DIVERSITY CALENDAR 2015 Designed and Prepared by Sharon Campbell - UC 2015
UXBRIDGE COLLEGE RELIGIOUS AND CULTURAL FESTIVALS BUDDHIST CHRISTIAN HINDU JUDISM MUSLIM RASTAFARIAN SHINTO SIKH
1. NEW YEAR S DAY Celebrated Worldwide OSHOGATSU (Shinto) Shinto New Year, one of the most popular occasions when they visit their shrines TEMPLE DAY (Buddhist) 2. 3. MILAD UN NABI THE BIRTHDAY OF THE PROPHET MOHAMMAD (Sunni Muslims) Shia Muslims celebrate this 5 days later. Some muslims do not celebrate this occasion 4. 5. BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH (Sikh) Guru Gobind Singh was the tenth and last of the Sikh Gurus MAHAYANA NEW YEAR (Buddhist) 6. EPIPHANY Celebrates the visit of the Magi (3 Wise men said to be Kings) to Jesus and offering gifts of Gold, Frankincense and Myrrh WORLD DAY FOR WAR ORPHANS 7. ORTHODOX CHRISTMAS DAY (Rastafarian) Most orthodox churches celebrate Christmas 13 days after the Gregorian version of the Western calendar, called the Julian version 8. MILAD UN NABI THE BIRTHDAY OF THE PROPHET MOHAMMAD (Shia Muslims) (Some muslims do not celebrate this occasion) 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. MAKAR SANKRANTI (Hindu) Important Hindu Festival celebrating the journey of the sun into the Northern Hemisphere 15. SEIJIN SHIKI (Adults Day) (Shinto) Japanese who have reached 20 in the previous year attend a shrine to give thanks 16. RELIGIOUS FREEDOM DAY 17 18. WORLD RELIGION DAY 19. DR MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY 20. 21. 22. 23. 24. 25. BURN NIGHT 26. AUSTRALIA DAY 27. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF COMMEMORATION IN MEMORY OF THE VICTIMS OF THE HOLOCAUST 28. DATA PROTECTION DAY 29. 30. WORLD LEPROSY ERADICATION DAY 31. BIRTHDAY OF GURU HAR RAI (Sikh) Guru Har Rai was the seventh of the Sikh Gurus
1. 2. 3. TU B SHVAT Festival of Trees - celebrating the planting of all trees, whenever they were planted RISSUN (Shinto ) A Spring Festival that marks the division between the seasons of Winter and Spring and celebrated with beans 4. 5. 6. 7. 8. PARINIVANA NIRVANA DAY (Buddhist) Parinirvana also called Nirvana Day, the Anniversary of Buddha s Death, when he reached total Nirvana at aged 80 9. 10. 11. OUR LADY OF LOURDES St Bernadette had her first vision of the Blessed Mary this day in Lourdes, France on this day in 1858 12. DARWIN DAY 13. 14. St VALENTINE S DAY This has now become a Secular Festival The day for Romantics 15. NIRVANA DAY (Buddhist) Marking the Anniversary of Buddha s death 16. 17. SHROVE TUESDAY Also called Pancake Day and Mardi Gras. The British name of Pancake Day derives from using up all the food in a Pan Cake which could not be eaten during the Lent period 18. ASH WEDNESDAY The First Day of Lent, for Western Churches, marking the time that Jesus spent in the wilderness. (Christians usually give something up for lent) 19. CHINESE NEW YEAR The year of the Goat begins which will be considered an auspicious year 20. WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE 21. 22. WORLD SCOUT DAY 23. WORLD PEACE AND UNDERSTANDING DAY 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. Designed and Prepared by Sharon Campbell UC 2014 Designed and prepared by Sharon Campbell UC 2015
1. ST DAVID S DAY David is the Patron Saint of Wales 2. 3. HINA-MATSURI - FESTIVAL OF DOLLS (Shinto) Celebrates daughters in the family 4. 5. MAGHA PUJA DAY (Buddhism) PURIM One day festival of fasting Commemorating Jewish People who lived in Persia and were saved from extermination by Esther 6. HOLA MOHALLA (Sikh) Hola Mohalla was started by Guru Gobind Singh for Sikhs to practice their military exercises and to hold mock battles. 7. 8. INTERNATIONAL WOMENS DAY 9. 10. 11. 12. 13. 14. 15. MOTHERING SUNDAY The 4 th Sunday during Lent when girls in Service used to be given the day off and go home to their families taking flowers to their Mothers 16. 17. ST PATRICK S DAY The Patron Saint of Ireland 18. 19. BIRTHDAY OF JOTI JOT GURU HARGOBIND ji (Sikh) Joti Jot Guru Hargobind was the Sixth Sikh Guru 20. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF HAPPINESS 21. UGADI (YUGADI) (Hindu) Hindu New Year Festival for Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka in S. India SHUBUN-SAI EQUINOX DAY (Shinto) A day for visiting graves. Also associated with Buddhism in Japan INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ILLIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION 22. WORLD WATER DAY 29. PALM SUNDAY The 6 th and last Sunday in Lent Jesus enters Jerusalem on a donkey and the crowds welcome him and wave palms at him 23. 24. 25. ANNUNCIATION Angel Gabriel gives a message to Virgin Mary that she will give birth to Jesus, an incarnation of Christ in 9 months time 30. 31. 26. 27. 28. SWAMINARAYAN JAYANTI (Hindu) This day marks the day of Lord Swaminarayan s Birth for followers of the Swaminarayan tradition
1. APRIL FOOLS DAY 2. MAUNDY THURSDAY The day of the Last Supper when Jesus washed the feet of his disciples and the celebration of the Eucharist was started. The Queen gives out Maundy Money on this day WORLD AUTISM AWARENESS DAY 3. GOOD FRIDAY Jesus was crucified and died upon the Cross in Calgary MAHAVIR JAYANTI (Jain) Celebration of the birth of Mahavira the last Tirthankara FAST OF THE FIRSTBORN Observed by firstborn males only, on day before Passover & celebrates the survival of Jewish 1 st born sons from the 10 th plague of Egypt 4. HOLY SATURDAY The Day Christians prepare for Easter Sunday PESACH /PASSOVER 4 th 11 th Jews celebrate Moses leading the children out of Egypt work is not permitted on the first and last two days of Passover THERAVADA NEW YEAR (Buddhist) 5. EASTER SUNDAY Celebrates Jesus as he is resurrected from the dead whilst in the Garden of Gethsemane. Most important date in the Christian Calendar 6. EASTER MONDAY Bank Holiday 7.WORLD HEALTH DAY 8. SWAMINARAYAN JAYANTIN (Hindu ) The Birthday of Lord Swaminarayan celebrated by followers of the Swaminarayan traditions 9. 10. 11. 12. EASTER SUNDAY ORTHODOX 13. 14. VAISAKHI (Sikh) Devotees show their thanks to the almighty for the good harvests, also celebrated as the commemoration of the brotherhood of sikhism 15. BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK (Sikh) Guru Nanak was the first Sikh Guru 16. YOM HaSHOAH Holocaust and Heroism Remembrance Day 17. WORLD HAEMOPHILIA DAY 18. BIRTHDAY OF GURU ANGAD DEV and GURU TEGH BAHADUR (Sikh) Guru Angad Dev was the second Sikh Guru and Guru Tegh Bahadur was the ninth of the Sikh Gurus 19. 20. 21. ANNIVERSARY OF HAILE SELASSIE S VISIT TO JAMAICA (Rastafarian) The date that Haile Selassie visited Jamaica in 1966, who was the Emporer of Ethiopia. Rastas believe that Halie Selassie is God, and that he will help exiled members of the black community to move back to Africa. 22. EARTH DAY 23. ST GEORGES DAY The Patron Saint of England WORLD BOOK AND COPYWRIGHT DAY 24. 25. WORLD MALARIA DAY 26. 27. 28. 29. WORLD DANCE DAY 30.
SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY 31. TRINITY SUNDAY The first Sunday after Pentecost when Christians meditate on the nature of God as the three in one 1. MAY DAY 2. BIRTHDAY OF GURU ARJAN DEV (Sikh) Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh Guru 3. 4. VISAKHA PUJA (Buddhism) Commemorates Buddha s birth 5. WORLD ASTHMA DAY 6. 7. 8. WORLD RED CROSS DAY 9. 10. 11. YOM HAZIKARON The day preceding Israel s Independence Day a day of remembrance 12. YOM HA ATZMAUT Israel s Independence Day INTERNATIONAL NURSES DAY 13. 14. ASCENSION DAY The last earthly appearance of Jesus after his resurrection. Christians believe that Jesus ascended into heaven. This is always celebrated 40 days after Easter. 15. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FAMILIES 16. 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. WORLD DAY FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY FOR DIALOGUE AND DEVELOPMENT 22. 23. BIRTHDAY OF GURU AMAR DAS ji(sikh) Guru Amar Das was the third Sikh Guru 24. WHITSUN PENTECOST Commemorating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon all the disciples and celebrates the birth of the Christian Church SHAVOUT COMMONWEALTH DAY 25. 26. LAG B OMER 33 rd Day of Omer commemorating a break in the plague during the lifetime of Rabbi Akiva 27. 28. 29. 30.
1. WESAK OR BUDDHA DAY (Buddhist) Celebrates Buddha s Birthday, also marks Buddha s enlightenment and death, most important day in the Buddhist Calendar INTERNATIONAL CHILDRENS DAY 2. 3. 4. CORPUS CHRISTI Roman Catholic Festival celebrating the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist 5. YOM YERUSHALAYIM Jerusalem Day WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY 6. 7. CORPUS CHRISTI Roman Catholic Festival celebrating the real presence of Christ in the Eucharist. The Catholic Church in the UK celebrate this day on the Sunday after Trinity 8. 9. 10. 11. 12. SHAVUOT Two day festival to celebrate the taking of the Harvest to the Temple. Work not permitted Also know as Festival of Weeks WORLD DAY AGAINST CHILD LABOUR DAY 13. 14. WORLD BLOOD DONOR DAY 15. 16.MARTYRDOM OF GURU ARJAN DEV ji (Sikh) 17. WORLD DAY TO COMBAT DESERTIFICATION AND DROUGHT 18. RAMADAN (Islam) The month of fasting for Muslims 19. 20. WORLD REFUGEE DAY 21. FATHER S DAY SUMMER SOLSTICE The Longest day of the year 22. 23. 24. 25. 26. 27. THE START OF WORLD PRIDE WEEK 28. 29. ST PETER and ST PAUL S DAY One of the oldest Saints Days in the Christian Calendar observes the martyrdom of both saints 30.
1. 2. ASALHA PUJA DAY (Buddhism) Also known as Dhama Day which celebrates Buddha s first sermon after his enlightenment 3. 4. 5. BIRTHDAY OF HAROBIND SAHIB and GURU HARKRISHAN ji (Sikh) 6. 7. 8. 9. 10. 11. WORLD POPULATION DAY 12. 13. LAILAT AL QADR (Muslim) The night of Power, marks the night in which the Qur an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad by Allah 14. 15. ST SWITHIN S DAY St Swithin was a Saxon Bishop, the legend says that if it rains on St Swithin s day, it will rain for 40 days after this date 16. 17. EID-UL-FITR (Muslim) The end of Ramadan when Muslims thank Allah for his help with their month long act of Self Control in fasting 18. NELSON MANDELLA INTERNATIONAL DAY 19. 20. 21. 22. 23. BIRTHDAY OF HAILE SELASSIE 1 (Rastafarian) 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. WORLD NATURE CONSERVATION DAY 29. 30. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF FRIENDSHIP 31.
30. 31. 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. ANTI NUCLEAR DAY 7. 8. 9. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WORLD INDIGENOUS PEOPLE 10. 11. 12. INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY 13. OBON (Shinto) Festival where spirits of ancestors are honoured 14. TISHA B AV A series of tragedies that have befallen Jews over the years, all commemorated on this day 15. ASSUMPTION OF THE VIRGIN MARY Roman Catholics believe that Mary, mother of Jesus was taken body and soul into heaven 16. 17. BIRTHDAY OF MARCUS GARVEY (Rastafarian) Commemorates the birthday of Marcus Garvey, the Jamaican Politician born in 1887 who predicted the crowning of the King of Africa, and instigated the Back to Africa Movement 18. 19. WORLD HUMANITARIAN DAY 20. 21. 22. 23. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE SLAVE AND TRADE AND ABOLITION 24. 25. 26. 27. 28. 29. RAKSHA BANDHAN (Hindu) (Jain) (Sikhs) Celebrates the love and duty between siblings
THE START OF UXBRIDGE COLLEGE S FIFTIETH YEAR A YEAR OF CELEBRATION 1. BIRTHDAY OF GURU GRANTH SAHIB ji (Sikh) 2. 3. 4. 5.. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY 6. 7. 8. BIRTHDAY OF THE BLESSED VIRGIN MARY Mary Mother of Jesus born on this day WORLD LITERACY DAY 9. 10. 11. ETHIOPIAN NEW YEAR (Rastafarian) Rastafarians believe Ethiopia to be their spiritual homeland and the place they want to return to 12. WORLD FIRST AID DAY 13. 14. ROSH HASHANAH Two day Jewish New Year celebrations 15. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF ENGINEERS 16. BIRTHDAY OF GURU AMAR DAS ji (Sikh) FAST OF GEDALLIAH Commemorates the assassination of Gedalliah Ben Achikam, Governor of Israel during the reign of Nebuchadnetzar King of Babylonia WORLD OZONE DAY 17. 18. 19. 20. 21. WORLD PEACE DAY WORLD ALZHEIMER S DAY 22. BIRTHDAY OF GURU GURU NANAK DEV 23. EID-UL-ADHA (Muslim) Festival of Sacrifice marking the day after Arafat the day of Arafat is the most important day in the Hajj ritual. This is a four day holiday 24. WORLD HEART DAY WORLD MARITIME DAY 25. 26. DAY OF THE DEAF DAY 27. WORLD TOURISM DAY 28. SUKKOT The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorates the years the Jews spent in the desert on the way to the promise land and how God looked after them. 7 days and Jews not to work for first 2 days 29. 30
1.. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE ELDERLY WORLD VEGETARIAN DAY 2. 3. WORLD HABITAT DAY 4. HOSHANAH RABBAH The 7 th day of Sukkot 5. SHEMINI ATZERET The Assembly of the eighth day. Festival combined in Israel with Simchat Torah WORLD AND INTERNATIONAL TEACHER S DAY 6. SIMCHAT TORAH Marks the completion of the yearly cycle of the weekly Torah readings 7. 8. 9. BIRTHDAY OF GURU RAMDAS ji (Sikh) 10. WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY 11. 12. WORLD SIGHT DAY 13. NAVARATRI (Hindu) Navaratri (nine nights) symbolises the triumph of good over evil and marks the start of the Autumn 14. AL-HIJIRA (Muslim) Islamic New Year Marks the migration of Prophet Mohammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina 15. 16. WORLD FOOD DAY 17. 18. 19. 20. BIRTHDAY OF GURU GOBIND SINGH ji & JOTI GURU HAR RAI 21. 22. DUSSERA (Hindu) Celebrates Lord Rama s victory over the evil demon Ravana 23. ASHURA (Muslim) Islamic Holy Day, in commemoration of the Martydom of the Prophet Mohammad s Grandson Hussein YOM KIPPUR Day of Atonement a solemn day for all Jews 24. UNITED NATIONS DAY 25. BRITISH SUMMERTIME ENDS (Clocks go back 1 hour) 26. 27. 28. 29. 30. 31. HALLOWEEN The night before All Saint s Day becoming more secular with children dressing up and trick or treating on this night
1. ALL SAINTS DAY When Christians honour all saints known and unknown USA THANKSGIVING DAY 2. ALL SOULS DAY When Christians commemorate their faithful departed CORONATION OF EMPEROR HAILE SELASSIE 1 Rasta s believe Haile was God and that he would help return to Africa, members of the black community living in exile 3. 4. 5. BONFIRE NIGHT To commemorate when Guy Fawkes tried to blow up the houses of Parliament on 5 November 1605 6. 7. 8. REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY In commemoration of those who lost their lives in conflict 9. 10. 11. DIWALI (Hindu) (Sikhs) (Jains) Diwali is the Festival of Lights, and is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs ARMISTICE DAY Commemorating those who lost their lives in the second world war 12. 13. 14. WORLD DIABETES DAY 15. SHICHIGOSAN (7-5-3 Festival) (Shinto) A festival to give thanks for children. 16. 17. INTERNATIONAL STUDENT S DAY 18. 19. 20. UNIVERSAL CHILDRENS DAY 21. 22. 23. NIINAMESEI (Shinto) Labour Thanksgiving Day, a national holiday in Japan and originally Harvest Festival 24. MARTYRDOM OF GURU TEGH BAHADUR (Sikh) Honoured as Champion of Religious Freedom, executed in 1675 for refusing to convert to Islam 25. BIRTHDAY OF GURU NANAK DEV ji (Sikh) INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF VIOLENCE AGAINST WOMEN 26. 27. 28. 29. ADVENT SUNDAY 4 th Sunday before Christmas 30. ST ANDREW S DAY Patron Saint of Scotland
1. WORLD AIDS DAY 2. INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ABOLITION OF SLAVERY WORLD COMPUTER LITERACY DAY 3. INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PEOPLE WITH DISABILITY WORLD CONSERVATION DAY 4. 5. INTERNATIONAL VOLUNTEER DAY FOR ECONOMIC AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT 6. BODHI DAY (Buddhist) Some Buddhists celebrate Gautama s attainment of enlightenment under the Bodhi tree at Bodhgaya in India 7. HANUKKAH Festival of Lights and marks the victory of the Maccabees who recaptured Jerusalem from the Greeks. They rededicated the temple and could only find enough oil to light the nine branched menorah (candelabra) for 1 day 8. FEAST OF THE IMMACULATE CONCEPTION (Christian RC) Roman Catholics remember Mary s conception as being without sin 9. 10. HUMAN RIGHTS DAY 11. 12. 13. 14. WORLD ENERGY DAY 15. 16. 17. 18. INTERNATIONAL MIGRANTS DAY 19. 20 21. MARTYRDOM OF OLDER SAHIBZAADEY AND YOUNGER S AHIBZAADEY (Sikh) MILAD UN NABI (Sunni Muslims) Birthday of Prophet Muhammad Shia celebrate 5 days later some Muslims do not approve of celebrating birthdays and find it an innovation 22. 23. 24. CHRISTMAS EVE The day before Christmas day when Christians prepare to commemorate the birth of Jesus 25. CHRISTMAS DAY The day Jesus was born to Mary and Joseph in a stable in Bethlehem 26. ST STEPHEN S DAY St Stephen was the first Christian Martyr. This day is also know as BOXING DAY when masters in the olden days would box up presents to give to servants and their families MILAD UN NABI (Shia Muslims) Birthday of Prophet Muhammad Sunni celebrate 5 days earlier 27. 28. 29. INTERNATIONAL BIODIVERSITY DAY 30. 31. NEW YEAR S EVE