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
Navaratri Culture/religion: Hindu Date: October 6-14 Navaratri (“nine nights”) is a Hindu festival in honor of the divine feminine goddess, Durga. The festival is celebrated in autumn for nine nights and ten days. The legend of Navaratri tells of the victory of Durga over the demon king Mahishasura. Each day of the festival is dedicated to each of the nine forms of the … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – October 4-10, 2021
Labor Day Culture/religion: National observance Date: September 6 Recognized annually on the first Monday in September, Labor Day was created by the labor movement to honor the social and economic achievements of American workers. The first governmental recognition came through municipal ordinances passed in 1885 and 1886, followed by a movement to secure state … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – September 6-12, 2021
What is Juneteenth? Juneteenth is a celebration of the emancipation of those who were enslaved in the United States. In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation declaring more than three million slaves living in Confederate states to be free. News of emancipation, however, did not reach Texas until a little more than two years later, on June 19, … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances: Juneteenth