Lantern Festival Culture/religion: Chinese heritage Date: February 26 Lantern Festival is celebrated in China annually and marks the end of the Chinese New Year. It dates back about 2,000 years and is celebrated on the 15th day of the first lunar month. The Lantern Festival is on the first full moon night of the Chinese calendar, marking the return of spring and … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – February 22-28, 2021
Vasant Panchami Culture/religion: Hindu Date: February 16 Vasant Panchami is a festival marking the arrival of the spring season in India and is celebrated on the fifth day of the Hindu month of Magha. The festival is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati – the Goddess of knowledge, music, learning and arts – who is the wife of Brahma, who created the universe. It is … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – February 15-21, 2021
Lunar New Year Culture/religion: Chinese heritage Date: February 12 With a history of over 3,000 years, Chinese New Year, also known as Lunar New Year or Spring Festival, is the most important celebration for families. Chinese New Year marks the end of winter and the beginning of spring. It is the start of a new year on the lunar calendar and represents the desire … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – February 8-14, 2021
African American History Month Culture/religion: National observance Date: February African American History Month, also known as Black History Month, evolved out of “Negro History Week,” which was first celebrated in 1926, sponsored by the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History* (ASNLH). The ASHLH chose the second week of February to celebrate Negro … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – February 1-7, 2021
Mahāyāna New Year Culture/religion: Buddhist Date: January 28 Mahāyāna (“the Great Vehicle”) is one of two main existing branches of Buddhism and a term for classification of Buddhist philosophies and practice. The Mahāyāna New Year is celebrated at different times for each country and tradition – some celebrate on December 31 or January 1 along with many other new … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – January 25-31, 2021