Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Guru Gobind Singh s Birthday Sikh Lohri Buddhist, Hindu, sikh Epiphany

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1 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Year s Emancipation African American Shabbat (begins sundown) January 2011 World Religion Guru Gobind Singh s Birthday Sikh 6 Carnival Season begins and Epiphany Three Kings and Lohri Buddhist, Hindu, sikh 17 Martin Luther King, Jr Epiphany Eastern Orthodox Tu B Shevat (Begins sundown) Tu B Shevat 20 7 Christmas Eastern Orthodox and Coptic 14 New Years Eastern Orthodox Makar Sankranti Hindu 8 15 Religious Freedom January is National Mentoring Month New Years Jan 1 First of the new year based on the Gregorian calendar recognized by most cultures, countries, and religious groups globally. Emancipation Jan 1 Celebrated in remembrance of the day the Emancipation Proclamation was signed by President Lincoln in 1863 ending slavery. Shabbat (Every Friday at sundown) The weekly Sabbath or day of rest in Judaism, will only appear once because of its frequency.

2 Guru Gobind Singh s Birthday Jan 5 The birthday of the Sikh s tenth Guru. Carnival Season begins Jan 6 Period of Epiphany to Ash Wednesday the pinnacle of which is Mardi Gras; celebrated internationally with costumes, dancing, parties and parades. Epiphany Jan 6 Celebration of the Three Wise Men s visit to Jesus. Three Kings Jan 6 Culminates the Christmas season. Lohri Jan 13 Bonfires are lit to mark the change from the decrease to the increase of the sun January 2011 New Year s Jan 14 First day of the year for followers of the Julian calendar. Makar Sankranti Jan 14 Transition of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn. The days gradually lengthen in the northern hemisphere. Religious Freedom Jan 15 Each year the President calls upon Americans to "observe this day through appropriate events and activities in homes, schools, and places of worship." The day is the anniversary of the passage, in 1786, of the Virginia Statute of Religious Freedom. World Religion Jan 16 Established in 1950 by the to focus on the religious purpose of unifying people. Martin Luther King Jan 17 A day to celebrate the life, contributions and accomplishments of the leader of the national Civil Rights movement. Tu B Shevat Jan 19 Holiday known as the new year for trees. Be who you are, and say what you feel, because those who mind don t matter, and those who matter don t mind. Dr. Seuss

3 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 6 7 Nirvana Buddhiist Vasanta Panchami Hindu, sikh 1 2 Groundhog 8 Candlemas Imbolc Pagan 3 Setsuban Shai Shinto Lunar New Year Chinese New Year `12 13 Brotherhood/ Sisterhood Week / 14 Valentine s Race Relations 15 Mawild al Nabi Lantern Festival China and Taiwan February 2011 Mawild al Nabi Presidents Mother Language UN Intercalary s February is African American History Month and American Heart Month Groundhog Feb 2 If the groundhog sees its shadow there will be six more weeks of winter and a poor season for crops. If it does not see it, winter will shortly end and there will be a productive growing season. Candlemas Feb 2 Commemorates the presentation of Jesus to the Temple of Jerusalem. Imbolic Feb 2 Wiccan celebration of the arrival of spring and light. Setsuban Shai Feb 3 Shinto the day before the beginning of each season. Lunar New Year Feb 3 Observed by several Asian countries; also known as Shul, Tet the Chinese New Year. Nirvana Feb 7 Buddhists celebrate the death of the Buddha, because they believe that having attained enlightenment he achieved freedom, moving from one state of being to the next.

4 Vasanta Panchami Feb 8 Spring festival celebrated to honor Saraswati the Goddess of wisdom, learning and fine arts. Race Relations Feb 14 Celebration created in 1924 to promote better relations. St. Valentine s Feb 14 Holiday dedicated to romance derived from a martyr who married people in defiance of a Roman ban in 270 C.E. Mawlid al-nabi Feb 15 Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad. Begins sundown the day before. Brotherhood / Sisterhood Week Feb 13 Fosters tolerance among Catholics, Jews and Protestants supported by the National Conference for Community and Justice. February April March Lantern Festival Feb 17 The end of the Chinese New Year celebration. President s Feb 21 Commemorates the birthdays of both Presidents Lincoln (2/12/1809) and Washington (2/22/1732). Intercalary s Feb 26 time of rejoicing, giving and greeting to prepare for fasting March 2nd through March 20 th. Every individual matters Every individual has a role to play Every individual makes a difference.

5 March 2010 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 13 light Savings Time begins 20 Equinox Ostara Celtic,Pagan Naw Ruz Shunki Sorei Sai Shinto Eostre Wicca Hola Mohalla Bikarami Sikh 6 7 Great Lent Eastern Orthodox 14 Random Act of Kindness Week 21 for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination 8 Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras Women s World for Water 1 2 Ala Bahai Ash Wednesday Gahambar Hamaspathmaden Zoroastrian 22 9 Maha Shivaratri Hindu 3 17 St. Patrick s Annunciation St. Joseph s Purim Holi Sihk Hindu Earth Hour Birth of prophet Zarathustra Zoroastrian Kuhio Hawaii 26 March is Women s History Month, Deaf History Month, Greek American Heritage Month, Irish American Heritage Month, and Spiritual Awareness Month Ala Mar 2 The final month of the Bahai calendar, the time of the 19 day fast in preparation of the new year Maha Shivatrati Mar 3 Hindu holiday honoring Lord Shiva. A dietary consideration may be necessary. Women s Mar 8 Celebrates the contributions of working women, marked by the revolt of female garment district workers in New York in Shrove Tuesday Mar 8 A day to show penitence and confess sins to begin Lent. Mardi Gras Mar 8

6 Ash Wednesday Mar 9 The first day of Lent, when a priest marks the sign of the cross on foreheads with ashes. There are dietary restrictions on Fridays during Lent. light Saving Time begins Mar 13 Ghambar Hamaspathmaedem Mar 16 Celebrates the day of creation. St. Patrick s Mar 17 The patron saint of Ireland converted its inhabitants to christianity in 432 C.E. St. Joseph s Mar 19 Honors the event surrounding Jesus birth and Joseph s search for shelter. Purim Mar 19 Commemorates the event where Jews were saved from a plot to destroy them in ancient Persia. Begins at sundown. March 2010 Holi Mar 19 Festival of color celebrating spring. Holla Mahalla Mar 20 Mock battles are fought in honor of Guru Gobind Singh who fought against tyranny Equinox Mar 20 The length of daylight is the same everywhere on the planet; marks the start of spring in the Northern Hemisphere and Fall in the Southern. Ostara Mar 20 Celtic, Pagan rituals that marked the spring planning Naw Ruz Mar 20 New Year Shunki-Sorei-Sai Mar 20 Ancestors are given reverence at home altars and condiered active members of the living family. Eostre Mar 20 Feritlity festival celebrating the birth of spring. for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Mar 21 day to promate efforts to remove racial discrimonation worldwide. Annunciation Mar 25 The day Mary Jesus s mother was told she would be the mother of Christ. Birth of the Prophet Zarathustra Mar 26 The founder of the Zoroastiran religion. Where we all think alike, no one thinks very much. Walter Lippmann

7 Sun Mon Tue Wed Fri Sat 1 April Fools 2 World Autism Awareness 3 4 Chetra Navratras Hindu 5 National Tartan 6 Organization of the Church Mormon Vesak Buddha s Birthday Buddhist Ramanavami Hindu 13 Buddhist New Year Vaisakhi Hindu, Jain, Sikh 15 National of Silence Gay and Lesbian 16 Mahavir Jayanti Jain April Palm Sunday Easter Passover (begins sundown) 25 Easter Monday Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Passover Festival of Ridvan (begins sundown) Administrative Professionals April is Celebrate Diversity Month 22 Good Friday Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Earth 29 National Arbor Beltane Celtic, Pagan Gahambar Maidyozarem Zoroastrian April Fools Apr 1 An international day of humor and jokes. Originated in 1852 France, when the Gregorian calendar moved the new year from March 25 to January 1. The fools were those who forgot. National Tartan Apr 5 A day in celebration of people of Scottish origins in the U.S. and Canada. Organization of the Church Apr 6 Commemorates the day that the Church of Latter Saints was founded. Buddha s Birthday Apr 8 Commemorates the birth of Siddartha Gautama the founder of Buddhism. Ramanavami Apr 12 The birth of Shri Rama, an incarnate of the Hindu God Vishnu A dietary consideration may be necessary Buddhist New Year Apr 13

8 Vaisakhi Apr 13 The first day of the Hindu New Year festival of gifts and sweets. National of Silence Apr 15 Members of the GLBT community protest against discrimination. Mahavir Jayanti Apr 16 Most important religious holiday in Jainism celebrates the birth of Mahavira the last Titrhankara. Palm Sunday Apr 17 The beginning of holy week celebrating the day that Jesus was given a special welcome into Jerusalem using palm leaves. Passover Apr 18 celebration commemorating the people s release from slavery in Egypt. A dietary consideration may be necessary Festival of Ridvan Apr 20 - Apr 21 celebration of the visit in the garden of Ridvan by Baha u llah where he proclaimed his mission as a messenger of God. April 2011 Maundy Thursday Apr 21 The day Jeseus ate the last supper and washed the feet of his disciples. Good Friday Apr 22 Signifies the end of Lent and is held in remembrance of the crucifixtion of Jesus. A dietary restriction are removed at the close of Lent. Earth Apr 22 A time to call attention to the need to conserve natural resources Easter Apr 24 Commemorates Jesus resurrection following the crucifixion. Administrative Professionals Apr 27 A day to recognize the contributions of secretaries Take our Sons and Daughters to Work day Apr 28 A day for parents to introduce their children to the work place. Created by Ms. Magazine in Gathering of Nations Powwow Apr 28 A Native American gathering of tribes held in New Mexico. National Arbor Apr 29 Beltane Celtic Apr 30 Celebrates the union of Goddess of God. You can make your world so much larger simply by acknowledging everyone else s." Jeanne Marie Laskas

9 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 Labor Lei Hawaiian May Yam Ha Shoah 2 3 World Press Freedom 4 5 National of Prayer Cinco de Mayo Mexican American 6 7 Mother s VE (Victory in Europe) Golden Spike Asian American Ascension Eastern Orthodox May 2011 World Red Cross 15 of Families 22 or Biological Diversity Declaration of the Bab (sundown) 29 Ascension of Baha u llah 16 Akshaya Tritya Jain 23 Declaration of the Bab 30 Memorial 17 Vesak Buddhist Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education decision World No Tobacco African Freedom Armed Forces World of Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development Ascension of Baha u llah (sundown) May is the month for Asian Pacific American Heritage, American Heritage, and Older Americans. Yom Ha-Shoah May 1 Also known as holocaust day in commemoration of the Jews killed in concentration camps. Lei May 1 A festival of flowers created in 1928 to pay tribute to Hawaiian culture. Cinco De Mayo May 5 A for Mexican Americans to celebrate their heritage

10 National of Prayer May 6 V-E (Victory in Europe) May 8 Commemorates the day the Germans surrendered to the Allied Forces in Mother s May 8 A day to celebrate mothers, initiated by Woodrow Wilson in Golden Spike May 10 Recognizes the contribution of Chinese workers on the Transcontinental Railroad. This was the day that the final spike was driven. Ascension May 12 Commemorates the day Jesus ascended into heaven. Akshaya Tritya May 16 Celebrates the day when Lord Rishaba broke his first year long fast. Vesak May 17 Celebrates the birth, life and death of Buddha May 2011 Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education decision May 17 The day the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Declaration of the Bab May celebration commemorating the day that the Bab revealed that he was the herald of a Messenger of God. Ascension of Baha u llah May 28 - May 29 Marks the death in 1892 of the founder of the. Memorial May 30 A day to remember fallen soldiers. It s the things in common that make relationships enjoyable, but it s the differences that make them interesting. Todd Ruthman

11 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 5 6 D- Shavuot (sundown) 7 Shavuot 1 2 Ascension 8 Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival Native American King Kamehmeha Hawaiian 4 12 Race Unity Pentecost Coptic and Eastern Orthodox Flag Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sikh June Father s Juneteenth African American Trinity Sunday 26 United Nations Charter Shab-e-Miraj (sundown) Litha Celtic, Pagan Solstice 27 Shab-e-Miraj Stonewall Rebellion Gay & Lesbian Corpus Christi Catholic St. John s Eve, Feast of St. John The Baptist, June is Lesbian and Gay Pride Month National and Caribbean American Heritage Month Ascension Jun 2 Commemorates the ascension of Jesus into heaven. Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival Jun 3 A 3 day festival designed to preserve and promote the rich traditions of Native Americans D- Jun 6 The day U.S. troops landed on the shores of Normandy during World War II. Shavout Jun 7 Jun 8 Begins at sundown the day prior. Celebrates the revelation of the Ten Commandments to Moses. King Kamehameha Jun11 Celebrated in honor of Hawaii s first monarch. Pentecost Jun 12 New members of the church are baptized on this day

12 Race Unity Jun 12 A day to focus on racial harmony. Flag Jun 14 Commemorates the flag and its adoption in Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Jun 16 Marks the death of the first Sikh guru. Juneteenth Jun 19 African American celebration of the day the resistant slave holders in Texas who refused to honor the Emancipation proclamation were forced to release their slaves upon the arrival of the Union troops in June Father s Jun 19 This tradition of honoring fathers was initiated in 1910 by Louis Dodd. June 2011 Solstice Jun 21 The longest day of the year. Commemorates the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere, and Winter in the southern. Litha 21 Celtic Pagan, also known as summer solstice. St. John s Eve Jun 23 Also known as Mid-Summer s Eve, celebrates the feast of St. John and the summer solstice. Corpus Christi Jun 23 A festival in honor of the Eucharist. Feast of St. John the Baptist Jun 24 holiday celebrated in several countries commemorates the birth of St. John the Baptist. United Nations Charter Jun 26 The day members from the 50 nations signed the charter in Shab-e-Miraj Jun 27 Jun 28 Commemorates the ascent of Muhammad the holy prophet of Islam into heaven. Stonewall Rebellion Jun 28 Represents the first open action of gays and lesbians towards procuring equal treatment under the law. Celebrated in remembrance of a protest in New York against police harassment. There is somebody smarter than any of us, and that is all of us. Michael Nolan

13 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Independence 5 6 Dalai Lama s Birthday 7 8 Martyrdom of the Bab (sundown) Martyrdom of the Bab Shab-e-Barat (begins sundown) Shab-e-Barat Asalhapuja Buddhist Birth of Haile Selassie I. Rastafarian July Pioneer Latter day Saints (Mormon) 31 Ramadan Americans with Disabilites Act Signed Independence Jul 4 Commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Fil-American Friendship Jul 4 Celebrated as a day of friendship with the U.S O-Harai- Taisai Shinto Martyrdom of the Bab Jul 8-9 Begins the day prior at sundown. day of remembrance that marks the arrest, confinement, torture and execution of the Bab. Shab-e-Barat Jul 14 - Jul 15 A fast in preparation for Ramadan beginning at sundown the previous evening Asalhapuja Jul 15 Celebration of the Buddha s initial sermon and the setting of the Wheel of Truth into the world. Birth of Haile Selassie I. Jul birthday of the former Ethiopian Emperor. The origin of Rastafari is based on a word which means prince. Pioneer Jul 24 Mormon; refers to the settlers who moved into Utah in 1847 led by Brigham Young. American Disabilities Act Signed Jul 26 Focuses on providing reasonable accommodations and standards for differently-abled Americans

14 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Ramadan Lughnasadh (Lammas ) Celtic, Pagan V-J Tisha B Av of the Words Indigenous People Assumption of the Virgin Mary Youth 13 Raksha Bandhan Hindu Fravardeghan Zoroastrian August Janmashtami Hindu Ramadan Aug 1 holiday which marks the revelation of the Qur an to Muhammad. It begins with the new moon and fasting ends with the next new moon. Lughnasadh Aug 1 Major Wiccan harvest celebration. Now Ruz (Shenshai) Zorostrian Tish B Av Aug 9 Jews mourn the destruction of the temples in Jerusalem. Raksha Bandan Aug 13 Hindu girls tie a threaded amulet around their brothers for protection from evil. Fravardeghan Aug 13 Ancestors are memorialized during this time. V-J Aug 14 Commemorates the surrender of Japan to the Allied Forces. Assumption of the Virgin Mary Aug 15 Marks the taking of the body and soul of the Virgin Mary into heaven. Janmashtami Aug 22 A Hindu festival to honor Lord Krishna celebrated with fasting Eid al-fitr 24 Birth of Prophet Zarathustra (Shenshai) Zorostrian Eid al-fitr Lailat ul-qadr 26 Lailat ul-qadr Women s Equality 27

15 Now-Ruz Aug 23 Celebrates the creation of fire. Birth of the Prophet Zarathustra Aug 24 Founder of the Zoroatrian religion. Women s Equality Aug 26 A day to honor the ratification of the 19 th Amendment to the constitution giving women the right to vote. Lailat ul-qadr Aug 26 Begins the previous day at sundown and falls within the final 10 days of the month of Ramadan. Commemorates the Qur an s revelation to Muhammad AD 610. Dietary consideration Eid al-fitr Aug 30 The end of the Ramadan fast; begins the evening prior at sundown August 2011 Seeking Diversity automatically leads to excellence, just as focusing on excellence always leads to diversity. William C. Steere

16 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Ganesh Chaturthi Hindu 1 Paryushana- Parva Jain Labor Literacy 9 Samvatsari Jain Dashalakshani Jain 10 September Grandparent s Patriot 18 National Deaf Awareness Week Ananta- Chaturdasi Jain 12 National Boss Gahambar Paitishahem Zoroastrian Ksamavani Jain September is the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and Women in Medicine Month Ganesh Chaturthi Sep 1 This day is offered to the Hindu God of success, wisdom and the remover of obstacles Paryushana-Parva Sept 2 The holiest time of the year marked by fasting Maskal Ethiopian Orthodox Citizenship of Peace 28 Navaratri Hindu Rosh Hashanah Confucius s Birthday 29 Rosh Hashanah Equinox Mabon Celtic, Pagan 30 Oktoberfest German 24 Labor Sep 6 A day to honor workers. Literacy Sep 8 Created to focus on literacy issues around the world. Samvatsari Sep 9 Dedicated to introspection confession and penance Dashalakshani-Parvi Sept 9 Dedicated to virtue, humility, honesty, purity, forgiveness, truthfulness, self restraint, celibacy and detachment.

17 Patriot Sep 11 In memory of those who died on 9/11 in the acts of terror against the U.S. Grandparent s Sep 11 Initiated in 1979 in honor of Grandparents. Gahambar Paitishahem Sept 12 Celebrates the creation of Earth. Citizenship Sep 17 The day the constitution was signed in 1787, also honors new citizens. Oktoberfest Sep 17 German harvest celebration involving food and beer. September 2011 Ananta-Chaturdasi Sept 18 Festival of 10 virtues. Ksamavani Sept 19 The day of universal forgiveness. of Peace Sep 21 A day for people of all nations to honor peace. Equinox Sep 23 The day that daylight is the same all over the planet. Mabon Sep 23 The Autumn Equinox. Maskal Sep 27 Marks the finding of the cross in which Jesus was crucified by the mother of the Roman Emperor Constantine. Navaratri Oct 8 Hindu; Marks the advent of winter with 9 nights of fasting and prayer. Rosh Hashanah Sep 28 The start of the New Year; begins the evening prior at sundown and ends 10 days later with Yom Kippur.. The best hope of solving all our problems lies in harnessing the diversity, the energy and the creativity of all our people. Roger Wilkinson

18 Gandhi s Birthday Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat Durga Puja Hindu 5 6 Dussehra Hindu National Diversity 7 for the Elderly Yom Kippur 1 8 Leif Eriksson Norwegian American 9 10 Columbus World Mental Health National Coming Out Gay &Lesbian 11 Casimir Pulaski Memorial 12 Sukkot Pavarana Buddhist Gahambar Ayathrem Zorostrian Sukkot 13 Yom Kippur October Karva Chauth Hindu 17 for the Eradication of Poverty United Nations Halloween Reformation protestant Samhain Celtic, Pagan Alaska Shemini Atzeret Birthday of the Bab Diwali Sikh / Hindu Mahavira Nirvana Jain 20 Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah Birthday of the Bab 21 Simchat Torah October is the month for Disability Employment Awareness, and National Italian Heritage. Durga Puja Oct 4 Celebrates the divine creative force of the universe. Dussehra Oct 6 Celebrates the triumph of Lord Ram over Ravan. National Diversity Oct 7 Yom Kippur Oct 8 Begins at sundown the day prior and is the holiest of the holidays. A dietary consideration may be necessary. Columbus Oct 10 Marks the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas.

19 National Coming Out Oct 11 A day encouraging gays and lesbians to be open with pride. This was also the day that the March on Washington supporting Gay rights took place in Casmir Pulaski Memorial Oct 11 Memorializes the death of the Polish Count, who was an American Revolutionary hero. Pavarana Oct 12 Marks the end of the retreat. Gahambar Ayathrem Oct 12 A day to celebrate the creation of plant life. October 2011 Sukkot Oct 12 Begins at sundown the day prior; celebrates the protection the Israelites received while wandering in the desert for 40 years; an 8 day festival of giving thanks and appreciating the harvest. Karva Chauth Oct 16 A fast in honor of the God Shiva and Goddess Parviti, where Hindu women ensure, the safety, and success of their spouses. Birthday of the Bab Oct 20 Begins at sundown the day prior; honors the birth of the Bab the prophet herald of the Baha I faith. Shemini Atzeret Sep 20 Part of the Sukkot festival. Begins at sundown Simchat Torah Oct 21 Starts at sundown the night before; celebrates the closing of the public reading of the Torah Diwali Oct 26 Festival of lights marking the beginning of the new year. Mahavira Nirvana Oct 26 Festival of lamps. Reformation Oct 31 Commemorates the establishment of the Protestant dominations of ity. Samhain Oct 31 A Celtic festival held in honor of Saman the Lord of the Dead in ancient times. The day that souls who had died the previous year come together. Halloween Oct 31 Samhain combined with the holiday All Hallow s Eve. There are no problems we cannot solve together and very few that we can solve by ourselves. Lyndon B. Johnson

20 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat All Saints 1 2 All Souls, Catholic Eid al-adha November 2011 light Savings Time Ends Eid al-adha All Saints Nov 1 Honors all Saints World Kindness 20 Transgender of Remembrance Gay & Lesbian Universal Children s Advent Hijra 27 of Hajj November is Native American Heritage Month All Souls Nov 2 Celebrated in remembrance of those who have passed World Diabetes 28 Ascension of Abdul-Baha General Election 8 15 Haile Selassie s Coronation Rastafarian of Tolerance 9 10 Guru Nanak s Birthday Sikh Thanksgiving Guru Tegh Bahdur Martyrdom Sikh Veteran s Birthday of Baha u llah (begins sundown) Birthday of Baha u llah National Adoption 25 of The Covenant (begins sundown) of The Covenant 26 Hijra Veterans Nov 11 Honors those who served in U.S. wars. Birthday of Baha u llah Nov 11 The 1817 birth of the founder of the faith in Nur, Persia. Haile Selassie s Coronation Nov 15 Marks the day that Halie Selassie was crowned in Ethiopia as Emperor in The most important Rastafarian holiday. Eid al-adha Nov 15 holiday honoring the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. A dietary consideration may be necessary. Transgender of Remembrance Nov 20 Memorializes those killed in hate crimes against gays and lesbians.

21 Guru Nanak s Birthday Nov 21 The 1469 birth of the founder of the Sikh religion, which has origins in both the Hindu and religions. Guru Tegh Bahdur Martyrdom Nov 23 Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of the ten Gurus who founded Sikhism. of Hajj Nov 24 Pilgrimage to Mecca; the world s largest annual pilgrimage of the Covenant Nov 25 Starts at sundown the day prior; commemorates the covenant that the founder of the faith made with his followers. Thanksgiving Nov 25 The fourth Thursday in November. Celebrates the first harvest of the Plymouth Colony in November 2011 Hijra Nov 27 Starts at sundown the day prior, the first day of the new year. Advent Nov 28 The four Sundays of Advent are preparation for Christmas The common gift of humanity is that we are all hard-wired to solve problems by creating new solutions. John Koten

22 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri 1 Rosa Parks World Aids 2 of Persons with Disabilities Ashura (sundown) 4 Ashura 5 6 St Nicholas Pearl Harbor 7 Bodhi Buddhist Feast of the Immaculate Conception Luciadagen Bill of Rights 16 December 2011 Migrants Christmas Kwanzaa African American Death of the Prophet Zarathustra Zoroastrian Hanukkah Hanukkah Tohji-Tasai Shinto Rosa Parks Dec 1 Marks the day that Rosa Parks refused to relinquish her seat on the bus, resulting in a boycott ending segregation. of Disabled Persons Dec 2 Focuses on the need to integrate people who are differently-abled into the larger society. Ashura Dec 4 Sunni Muslims Commemorates the day Noah left the Ark on Mount Ararat. Shia Muslims Commemorates the day that the prophet Muhammad s grandson Hussein was martyred in 680 AD at the battle of Karbala. The struggle between the two factions dates from this point. A dietary consideration may be necessary. 21 Yule Celtic, Pagan Solstice Joseph Smith s Birthday Mormon St. Nicholas Dec 6 day to celebrate St. Nicholas, a Bishop known for his good deeds. Pearl Harbor Dec 7 Commemorates the day that Pearl Harbor was attacked. Bodhi Dec 8 A Sanskrit word which means awakening. Commemorates the day of Buddha s enlightenment after sitting under a tree for 7 days, trying to understand the meaning of life.

23 Human Rights Dec 10 Created by the to acknowledge the universal Declaration of Human rights in Maunajiyaras Dec 10 A day of fasting silence and meditation Luciadagen Dec 13 Swedish Saint known as the Queen of Light, begins the Christmas season. Bill of Rights Dec 15 Marks the 1791 ratification of the Bill of Rights. Hanukkah Dec 20 celebration lasting 8 days involving an eight branch Menorah which represents the miracle of small supply of oil lasting eight days. December 2011 Tohji-Tasai Dec 21 Celebrates the end of the Yin period of the sun in its declining power and growing strength of the Yang period. Solstice Dec 22 This is the shortest day, and the day that winter starts in the Northern hemisphere and summer begins in the southern. Yule Dec 22 The longest night of the year. The rebirth of the life sustaining sun is celebrated. Joseph Smith s Birthday Dec 23 Mormon leader and founder of the Church of Jesus Christ- Latter Saints. Christmas Dec 25 Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. Kwanzaa Dec 26 A celebration to honor African-American heritage lasting seven days. Each day is dedicated to one of the following principles, unity, self determination, collective work and responsibility, cooperative economics, purpose, creativity, and faith. Death of the Prophet Zarathustra Dec26 Marks the death of the founder of the Zoroastrian faith. Gahambar Maidyarem Dec 31 Celebrates the creation of animals; a time for sharing food equally. New Year s Eve Dec 31 The difficulty lies not in the new ideas but in escaping the old ones. John Maynard Keynes