Thanksgiving Day Culture/religion: National observance Date: November 25 Thanksgiving is a federal holiday in the United States and is celebrated annually on the fourth Thursday of November. Originating as a harvest festival and feast between the Plymouth colonists and Wampanoag Indians, Thanksgiving marks the beginning of the fall-winter holiday season. Early … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – November 22-28, 2021
International Day for Tolerance Culture/religion: International observance Date: November 16 In 1996, the UN General Assembly adopted resolution 51/95 proclaiming November 16 as International Day for Tolerance. Following this, UNESCO’s member states adopted the Declaration of Principles on Tolerance, recognizing that tolerance is a respect and appreciation for the rich … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – November 15-21, 2021
Kristallnacht Culture/religion: Judaism Date: November 9-10 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 … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – November 8-14, 2021
National Native American Indian Heritage Month Culture/religion: National observance Date: November Native American Heritage Month has evolved from a week-long celebration when president Ronald Reagan proclaimed November 23-30 as “American Indian Week” to a month-long celebration in 1990 when president George H.W. Bush issued a proclamation designating the month of … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – November 1-7, 2021
Mawlid Culture/religion: Islamic Date: October 19 Mawlid commemorates the birth of the Islamic prophet Muhammad on 12 Rabi’ al-awwal, the twelfth day of the third month in the Islamic calendar. In predominantly Muslim countries, Mawlid al-Nabi is a public holiday. Many Muslims do not celebrate this holiday, as they feel it puts too much emphasis on the prophet as … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – October 18-24, 2021