Oct 13, 2008: Thanksgiving (Canada)

Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day (Canadian French: Action de grâce), is an annual one-day holiday to give thanks for the things one has at the close of the harvest season. Some people thank God for this bounty. The holiday is celebrated on the second Monday in October.

clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com October 2008    Thanksgiving Early Canadian settlers gave thanks for good harvests by decorating their churches with fruits and vegetables and celebrated dinner with venison and waterfowl. Thanksgiving Canada    Columbus Day (Obsvd) This day commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus' discovery of the New World. Columbus Day (Obsvd) USA

Oct 9, 2008: Yom Kippur (Jewish)

Note: This is a sacred Jewish holiday. Jews do not work, and fast from sunset to sunset.

Not a statutory holiday, but definitely a "schedule alert" day.

/e
Eric "Calendarwallah" Snyder
CalendarWallah@Gmail.com

clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com    Yom Kippur The Day of Atonement is the holiest and most solemn of all days in the Jewish year. They believe that once you atone for your mistakes, you can be 'at one' with God. Jews do not work, and fast from sunset to sunset. Yom Kippur Jewish

Oct 4th: Blessing of Animals

Another interesting date found on STE's diversity calendar....

Eric "Calendarwallah" Snyder
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clipped from www.americancatholic.org Blessing of Animals As autumn arrives, people in various places may notice something odd. A procession of animals, everything from dogs and cats to hamsters and even horses, is led to churches for a special ceremony called the Blessing of Pets. This custom is conducted in remembrance of St. Francis of Assisi’s love for all creatures. Francis, whose feast day is October 4th, loved the larks flying about his hilltop town. He and his early brothers, staying in a small hovel, allowed themselves to be displaced by a donkey.

Oct 4th: Feast of St. Francis of Assisi - Patron saint of animals

Born 1181/1182, Assisi, Italy
Died October 3, 1226, Assisi, Italy

..."Saint Francis, nature, and the environment
A garden statue of Francis of Assisi with birds
A garden statue of Francis of Assisi with birds

Many of the stories that surround the life of St Francis deal with his love for animals.[21]

Perhaps the most famous incident that illustrates the Saint’s humility towards nature is recounted in the 'Fioretti' (The "Little Flowers"), a collection of legends and folk-lore that sprang up after the Saint’s death.

clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com      Feast Of St. Francis Of Assisi St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals was born in 1182 at Assisi. He abandoned his dream of becoming a knight, donned the clothes of a poor farmhand and began caring for the sick. He founded the Franciscan Order which today has about 33,000 members. He died on 3rd October 1226. Feast Of St. Francis Of Assisi Italy   World Space Week -Thru Oct 10 http://www.worldspaceweek.org/ World Space Week -Thru Oct 10 UN clipped from en.wikipedia.org Saint Francis of Assisi He is known as the patron saint of animals and the environment, and Italy, and it is customary for Catholic churches to hold ceremonies honoring animals around his feast day of October 4.[3]

Sep 30th: Rosh Hashanah - Culture trumps country

Sep 30th is the first day of the Jewish holiday, Rosh Hashanah, start of the civil year in the Hebrew calendar.

Members of the USA congress are taking the next two days off, despite the fragile condition of the US economy.

clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com Rosh Hashanah / New Year (thru Oct 10th) 30, 2008 clipped from en.wikipedia.org Rosh Hashanah (Hebrew: ראש השנה‎, literally "head of the year," Biblical: IPA: [ˈɾoʃ haʃːɔˈnɔh], Israeli: [ˈʁoʃ haʃaˈna], Yiddish: [ˈroʊʃ hɑˈʃɔnə]) is a Jewish holiday commonly referred to as the "Jewish New Year." It is observed on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar,[1] as ordained in the Torah, in Leviticus 23:24. Rosh Hashanah is the first of the High Holidays or Yamim Noraim ("Days of Awe"), or Asseret Yemei Teshuva (The Ten Days of Repentance) which are days specifically set aside to focus on repentance that conclude with the holiday of Yom Kippur. Rosh Hashanah is the start of the civil year in the Hebrew calendar (one of four "new year" observances that define various legal "years" for different purposes).

Sep 29th: Navratri (Hindu)

Another interesting event brought to you by Calendarwallah@Gmail.com and STE Inc. Navratri occurs on Sep 29th in 2008 (a lunar calendar event).

/e

clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com      Navratri It means 'nine nights' starting on the new moon and ending on Dussehra. It is dedicated to the goddess Durga who had nine incarnations and has the power of good to destroy demons. Navratri Hindu clipped from en.wikipedia.org Navratri (Sanskrit: नवरात्रि) is a Hindu festival of worship and dance. The word Navaratri literally means nine nights in Sanskrit; Nava meaning Nine and Ratri meaning nights. During these nine nights and ten days, nine forms of Shakti/Devi i.e. female divinity are worshipped. clipped from en.wikipedia.org

Sep 15th: Keiro No Hi (Respect-for-the-Aged Day) Japan

Respect-for-the-Aged Day (Keirō no hi) is a Japanese holiday celebrated annually to honor elderly citizens.[1] A national holiday since 1966, this used to be held on September 15. Beginning in 2003, Respect for the Aged Day is held on the third Monday of September. In 2008, the holiday will be held on September 15, 2008.

This national holiday traces its origins to 1947, when Nomatanimura (now Yachiyocho), Hyōgo Prefecture proclaimed September 15 Old Folks' Day (Toshiyori no Hi). Its popularity spread nationwide, and in 1966 it took its present name and status. Annually, Japanese media take the opportunity to feature the elderly, reporting on the population and highlighting the oldest people in the country.

clipped from multiculturalcalendar.com

July 1 - Canada Day

July 1, 1868
Canada Day

Background

On June 20, 1868, a proclamation signed by the Governor General, Lord Monck, called upon all Her Majesty's loving subjects throughout Canada to join in the celebration of the anniversary of the formation of the union of the British North America provinces in a federation under the name of Canada on July 1^st.

The July 1 holiday was established by statute in 1879, under the name Dominion Day.

There is no record of organized ceremonies after this first anniversary, except for the 50^th anniversary of Confederation in 1917, at which time the new Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings, under construction, was dedicated as a memorial to the Fathers of Confederation and to the valour of Canadians fighting in the First World War in Europe.

The next celebration was held in 1927 to mark the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation. It was highlighted by the laying of the cornerstone by the Governor General of the Confederation Building on Wellington Street and the inauguration of the Carillon in the Peace Tower.

Since 1958, the government has arranged for an annual observance of Canada's national day with the Secretary of State of Canada in charge of the coordination. The format provided for a Trooping the Colours ceremony on the lawn of Parliament Hill in the afternoon, a sunset ceremony in the evening followed by a mass band concert and fireworks display.

Another highlight was Canada's Centennial in 1967 when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II attended the celebrations with Parliament Hill again being the backdrop for a large scale official ceremony.

The format changed in 1968 with the addition of multicultural and professional concerts held on Parliament Hill including a nationally televised show. Up until 1975, the focus of the celebrations, under the name "Festival Canada", was held in the National Capital Region during the whole month of July and involved numerous cultural, artistic and sport activities, as well as municipalities and voluntary organizations. The celebration was cancelled in 1976 but was reactivated in 1977.

A new formula was developed in 1980 whereby the National Committee (the federal government organization charged with planning Canada's Birthday celebrations) stressed and sponsored the development of local celebrations all across Canada. "Seed money" was distributed to promote popular and amateur activities organized by volunteer groups in hundreds of local communities. The same approach was also followed for the 1981 celebrations with the addition of fireworks displays in 15 major cities across the nation.

On October 27, 1982, July 1^st which was known as "Dominion Day" became "Canada Day".

Since 1985, Canada Day Committees are established in each province and territory to plan, organize and coordinate the Canada Day celebrations locally. Grants are provided by the Department to those committees.

June 27: Multiculturalism Day (Canada)

Canadian Multiculturalism Day

On November 13, 2002, the Government of Canada, by Royal Proclamation, designated June 27 of each year as Canadian Multiculturalism Day.

Canadian Multiculturalism Day is an opportunity to celebrate our diversity and our commitment to democracy, equality and mutual respect and to appreciate the contributions of the various multicultural groups and communities to Canadian society.

Eleven Days of Celebration

Celebrate Canada! is an eleven-day celebration which takes place from June 21 to July 1.

We are justly proud of the nation we have built together over the last 141 years. Since the earliest days of our nation's history, Canada has been a land of promise. We have built a society that celebrates achievement and excellence while, at the same time, maintaining a strong respect for human rights. Our participation in Celebrate Canada! activities brings us together, strengthens our communities and helps us to understand the significance of the citizenship we all share.

An Invitation to Celebrate
Lots of ideas

2007-10-29: Karwa Chauth (Hindu)

Karwa Chauth Origin - Karwa Chauth History- Karva Chauth History and Origin - Karwachauth Origin

Karva Chauth originated as a social and seasonal festival, but somewhere down the line the festival deviated from its original form. The word Karva Chauth, is composed of Karva - meaning a clay pot - and Chauth (from char meaning four) corresponding to the fourth day after the Full Moon in Kartik month (of Hindu calendar) following the Autumnal Equinox.

This time of the year is just after the harvest of Kharif (monsoon) crops and people are usually in a festive mood. They like to remember and meet their relatives and friends, and exchange gifts with them. Diwali is a similar seasonal festival - in addition to having religious significance - that is nine days after Karva Chauth.

The idea behind Karwa Chauth is very sweet and noble. In olden days girls were married at a very early age and used to go and live with their in-laws in other (often very remote) villages. Everyone would be a stranger there for the new bride. If she had any problems with her husband or in-laws, she would have no one to talk to or seek support from. Modes of communication/transport were not very developed and hence it was not easy for her to approach her parents and relatives.

[more...]

2007-10-22: Abu Simbel Festival (Egypt)

Abu Simbel (Arabic أبو سنبل or أبو سمبل) is an archaeological site comprising two massive rock temples in southern Egypt on the western bank of Lake Nasser about 290 km southwest of Aswan. It is part of the UNESCO World Heritage Site known as the "Nubian Monuments" [1], which run from Abu Simbel downriver to Philae (near Aswan).

The twin temples were originally carved out of the mountainside during the reign of Pharaoh Ramesses II in the 13th century BC, as a lasting monument to himself and his queen Nefertari, to commemorate his alleged victory at the Battle of Kadesh, and to intimidate his Nubian neighbors. However, the complex was relocated in its entirety in the 1960s, on an artificial hill made from a domed structure, high above the Aswan dam reservoir.

The Ramses II temple is angled so that the inner sanctum lights up twice a year on the: once on the anniversary of his rise to the throne and, once on his birthday. Crowds pack in the temple before sunrise to watch the shafts of light illuminate the statues of Ramses, Ra and Amon. The other date for this event is Feb. 22.

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Event highlighted from STE's Multicultural Calendar

2007-10-21: Dussehra (Hindu)

Dussehra (Hindu)

A celebration signifying the victory of good over evil

... the festival commemorates the victory of Rama, prince of Ayodhya and avatara of Vishnu, over Ravana, the ruler of Lanka who had abducted Rama's wife, Sita Devi. The festival is celebrated with much gusto. Crackers are burnt, and huge melas or fetes are organised. The Ramlila - an abriged dramatization of the Ramayana - is enacted with much public fervour all over northern India during the period of the festivities. The burning of the effigies of Ravana on Vijayadashami, signifying the victory of good over evil, brings the festivities to a colourful close. In some regions, Sikhs and Hindus celebrate Vijayadashami together.

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Event highlighted from STE's Multicultural Calendar

2007-10-20: Saraswati Puja (Hindu)

Saraswati Puja - Hindu

In Hinduism, Saraswati (Sanskrit सरस्वती sarasvatī) is one of the goddesses, the other two being Lakshmi and Durga, that form the female counterpart of the Trimurti. Saraswati has been regarded as a river goddess and in recent times a goddess of knowledge, music and the arts. She is the consort of Brahma, the Hindu god of creation.

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Brought to you by STE's Multicultural Calendar

2007-10-20 Birthday Of The Báb (Bahá’í)

Birthday Of The Báb - Bahá’í
Born Siyyid 'Ali Muhammad in Southwestern Iran in 1819. His title, in Arabic, means 'The Gate'.

Work is suspended and Bahá'ís come together for prayer and festivities.


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Brought to you by STE's Multicultural Calendar

2007-10-19: Chung Yeung Festival

China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
On this day, families visit the graves of their ancestors.

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Brought to you by STE Inc. and DiversityNet.org

2007-10-19: Durga Puja

Hindu

This day celebrates the divine creative force of the universe and honours the 10-armed goddess Durga, wife of Shiva, and the destroyer of demons.
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Another Multicultural event brought to you by DiversityNet.org