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Cultural and Religious Observances title with an image of a man smiling, a religious stained glass window, a woman wearing a hijab and colorful Indian art made with sand and flower petals

Cultural and religious observances – November 9-15, 2020

November 6, 2020 by Diversity and Inclusion

Kristallnacht

Culture/religion: Judaism
Date: November 9-10

Photo of store front with broken windows and people walking by during Kristallnacht
Kristallnacht, Shop damage in Magdeburg. Photo credit: Bundesarchiv, Wikimedia

Kristallnacht (“Crystal Night” or “Night of Broken Glass”) commemorates the violent anti-Jewish demonstrations that broke out across Germany, Austria and the Sudentenland region of Czechoslovakia.

For 48 hours, violent mobs destroyed hundreds of synagogues and burned or desecrated Jewish religious artifacts. Approximately 7,500 Jewish-owned businesses, homes and schools were destroyed, 91 Jews were murdered, and an additional 30,000 Jewish men were arrested and sent to concentration camps. Nazi officials blamed the Jews for the riots and fined the German Jewish community one billion reichsmarks (about $400 million in 1938).

The event was called Kristallnacht, referring to the thousands of shattered windows.

Sources:

Kristallnacht, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum


Veterans Day

Culture/religion: National observance
Date: November 11

Portrait of an unidentified African American Civil War veteran in a Grand Army of the Republic uniform with two children
Photo credit: Library of Congress

In November 1919, president Wilson proclaimed November 11 as the first commemoration of Armistice Day. Originally, the celebration was to be observed with parades, public meetings and a suspension of business beginning at 11:00 a.m.

In May 1938, November 11 was designated as an annual legal holiday dedicated to world peace and was celebrated as Armistice Day. In 1954, veterans service organizations urged Congress to amend the Act of 1938 by replacing the word “Armistice” with “Veterans.” On June 1, 1954, November 11 officially became known as Veterans Day.

Sources:

History of Veterans Day, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs


Diwali

Culture/religion: Hindu
Date: November 14

Photo of girl doing a Diwali dance in celebration of Diwali
Photo credit: rubengarciajrphotography.com, Wikimedia

Diwali is the festival of lights celebration in India. In fact, it is one of the most important and the most celebrated festival in India.

The Diwali celebration lasts for five days, and on the third day, the key rituals of the festival take place. These rituals include lighting of Diyas (an oil lamp usually made of clay) and candles around the house and worshipping the Laxmi Ganesha to summon health and wealth. Gifts are also given during Diwali as a gesture of love and affection.

Sources:

Diwali Festival, DiwaliFestival.org

View more cultural and religious observances

Filed Under: Cultural and Religious Observances Tagged With: Cultural and Religious Observances, Diwali, Hindu, Judaism, Kristallnacht, Veterans Day

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