Purim Culture/religion: Judaism Date: March 17 Purim is a Jewish festival celebrated every year on the 14th of the Hebrew month of Adar. The celebration commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian empire from Haman’s plot “to destroy, kill and annihilate all the Jews, young and old, infants and women, in a single day,” as told in the Megillah … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – March 14-20, 2022
Irish American Heritage Month Culture/religion: National observance Date: March Irish American Heritage Month celebrates the contributions Irish Americans have made to the United States. The first celebration dates back to 1792 with the first St. Patrick’s Day parade in New York City. In October 1990, Congress passed Public Law 101-418 establishing March 1991 as … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – February 28-March 6, 2022
African American Heritage 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 – January 31-February 6, 2022
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 10-16, 2022
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