1 New Year s Emancipation African American Shabbat (begins sundown) Shabbat 2 January 2010 17 World Religion 3 4 5 Guru Gobind Singh s Birthday Sikh 6 Carnival Season begins and Epiphany Three Kings and 10 11 12 13 Lohri Buddhist, Hindu, sikh 18 Martin Luther King, Jr. 19 Epiphany Eastern Orthodox Vasanta Panchami Hindu, sikh 20 7 Christmas Eastern Orthodox and Coptic 14 New Years Eastern Orthodox Makar Sankranti Hindu 8 9 15 16 Religious Freedom 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 Tu B Shevat (Begins sundown) 31 Tu B Shevat 30 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) The weekly Sabbath or day of rest in Judaism, will only appear once because of its frequency. 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 New Year s Jan 14 First day of the year for followers of the Julian calendar. January 2010 Makar Sankranti Jan 14 Transition of the sun from Sagittarius to Capricorn. The days gradually lengthen in the northern hemisphere. Religious Freedom Jan16 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 17 Established in 1950 by the to focus on the religious purpose of unifying people. Martin Luther King Jan 18 A day to celebrate the life, contributions and accomplishments of the leader of the national civil Rights movement. Epiphany Jan 19 Commemorates the baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist. Vasanta Panchami Jan 20 Spring festival celebrated to honor Saraswati the Goddess of wisdom, learning and fine arts. Tu B Shevat Jan 29 (sundown) - Jan30 A celebration for trees. The Journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step. Ancient Chinese proverb
1 2 Groundhog Candlemas Imbolc Pagan 3 Setsuban Shai Shinto 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 Maha Shivaratri Hindu `13 February 2010 14 Valentine s Race Relations Brotherhood/ Sisterhood Week / Lunar New Year 28 Lantern Festival China and Taiwan Purim Holi Sihk Hindu 15 Presidents Great Lent Eastern Orthodox Nirvana Buddhist 16 Shrove Tuesday Mardi Gras Ash Wednesday 21 22 23 24 25 Mawild al Nabi 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. 17 18 19 20 26 Intercalary s Mawild al Nabi Purim ( begins sundown) 27 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. Maha Shivatrati Feb 12 Hindu holiday honoring Lord Shiva. A dietary consideration may be necessary. 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. Lunar New Year Feb 14 Observed by several Asian countries; also known as Shul, Tet the Chinese New Year. Nirvana Feb 15 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. Brotherhood / Sisterhood Week Feb 14 Fosters tolerance among Catholics, Jews and Protestants supported by the National Conference for Community and Justice. February 2010 President s Feb 15 Commemorates the birthdays of both Presidents Lincoln (2/12/1809) and Washington (2/22/1732). Shrove Tuesday Feb 16 A day to show penitence and confess sins to begin the Lent. Ash Wednesday Feb 17 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. Intercalary s Feb 26 time of rejoicing, giving and greeting to prepare for fasting March 2nd through March 20 th. Purim Feb 27-28 Commemorates the event where Jews were saved from a plot to destroy them in ancient Persia. Begins at sundown Holi Feb28 Festival of color celebrating spring Lantern Festival Feb 28 The end of the Chinese New Year celebration. The Wright brothers flew right through the smoke screen of impossibility. Charles Kettering (Scientist, inventor, social philosopher from Ohio, 1876-1958)
Hola Mahalla Sikh 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Mawild al Nabi (sundown) Women s 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 light Savings Time begins 15 16 17 St. Patrick s St. Joseph s 18 19 20 Ostara Celtic,Pagan Equinox March 2010 21 Naw Ruz for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination U.N. 28 Palm Sunday Khordad Sal Zoroastrian Mahavir Jayanti Jain 29 Passover (begins sundown) 22 23 24 Ramanavami Hindu Passover Hanuman Jayanti Hindu 30 31 Cesar Chavez March is Women s History Month, Deaf History Month, Greek American Heritage Month, Irish American Heritage Month, and Spiritual Awareness Month 25 26 New Year Hindu 27 Holla Mahalla Mar 1 Mock battles are fought in honor of Guru Gobind Singh who fought against tyranny Women s Mar 8 Celebrates the contributions of working women, marked by the revolt of female garment district workers in New York in 1857. Mawlid al-nabi Mar 7 Birthday of the Prophet Muhammad light Saving Time begins Mar 14.
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. 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. for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Mar 21 U.N. day to promate efforts to remove racial discrimonation worldwide. Naw Ruz Mar 21 New Year. March 2010 Ostara Mar 20 Celtic, Pagan rituals that marked the spring planning. Ramanavami Mar 24 The birth of Shri Rama, an incarnate of the Hindu God Vishnu. A dietary consideration may be necessary. Palm Sunday Mar 28 The beginning of holy week celebrating the day that Jesus was given a special welcome into Jerusalem using palm leaves. Mahavir Jayanti Mar 28 Most important religious holiday in Jainism celebrates the birth of Mahavira the last Titrhankara. Khordad Sal Mar 28 Birth of Zoroatrian phrophet Zaranhustra Passover Mar 30 celebration commemorating the people s release from slavery in Egypt. A dietary consideration may be necessary Hanuman Jayanti Mar 30 Celebrated to commemorate the birth of Hanuman; Hindu. Cesar Chavez Mar 31 In honor of Cesar Chavez a Latino Labor leader born in Yuma Az on this day in 1927. Chance favors the prepared mind. Louis Pasteur (French microbiologist and chemist 1822-1895)
1 April Fools 2 Good Friday Coptic and Eastern Orthodox 3 4 Easter Coptic and Eastern Orthodox 5 Easter Monday 6 National Tartan 7 8 Vesak Buddha s Birthday Buddhist 9 10 11 Yom Ha-Shoah 12 13 Buddhist New Year Vaisakhi Hindu, Jain, Sikh 14 15 16 National of Silence Gay and Lesbian 17 April 2010 18 19 20 Festival of Ridvan (begins sundown) 21 Administrative Professionals Festival of Ridvan 25 26 27 28 Theravadin New Year Buddhist April is Celebrate Diversity Month 22 23 24 Take our Daughters and Sons to Work Earth Gathering of Nations Powwow 29 30 Beltane Celtic, Pagan 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. Good Friday Apr 2 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. Easter Apr 4 Commemorates Jesus resurrection following the crucifixtion. National Tartan Apr 6 A day in celebration of people of Scottish origins in the U.S. and Canada. Buddha s Birthday Apr 8 Commemorates the birth of Siddartha Gautama the founder of Buddhism. Yom Ha-Shoah Apr 11 Also known as holocaust day in commemoration of the Jews killed in concentration camps.
Buddhist New Year Apr 13 Vaisakhi Apr 13 The first day of the Hindu New Year festival of gifts and sweets. National of Silence Apr 16 Members of the GLBT community protest against discrimination. Festival of Ridvan Apr 20-21 celebration of the visit in the garden of Ridvan by Balha u llah where he proclaimed his mission as a messenger of God. Administrative Professionals Apr 21 A day to recognize the contributions of secretaries Earth Apr 22 A day to draw attention to the environment and natural resources. April 2010 Take our Sons and Daughters to Work day Apr 22 A day for parents to introduce their children to the work place. Created by Ms. magazine in 1993. Gathering of Nations Powwow Apr 22 A Native American gathering of tribes held in New Mexico. National Arbor Apr 24 Thervadin New Year Apr 28 Theravada is a division of Buddhism considered to be closest to the original teaching. Beltane Celtic Apr 30 Celebrates the union of Goddess of God. It is not the strongest species that survive, nor the most intelligent, but the one most responsive to change. Charles Darwin (English geologist 1809-1882)
Labor 1 Lei Hawaiian May 2 3 World Press Freedom 4 5 Cinco de Mayo Mexican American 6 National of Prayer 7 8 Vesak Buddhist Mother s 9 10 Golden Spike Asian American 11 12 13 Ascension Eastern Orthodox 14 15 Armed Forces May 2010 23 Declaration of the Bab Pentecost Coptic and Eastern Orthodox 16 17 Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education decision 30 24 Memorial African Freedom Shavuot (sundown) 18 Shavuot 19 25 26 27 Vesak Buddhist 20 21 22 Declaration of the Bab (sundown) 28 Ascension of Baha u llah (sundown) Ascension of Baha u llah 29 May is the month for Asian Pacific American Heritage, American Heritage, and Older Americans. American Heritage Month May 1 Initiated in 2006 by George Bush a time to recognize contributions in America. 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 National of Prayer May 6
V-E (Victory in Europe) May 8 Commemorates the day the Germans surrendered to the Allied Forces in 1945. Vesak May 27 Celebrates the birth, life and death of Buddha. Golden Spike May 10 Recognizes the contribution of Chinese workers on the Transcontinental Railroad. This was the day that the final spike was driven. Mother s May 9 A day to celebrate mothers initiated by Woodrow Wilson in 1914. Anniversary of Brown vs. Board of Education decision May 17 The day the Supreme Court ruled that racial segregation in public schools was unconstitutional. Ascension May 13 Commemorates the day Jesus ascended into heaven. May 2010 Declaration of the Bab May 22-23 celebration commemorating the day that the Bab revealed that he was the herald of a messenger of God. African Freedom May 15 The anniversary of the day the Organization of African unity was created in 1963. Memorial May 25 A day in remembrance of soldiers who lost their lives in battle. Shavout May 18-19 Begins at sundown the day prior. Celebrates the revelation of the ten commandments to Moses. Ascension of Baha u llah May 28-29 Marks the death in 1892 of the founder of the. If your actions inspire others to dream more, learn more, do more and become more, you are a leader. John Quincy Adams
1 2 3 Corpus Christi Catholic 4 5 6 Trinity Sunday D- 7 8 9 King Kamehmeha Hawaiian 10 11 12 13 Race Unity Flag 14 15 King Kamehameha 16 Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sikh 17 18 Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival Native American 19 Juneteenth African American June 2010 Father s 20 Litha Celtic, Pagan Soltice 21 27 28 Stonewall Rebellion Gay & Lesbian 22 23 St. John s Eve, 29 Feast of St. John The Baptist, June is Lesbian and Gay Pride Month 24 25 26 United Nations Charter U.N. Red Earth Native American Cultural Festival Jun 18 A three day festival in celebration of the Native American culture. D- Jun 6 The day U.S. troops landed on the shores of Normandy during World War II. King Kamehameha Jun11 Celebrated in honor of Hawaii s first monarch. Race Unity Jun 13 A day to focus on racial harmony. Flag Jun 14 Commemorates the flag and its adoption in 1777. 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 1865. Solstice Jun 21 The longest day of year. Commemorates the beginning of summer in the northern hemisphere and Winter in the southern. Father s Jun 20 This tradition of honoring fathers was initiated in 1910 by Louis Dodd. 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. June 2010 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 U.N. charter in 1945. Stonewall Rebellion Jun 28 Represents the first open action of gays and lesbians toward procuring equal treatment under the law. Celebrated in remembrance of a protest in New York against police harassment. To laugh often and much, to win the respect of intelligent people and the affection of children, to earn the appreciation of honest critics and endure the betrayal of false friends, to appreciate beauty, to find the best in others, to leave the world a bit better, whether by a healthy child, a garden patch or redeemed social condition; to know even one life has breathed easier because you have lived. This is to have succeeded! Ralph Waldo Emerson
1 2 3 Independence 4 Fil-American Friendship 5 6 7 Shab-e-Miraj (sundown) Martyrdom of the Bab (sundown) Shab-e-Miraj 8 Martyrdom of the Bab 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 9 10 July 2010 25 Shab-e-Barat (begins sundown) Asalhapuja Buddhist 18 19 20 21 22 23 Birth of Haile June 2008 Selassie I. Rastafarian Americans with Disabilites Act Signed Shab-e-Barat June 2008 26 Independence Jul 4 Commemorates the signing of the Declaration of Independence. Shab-e-Barat Jul 25-26 A fast in preparation for Ramadan beginning at sundown the previous evening Fil-American Friendship Jul 4 Celebrated as a day of friendship with the U.S. 24 Pioneer Latter day Saints (Mormon) 27 28 29 30 31 Asalhapuja Jul 25 Celebration of the Buddha s initial sermon and the setting of the Wheel of Truth into the world. Martyrdom of the Bab Jul 8-9 Begins the day prior at sundown. day of remembrance which marks the arrest, confinement, torture and execution of the Bab. Shab-e-Miraj Jul 7-8 Celebrates Muhammad s ascension into heaven, begins at sundown the previous day Birth of Haile Selassie I. Jul 23 1892 birthday of the former Ethiopian emperor. The origin of Rastafari is based on the word ras 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
Lughnasadh (Lammas ) Celtic, Pagan 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 15 Assumption of the Virgin Mary 8 9 10 Ramadan 16 17 Youth Ramadan Raksha Bandham Hindu 11 12 13 14 V-J 18 19 20 August 2010 22 23 Paryushana Jain 29 30 31 Lughnasadh Aug 1 Major Wiccan harvest celebration. V-J Aug 14 Commemorates the surrender of Japan to the Allied Forces 24 25 26 Women s Equality Assumption of the Virgin Mary Aug 15 Marks the taking of the body and soul of the Virgin Mary into heaven. 27 28 Ramadan Aug 22 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. You must be the change you wish to see in the world Mahatma Ghandhi
1 2 Janmashtami Hindu 3 4 Lailat ul-qadr September 2010 Lailat ul-qadr September is the beginning of Hispanic Heritage Month and Women in Medicine Month Labor Sep 1 A day to honor workers. 5 12 Grandparent s 19 National Deaf Awareness Week Labor 6 13 National Boss 26 27 Maskal Ethiopina Orthodox 20 21 of Peace 7 8 Literacy Eid al-fitr Rosh Hashanah 14 15 Hispanic Heritage Month begins 22 Sukkot Equinox Mabon Celtiic, Pagan 28 29 Shemini Atzeret 9 Eid al-fitr Rosh Hashanah Sukkot 30 Shemini Atzeret Simchat Torah Jeiwish 10 11 Patriot Ganesh Chaturthi Hindu 16 17 18 Citizenship Yom Kippur Yom Kippur Oktoberfest German Navaratri Hindu 23 24 25 Literacy Sep 8 Created to focus on literacy issues around the world. Patriot Sep 11 In memory of those who died on 9/11 in the acts of terror against the U.S. Grandparent s Sep 7 Initiated in 1979 in honor of Grandparents. Hispanic Heritage Month begins Sep 15 Designated in 1988 by the congress to celebrate Hispanic heritage. Ganesh Chaturthi Aug 23 This day is offered to the Hindu God of success, wisdom and the remover of obstacles
Janmashtami Aug 14 A Hindu festival to honor Lord Krishna celebrated with fasting Lailat ul-qadr Sep 16 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. A dietary consideration may be necessary. Citizenship Sep 17 The day the constitution was signed in 1787, also honors new citizens. September 2010 Rosh Hashanah Sep 19 The start of the New Year; begins the evening prior at sundown and ends 10 days later with Yom Kippur. Oktoberfest Sep 19 German harvest celebration involving food and beer. Navaratri Sep 19 Hindu; Marks the advent of winter with 9 nights of fasting and prayer. Eid al-fitr Sep 20 The end of the Ramadan fast; begins the evening prior at sundown of Peace Sep 21 A day for people of all nations to honor peace. Equinox Sep 22 The day that daylight is the same all over the planet. Mabon Sep 22 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. Yom Kippur Sep 27 Begins at sundown the day prior and is the holiest of the holidays. A dietary consideration may be necessary. Sukkot Oct 3 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. Simchat Torah Oct 10 Starts at sundown the night before; celebrates the closing of the public reading of the Torah Nothing in life is to be feared it is only to be understood. Marie Curie
1 National Gandhi s (Polish physicist and chemist Diversity 1867-1934) Birthday Simchat Torah Jeiwish 2 3 4 5 6 7 Karva Chauth Hindu 8 9 Leif Eriksson Norwegian American October 2010 24 United Nations 31 Reformation protestant Samhain Celtic, Pagan Halloween 10 11 Columbus Casimir Pulaski Memorial National Coming Out Gay &Lesbian 17 18 Alaska 19 Birthday of the Bab 12 13 14 15 16 20 Birthday of the Bab October is the month for Disability Employment Awareness, and National Italian Heritage. 21 22 23 25 26 27 28 29 30 National Diversity Oct 2 Celebrated the first Friday in October annually. Karva Chauth Oct 8 A fast in honor of the God Shiva and Goddess Parviti, where Hindu women ensure, the safety, and success of their spouses. 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 1987. Casmir Pulaski Memorial Oct 11 Memorializes the death of the Polish Count who was an American Revolutionary hero. Columbus Oct 12
Marks the 1492 arrival of Christopher Columbus to the Americas. 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. Reformation Oct 31 Commemorates the establishment of the protestant dominations of ity. The day Martin Luther tacked his 95 propositions to the door of Wittenberg Church in 1517. 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. October 2010 There is a way to do it better find it. Thomas Edison (American inventor 1847-1931)
All Saints 1 2 General Election All Souls, Catholic 3 4 5 Diwali Hindu 6 light Savings Time Ends 7 8 9 10 11 Veteran s Birthday of Baha u llah 12 Birthday of Baha u llah 13 November 2010 21 Guru Nanak s Birthday Sikh Advent 14 15 Eid al-adha Haile Selassie s Coronation Rastafarian 28 All Saints Nov 1 Honors all Saints. Eid al-adha November is Native American Heritage Month All Souls Nov 2 Celebrated in remembrance of those who have passed. 16 22 23 Guru Tegh Bahdur Martyrdom Sikh 29 30 of Hajj Islam 17 18 19 20 National Adoption Transgender of Rememberance Gay & Lesbian 24 25 Thanksgiving of The Covenant 26 of The Covenant 27 Ascension of Abdul-Baha Guru Nanak s Birthday Nov 2 The 1469 birth of the founder of the Sikh religion, which has origins in both the Hindu and religions. Diwali Nov 5 A festival of lights celebrating the New Year. Lights and fireworks are used to welcome ancestors, gods and families. Veterans Nov 11 Honors those who served in U.S. wars. Birthday of Baha u llah Nov 12 The 1817 birth of the founder of the Baha I faith in Nur, Persia.
Haile Selassie s Coronation Nov 15 Marks the day that Halie Selassie was crowned in Ethiopia as emperor in 1930. The most important Rastafarian holiday. Transgender of Remembrance Nov 20 Memorializes those killed in hate crimes against gays and lesbians. Guru Tegh Bahdur Martyrdom Nov 24 Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of the ten Gurus who founded Sikhism. of the Covenant Nov 25 Starts at sundown the day prior; commemorates the covenant that the founder of the Bah i faith made with his followers. November 2010 of Hajj Nov 25 Pilgrimage to Mecca; the world s largest annual pilgrimage. Thanksgiving Nov 27 The fourth Thursday in November. Celebrates the first harvest of the Plymouth Colony in 1621. Eid al-adha Nov 28 holiday honoring the willingness of Abraham to sacrifice his son in obedience to God. A dietary consideration may be necessary. The scientific mind does not so much provide the right answers as ask the right questions. Claude Levi-Strauss
1 Rosa Parks World Aids Hanukkah Hanukkah 2 3 of Disabled Persons 4 Pearl Harbor 5 6 St Nicholas Hijra Pearl Harbor Hijra 7 Bodhi Buddhist Feast of the Immaculate Conception 8 9 10 Human Rights 11 December 2010 26 Kwanzaa African American 12 13 Luciadagen 19 20 21 Yule Celtic, Pagan Soltice 14 15 Ashura (sundown) Bill of Rights Ashura 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 3 Focuses on the need to integrate people who are differently-abled into the larger society. 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 Christmas 27 28 29 30 31 New Year s Eve St. Nicholas Dec 6 day to celebrate St. Nicholas, a Bishop known for his good deeds. 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. Human Rights Dec 10 Created by the U.N. to acknowledge the universal Declaration of Human rights in 1948. Hanukkah Dec 12 celebration lasting 8 days involving an eight branch Menorah which represents the miracle of small supply of oil lasting eight days. 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. Hijra Dec 18 Starts at sundown the day prior, the first day of the new year. Solstice Dec 21 This is the shortest day, and the day that winter starts in the Northern hemisphere and summer begins in the southern. Christmas Dec 25 Commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. December 2010 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. Ashura Dec 27 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. The difficulty lies not in the new ideas but in escaping the old ones. John Maynard Keynes (British economist 1883-1946)