Canada and manumitted the future children of female slaves at age twenty-five.Ā It was superseded by the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.
While the date of the First August Monday holiday in Canada is historically linked to the abolition of slavery in the British Empire in 1834, not all of provinces commemorate the holiday as such.
Every year Canadians celebrate an August vacation day on the first weekend of the month, ostensibly to reflect on the gift of responsible provincial government. InĀ TorontoĀ this vacation day is known as “SimcoeĀ Day” to commemorate the firstĀ Lieutenant Governor of Ontario,Ā John Graves Simcoe. In 2008 during the 10-year administration ofĀ Dalton McGuinty, the Province designated August 1 as “Emancipation Day” to commemorate Simcoe who in 1793 approved a piece of legislation that abolished slavery inĀ Upper CanadaĀ (knownĀ now as Ontario).Ā This was the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to abolish slavery.
TheĀ Toronto Caribbean Carnival, formerly and previously calledĀ CaribanaĀ (1967-2006), Toronto Caribbean Carnival (Caribana) (2006-2007),Ā Scotiabank CaribanaĀ (2007-2011),Ā Scotiabank Toronto Caribbean CarnivalĀ (2011-2015),Ā Peeks Toronto Caribbean CarnivalĀ (2017-2018)Ā Toronto Caribbean CarnivalĀ (2018āpresent) is a festival ofĀ CaribbeanĀ culture and traditions held each summer in the city ofĀ Toronto,Ā Ontario, Canada. It is a CaribbeanĀ CarnivalĀ event, that has been billed asĀ North America‘s largest street festival,Ā frequented by over 1.3 million visitors each year for the festival’s final parade and an overall attendance of 2 million.Ā The entire event, which is one of the firstĀ Caribbean CarnivalsĀ along with those inĀ New York City,Ā Notting HillĀ andĀ BostonĀ to be held outside of the Caribbean region, brings in over one million U.S. citizens to Toronto and over $400 million into Ontario’s economy, annually.
Eid al-AdhaĀ (Arabic:Ā Ų¹ŁŲÆ Ų§ŁŲ£Ų¶ŲŁā,Ā romanized: ʿīd al-ʾaįøįø„Ä,Ā lit.Ā ‘Feast of the Sacrifice’,Ā IPA:Ā [ŹiĖd alĖŹadˤħaĖ]) is the latter of the twoĀ Islamic holidaysĀ celebrated worldwide each year (the other beingĀ Eid al-Fitr), and considered the holier of the two. Also calledĀ Tabaski, it honours the willingness ofĀ Ibrahim (Abraham)Ā toĀ sacrificeĀ his sonĀ IsmaelĀ as an act of obedience toĀ God’sĀ command. (The Jewish and Christian religions believe that according to Genesis 22:2, Abraham took his son Isaac to sacrifice.) Before Ibrahim could sacrifice his son, however, Allah provided a lamb to sacrifice instead. In commemoration of this intervention, an animal (usually a sheep) is sacrificedĀ ritually. One third of its meat is consumed by the family offering the sacrifice, while the rest is distributed to the poor and needy. Sweets and gifts are given, and extended family are typically visited and welcomed.
Tisha B’AvĀ (Hebrew: תּ֓שְ××¢Öø× ×Ö°Ö¼×Öø×ā[a]Ā TishāÄh Be’Äv;Ā IPA:Ā [tiŹŹa beĖŹav] is an annualĀ fast dayĀ inĀ Judaism, on which a number of disasters inĀ Jewish historyĀ occurred, primarily the destruction of bothĀ Solomon’s TempleĀ by theĀ Neo-Babylonian EmpireĀ and theĀ Second TempleĀ by theĀ Roman EmpireĀ inĀ Jerusalem.
Tisha B’Av is regarded as the saddest day in the Jewish calendar and it is thus believed to be a day which is destined for tragedy.[2][3]Ā Tisha B’AvĀ falls in July or August in theĀ Gregorian calendar.
Nelson Mandela International DayĀ (orĀ Mandela Day) is an annualĀ international dayĀ in honour ofĀ Nelson Mandela, celebrated each year on 18 July, Mandela’s birthday.Ā The day was officially declared by theĀ United NationsĀ in November 2009,Ā with the first UN Mandela Day held on 18 July 2010. However, other groups began celebrating Mandela Day on 18 July 2009.
Independence DayĀ (colloquiallyĀ the Fourth of JulyĀ orĀ July 4) is aĀ federal holidayĀ in theĀ United StatesĀ commemorating theĀ Declaration of IndependenceĀ of the United States, on July 4, 1776. TheĀ Continental CongressĀ declared that theĀ thirteen American coloniesĀ were no longer subject (and subordinate) to theĀ monarch of Britain,Ā King George III, and were now united, free, and independent states.[1]Ā The Congress had voted to declare independence two days earlier, on July 2, but it was not declared until July 4.
Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is the national day of Canada. A federal statutory holiday, it celebrates the anniversary of Canadian confederation which occurred on July 1, 1867, with the passing of the Constitution Act, 1867 where the three separate colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into a single Dominion within the British Empire called Canada.[1][2] Originally called Dominion Day (French: Le Jour de la Confédération), the holiday was renamed in 1982 when the Canadian Constitution was patriated by the Canada Act 1982.[3] Canada Day celebrations take place throughout the country, as well as in various locations around the world attended by Canadians living abroad.
National Indigenous Peoples Day (French: Journée nationale des peuples autochtones) is a day recognizing and celebrating the cultures and contributions of the First Nations, Inuit and Métis Indigenous peoples of Canada. The day was first celebrated as National Aboriginal Day in 1996, after it was proclaimed that year by then Governor General of Canada Roméo LeBlanc, to be celebrated annually on 21 June. This date was chosen as the statutory holiday for many reasons, including its cultural significance as the Summer solstice, and the fact that it is a day on which many Indigenous peoples and communities traditionally celebrate their heritage. It was renamed from National Indigenous Peoples Day in 2017.
This day has been celebrated as a statutory territorial holiday in the Northwest Territories since 2001 and in the Yukon since 2017. It is not however, currently considered a statutory holiday across the rest of the country.
World Refugee Day,Ā international observanceĀ observed June 20 each year, is dedicated toĀ raising awarenessĀ of the situation ofĀ refugeesĀ throughout the world.
On 4 December 2000, theĀ United Nations General AssemblyĀ in Resolution 55/76 decided that, from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day. In this resolution, the General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the 50th anniversary of theĀ 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees.Ā It is commemorated to honor all refugees, raise awareness and solicit support.
JuneteenthĀ (aĀ portmanteauĀ ofĀ JuneĀ andĀ nineteenth)Ā ā also known asĀ Freedom Day,Ā Jubilee Day,Ā Liberation Day,Ā andĀ Emancipation DayĀ ā is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who had beenĀ enslaved in the United States. Originating inĀ Galveston, Texas, it is now celebrated annually on theĀ 19th of JuneĀ throughout theĀ United States, with varying official recognition. It is commemorated on the anniversary date of the June 19, 1865 announcement byĀ Union ArmyĀ generalĀ Gordon Granger, proclaiming freedom from slavery inĀ Texas.
National Doughnut Day, orĀ National Donut DayĀ ā celebrated in the United States and in some other countries, is on the first Friday of June of each year, succeeding the Doughnut event created byĀ The Salvation ArmyĀ inĀ ChicagoĀ in 1938 to honor those of their members who served doughnuts to soldiers duringĀ World War I.Ā The holiday celebrates theĀ doughnut. Many American doughnut stores offer free doughnuts on National Doughnut Day.
Ranging from solemn to carnivalesque, pride events are typically held during LGBT Pride Month or some other period that commemorates a turning point in a country’sĀ LGBT history, for exampleĀ Moscow PrideĀ in May for the anniversary of Russia’s 1993 decriminalization of homosexuality. Some pride events includeĀ LGBT pride parades and marches, rallies, commemorations, community days, dance parties, and festivals.
Gay prideĀ orĀ LGBT prideĀ is the promotion of theĀ self-affirmation, dignity, equality, and increased visibility ofĀ lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT)Ā people as aĀ social group. Pride, as opposed to shame andĀ social stigma, is the predominant outlook that bolsters mostĀ LGBT rightsĀ movements.
Gay pride Month
Gay pride Month
Good FridayĀ is a ChristianĀ holidayĀ commemorating theĀ crucifixion of JesusĀ and his death atĀ Calvary. It is observed duringĀ Holy WeekĀ as part of theĀ Paschal TriduumĀ on the Friday precedingĀ Easter Sunday, and may coincide with the Jewish observance ofĀ Passover. It is also known asĀ Holy Friday,Ā Great Friday, andĀ Black Friday.
Good Friday occurs two days before Easter Sunday.
Members of manyĀ Christian denominations, including theĀ Catholic,Ā Eastern Orthodox,Ā Lutheran,Ā Anglican,Ā Methodist,Ā Oriental OrthodoxĀ andĀ ReformedĀ traditions, observe Good Friday withĀ fastingĀ andĀ church services.Ā Communicants of theĀ Moravian ChurchĀ have a Good Friday tradition ofĀ cleaning gravestones in Moravian cemeteries.
TheĀ date of Good FridayĀ varies from one year to the next on both theĀ GregorianĀ andĀ JulianĀ calendars.Ā EasternĀ andĀ Western ChristianityĀ disagree over the computation of the date of Easter and therefore of Good Friday. Good Friday is a widely institutedĀ legal holidayĀ around the world, including in mostĀ WesternĀ countriesĀ and 12Ā U.S.Ā states.Ā Some countries, such as Germany, have laws prohibiting certain acts, such as dancing and horse racing, that are seen as profaning the solemn nature of the day.
International Nurses DayĀ (IND) is anĀ international dayĀ observed around the world on 12Ā May (the anniversary ofĀ Florence Nightingale‘s birth) of each year, to mark the contributions thatĀ nurses make to society. Sponsored by the International Council of Nurses, it celebrates the tireless efforts of nurses in maintaining public health.
TheĀ International Council of NursesĀ (ICN) has celebrated this day since 1965.
In 1953 Dorothy Sutherland, an official with the U.S. Department of Health, Education and Welfare, proposed that President Dwight D. Eisenhower proclaim a “Nurses’ Day”; he did not approve it.
In January 1974, 12 May was chosen to celebrate the day as it is the anniversary of the birth ofĀ Florence Nightingale, the founder of modernĀ nursing.[2][3]Ā Each year, ICN prepares and distributes the International Nurses’ Day Kit.[4]Ā The kit contains educational and public information materials, for use by nurses everywhere.
As of 1998, 8 May was designated as annualĀ National Student Nurses’ Day.
Cinco de MayoĀ (pronouncedĀ [sÉŖÅko ưe ĖmaŹo]Ā in Mexico,Ā SpanishĀ for “Fifth of May”) is an annual celebration held on May 5. The date is observed to commemorate theĀ Mexican Army‘s victory over theĀ French EmpireĀ at theĀ Battle of Puebla, on May 5, 1862, under the leadership of GeneralĀ Ignacio Zaragoza.[1][2]Ā The victory of the smaller Mexican force against a larger French force was a boost to morale for the Mexicans. Zaragoza died months after the battle due to illness. A year after the battle, a larger French force defeated the Mexican army at the Second Battle of Puebla, and Mexico City soon fell to the invaders.
TheĀ Vikram era, orĀ Vikram samvatĀ is a Indian (Hindustani) calendar starting inĀ 57 BC. The Vikram Samvat calendar starts half a century before the Gregorian calendar and works on an Indian calendar cycle.
The calendar starts in the month ofĀ Vaisakha, which usually falls in theĀ GregorianĀ month ofĀ April.
The date marks the day when the KingĀ VikramÄdityaĀ beat theĀ Sakas, who had invadedĀ Ujjain. A new calendar was started to honor this achievement.
Easter,Ā also calledĀ PaschaĀ (Greek,Ā Latin)Ā orĀ Resurrection Sunday,Ā is aĀ festivalĀ andĀ holidayĀ commemorating theĀ resurrection of JesusĀ from the dead, described in theĀ New TestamentĀ as having occurred on the third day after hisĀ burialĀ followingĀ his crucifixionĀ by theĀ RomansĀ atĀ CalvaryĀ c.Ā 30 AD.Ā It is the culmination of theĀ Passion of Jesus, preceded byĀ LentĀ (orĀ Great Lent), a 40-day period ofĀ fasting,Ā prayer, andĀ penance.
MostĀ ChristiansĀ refer to the week before Easter as “Holy Week“, which contains the days of theĀ Easter Triduum, includingĀ Maundy Thursday, commemorating theĀ MaundyĀ andĀ Last Supper,Ā as well asĀ Good Friday, commemorating theĀ crucifixion and death of Jesus.Ā InĀ Western Christianity,Ā Eastertide, or the Easter Season, begins on Easter Sunday and lasts seven weeks, ending with the coming of the 50th day,Ā Pentecost Sunday. InĀ Eastern Christianity, the season of Pascha begins on Pascha and ends with the coming of the 40th day, theĀ Feast of the Ascension.
Easter and the holidays that are related to it areĀ moveable feastsĀ which do not fall on a fixed date in theĀ GregorianĀ orĀ JulianĀ calendars which follow only the cycle of the Sun; rather, its date is offset from the date of Passover and is therefore calculated based on aĀ lunisolar calendarĀ similar to theĀ Hebrew calendar. TheĀ First Council of NicaeaĀ (325) established two rules, independence of the Jewish calendar and worldwide uniformity, which were the only rules for Easter explicitly laid down by the council. No details for the computation were specified; these were worked out in practice, a process that took centuries and generated a number ofĀ controversies. It has come to be the first Sunday after theĀ ecclesiastical full moonĀ that occurs on or soonest after 21 March.Ā Even if calculated on the basis of the more accurate Gregorian calendar, the date of that full moon sometimes differs from that of the astronomical first full moon after theĀ March equinox.
Palm SundayĀ is a ChristianĀ moveable feastĀ that falls on theĀ SundayĀ beforeĀ Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus’Ā triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the fourĀ canonical Gospels.Ā Palm Sunday marks the first day ofĀ Holy Week, the last week of the Christian solemn season ofĀ LentĀ that precedes the arrival ofĀ Eastertide.
In most liturgical churches, Palm Sunday is celebrated by the blessing and distribution ofĀ palm branchesĀ (or the branches of other native trees), representing the palm branches which the crowd scattered in front of Christ as he rode intoĀ Jerusalem. The difficulty of procuring palms in unfavorable climates led to their substitution with branches of native trees, includingĀ box,Ā olive,Ā willow, andĀ yew. The Sunday was often named after these substitute trees, as inĀ Yew Sunday, or by the general termĀ Branch Sunday.
Many churches of mainstreamĀ Christian denominations, including the Orthodox, Catholic, Lutheran, Methodist, Anglican, Moravian and Reformed traditions, distribute palm branches to their congregations during their Palm Sunday liturgies. Christians take these palms, which are often blessed by clergy, to their homes where they hang them alongsideĀ Christian artĀ (especiallyĀ crossesĀ andĀ crucifixes) or keep them in their Bibles or devotionals.Ā In the period preceding the next year’s Lent, known asĀ Shrovetide, churches often place a basket in theirĀ narthexĀ to collect these palms, which are then ritually burned onĀ Shrove TuesdayĀ to make the ashes to be used on the following day,Ā Ash Wednesday, which is the first day of Lent.
Saint George’s Day, also known as theĀ Feast of Saint George, is theĀ feast dayĀ ofĀ Saint GeorgeĀ as celebrated by variousĀ Christian ChurchesĀ and by the several nations, kingdoms, countries and cities of which Saint George is theĀ patron saintĀ includingĀ Bulgaria,Ā England, and regions ofĀ PortugalĀ andĀ SpainĀ (CataloniaĀ andĀ Aragon).
Saint George’s Day is normally celebrated on 23 April. However, Church of England rules denote that no saints’ day should be celebrated between Palm Sunday and the Sunday after Easter Day so if 23 April falls in that period the celebrations are transferred to after it. 23 April is the traditionally accepted date of the saint’s death in theĀ Diocletianic PersecutionĀ of AD 303.
St Georgeās Day is a provincial holiday in Newfoundland and Labrador in Canada. It is observed on the Monday closest to April 23 each year.
Earth DayĀ is an annual eventĀ celebratedĀ around the world on April 22 to demonstrate support forĀ environmental protection. First celebrated in 1970, it now includes events coordinated globally by the Earth Day NetworkĀ in more than 193 countries.
In 1969 at aĀ UNESCOĀ Conference in San Francisco,Ā peace activistĀ John McConnellĀ proposed a day to honor the Earth and the concept of peace, to first be celebrated on March 21, 1970, the first day of spring in the northern hemisphere. This day of nature’s equipoise was later sanctioned in a proclamation written by McConnell and signed by Secretary GeneralĀ U ThantĀ at the United Nations. A month later a United States SenatorĀ Gaylord NelsonĀ proposed the idea to hold a nationwide environmentalĀ teach-inĀ on April 22, 1970. He hired a young activist,Ā Denis Hayes, to be the National Coordinator. Nelson and Hayes renamed the event “Earth Day”. Under the leadership of labor leaderĀ Walter Reuther, theĀ United Auto WorkersĀ was the most instrumental outside financial and operational supporter of the first Earth Day.Ā According to Hayes, “Without the UAW, the first Earth Day would have likely flopped!”Ā Nelson was later awarded theĀ Presidential Medal of FreedomĀ award in recognition of his work.Ā The first Earth Day was focused on the United States. In 1990, Denis Hayes, the original national coordinator in 1970, took it international and organized events in 141 nations.
On Earth Day 2016, the landmarkĀ Paris AgreementĀ was signed by the United States, China, and some 120 other countries.Ā This signing satisfied a key requirement for theĀ entry into forceĀ of the historic draftĀ climate protection treatyĀ adopted by consensus of the 195 nations present at theĀ 2015 United Nations Climate Change ConferenceĀ in Paris.
VaisakhiĀ (IAST:Ā vaisÄkhÄ«), also pronounced asĀ BaisakhiĀ marks the beginning of solar āSikhā New year.Ā Vaisakhi marks the first day of the month ofĀ VaisakhaĀ and is usually celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year. This holiday also is known asĀ VaisakhaĀ SankrantiĀ and celebrates the Solar new year, based on theĀ HinduĀ Vikram SamvatĀ calendar. It is additionally a spring harvest festival for manyĀ Indians.[5]
Vaisakhi is also a historical and religious festival inĀ Sikhism. It is usually celebrated on 13 or 14 April every year for Sikhs,Ā Ā the day commemorates the formation ofĀ KhalsaĀ panth of warriors underĀ Guru Gobind SinghĀ in 1699.[10][1][11][12]
Vaisakhi observes major events in the history of Sikhism and theĀ Indian subcontinentĀ that happened in theĀ Punjab region.Ā The significance of Vaisakhi as a major Sikh festival marking the birth of Sikh order started after the persecution and execution ofĀ Guru Tegh BahadurĀ for refusing to convert toĀ IslamĀ under the orders of the Mughal EmperorĀ Aurangzeb. This triggered the coronation of the tenth Guru of Sikhism and the historic formation of Khalsa, both on the Vaisakhi day.Ā Ranjit SinghĀ was proclaimed asĀ MaharajaĀ of theĀ Sikh EmpireĀ on 12 April 1801 (to coincide with Vaisakhi), creating a unified political state. Sahib Singh Bedi, a descendant ofĀ Guru Nanak dev, conducted the coronation.Ā Vaisakhi was also the day when the British colonial empire official, GeneralĀ Reginald Dyer, committed theĀ Jallianwala Bagh massacreĀ on a gathering, an event influential to the Indian movement against colonial rule.
Vimy Ridge DayĀ is a day to commemorate the deaths and casualties of members of theĀ Canadian CorpsĀ in theĀ Battle of Vimy Ridge, which took place duringĀ First World War. The holiday has been observed annually on 9 April since 2003. It is a non-statutory observance.
In 2003, the Government of Canada declared 9 April to be “Vimy Ridge Day”, to honour and remember theĀ Battle of Vimy RidgeĀ which took place during theĀ First World WarĀ atĀ Vimy Ridge,Ā France, in 1917.[1]Ā The initiative to create the day of commemoration was spearheaded byĀ Robert Manuel, aĀ Korean WarĀ veteran.[2]Ā The annual holiday was created through passage of Bill C-227, introduced byĀ Brent St. Denis, theĀ Member of ParliamentĀ forĀ Algoma-Manitoulin.[3]Ā By law, it is required that theĀ Canadian flagĀ on theĀ Peace TowerĀ ofĀ Parliament HillĀ inĀ OttawaĀ be lowered to half-mast.[4]Ā Small ceremonies, including the laying of wreaths, also normally take place at the Canadian National War Memorial in Ottawa, theĀ Canadian National Vimy MemorialĀ in France and other areas across Canada.
World Autism Awareness DayĀ is anĀ internationally recognized dayĀ on 2 April every year, encouragingĀ Member StatesĀ of theĀ United NationsĀ to take measures to raise awareness about people withĀ autistic spectrum disordersĀ includingĀ autismĀ andĀ Asperger syndromeĀ throughout the world. It was designated by theĀ United Nations General AssemblyĀ resolution “62/139. World Autism Awareness Day”, passed in council on 1 November 2007, and adopted on 18 December 2007. It was proposed by the United Nations representative fromĀ Qatar, Her HighnessĀ SheikhaĀ Mozah Bint Nasser Al-Missned,Ā ConsortĀ of His HighnessĀ SheikhĀ Hamad Bin Khalifa Al-Thani, theĀ EmirĀ of the State of Qatar, and supported by all member states.
World Autism Awareness DayĀ – TimeAndDate.com
International Transgender Day of VisibilityĀ is an annual event occurring on March 31Ā dedicated to celebratingĀ transgenderĀ people andĀ raising awarenessĀ of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. The day was founded by US-based transgender activistĀ Rachel Crandall ofĀ MichiganĀ in 2009Ā as a reaction to the lack ofĀ LGBTĀ recognition of transgender people, citing the frustration that the only well-known transgender-centered day was theĀ Transgender Day of Remembrance, which mourned the murders of transgender people, but did not acknowledge and celebrate living members of the transgender community. The first International Transgender Day of Visibility was held on March 31, 2009. It has since been spearheaded by the U.S.-based youth advocacy organizationĀ Trans Student Educational Resources.
For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history.
Every year on 25 March, the International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade offers the opportunity to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. The International Day also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice today.
World Down Syndrome DayĀ (WDSD) is marked each year on March 21,Ā beginning in 2006. The 21st day of March (the 3rd month of the year) was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causesĀ Down syndrome.Ā It is not yet know why this syndrome occurs, but Down syndrome has always been a part of the human condition. It exists in all regions across the globe and commonly results in variable effects on learning styles, physical characteristics and health.
Adequate access to health care, to early intervention programs, and to inclusive education, as well as appropriate research, are vital to the growth and development of the individual.
TheĀ International Day for the Elimination of Racial DiscriminationĀ isĀ observedĀ annually onĀ 21 March. On that day, in 1960, policeĀ opened fireĀ and killed 69 people at a peacefulĀ demonstrationĀ inĀ Sharpeville,Ā South Africa, against theĀ apartheidĀ pass laws. Proclaiming the day in 1966, theĀ United Nations General AssemblyĀ called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms ofĀ racialĀ discrimination.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination – United Nations
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Saint Patrick’s Day, or theĀ Feast of Saint PatrickĀ (Irish:Ā LĆ” FhĆ©ile PĆ”draig,Ā lit.Ā ‘the Day of the Festival of Patrick’), is a cultural and religious celebration held on 17 March, the traditional death date ofĀ Saint PatrickĀ (c.ā385Ā ā c.ā461), the foremostĀ patron saintĀ ofĀ Ireland.
Saint Patrick’s Day was made an official ChristianĀ feast dayĀ in the early 17th century and is observed by theĀ Catholic Church, theĀ Anglican CommunionĀ (especially theĀ Church of Ireland),Ā theĀ Eastern Orthodox Church, and theĀ Lutheran Church. The day commemorates Saint Patrick and the arrival ofĀ Christianity in Ireland,Ā and celebrates theĀ heritage and cultureĀ ofĀ the IrishĀ in general.Ā Celebrations generally involve public parades and festivals,Ā cĆ©ilĆs, and the wearing of green attire orĀ shamrocks.Ā Christians who belong to liturgical denominations also attendĀ church servicesĀ and historically theĀ LentenĀ restrictionsĀ on eatingĀ andĀ drinking alcoholĀ were lifted for the day, which has encouraged and propagated the holiday’s tradition of alcohol consumption.
TheĀ Israʾ and MiŹærajĀ (Arabic:Ā Ų§ŁŲ„Ų³Ų±Ų§Ų” ŁŲ§ŁŁ
Ų¹Ų±Ų§Ų¬ā,Ā al-āIsrÄā wal-MiŹærÄj) are the two parts of aĀ Night JourneyĀ that, according toĀ Islam, theĀ Islamic prophetĀ MuhammadĀ took during a single night around the year 621. WithinĀ IslamĀ it signifies both a physical and spiritual journey.Ā TheĀ QuranĀ surahĀ al-IsraĀ contains an outline account,Ā while greater detail is found in theĀ hadithĀ collections of the reports, teachings, deeds and sayings of Muhammad. In the accounts of theĀ Israʾ, Muhammad is said to have traveled on the back of a winged baby-horse-like white beast, calledĀ Buraq, (Arabic: Ų§ŁŁŲØŁŲ±ŁŲ§Ł al-BurÄq or /ƦlĖbŹrÉĖk/ “lightning” or more generally “bright”) to “the farthestĀ mosque“. By tradition this mosque, which came to represent the physical world, was identified as theĀ Al-Aqsa MosqueĀ inĀ Jerusalem. At Masjid-e-Aqsa, Muhammad is said to have led the other prophets in prayer. His subsequent ascent into theĀ heavensĀ came to be known as theĀ MiŹæraj. Muhammad’s journey and ascent is marked as one of the most celebrated dates in theĀ Islamic calendar.
HoliĀ (Ā /ĖhoŹliĖ/) is a popular ancientĀ Hindu festival, also known as theĀ “festival of spring”, theĀ “festival of colours”, and theĀ “festival of love”.Ā The festival signifies the triumph of good over evil.Ā It originated and is predominantly celebrated inĀ India, but has also spread to other regions ofĀ AsiaĀ and parts of theĀ Western worldĀ through the diaspora from the Indian subcontinent.
Holi celebrates the arrival of spring, the end of winter, the blossoming of love, and for many it’s a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships.Ā The festival also celebrates the beginning of a good springĀ harvestĀ season.Ā It lasts for a night and a day, starting on the evening of theĀ PurnimaĀ (Full Moon day) falling in theĀ Hindu calendarĀ month ofĀ Phalguna, which falls around middle of March in theĀ Gregorian calendar. The first evening is known asĀ Holika DahanĀ (burning of demon holika) orĀ Chhoti HoliĀ and the following day as Holi,Ā Rangwali Holi,Ā Dhuleti,Ā Dhulandi,Ā orĀ Phagwah.
Bodhi DayĀ is the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha,Ā Siddhartha GautamaĀ (Shakyamuni), experiencedĀ enlightenment,Ā also known asĀ bodhiĀ inĀ SanskritĀ andĀ Pali. According to tradition, Siddhartha had recently forsaken years of extreme ascetic practices and resolved to sit under aĀ peepalĀ tree, also known as a Bodhi tree (Ficus religiosa), and simply meditate until he found the root of suffering, and how to liberate oneself from it.
Celebrated on the 8th day of the 12th lunar month of the Chinese calendar, or December 8 in Japan.
World Braille Day is anĀ internationalĀ dayĀ celebrated on January 4th and it celebratesĀ awarenessĀ of the importance ofĀ brailleĀ as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind andĀ visually impairedĀ people.Ā The date for the event was chosen by theĀ United Nations General AssemblyĀ via a proclamation in November 2018, and marks the birthday ofĀ Louis Braille, creator of this writing system.Ā The first World Braille Day was celebrated on January 4, 2019.
World Braille Day ā TimeAndDate.com
Eastern Orthodox Christians annually celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 to remember Jesus Christās birth, described in the Christian Bible. This date works to theĀ Julian calendarĀ that pre-dates theĀ Gregorian calendar, which is commonly observed.
Makar SankrantiĀ orĀ MaghiĀ or simplyĀ Sankranthi, is a festival day in theĀ Hindu calendar, dedicated to the deityĀ SuryaĀ (sun). It is observed each year in the lunar month ofĀ MaghaĀ which corresponds with the month of January as per the Gregorian calendar and is a day the people of India and Nepal celebrate their harvest.Ā It is usually held on January 14th or 15th and it marks the first day of the sunās transit intoĀ MakaraĀ rashi (Capricorn), marking the end of the month with theĀ winter solsticeĀ and the start of longer days.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day, officially Birthday of Martin Luther King,Ā Jr.,Ā and sometimes referred to asĀ MLK Day,Ā is aĀ federal holidayĀ in theĀ United StatesĀ marking the birthday ofĀ Martin Luther King Jr.Ā Kingās birthday is January 15 and this day is observed on the third Monday of January each year.Ā It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr., an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day in the United States ā Timeanddate.com
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is anĀ ecumenicalĀ ChristianĀ observance in theĀ Christian kalendarĀ that is celebrated internationally. It is kept annually betweenĀ Ascension DayĀ andĀ PentecostĀ in the Southern Hemisphere and between 18 January and 25 January in the Northern Hemisphere. It is anĀ octave, that is, an observance lasting eight days.
The Week of Prayer for Christian Unity is annually coordinated by theĀ World Council of Churches, with participation by its member Churches, which include theĀ Assyrian Church of the East, theĀ Oriental Orthodox Churches, theĀ Eastern Orthodox Churches, theĀ Old Catholic Church, theĀ Moravian Church, theĀ Lutheran Churches, theĀ Anglican Communion, theĀ Mennonite Churches, theĀ Methodist ChurchesĀ and theĀ Reformed Churches, as well as theĀ Baptist ChurchesĀ and theĀ Pentecostal Churches.[1]Ā TheĀ Roman Catholic Church, which is an observer in the World Council of Churches, celebrates the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity.
Bell Letās TalkĀ is anĀ awarenessĀ campaign created by the Canadian telecommunications company,Ā Bell Canada, in an effort to raise awareness and combat stigma surroundingĀ mental illnessĀ inĀ Canada.Ā It is notably the single largest corporate commitment to mental health in Canada. Originally a five-year, $50 million program to help create a stigma-free Canada and drive action in mental health care, research, and the workplace, Bell Letās Talk was renewed in 2015 for another five years with a target of committing $100 million. In 2020, the Bell Letās Talk initiative was again renewed for a further 5 years, and a commitment of $155 million.Ā The most prominent part of the initiative is āBell Letās Talk Day,ā an annual one-day advertising campaign where money is donated to mental health funds based on the number of social media and communication āinteractionsā that include the branded hashtag, #BellLetsTalk, or itsĀ Canadian FrenchĀ equivalent, #BellCause. Bell Letās Talk Day is usually held near the end of January.
Vasant Panchami is a Hindu festival that highlights the coming of spring. On this day Hindus worship Saraswati Devi, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, art, and culture. The festival is celebrated by people in various ways depending upon the region in theĀ Indian subcontinent. Vasant Panchami also marks the start of preparation for Holika andĀ Holi, which take place forty days later.Ā The Vasant Utsava (festival) on Panchami is celebrated forty days before Spring, because any seasonās transition period is 40 days, and after that, the season comes into full bloom. It is held during January or February.
Tu BiShevat, inĀ Hebrew:Ā ××“× ×ש××ā;Ā tĆŗ bishāvat,Ā is aĀ Jewish holidayĀ occurring on the 15th day of theĀ Hebrew monthĀ ofĀ ShevatĀ It is held in January or February. It is also calledĀ Rosh HaShanah LaāIlanotĀ (Hebrew: ר×ש ××©× × ××××× ××Ŗā), literally āNew Year of the Treesā. In contemporaryĀ Israel, the day is celebrated as an ecological awareness day, and trees are planted in celebration.
Lunar New YearĀ (traditional Chinese:Ā č¾²ęę°å¹“, äøåę°å¹“;Ā simplified Chinese:Ā ååę°å¹“, äøå½ę°å¹“;Ā pinyin:Ā nónglƬ xÄ«n niĆ”n, zhÅngguó xÄ«n niĆ”n) is the festival that celebrates the beginning of aĀ new yearĀ on the traditional lunar calendar. InĀ Chinese cultureĀ and East Asian countries, the festival is commonly referred to as theĀ Spring FestivalĀ (traditional Chinese:Ā ę„ēÆ;Ā simplified Chinese:Ā ę„č;Ā pinyin:Ā ChÅ«n JiĆ©) as theĀ springĀ season in the lunisolar calendar traditionally starts withĀ lichun, the first of the twenty-fourĀ solar termsĀ which the festival celebrates around the time of.[2]Ā Marking the end ofĀ winterĀ and the beginning of the spring season, observances traditionally take place fromĀ New Yearās Eve, the evening preceding the first day of the year to theĀ Lantern Festival, held on the 15th day of the year. The first day of Lunar New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.
Chinese New Year in Canada ā TimeAndDate.com
World Interfaith Harmony WeekĀ is a UN resolution for a worldwide week of interfaith harmony proposed in 2010 byĀ King Abdullah IIĀ andĀ Prince Ghazi bin MuhammadĀ ofĀ Jordan. The World Interfaith Harmony Week falls in the first week of February of every yearĀ and aims to promote harmony between all people regardless of their faith.
An observance honouring the signing of what later became theĀ 13th AmendmentĀ to theĀ U.S. ConstitutionĀ on February 1, 1865 by PresidentĀ Abraham Lincoln, outlawing slavery.
National Freedom Day in the United States ā TimeAndDate.com
Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the long fast forĀ LentĀ for some Christians in Canada. It has many names, including Fat Tuesday, Mardi Gras, the Tuesday of Carnival, and Pancake Day. It often coincides with or falls close to the dates for the winter carnival celebrations that occur in the January/February period. Though named for its former religious significance, it is chiefly marked by feasting and celebration, which traditionally preceded the observance of theĀ Lenten fast. It is observed by various Christian denominations. Shrove Tuesday is the day beforeĀ Ash Wednesday, observed in many Christian countries through participating inĀ confession and absolution, the ritual burning of the previous yearāsĀ Holy WeekĀ palms, finalizing oneāsĀ Lenten sacrifice, as well as eating pancakes and other sweets.
Shrove Tuesday is exactly 47 days before Easter Sunday, aĀ moveable feastĀ based on the cycles of the moon. The date can be any between 3 February and 9 March inclusive.
Shrove Tuesday ā TimeAndDate.com
Ash WednesdayĀ is aĀ ChristianĀ holy day ofĀ prayerĀ andĀ fasting. It is preceded byĀ Shrove TuesdayĀ and falls on the first day ofĀ Lent,Ā the six weeks ofĀ penitenceĀ beforeĀ Easter. Ash Wednesday is traditionally observed byĀ Western Christians. It is observed byĀ CatholicsĀ in theĀ Roman Rite,Ā Anglicans,Ā Lutherans,Ā Methodists,Ā Moravians, andĀ Independent Catholics, as well as by many from theĀ ReformedĀ faith (inclusive of theĀ Congregationalist,Ā Continental Reformed, andĀ PresbyterianĀ traditions).
Ash Wednesday derives its name from the placing of repentanceĀ ashesĀ on the foreheads of participants to either the words āRepent, and believe in the Gospelā or the dictum āRemember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.ā[6]Ā The ashes are prepared by burningĀ palm leavesĀ from the previous yearāsĀ Palm SundayĀ celebrations.
World Hearing DayĀ is a campaign held each year by Office of Prevention of Blindness and Deafness of theĀ World Health OrganizationĀ (WHO). Activities take place across the globe and an event is hosted at the World Health Organization on March 3. The campaignās objectives are to share information and promote actions towards the prevention ofĀ hearing lossĀ and improved hearing care. The first event was held in 2007.[1]Ā Before 2016 it was known asĀ International Ear Care Day.[2]Ā Each year, the WHO selects a theme, develops educational materials, and makes these freely available in several languages. It also coordinates and reports on events around the globe.
International Womenās DayĀ (IWD) is celebrated on the 8th of March every year around the world.Ā It is a focal point in the movement forĀ womenās rights.
After theĀ Socialist Party of AmericaĀ organized a Womenās Day inĀ New York CityĀ on February 28, 1909, German delegatesĀ Clara Zetkin,Ā KƤte Duncker,Ā Paula ThiedeĀ and others proposed at theĀ 1910 International Socialist Womanās ConferenceĀ that āa special Womenās Dayā be organized annually.Ā After women gained suffrage inĀ Soviet RussiaĀ in 1917, March 8 became a nationalĀ holidayĀ there.Ā The day was then predominantly celebrated by theĀ socialist movementĀ andĀ communist countriesĀ until it was adopted by the feminist movement in about 1967. TheĀ United NationsĀ began celebrating the day in 1977.
Commemoration of International Womenās Day today ranges from being a public holiday in some countries to being largely ignored elsewhere.Ā In some places, it is a day of protest; in others, it is a day that celebrates womanhood.
Purim (PĆ»rĆ®mĀ ālotsā, from the word פ×רāĀ pur, translated as ālotā in theĀ Esther, perhaps related to AkkadianĀ pÅ«ruĀ āstone, urnā;[2]Ā also called theĀ Festival of Lots)Ā is a Jewish holidayĀ which commemorates the saving of the Jewish people fromĀ Haman, anĀ Achaemenid Persian EmpireĀ official who was planning to kill all the Jews, as recounted in theĀ Book of Esther (×××××Ŗ ×התרāĀ Megillat EsterĀ in Hebrew; usually dated to the 5th century BC).
Many Jewish Canadians celebrate it on the 14th day of the month of Adar in the Jewish calendar, which is in February or March in the Gregorian calendar.