National Coming Out Day Culture/religion: National observance Date: October 11 National Coming Out Day is an annual LGBT awareness day to support lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people. National Coming Out Day was first celebrated in 1988. The initial idea was rooted in the feminist and gay liberation movements and emphasized the most basic form of activism – … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – October 11-17, 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
Krishna Janmashtami Culture/religion: Hindu Date: August 30 Janmashtami is an annual Hindu festival celebrating the anniversary of the birth of Lord Krishna. Krishna is known as the 8th incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is observed according to the Hindu luni-solar calendar, on the eighth day of the dark fortnight, which overlaps with August/September on the Gregorian … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – August 30-September 5, 2021
Hanuman Jayanti Culture/religion: Hindu Date: April 26 Hanuman Jayanti is a very special festival in India celebrating the birth of Lord Hanuman. Hanuman is widely known and worshiped for his unflinching devotion to Lord Rama. Devotees visit Hanuman temples to worship Hanuman and get his blessings. People also celebrate by chanting various devotional hymns and … [Read more...] about Cultural and religious observances – April 26-May 2, 2021