Multicultural Calendar
January 2008—December 2008

Muslim symbol Jewish symbol Hindu symbol Christian symbol Buddhist symbol ying yang symbol

Special Notes for Religious Celebrations

BAHA’I: The dates refer to the Baha’i day which begins at sunset on the preceding day and ends at sunset on the date listed.

BUDDHISM: Holy Days are synchronized with the phases of the moon; thus they vary from year to year according to the Gregorian calendar. ***

CHRISTIANITY: Some Holy Days have the same date each year; others vary from year to year.

HINDUISM: The dates change each year, based on the lunar calendar.

ISLAM: The dates are based on actual sightings of the crescent moon. *

JUDAISM: All Jewish holidays begin and end at sundown on the dates listed. **

SIKHISM: The calendar is based on the length of the tropical solar year, instead of the lunar cycle.

January 2008

January 1st
University Holiday

New Years Day is observed in all the countries following the Gregorian calendar. (University Holiday)
Gantan Sai also known as Shogatu is the Shinto New Year popularly celebrated in Japan.
St. Basil’s Feast Day is the Greek New Year and is celebrated to commemorate the kindness and generosity of St. Basil towards the poor. St. Basil was the forefather of the Greek Orthodox Church. (Orthodox Christian)

January 5th

Guru Gobindh Singh’s birthday. (Sikhism)
Twelfth Night marks the coming of Epiphany concluding the twelve days of Christmas.

January 6th

Epiphany (Three Kings Day-Dia de los Reyes) is celebrated twelve days after Christmas; it marks the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus.

January 7th

Feast of the Nativity ( Eastern Orthodox Christmas)
Muharram is the Muslim New Year and beginning the first of the lunar months.*

January 13th

Baptism of the Lord Jesus Commemorates the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan by John the Baptist
St Hilary’s Day is observed as the coldest day of the year. St. Hilary was a fourth century bishop of the Poitiers.
Maghi is observed by the Sikh to honor the heroic battle of the Forty Liberated Ones who laid their lives to save Guru Gobind Singh.

January 14th

Orthodox (Russian) New Year was celebrated on January 13th/14th in the 20th and 21st centuries.

January 17th

Blessings Of The Animals; Hispanic Christians observe this day to show respect for the domestic animals that matter a lot to people. Observed on various dates - especially related to St. Francis.

January 18th-25th

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity; during this week Christians pray for the restoration of unity between churches of the Christian faith.

January 19th

Ashura*; the day of Ashura or the tenth day of the first Islamic month is observed by Muslims as a whole. Shia Muslims observe Ashura to mark the martyrdom of Hussain. This day also commemorates the day when Noah left the ark, and when Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God.

January 20th

World Religion Day is observed by the Baha’is to enhance and commemorate interfaith harmony and understanding.

January 21st

Martin Luther King Day commemorates the birth of Martin Luther King Jr. who was born on January 15th, 1929. One of the world’s best known advocates of non-violent social change, King was the recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize in December of 1964. He was assassinated on April 4th, 1968, and remains a symbol of the struggle for civil rights.
St Agnes Day commemorates the martyrdom of Agnes who was martyred at the tender age of 13. She gave up her life for her faith and is one of seven women, excluding the Blessed Virgin, mentioned by name in the Canon of the Mass. She is the patron saint of chastity, gardeners, girls, engaged couples, rape victims and virgins.

January 22nd

Tu B'shvat** is "The New Year For the Trees" and is celebrated on the fifteenth day of the Hebrew month of Shevat
Mahayana*** New Year is celebrated by the Buddhists on the first full moon day in January.

January 25th

Conversion of St Paul: Christians celebrate this day to mark St Paul’s conversion to Christianity; when he was faced with the vision of Jesus while on his way to persecute Christians and became an avid supporter of Jesus. Observed at worship services.

January 31st

Birthday of Guru Har Rai was the seventh Sikh guru.

February 2008

Black History Month

February 2nd

Candlemas Day (Christian, Wiccan & Pagan) is a purifying ceremony to commemorate new beginnings (with the light.) in Christianity the day marks when Mary took Jesus to the temple in Jerusalem 40 days after his birth. It has also been a day for weather predictions: “If Candlemas be fair and clear, two winters you will have this year,” leading to the celebration of Groundhog Day which originated in Germany.
Groundhog Day (USA & Canada) is based on the old belief that if the sun shines on Candlemas Day, or if the groundhog sees its shadow when it emerges from its den, we will experience six more weeks of winter.
Imbolc is celebrated by the Pagans and is also referred to as Candlemas it is celebrated to commemorate the awakening of the land and the rising power of the Sun.

February 3rd

Four Chaplains Sunday (Interfaith) is observed to celebrate the event that occurred during the Second World War in which four chaplains of Jewish and Christian traditions gave their life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean.
Transfiguration Sunday commemorates Jesus’ experience on Mount Tabor when his physical appearance became radiant as his connection with traditional Jewish holy figures became obvious to the disciples.
Rissun observed by the Shinto’s. It is a spring festival that marks the division between winter and spring and is celebrated with beans.

February 5th

Shrove Tuesday (Christians) is the last day before Lent. Many people celebrate this day or days prior to it by having carnivals such as Mardi Gras held in France and Louisiana and by festivals in Germany and Latin America. In England it became known as “Shrove Tuesday” because people went to church to “shrove” or “confess” their sins.

February 6th

Ash Wednesday Christians observe this day to mark the beginning of the 40 day season of Lent; the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness. To show atonement and remorse ashes are marked on worshippers.

February 7th

Chinese New Year (Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist) based on the lunar calendar 2008 marks the “Year of the Rat.”

February 8th

Losar*** meaning “Start” is celebrated by the Buddhists. It is the most important holiday in Tibet marking the Tibetan New year. Celebrations for this festival last for three days from today.
Parinirvana – Nirvana Day***; this day is celebrated by the Buddhists to mark the death anniversary of Buddha. Pure Land Buddhists call the festival "Nirvana Day". Parinirvana is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th.

February 11th

Vasant Panchami celebrates spring, or Basant, and Sarasvati, the Hindu goddess of learning and the arts. This is the time when some children begin learning the 50 letters used in the Sanskrit alphabet.
Our Lady Of Lourdes commemorates the day in 1858 when St Bernadette had her first vision of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

February 14th

St Valentines Day is now more of a secular than a religious festival and is celebrated almost all over the world now. This day is celebrated by the exchange of gifts that convey affection and love. The history of this holiday cannot be traced with any one origin with authenticity. One version of the story tells of a priest named Valentine who would secretly marry people forbidden to wed by law. The emperor believed that he could form a larger and stronger army if men remained single and had no family ties. Valentine was arrested and beheaded on February 14th. Since he was a champion of love, he came to be known as the patron saint of lovers.

February 15th

Nirvana Day (alternative)*** is celebrated by some Buddhists on February 8th. Nirvana Day is the commemoration of Buddha's death when he reached the zenith of Nirvana, at the age of 80.

February 17th

Triodion is the Orthodox Christian time period leading up to Lent. The liturgy involves hymns, odes and scriptures.

February 18th

President’s Day (USA) originally honored Presidents Washington and Lincoln and now serves as a reminder of the contribution of all U.S. presidents.

February 26th

Intercalary Days observed by the Baha’is. It involves the insertion of days into the Baha’i calendar in order to maintain their solar calendar. This day is observed from February 26th to March 1st.

March 2008

March is Women’s History Month: In 1987, March was declared the Women’s History Month, recognizing women from all walks of life regardless of their caste, color, creed, culture and age for their valuable contributions towards our shared history.

March 1st

St David’s Day is observed by the Christians. St David was a Celtic Christian saint who was known for his wisdom and missionary work. He is also known as the Dewi Saint and is the Patron saint of Wales.
All Souls Day is celebrated by the Orthodox Christians and is a day for prayers and remembrance for the dead. Prayers of the faithful are said to help purify the souls for the vision of God in heaven.

March 2nd

Start of Nineteen Day Fast; the Baha’is fast from sunrise to sunset during this period till the 20th of March.
Mothering Sunday; is observed by the Christians. It is the fourth Sunday of lent.
Four Chaplains Sunday; observed by the Christians/Jewish celebrate the event that occurred during the Second World War in which four chaplains of Jewish and Christian traditions gave their life jackets to others as a troop ship sank in the Atlantic Ocean.
Meatfare Sunday; observed by the Orthodox Christians two weeks before the start of Lent to prepare the faithful for the resurrection of Christ. This is the last day for the eating of meat before Lent.

March 3rd

Hina-Matsuri ( The Festival of Dolls); observed by the Shintos to celebrate and honor the daughters in the family.
Magha Puja Day -This day marks an event early in the Buddha's teaching life when a group of 1,250 enlightened saints, ordained by the Buddha, gathered to pay their respects to him.

March 5th

St Piran’s Day; observed by the Christians. He is the patron saint of Cornwall and tin miners. He was of Irish descent and legend has it that he discovered the process for smelting tin.

March 6th

Mahashivratri; celebrated by the Hindus to honor Shiva, one of the Hindu deities.

March 7th

Women’s World Day of Prayers; a Multifaith observance and has been a tradition since 1887, celebrated on the first Friday of March.

March 9th
Daylight Saving Time starts

Cheesefare Sunday; also known as Forgiveness Sunday is observed by the Orthodox Christians. It is final day of Pre-Lent and orthodox Christians eat dairy products till Easter.

March 10th

Clean Monday (Lent begins); Lent starts for the Orthodox Christians and is observed seven weeks before Orthodox Easter. It is also referred to as Clean Monday. This is the time for reflection and preparation for the Holy Week and Easter by fasting, giving charity and worshipping.

March 16th

Palm Sunday; celebrated by the Christians to commemorate the entry of Jesus in Jerusalem. It is the sixth and last Sunday of Lent and the beginning of the Holy Week.

March 17th

St Patrick’s Day; a Christian observance. St. Patrick’s is the patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to Ireland in the early days of the faith.

March 19th

St Joseph’s Day; also known as the Feast Of St. Joseph and in some churches as the Solemnity of Saint Joseph is celebrated in some Christian Churches to commemorate St. Joseph, the spouse of Mary and the foster-father of Jesus.

March 20th

Eid Milad Un Nabi; the Islamic commemoration of the birthday of the Holy Prophet (pbuh). The Shia Muslims celebrate this day five days later.
Maundy Thursday; Christians commemorate this day in honor of the Last Supper, when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and established the ceremony known as Eucharist.
Spring Equinox – Eoster; is observed to celebrate the renewed life that comes with the arrival of spring.
Mabon; celebrated to commemorate the harvesting time. It is the Wicca observance of the autumnal equinox when the day and night are of equal length.

March 21st

Good Friday; celebrated by the Christians to commemorate the execution of Jesus by crucifixion and is observed on the Friday before Easter.
Holi; is the Hindu spring festival. It is celebrated with great fun and fervor and involves showering each other with color and merry making.
Purim; observed by the Jews to mark the time when the Jewish community living in Persia were saved from genocide due to the because of the courage of a young Jewish woman named Esther. On Purim the Jewish indulge in extreme merry making, give out charity and share food with friends.
Zoroastrian Jamshedi Nau Roz (Fasli); New Year day in the Fasli calendar.
Zoroastrian Jamshedi Nau Roz (Qadimi); New Year day in the Qdimi calendar.
Baha’i Nau Roz; Baha’i New Year
Shubun Sai – equinox Day; observed by the Shinto by visiting graves.

March 22nd

Memorial of Christ’s Death; this is the only religious festival celebrated by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.
Hola Mohalla; the day after Holi the sikh celebrate Hola Mohalla in which mock battles are fought and fêtes of martial arts are displayed along with religious discussions and music at Anand sahib.
Holy Saturday; celebrated by the Christians to mark the seventh and last day of the Holy Week. It is the last day before Easter.

March 23rd

Easter; is one of the most important Christian festivals celebrated to mark the Resurrection of Jesus Christ – his return from death after the crucifixion. Observances include special prayer services at Sunrise, music, feasting and parades.

March 24th

Easter Monday; is the day after Easter Sunday and is an official holiday in some Christian countries and in the state of North Carolina.

March 25th

Annunciation of the Virgin Mary; commemorates the angel Gabriel’s message to the Virgin Mary that she would give birth to the incarnation of Christ.

March 26th

Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra); the birthday of Zoroaster, celebrated by the Zoroastrians according to the Fasli calendar. Also known as the Greater Nauroz.

April 2008

April 6th

Bikarami Samvat – Varsha –Pratipada; is a popular Hindu spring festival celebrated in South India.

April 13th

Vaisakhi also called Baisaki; is the Sikh New Year festival, which also marks the founding of the Khalsa a distinctive Sikh brotherhood, founded by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699.

April 14th

Ramanavami; a Hindu festival celebrating the birthday of Lord Rama. This day is celebrated by telling stories and going to the temple.

April 18th

Birthday Of Guru Tegh Bahadur (Nanakshai Calendar); was the ninth Sikh guru.
Birthday Of Guru Angad Dev; was the second Sikh Guru.
Mahavira Jayanti; birthday of Lord Mahavira, he was the founder of modern Jainism.

April 19th

Hanuman Jayanti; is the birthday of Hanuman, the monkey god.
Lazarus Sunday; Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Lazarus by Jesus. It is celebrated on the eve of Palm Sunday; revealing that Jesus in "the resurrection and life" of all mankind

April 20th

Jewish Passover; a Jewish festival celebrated each spring to recall the Jew’s deliverance out of slavery in Egypt in 1300 BC. It is a celebration of freedom. The first two nights of Passover a traditional Sedar Meal is eaten and story is retold and passed down from generation to generation. This is an eight day celebration during which no bread or leavened food is eaten.

April 21st

Ridvan; celebrated by the Baha’i to commemorate the Bahaullah’s declaration of prophet hood. It is the most important event in the Baha’i calendar and is celebrated for twelve days with work being suspended on the 1st, 9th and 12th of the festival.
Rastafari; marks Haile Selassie the Emperor of Ethiopia’s visit to Jamaica in 1966. The Rastafari movement surfaced in Jamaica among the peasant and working-class black people based on their belief that Haile Selassie was the Savior and that he will return to Africa the members of the black community that are living in exile. The Rastafari movement propagated through the interest in reggae music most notably that of Bob Marley the Jamaican born singer and song writer.

April 22nd

Earth Day; first observed in the United States in the 1970’s it is celebrated to remind people of our environment and how our habits affect our environment.

April 23rd

St. Georges Day; is the patron saint of England he is known for his martial valor and selflessness.

April 27th

Easter (Orthodox); the Orthodox Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, his return from death after the crucifixion. It is considered to be the most important Christian festival.
Last Day Of Passover (Jewish)

April 29th

Ridvan – 9th Day (Baha’i); commemorates the time when the Bahaullah’s family came to reside in the Ridvan Garden.

May 2008

Asian American Heritage Month

May 1st

Ascension Day; Christians celebrate this day 40 days after Easter to commemorate the final earthly appearance of Jesus after his resurrection. The Christians believe that Jesus ascended into heaven.
Beltane; Pagans celebrate the unison of the god and goddess which is believed to be the basis of all creation. This festival is celebrated with maypole dances.

May 2nd

Yom HaShoah; is the Holocaust Remembrance Day, a secular rather then a religious holiday established by the government of Israel. There are a variety of memorable observances both in Israel and the USA.
Ridvan 12th Day (Baha’i); commemorates the time when Bahaullah’s family departed from the Garden of Ridvan.
Birthday Of Guru Arjan Dev; the fifth of the Sikh Gurus (1563-1606)

May 5th

Cinco de Mayo; means the “The fifth of May” in Spanish. This day commemorates a battle that was won on this day in 1862 during the years that the Mexicans were struggling to drive foreign armies from the country and became an independent nation. In the USA this day is celebrated in a zesty spirit with parades, food, musical events and dances.

May 8th

Israel Independence Day (Yom HaAtzmaut); celebrates the day on which modern Israel became an independent state – May 14th, 1948.

May 11th

Pentecost; is the seventh day after Easter. Celebrated by the Christians to commemorate the descent of the Holy Spirit on the disciples in the form of tongues of fire and rushing wind. A traditional day for baptism and confirmation of new Christians.
Mother’s Day; in 1872, Julia Ward Howe (author of the Battle Hymn of the Republic) suggested this day be dedicated to peace. Mother’s Day meetings were held yearly in Boston Massachusetts on this day. In 1907 Ana Jarvis began a campaign to establish a National Mother’s Day on the second Sunday of May. It took four years and in 1911 it was proclaimed a national holiday. Countries celebrating Mother’s Day are the USA, Denmark, Finland, Italy, Turkey, Australia and Belgium.

May 18th

Trinity Sunday; the first Sunday after Pentecost and Christians celebrate this day by honoring the belief in one God with a threefold nature.
All Saints Day; is celebrated by the Orthodox Christians to Honor all the saints known and unknown of the Christian Church.

May 20th

Threvada New Year; celebrated by the Threvada Buddhists from the first full moon day in April for three days.
Buddha Day – Vesak; is the most important day in the Buddhist calendar. This day commemorates Buddha’s birth, enlightenment and death.

May 22nd

Corpus Christi - Catholic Christian; is celebrated in honor of the Eucharist.

May 23rd

Lag B'Omer; a Jewish observance to mark the thirty-third day of the counting of the Omer.
Declaration Of The Bab; Siyid’ Ali-Muhammad declared himself to be the Bab, or the Gate of God, on May 23rd, 1844. This date marks the beginning of the Baha’i faith, the Baha’i Era (B.E.) and the Baha’i calendar. School and work are suspended on this day.
Birthday of Guru Amar Das; Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Amar Das, the third of the Sikh gurus.

May 26th
University Holiday

Memorial Day (USA); was first observed in 1868 to honor the dead of the Civil War. It has come to include lives lost in all the wars.

May 29th

Ascension of Baha’u’llah (Baha’i); death anniversary of Baha’u’llah. School and work are suspended.

May 30th

Sacred Heart of Jesus; is observed by the Roman Catholics to commemorate Christ’s all encompassing love for humanity.

June 2008

June is Gay, Lesbian, Bisexual, and Transgender (GLBT) Pride Month

June 9th

Shavuot; observed by the Jewish to celebrate the giving of the Torah, God’s gift to the Jewish people, which is a guide for how to live in this world. It occurs seven weeks after Passover.

June 14th

Flag Day (USA); is observed to celebrate the history and the symbolism of the American flag.

June 15th

Father’s Day (USA); the idea for creating a day for children to honor their father began in Spokane, Washington. A woman named Sonora Smart Dodd thought of the idea for Father’s Day while listening to a Mother’s Day sermon in 1909. Having been raised by her father, after her mother’s death, she wanted her father to know how special he was to her. Sonora’s father was born in June, so she chose to hold the first Father’s Day celebration in Spokane, Washington on the 19th of June, 1910. In 1972, President Richard Nixon established a permanent national observance of Father’s Day to be held on the third Sunday.

June 16th

Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev (Nanakshahi Calendar); Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh guru and the first Sikh martyr. He was responsible for compiling all the writings of all the past gurus and formulating the Sikh Holy Scripture known as the Guru Granth Sahib.

June 18

Visakah Puja (Buddha Day); The holiest day of the Buddhist calendar, Visakha Puja marks the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha on the day of the full moon in May

June 19th

Juneteenth; also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day and is observed as a public holiday in fourteen states of the United States. This is an African –American celebration that honors the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas and Louisiana finally heard they were free, two months after the end of the Civil War. June 19th, therefore, became the day for independence for thousands of African Americans.

June 20th

Summer Solstice; is the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere and occurs on or around June 22nd.

June 24th

Midsummer Eve Festivals; observed in Northern Europe and are Pagan in origin. Celebrated at the height of the brilliant northern summer before the first harvest, this has always been one of the most popular festivals in Northern Europe, especially in Sweden.
GLBT Pride Day (USA); this event emerged from the 1969 Stonewall Rebellion, when patrons of a gay New York nightclub, The Stonewall Inn, resisted police attempt to raid the club.

June 29th

St Peter’s Day; observed by the Roman Catholic, Anglican, and Lutheran churches to honor the disciple chosen by Jesus to give leadership to the church.

July 2008

July 4th
University Holiday

Independence Day (USA); the Declaration of Independence was signed on this day in 1776. This document proclaimed the independence of the thirteen colonies from allegiance to the British Crown and the dissolution of all political ties with Great Britain.

July 5th

Birthday of Guru Hargobind Singh (Nanakshahi Calendar); the Sikh celebrate the birthday of their sixth guru on this day.

July 9th

Martyrdom of the Bab; anniversary of the Bab’s execution in Tabriz, Iran in 1850.

July 18th

Asala – Dharma Day; the Buddhist commemorate the anniversary of the start of the Buddha’s teachings- his first sermon, “The Wheel of Truth”, after he achieved Nirvana.

July 20th

17th Tammuz; an important Jewish day for fasting.

July 23rd

Birthday of Guru Har Krishen (Nanakshahi Calendar); was the eighth of the Sikh gurus.
Birthday of Haile Selassie I; Haile Selassie was the Emperor of Ethiopia who the Rastas considered to be God and their Savior who would return to Africa the members of the black community who are living in exile.

July 24th

Pioneer Day; observed by the Mormons to commemorate the arrival in 1847 of the first Latter Day Saints pioneer in Salt Lake Valley.

July 26th

Khordad Sal (Qadimi Calendar); observed by Zoroastrians on this day according to the Qadimi calendar to commemorate the birthday of Zoroaster.

July 31st

Lailat Ul Mairaj; Islamic observance of Muhammad (pbuh) night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven.

August 2008

August 1st

Lughnasadh – Lammas; a Pagan harvest festival of Celtic origin that splits the year into four.

August 6th

Transfiguration; A Christian celebration to commemorate the experience on Mt Tabor when Jesus' physical appearance became brilliant as his connection with traditional Jewish holy figures became evident to the disciples.

August 7th

National Night Out (USA) begun in 1998, is a fun and low-key way to fight crime by meeting your neighbors through a barbecue, ice cream social, or other function.

August 10th

Tisha B’ Av; observed by the Jewish to commemorate the tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people over the years coincidentally on this day.

August 15th

Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary; observed by the Roman catholic to commemorate their belief that the Blessed Virgin Mary the mother of Jesus was taken body and soul into heaven.
Dormition of The Theotokos; commemorated by the Orthodox Christians to mark the death and burial of the Virgin Mary. Dormition means to “fall asleep.”

August 16th

Raksha Bandhan; celebrated by the Hindus to honor the loving bond that exists between a brother and a sister.

August 17th

Rastafari Birthday Of Marcus Garvey; celebrated by the Rastas to commemorate the birthday of Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican politician who foretold the crowning of a King in Africa, and instigated the 'Back to Africa' movement.

August 18th

Lailat al Bara’t; celebrated as the night of forgiveness by the Muslims.

August 19th

Jamshedi Norauz (Shenshai); Zoroastrian New Year celebrated according to the Shenshai calendar.

August 24th

Khordad Sal (Shenshai); the birthday of Zoroaster is celebrated on this date according to the Shenshai calendar.
Janmashtami – Krishna Jayanti; celebrated by the Hindus to commemorate Krishna’s birthday; Krishna is the highest and most revered god in the Hindu religion.

August 28th

Paryushana; celebrated by the Jains as the most revered festival comprising of eight or ten days of fasting and repentance.

August 29th

Beheading Of John The Baptist; Christians commemorate this day to remember the death of John the Baptist who is known to prepare the people so that they could recognize Jesus as the Messiah.

August 31st

Lailat Ul Mairaj; Muslims commemorate this day to celebrate Prophet Muhammad’s (pbuh) night journey from Makkah to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven.

September 2008

September is National Hispanic Heritage Month. The proclamation for the United States to celebrate the contribution of Hispanics to our communities and country started with the observance of Hispanic Heritage Week in September of 1968. It wasn't until 1988 that Congress authorized the designation of National Hispanic Heritage Month.

September 1st
University Holiday

Labor Day (USA and Canada). The first Monday in September is celebrated with picnics and parades honoring workers in the two countries.
Church Year Begins; the Orthodox Christian Church Year begins.

September 2nd

Ramadan; Muslim month of fasting begins

September 3rd

Ganesh Chaturthi; Hindus commemorate the birthday of Ganesh the elephant headed god.

September 8th

Birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary; Roman Catholic, Orthodox and Anglican churches mark this day to celebrate the birthday of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

September 11th

Ethiopian New Year; Rastafarian celebrate their New Year on this date and believe that Ethiopia is their spiritual home; a place where they desire to return.

September 14th

Holy Cross Day; commemorated by the Christians to recognize the Cross on which Jesus was crucified as the main symbol of Christianity.

September 16th

Mexican Independence Day commemorates the 1810 revolution that ended Spanish dictatorship. The Independence Day festivities in Mexico begin at midnight on the day of the holiday. At that time, in villages, towns, and cities all over Mexico, the people gather at the "zocalo" or public square. There are bands playing and people throw confetti and wave flags. At midnight the president (or in small towns a local public official) reads the "Grito de Dolores" of Father Hidalgo, the organizer and principal leader of the rebellion against the Spaniards. The people chant the "Grito" after the president. He then rings the independence bell as fireworks light up the sky and the dancing and singing continues.

September 19th

International Day of Peace was first observed by the United Nations General Assembly in 1982.

September 22nd

Mabon (Northern Hemisphere); Pagan commemoration of the autumnal equinox when day and night are of equal length, also celebrated as a time for harvest festivals.
Ostara (Southern Hemisphere); Pagan celebration of welcoming of spring.
National Native American Day (USA). Although not an official government holiday, most American Indian organizations and tribes do observe this holiday.

September 28th

Lailat Ul Qadr; celebrated by the Muslims in the last ten days of Ramadan to commemorate the first revelation of the Holy Quran. It is also known as the night when destinies are decided and Muslims pray to Allah for a good destiny.

September 29th

Navaratri (starts); Hindus commemorate the triumph of good over evil and the beginning of autumn.

September 30th

Rosh Hashanah; Jewish New Year. A time of introspection, abstinence, prayer and repentance. The story of Abraham is read, the ram's horn is blown, and special foods are prepared and shared.

October 2008

October 1st

Eid Ul Fitr; Muslim celebration commemorating the ending of Ramadan. It is a festival of thanksgiving to Allah for enjoying the month of Ramadan. It involves wearing finest clothing, saying prayers, and nurturing understanding with other religions.

October 4th

Saint Francis Day; Christians celebrate St Francis Day to honor Saint Francis the founder of the Franciscan Monastic Order for his services to the people and for appreciation of the natural world.

October 8th

Columbus Day; (USA) recognizes the encounter of the New World in 1492 by Christopher Columbus.
National Indigenous People's Day. In 1992, drums from across the USA and time zones coordinated ceremonies and observances at 12 p.m. to celebrate and honor 500 years of resistance and the survival of North American Indigenous people. From that day to the present Native Americans observe October 12 as Indigenous People's Day, not Columbus Day.

October 9th

Yom Kippur; celebrated by the Jewish as the holiest day in the Jewish calendar. Also known as the Day of Atonement and is observed with strict fasting and ceremonial repentance.
Dussera; celebrated by the Hindus to commemorate Rama’s victory over evil.
Birthday Of Guru Ram Das; Sikhs celebrate the birthday of Guru Ram Das the fourth of the Sikh gurus.

October 11th

National Coming Out Day (USA). On October 11, 1987, half a million people marched on Washington for gay and lesbian equality. This was the second such demonstration in our nation's capitol and the first display of the NAMES Project Quilt, remembering those who have died from AIDS. The momentum continued four months after this march as more than 100 gay, lesbian, and transgender activists from around the country gathered in Manassas, Virginia, about 25 miles outside of Washington, D.C. Recognizing that the GLBT community often reacted defensively to anti-gay actions, they came up with the idea of a national day to celebrate coming out and chose the anniversary of that march on Washington to mark it.

October 14th

Sukkot; also known as the Feast of Tabernacles; celebrated by the Jewish to commemorate the years that the Jews spent in the desert en route to the Promised Land, and celebrates the way in which God took special care of them under difficult circumstances.

October 20th

Sukkot; Last day of Sukkot.
Birth Of the Bab; observed by the Bahia to celebrate the birthday of the founder of the Bahia faith.

October 21st

Simchat Torah; observed by the Jewish to commemorate the completion of the yearly cycle of weekly Torah readings. The literal translation of Simchat Torah is “Rejoicing in the Torah.”
Shemini Atzeret: observed by the Jewish as the assembly of the eighth day. In Israel it is celebrate along with Simchat Torah.

October 27th

Reformation Day; observed by the Protestant Christians to mark the anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious freedom.

October 28th

Diwali; celebrated by the Hindus, Jains and Sikhs as the festival of lights. The most colorful and popular festival celebrated with great fervor by Hindus, Jains and Sikhs.

October 31st

Hallowe’en; celebrated by the Christians as the night before All Saints Day (All Hallows Day.) This tradition dates back over 2000 years to the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
Hallowe’en; celebrated by the Pagan as the Feast of the Dead. Pagans also celebrate it to commemorate the Celtic New Year.

November 2008

November 1st

Dia de los Muertos (All Saints' Day) is a national holiday in Mexico and is also celebrated in parts of the USA. Mexicans regard this annual holiday as a happy occasion that reunites them with the souls of loved ones. This two-day celebration honors the souls of dead children on November 1 and honors the souls of older relatives and friends on November 2. Families decorate tombs in the graveyard and home altars with toys, favorite foods, flowers, bread figures, incense burners, and elaborately fashioned candlesticks. On the morning of the second day people gather in graveyards and serenade the spirits with brass bands and mariachi music. The dead are never forgotten because once a year they are honored during this annual holiday.
All Saints Day; celebrated by the Anglican and Roman catholic Christians to honor all known and unknown saints.

November 2nd
Daylight Savings Time Ends

All Souls Day; celebrated by the Catholics and the Anglo Catholics to honor the faithful departed by praying for the souls of people who are in Purgatory. All Souls' Day is celebrated on 3 November if the 2nd is a Sunday.
Coronation of Emperor Haile Sailasse I; Rastafari celebrate the coronation of Haile Sailasse the Emperor of Ethiopia. Rastas trust Haile Selassie is God, and that he will return to Africa members of the black community who are living in exile.

November 9th

Remembrance Sunday; a multi faith celebration observed on the second Sunday of November and is marked by ceremonies at war memorials and cenotaphs to remember those who gave their lives in fighting.

November 11th

Armistice Day; is celebrated on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month to commemorate the ending of the First World War that ended in 1918. Also known as Veterans’ Day.

November 12th

Birth of Baha’u’llah; the members of the Baha’i faith celebrate the birthday of the founder of the Baha’i religion.

November 13th

Birthday of Guru Nanak; the Sikh celebrate the birthday of the founder of the Sikh religion.

November 15th

Shichigosan; a Shinto tradition marked to give thanks for children. Often celebrated close to the 15th so that working parents can participate too.
Nativity Fast Begins by the Christians.

November 23rd

Niinamesei; labor Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday in Japan and originally a harvest festival.
Christ the King; Christians celebrate the preeminence of Jesus over all earthly authorities.

November 24th

Martydrom of Guru Tegh Bahadur; the Sikh commemorate the martyrdom of their ninth Guru, Guru Tegh Bahadur.

November 26th

Day of Covenant; Baha’is celebrate the covenant of Baha'u'llah. Baha'is also celebrates the life of 'Abdu'l-Bahá on this day.

November 27th
University Holiday

Thanksgiving; celebrated in the USA to commemorate the first Thanksgiving that was celebrated by the people of the Wampanog Tribe and the Pilgrims of Plymouth Colony in 1621.

November 28th
University Holiday

Ascension of Baha’u’llah; Marks the death of the son of Baha'u'lláh.

November 30th

Saint Andrews Day; is celebrated in honor of Saint Andrews, the patron saint of Scotland, Greece and Russia.
Advent Sunday; Christians prepare to celebrate for the birth of Jesus. Advent begins on the Sunday nearest November 30 and is the beginning of the Christian worship year. This festival is marked by lighting candles, laying wreaths and special advent ceremonies and these celebrations continue till December 24th.

December 2008

December 1st

World AIDS Day has become an annual day of recognition of AIDS—to remember those who have died, to acknowledge the need for continued commitment to care for those who are HIV/AIDS positive and to support the research to find a cure.

December 8th

Hajj; the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Makkah.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception; celebrated by the Roman Catholics to commemorate the Virgin Mary’s conception as being without sin and therefore immaculate.
Bodhi Day; observed by the Buddhists to commemorate Gautama's attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya, India.

December 10th

International Human Rights Day, established by the United Nations in 1948, commemorates the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

December 11th

Eid -Ul -Adha; observed by the Muslims as the festival of sacrifice marking the day after Arafat. The Day of Arafat is the most important day in the Hajj ritual. This is a four day holiday in Islamic countries.

December 12th

Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe; observed by the Catholic Christians commemorating the legendary appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531 c.e
Advent Fast Begins; Orthodox Christians.

December 13th

Saint Lucy’s Day; Roman Catholics and Greek orthodox Christians commemorate Saint Lucy the patron saint of the blind on this day. She was a virgin martyr who lived in Sicily in the third century.

December 16th – 24th

Las Posadas (Mexico) includes processions and parties reenacting Joseph and Mary's journey to Bethlehem.

December 21st

Winter Solstice or the first day of winter occurs on or around December 22. This is the shortest day of the year in the Northern hemisphere.

December 22nd

Hanukkah; observed by the Jewish, also known as the Festival of Lights is an eight-day festival recalling the war fought by the Maccabees in the cause of religious freedom and the rededication of the temple after recapturing it from the Syrians. Each evening candles are lit on the "menorah" (candelabra), adding one candle each night. Hanukkah is a time for playing games ("dreidel" or a spinning top is a popular Hanukkah game) and singing, for visiting and for giving gifts.

December 24th

Christmas Eve; the day before Christmas.

December 25th
University Holiday

Christmas (Christian) is the day associated with Jesus' birth. It is celebrated on December 25 by Western churches and on January 7 the following year by Eastern Orthodox Churches.

December 26th

Saint Steven’s Day; celebrated by the Roman Catholics to commemorate the Saint Steven as the first Christian martyr.
Kwanzaa is an African-American holiday started by Maulana Karenga, an African world scholar, in 1966. It is based on the agricultural celebrations of Africa called "the first fruits" celebrations, which are times of harvest, gathering, reverence, commemoration, and recommitment. Therefore, Kwanzaa is a time for achievements, reverence for the Creator and creation, commemoration of the past, recommitment to cultural ideals, and celebration of the good. Kwanza, a Swahili word, means "first," Kwanzaa, spelled with the double vowel at the end of the word, refers to the holiday. NOTE: Kwanzaa is a cultural holiday, not a religious one, thus available to and practiced by Africans of all religious faiths.

December 29th

Muharram; Islamic New Year. Also marks the migration of Prophet Muhammad and his followers from Makkah to Medina.

Maintained by HR Office of Multicultural Affairs and Inclusion. Please send your comments and suggestions to: Stan Byrd, Manager of Multicultural Affairs & Inclusion.

Last modified: Wednesday, 02-Jan-2008 10:20:33 EST

Multicultural Calendar January 2008—December 2008