Martin Luther King Jr Day Culture/religion: National observance Date: January 18 The third Monday of each January is dedicated to commemorating the achievements of Martin Luther King, Jr. King advocated the use of nonviolent means to end racial segregation, first coming to national prominence during the bus boycott of African Americans in Montgomery, Alabama in 1955. … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – January 18-24, 2021
Makar Sankranti Culture/religion: Hindu Date: January 14 Makar Sankranti is one of the major Hindu festivals in India. The festival is a religious celebration, as well as a seasonal observance signifying the winter solstice. On this day, devotees take a holy dip in rivers like Ganga, Yamuna, Godavari, Krishna and Cauvery to wash away their sins. It is also … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – January 11-17, 2021
New Year's Day Culture/religion: National observance Date: January 1 The earliest celebrations of a new year go back 4,000 years to ancient Babylon. The Babylonians marked the new year with the first new moon following the vernal equinox, which would have been a day with equal sunlight and darkness in late March. As time went on, more sophisticated calendars were … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – January 1-10, 2021
Yule (Winter Solstice) Culture/religion: Pagan/Wiccan Date: December 21 Yule is a Pagan holiday that takes place on the day of the winter solstice. It originated with early Germanic peoples and is considered a time of rebirth, renewal, new beginnings. The winter solstice is when the earth’s axis tilts away from the sun, and the sun reaches its greatest distance from … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – December 21-27, 2020
Chanukah Culture/religion: Judaism Date: December 11-18 Chanukah is the Jewish eight-day festival of lights, celebrated each night with menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. Chanukah means “dedication” in Hebrew and is named as such because it celebrates the rededication of the Holy Temple. In second century BCE, Judah the Maccabee drove the Greeks from … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – December 11-20, 2020