Indigenous Peoples
Bahá’í • Buddhist
Christian • Hindu
Islam • Jain
Jewish • Shinto
Sikh • Wicca
Zoroastrian
Multicultural Calendar 2023
• Diversity
• Inclusion
• New Moons
• Full Moons
• United Nations Days
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What are some of the special features of other calendar systems?
Members of the Islamic faith observe Fridays as their major day
of worship. e fast of Ramadan begins at sundown on the evening
before the date given; there is no prohibition on working during
Ramadan. e two days of required religious observance are
Eid-ul-Fitr (Festival of Fastbreaking) and Eid-ul-Adha (Festival
of Sacrice). Members of the Islamic faith are prohibited from
working on those two days. All the dates of Islamic observance are
tentative because they are based on the rst local sightings of the
lunar crescent of the new moon.
e Jewish religious day is Saturday - Shabbat - and begins
at sundown on Friday until sundown on Saturday. All days of
religious signicance for the Jewish faith begin at sundown on the
evening before the date given.
e Baha’i year begins at the spring equinox, on March 21.
eir calendar is comprised of 19 months, each 19 days long, and
four “intercalary days (February 26 to March 1). e Baha’i day
begins at sundown before the date listed and end at sundown on
the date listed. e Baha’i Fast is observed every year from March
2 to March 20. Children under the age of 15, the elderly, pregnant
and nursing mothers, those who are ill or engaged in heavy labour
are exempt from observing the Fast.
Until March 31, 1998, the Sikhs used the Hindu lunisolar
(Bikrami) calendar to determine their feast days. ey now use
their own solar Nanakshahi Calendar which started on March 14th,
1999 Gregorian. e era (1 Chet 1 Nanakshahi) is the date of the
birth of the rst Guru, Nanak Dev, in 1469. Although all
observances are now xed, Guru Nanak’s birthday and Holla
Mohalla continue to be moveable feasts based on the lunar
calendar.
Most Buddhists with the exception of the Japanese Buddhists,
use the Lunar calendar. Dates of Buddhist festivals vary between
dierent traditions and from country to country. For example,
people from ailand, Burma and Sri Lanka celebrate their New
Year in mid-April, whereas Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean
Buddhists follow the lunar calendar and celebrate it in January or
February. Tibetan Buddhists usually celebrate a month later.
e Christian faith has three separate calendars: e Western
or Gregorian calendar is that of the Roman Catholic and Protestant
Churches.
e Orthodox or Julian Calendar is divided into 12 months
of 30 days each, and a 13th month of 5 or 6 days at the end of the
year, hence the date for Christmas is on Jan. 7th. It is the same as
the Western Calendar for all xed feasts but uses the Julian
calendar for moveable feasts such as Easter and is used primarily
by the Greek and Cypriot Orthodox Churches. is calendar is
used mainly in eastern Europe, eastern Meditteranean, Russia,
Romania, Serbia, Greece, Bulgaria, Georgia, Cyprus, Czech,
Slovenia, Poland and Albania.
e Orthodox Coptic Calendar is 13 days behind the Julian
Calendar and is used by most other Orthodox churches in Egypt,
Ethiopia, Entrea, Sudan and the Middle East.
Make this calendar an informational tool to schedule your appointments, meetings and events. We took your suggestions, and have provided the following
icons to help you identify and honour signicant events and holidays.
4 Schedule consideration: ese dates are National holidays or Religious days when individuals may want to take time o to observe their holiday.
n Cultural/National Days: Mark festivals of cultural groups and National days. s Religious days of all major religions of the world.
n Independence Days of countries. * Bahá’í and Jewish observances begin at previous sundown.
l UN and International days.
Acknowledgements
Creative Cultural Communications wishes to express its
appreciation to the following for their assistance with this project:
Umar Hameed • Sona Parikh • Prakash Mody
• Steve Powers • Raheel Raza
Please accept apologies for omissions of any group or
important dates.
We would appreciate updates in writing by April 30th to:
Creative Cultural Communications,
77 Harbour Square, Ste. 3902, Toronto, ON M5J 2S2
Email: sales@multiculturalcalendar.com
About the publisher
Sheena Singh is living her life on a broad canvas. Sheena
immigrated to the United States from India and has made
Toronto her home for the past 30 years. She is an artist
who has used her gift of art by publishing the Multicultural
Calendar through her non-prot company, Creative Cultural
Communications founded in 1992.
Her unique and universal themes impress the message that
the essence of all human beings are the same.
The calendars are well received by organizations with a
diverse workforce, since they highlight dates for all major
religions and cultural festivals.
Visit our Web Store now for other 2023 calendar formats, to enable you to eectively
engage in a diverse and inclusive workforce. www.multiculturalcalendar.com
Make diversity an important part of your organization’s
initiative with the online Multicultural Calendar
placed anywhere on your intranet
Having diversity in the workplace brings together people with dierent
capabilities, cultures and experiences. e 12” x 9” wall calendar features
12 original ethnic artworks. Customize ap with your company logo.
e Planner is designed to provide another practical resource
and is invaluable for any oce, especially in large trac areas and
in Managers’ oce for easy viewing of yearly and monthly
schedules. e planner is available in one size 24” x 38”.
Our new App
for your phone.
Dimensions of a closed desktop calendar 8.5” by 8”.
e calendar is in a triangular tent format and spiral bound.
Support your Company’s message of diversity all year round.
Get your logo printed on the calendar.
e logo ap is 8.5” wide
and 1” high on white
background.
January 2023 Observances
Jan 1 Gantan-Sai Japan, Shinto Gantan-sai, also
referred to as Shogatu, is the Shinto New
Year holiday. The faithful visit shrines,
often at midnight, praying for renewal
of heart, health, and prosperity. During the
seven-day holiday, people wear their best
clothing and visit the homes of friends and
family to express their wishes for the
coming year.
Jan 1 St. Basil’s Day Greece The Greeks call New
Year, St. Basil’s Day. Traditionally, gifts are
exchanged.
Jan 5 Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday Sikh He was
the 10th and last living Guru of the Sikh
faith. He founded the ‘Khalsa’ brotherhood
where the initiated adopted the five ‘K’s:
Kangha (wooden comb), Kara (steel
bracelets), Kirpan (sword), Kaccha (pair of
shorts), and Kesh (long hair).
Jan 6 Epiphany Christian In the Western church,
this day celebrates the journey of the three
Wise Men to Bethlehem to offer gifts to the
infant Jesus. In the Eastern Church it is
associated with the baptism of Jesus by
John the Baptist. On this day as well, the
Armenians celebrate Christmas.
Jan 6 Three Kings’ Day Christian In South
America, Latin America and parts of Europe,
the end of the Christmas season is a
traditional time for gift giving.
Jan 7 Christmas Christian - Coptic & Eastern
Orthodox On this day, some Eastern
churches celebrate the birth of Jesus
according to the Julian calendar, which is
currently 13 days behind the Gregorian or
Western calendar.
Jan 9 Seijin No Hi Japan This day celebrates
Coming-of-Age of the youth of Japan who
are twenty years old. They wear traditional
clothes and visit the shrines where the
family announce their adulthood to the
spirits. This is a national holiday.
Jan 13 Lohri Sikh, Hindu Bonfires are lit to mark
the change from the decrease to the
increase of the sun.
Jan 13 St. Knut’s Day Finland, Sweden King Knut
who ruled Sweden from 1080-1086 is
honoured as a saint for his virtue and
generosity. He had declared that Christmas
should be celebrated for twenty days.
Jan 14 Makar Sankranti India, Hindu The
transition of the Sun from Sagittarius to
Capricorn during the winter solstice in the
northern hemisphere is known as Makar
Sankranti. The days gradually lengthen in
the northern hemisphere.
Jan 15 Kitchen God Celebration China The custom
is based on the traditional farewell
ceremony for T’sao Wang, Prince of the
Oven, before he leaves for his annual trip to
heaven to report on families’ good behavior
during the year.
Jan 15 Pongol India A three-day rice harvest
festival in South India is celebrated with a
cultural evening of song and dance.
Jan 16 Martin Luther King Jr. Day USA This day
commemorates the leader of the Civil Rights
movement in USA. People of all races and
religions have benefited from the sacrifices
and accomplishments made by this great
man. He was a Nobel Prize winner (Peace
Prize 1964) and a prominent advocate
of nonviolent protest. He was assassinated
on April 4, 1968.
Jan 20 Timkat/Theophany Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox The Eastern Orthodox
Church associates Theophany with the
baptism of Jesus by John the Baptist.
Jan 22 Chinese / Lunar New Year Buddhist -
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam The
year of the Rabbit. This is the year 4721 in
the Chinese Lunar calendar and the most
important holiday. It is a three-day
holiday in China and Hong Kong. The
Chinese clean and decorate their homes
with the 5 lucky signs of happiness; new
clothes are worn and even the poorest
buy new shoes, for it is considered bad
luck to step down on the ground into old
shoes. Vietnamese call it the ‘Tet’ Festival.
Jan 22 Seollal Korea The Korean New Year lasts
three days. During this time, many Koreans
visit family, perform ancestral rites, eat
traditional food, and play folk games.
Additionally, children often receive money
from their elders.
Jan 25 Robert Burns’ Night Scotland, Ireland
Robert Burn’s Night honours Scotland’s
national poet, born in 1759. The night
is celebrated by the Scots with a sit down
‘Burns Supper’ and with speeches, poetry
and song.
Jan 26 Basant Panchami Hindu Basant Panchami
in Northern India heralds the approach of
spring and yellow coloured clothes are
symbolically worn. Even the food is co
loured yellow by using saffron. This festival
honours Saraswati, the Goddess of
Learning, Wisdom and the Creative arts.
Jan 30 Sadeh Iran, Zoroastrian Sadeh in Persian
means “hundred” and refers to one hundred
days and nights past the end of summer
in ancient Persia/Iran. Sadeh is a mid-winter
festival where bonfires are lit to honor fire
and to defeat the forces of darkness, frost
and cold. People gather and pray, and then
they will hold each other’s hands, form a
circle and dance around the fire.
Jan-Feb Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony Indigenous The Iroquois Midwinter Ceremony lasts for
8 days and each day is dedicated to an event, i.e. Tobacco Invocation.
Days vary according to community.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender History Month UK was initiated by Schools OUT in Britain in
February 2005. This is an opportunity for all to learn more about the lives and achievements of
lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender people in Britain and Northern Ireland.
JANUARY 2023
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday ursday Friday Saturday
1
2 3
4
5 6
7
9 10
11
12 13
14
15
16 17
18
19 20
21
22
23 24
25
26 27
28
29
30 31
4 New Year’s Day
International
s St. Basil’s Day Greece
s Gantan-Sai
Japan, Shinto
n Independence Day
Sudan, Haiti
n Berchtold’s Day
Switzerland
n New Year’s Bank
Holiday Scotland
n Independence Day
Myanmar
s Guru Gobind Singh’s
Birthday Sikh
Full Moon
4s Christmas
Armenia Christian
sThree Kings’ Day
Christian
s Epiphany Christian
4s Christmas
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
n Seijin No Hi Japan
s Lohri Hindu, Sikh
n St. Knut’s Day
Finland, Sweden
s New Year -
Eastern Orthodox
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
n Makar Sankranti
India, Hindu
n Pongol India
n Kitchen God Celebration
China
4 n Martin Luther
King Jr. Day USA
s Sultán (17th Month)
Bahá’í
s Timkat / Theophany
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
n Martyrs’ Memorial Day
Azerbaijan
n Anniversary Day -
Wellington New Zealand
New Moon
4s Chinese / Lunar
New Year Buddhist -
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan,
Vietnam
4s Seollal Korea
n Day of Unification
Romania
n Robert Burns’ Night
Scotland, Ireland
s Basant Pancham Hindu
n Australia Day Australia
n Republic Day India
l International Holocaust
Remembrance Day. UN
n Sadeh Iran, Zoroastrian
n Education Day Greece
n St Brigid’s Day Ireland
n Anniversary Day -
Aucklan New Zealand
8
Lesbian, Gay, Transgender,
Bisexual, History Month
UK
Jan-Feb Midwinter
Ceremony
Indigenous Iroquois
December 2022
S M T W T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30 31
February 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
Black History Month Canada In December of 1995, the Parliament of Canada recognized February
as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the first African Canadian woman elected to
Parliament, Jean Augustine. The presence of peoples of African descent in Canada dates back farther
than Samuel de Champlain’s first voyage down the St. Lawrence River.
Black History Month USA Black History Month, and more importantly, the study of black history, is
greatly owed to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who first launched “Negro History Week” in 1926. Woodson
chose February because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly impacted the American black
population. Abraham Lincoln (president of the United States who freed slaves during the Civil War),
and Frederick Douglass (who worked to end slavery) have birthdays in February. The purpose of this
month is to recognize the contributions of Black Americans and develop a better understanding of the
Black experience.
Jan-Feb Hopi Holy Cycle Indigenous Buffalo dances are performed in Hopi reserves. Days may vary
according to community.
Feb 1 Abolition of Slavery Mauritius The struggle
for freedom of the slaves in Mauritius
during the Dutch period between 1638 and
1710 is remembered and honored.
Feb 2 Imbolg Wicca ‘Imbolg’ comes from an
archaic Gaelic expression ‘in the belly’,
which signaled the first stirrings of life
within the womb of mother earth. Corn
dolls are burned as offerings to the sun to
hasten his return.
Feb 3 Setsubun-Sai Japan Setsubun-sai is known
as Bean Throwing Night. Beans are thrown
to protect against demons with shouts of
‘Devil out, Good Fortune in’.
Feb 5 Thaipoosam Cavadee India, Mauritius
Celebrated by Hindus of Tamil origin in
honour of Kartikeya, Granter of Wishes,
and the second son of Shiva. Devotees
with their tongues, cheeks and body pierced
with needles, hooks and skewers, dance
their way trance-like to the temple carrying
the ‘Cavadee’ - a wooden arch covered with
flowers with a pot of milk at each end of its
base.
Feb 6 Waitangi Day New Zealand This day com
memorates the signing of a treaty at
Waitangi on 6th February 1840 by a
group of Maori chiefs and the British
Government. It honours the rights of the
British Crown and also the rights of the
Maori people, which are now in the process
of being reclaimed.
Feb 6 Tu B’Shevat (Arbor Day) Jewish This day
celebrates Judaism’s roots in the natural
world. It is a holiday and known as the
New Year for Trees. Special meals include
eating the seven fruits of the land - wheat,
barley, figs, grapes, pomegranates, olives
and dates.
Feb 12 Lincoln’s Birthday USA President Lincoln
was the 16th president of the United States.
He was born February 12, 1809 and
assassinated on Good Friday, April 14, 1865.
Feb 14 Valentine’s Day Canada, UK, USA One
version states that a priest named Valentine
was martyred on February 14, 269 A.D.
in Rome for secretly marrying couples
against the orders of the Roman Emperor,
Claudius II. This was the night before a
festival called Lupercalia associated with
fertility.
Feb 18 Shivratri Hindu On Shiva’s night, the Hindu
deity Lord Shiva performed the Tandav, the
cosmic dance of creation and destruction.
A 24-hour fast is kept and devotees make
pilgrimages to major shrines for worship.
Feb 20 Presidents Day (Obsvd) USA A US Federal
holiday that celebrates the birthdays of
Abraham Lincoln, born Feb. 12, 1809, and
George Washington, born February 22, 1732.
Feb 20 Louis Riel Day Aboriginal, Canada He was
the famous Metis leader who in 1885 led a
rebellion and lost against the Canadian
authorities because he feared more Metis
land would be taken away by the settlers.
Today his name is a symbol for Native
independence.
Feb 21 Losar (New Year) Tibet, Buddhist The
Tibetan New Year is called Losar and is
celebrated for three days by visiting,
feasting and the relaxation the monastic
discipline.
Feb 21 Pancake Tuesday UK Shrove Tuesday
(Mardi Gras in French which means Fat
Tuesday) is the last day before the
beginning of Lent. Strict Christian Lenten
rules prohibited the eating of all dairy
products during Lent, so pancakes were
made to use up their supplies of eggs,
milk, butter and other fats. Pancake races
are held in many parts of England.
Feb 21 Carnaval Parade Brazil A two-day
celebration before Ash Wednesday. It is
called the Mardi Gras in Brazil.
Feb 21 Shrove Tuesday Christian This is the day
before Lent. Taken from the old word
‘shrive’, it means forgiveness. Traditionally
it was a time to give up meat and dairy foods.
Feb 22 Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins) Christian
This day marks the beginning of Lent. Ash
symbolizes sorrow for wrong doings and
foreheads of churchgoers are marked with
the shape of the cross with ashes as a sign
of penitence.
Feb 22 Abu Simbel Festival Egypt Built by
Ramses II, his temple is angled so that the
inner sanctum lights up twice a year - once
on the anniversary of his rise to the throne
and on Oct 22, celebrating his birthday.
Crowds pack in the temple before sunrise
to watch the shafts of light illuminate the
statues of Ramses, Ra and Amon. The other
date for this event is Oct. 22.
Feb 25 Great Prayer Festival Tibet Monks from
the Three Great Monasteries of Tibet
assemble in Jikhang to pray to
Shakyamuni’s image as if it were the Living
Buddha. Philosophical debates are held
among the candidates for the Doctor of
Metaphysics. Pilgrims come from every
corner of Tibet.
Feb 25-Mar 1 Intercalary Days Bahá’í There are
four or five days inserted into the calendar
called Ayyam-i-ha adjusting the Bahá’í
year to the solar cycle. This precedes a
month of fasting from March 2-20. Gifts are
exchanged, parties and public meetings are
held to share the faith.
Feb 27 Clean Monday (Great Lent Begins)
Christian - Coptic & Eastern Orthodox It is
the beginning of the forty-day fast when
Christians imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the
wilderness before his crucifixion.
Feb 28 Kalevala Day Finland Elias Lonnrot, a
country doctor, folklorist and philogogist
compiled the Kalevala, Finland’s national
epic in 1835. This day is observed
country wide with lectures, parades and
recitations to honour him.
February 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
FEBRUARY 2023
Black History Month Canada, USA
Jan-Feb Hopi Holy Cycle Indigenous
Wednesday ursday Friday Saturday
TuesdayMondaySunday
1
2 3
4
5
6 7
8
9 10
11
12
13 14
15
16 17
18
19
20 21
22
23 24
25
26
27 28
n Abolition of Slavery
Mauritius
s Imbolg Wicca
n Groundhog Day
Canada, USA n Setsubun-Sai Japan
n Independence Day
Sri Lanka
l World Cancer Day UN
Full Moon
n Thaipoosam Cavadee
India, Mauritius
s Tu B’Shevat (Arbor
Day) Jewish
n Waitangi Day New
Zealand
s Mulk (18th Month)
Bahá’í
n Independence Day
Grenada
n Boy Scout Day
Canada, US
n National Foundation Day
Japan
n Lincoln’s Birthday USA
l Kindness Awareness
Week International
n Valentine’s Day
Canada, UK, USA
n National Flag Day
Canada
n National Day Serbia
n Independence Day
Lithuania
s Shivratri Hindu
n Independence Day
Gambia
New Moon
4 n Family Day Canada
4 n Presidents Day
(Obsvd) USA
n Louis Riel Day
Indigenous Canada
4s Losar (New Year)
Tibet, Buddhist
s Shrove Tuesday
Christian
n Carnaval Parade Brazil
n Pancake Tuesday
UK, England
l Int’l Mother Language
Day UN
s Ash Wednesday
(Lent Begins) Christian
n Washington’s Birthda
USA
n Abu Simbel Festival
Egypt
n Girl Guides Thinking
Day USA, Canada
n Independence Day
Saint Lucia
n Heisei Emperor’s
Birthday Japan
n Great Prayer Festival
Tibet, Buddhist
n Independence Day
Estonia
s Intercalary Days
(thru Mar 1) Bahá’í
n People Power Day
Philippines
n National Day Kuwait
n Anti-Bullying Day
Canada
s Clean Monday
(Great Lent Begins)
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
n Independence Day
Dominican Republic
n Kalevala Day Finland
March 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
January 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
Mar 1 St. David’s Day Wales He is the patron
saint of Wales and died on this day.
Mar 2-20 Alá (19-Day Fast Begins) Bahá’í The
ninteenth and final month in the Bahá’í
calendar and the time of the 19-day
fast in preparation of their new year, Now Ruz.
Mar 3 World Day Of Prayer International Held on
the first Friday of March, the World Day of
Prayer is a worldwide movement of Christian
women of many traditions who came together
in 1927 to observe a common day of prayer
each year. It is a movement initiated and
carried out by women in more than 170
countries and regions bringing together
women of various races, cultures and
traditions in closer fellowship, understanding
and action throughout the year.
Mar 7 Holi Sikh, Hindu According to myth, a
tyrannical king’s son, Pralad, refused to
worship his father as God and was condemned
to death by burning. However, the boy’s aunt,
named Holika, transferred her own immunity
from fire to Pralad, and burned to death in his
place. This festival of colour celebrates Spring,
where people play with liquid and powdered
colours, light bonfires and blow horns to
celebrate the destruction of Holika.
Mar 7 Purim Jewish Purim is known as the Feast
of Lots, which celebrates the deliverance of
Jews in Persia from the machinations of
Haman. Jews dress in costume and give gifts
of food to each other.
Mar 7 Butter Lamp Festival Tibet, Buddhist To
celebrate Shakyamuni’s victory over
non-Buddhist opponents in 1409, Lord Neu
Dzong, a noted patron of Tsongkapa,
illuminated numerous butter lamps. The
tradition has since then flourished.
Mar 8 Hola Mohalla (Bikarami) Sikh Mock battles
are fought and martial arts are displayed
in honour of Guru Gobind Singh, who took to
armed struggle against tyranny.
Mar 12 Girl Scout Day Canada, USA Juliette ‘Daisy’
Gordon Low assembled 18 girls from
Savannah, Georgia, on March 12, 1912, for
a local Girl Scout meeting. She believed
that all girls should be given the opportunity
to develop physically, mentally, and spiritually.
With the goal of bringing girls out of isolated
home environments and into community
service and the open air, Girl Scouts hiked,
went on camping trips, learned how to tell time
by the stars, and studied first aid.
Mar 16-20 Gahambar Hamaspathmaedem
Zoroastrian This day celebrates the creation of
human beings.
Mar 17 St. Patrick’s Day N. Ireland, Ireland The
death anniversary of their patron saint. He
used the three-leaved shamrock to explain
the Christian idea of the Holy Trinity, thus the
idea of wearing a shamrock.
Mar 19 Mothering Sunday UK, Ireland Mothering
Sunday is the celebration of motherhood in
UK, and takes place on the fourth Sunday of
Lent. Traditionally children bring gifts of
flowers and chocolates to their mothers.
Breakfast in bed is also an expectation, as is
a relaxing, carefree day. It originated with
the Victorian practice of allowing servants to
return home to visit their mothers on this day.
Mar 19 St. Joseph’s Day Christian St. Joseph’s Day is
celebrated throughout most of Italy and by the
Italian communities in North America. He was
the foster father of Jesus and is the universal
patron of the Catholic Church. According to
legend, when a severe drought struck western
Sicily in the Middle Ages, the people of that
area prayed to St. Joseph, asking him to
intercede for them and send rain. Their prayer
was granted and since then they honour St.
Joseph by helping the needy in their
community.
Mar 20 Eostre Wicca A fertility festival celebrating the
birth of Spring. The word Easter is derived
from the Maiden Goddess. Celebrations
including lighting fires at sunrise, ringing bells,
and decorating hard-boiled eggs, an ancient
Pagan custom associated with the Goddess
Mar 20 Poutuerangi Aboriginal/Maori, New Zealand
From Aboriginal roots of the Maori in New
Zealand Poutuerangi is celebrated. This is the
Fall season and Autumn Equinox in the Maori
calendar where they harvest their crops. Great
feasting and celebration goes on at this time of
year.
Mar 20 Shunki-Sorei-Sai Shinto Ancestors are given
reverence at home altars and considered active
members of the living family. Gravesites are
cleaned and purified.
Mar 20 Shunbun no hi Japan During the time of the
Spring Equinox, Buddhists meditate on the
harmony in the universe.
Mar 21 Harmony Day Australia Harmony Day, which
began in 1999, occurs on 21 March each year
and celebrates Australia’s success as a diverse
society united by a common set of values.
Mar 21 Now Ruz (New Year) Afghanistan, Iran -
Bahá’í, Zoroastrian, Islam Ismaili Nowruz
means “New Day” and is the traditional
celebration of the ancient Persian New Year.
Iranians celebrate it on March 20th. It is also
a holy day for Zoroastrian, Sufi, Ismaili and the
Baha’i faiths. Persians (Iranians, Afghans and
Tajiks) and other Indo-Iranian groups (Kurds,
Armenians, Azarbaijanis and Balochs) start
preparing for the Nowruz with a major
spring-cleaning of their houses and the
purchase of new clothes to wear for the new
year. They visit the elders of their family, then
the rest of their family and finally their friends.
Mar 23 Ramadan Begins Islam This is the holiest
month in the Islamic Year and begins at
the sighting of the new moon. It commemorates
the period during which Prophet Mohammad
received divine revelations. Observing
Muslims fast between the hours of sunrise
and sunset during the entire month, read
the Qu’ran and worship in the mosque or at
home. The dates vary by a day depending on
whether the Saudi Arabia or the North
American Calendar is being observed. This
calendar follows the North American dates
which is a day later.
Mar 25 Annunciation Christian Annuciation
commemorates the day Jesus’s mother, Mary
was visited by an angel to inform her that she
was blessed and chosen to be mother of Christ.
Mar 25 Evangelismou Greece The Greeks combined
the national Independence Day with the
Annunciation and what was earlier believed to
be the spring equinox. Greeks wear traditional
clothes and celebrate with speeches and folk
dancing.
Mar 26 Birth Of Prophet Zarathustra (Fasli)
Zoroastrian Zarathushtra (Zoroaster in Greek;
Zarthosht in India and Persia) is the founder
of the Zoroastrian religion dating back to
sometime between 1500 and 1000 BCE.
Zoroastrianism became the state religion of
various Persian empires, until the 7th
Century CE. When Arabs, followers of Islam,
invaded Persia in 650 CE, a small number of
Zoroastrians fled to India where most are
concentrated today.
Mar 30 Ram Navami Hindu Ram Navami celebrates
the birthday of Rama, the seventh incarnation
of God Vishnu. Hindus read the Ramayan, a
Hindu epic, which tells the story of Rama,
during the previous eight days.
Women’s History Month USA, UK National Women’s History Month began as a single week and as a
local event. In 1978, Sonoma County, California, sponsored a women’s history week to promote the
teaching of women’s history. The week of March 8th was selected to include ‘International Women’s Day.’
This day is rooted in such ideas and events as a woman’s right to vote and a woman’s right to work,
women’s strikes for bread, women’s strikes for peace at the end of World War I, and the U.N. Charter
declaration of gender equality at the end of World War II. This day is an occasion to review how far women
have come in their struggle for equality, peace and development. In 1981, Congress passed a resolution
making the week a national celebration, and in 1987 expanded it to the full month of March.
In Canada, Women’s History month is celebrated in October.
March 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
MARCH 2023
Wednesday ursday Friday Saturday
Sunday Monday Tuesday
1
2 3
4
5
6 7
8
9 10
11
12
13 14
15
16 17
18
19
20 21
22
23 24
25
26
27 28
29
30 31
n Chalanda März
Switzerland
n St. David’s Day Wales
n Baba Marta (Mar-2)
Bulgaria
n Independence Day
Bosnia
s Alá (19-Day Fast
Begins thru Mar 20) Bahá’í
l World Day Of Prayer
International
n Independence Day
Ghana
Full Moon
4s Holi Sikh, Hindu
4s Purim Jewish
s Butter Lamp Festival
Tibet, Buddhist
s Hola Mohalla
(Bikarami) Sikh
l Int’l Women’s Day UN
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
TIME BEGINS
International
n Girl Scout Day
Canada, USA
n National Day Mauritius
n Memorial Day Hungary
s Gahambar
Hamaspathmaedem
(16-20) Zoroastrian
n St. Patrick’s Day
N. Ireland, Ireland n Flag Day Aruba
s St. Joseph’s Day
Christian
n Mothering Sunday
UK, Ireland
SPRING EQUINOX
International
s Eostre Wicca
s Shunki-Sorei-Sai Shinto
n Shunbun no hi Japan
n Poutuerangi
Indigenous/Maori,
New Zealand
n Independence Day
Tunisia
l Day of the Francophonie
International
New Moon
4s Now Ruz (New Year)
Afghanistan, Iran -
Bahá’í ,Zoroastrian,
Islam Ismaili
n Harmony Day Australia
l Int’l Day for Elimination
of Racial Discrimination
UN
n Emancipation Day
Puerto Rico
l World Day of Water UN
s Ramadan Begins Islam
l World Meteorological
Day UN
EARTH HOUR
s Annunciation Christian
n Evangelismou Greece
BRITISH SUMMER
TIME BEGINS
s Birth Of Prophet
Zarathustra (Fasli)
Zoroastrian
n Independence Day
Bangladesh
s Ram Navami Hindu
Women’s History Month
USA, UK
February 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28
April 2023
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
Apr 1 Farvardin Iran It is the 13th day after Nowruz
or New Year. The number 13 is considered
an unlucky number for the Persians, and
therefore everyone leaves home for the day to
go on picnics or trips.
Apr 2 Palm Sunday Christian Jesus rode into
Jerusalem on a donkey and was cheered by
crowds who strew palms branches in his path.
It is observed by worship services and parades
using palm branches.
Apr 4 Mahavira Jayanti Jain This day celebrates the
birthday of Lord Mahavira who was the 24th
leader of the Jain religion and born
around 599 B.C.
Apr 5 Ch’ing Ming Festival China, Taiwan A national
holiday when family graves are visited to ask for
the blessings of the departed spirits.
Apr 6-13 Pesach /Passover Jewish Begin previous
sundown at 6pm, Pesach lasts for eight days.
This time commemorates the Exodus of the
Israelites from Egypt. It begins with a ritual
meal ‘Seder’ when no leavened bread is
consumed with special prayers and symbolic
foods.
Apr 6 Holy Thursday Christian On this day, Jesus ate
the Last Supper and washed the feet of his
disciples prior to his arrest and crucifixion.
Apr 6 Chakri Day Thailand A national holiday to
honour King Rama I, who founded the Chakri
Dynasty in 1782 and the founder of Bangkok as
the capital of Thailand.
Apr 6 Organization of The Church Christian -
Mormon The Church for Latter-day Saints was
founded on the sixth of April 1830 at Fayette,
New York.
Apr 7 Good Friday Christian This day commemorates
the passion and death by crucifixion of Jesus
and is a solemn day. Italian Catholics have a
procession called the Way of the Cross.
Apr 9 Easter Christian This day celebrates the
resurrection of Jesus from his grave. Most
Christians welcome Easter Sunday with a
sunrise service.
Apr 10 Easter Monday Christian Easter Monday com
memorates the meeting of the women at Jesus’
tomb with an angel who assured them that
Jesus had been resurrected from death. It is
observed as a holiday in some countries.
Apr 13 Songkran/New Year Cambodia, India,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka, Thailand In southeast
Asia, Songkran is recognized as the New Year
for Buddhists. For Thais, it is a three-day
religious festival in which homes are
routinely cleaned, and water is sprinkled on
monks paying visits and on statues of Buddha.
Apr 13 Ugadi India, Mauritius, Nepal Ugadi marks
the beginning of the new Hindu lunar calendar.
Celebrated mainly in the southern states of
India, people awake before the break of day,
bathe and decorate the entrance of their homes
with mango leaves. They eat bitter Neem leaves
with sweet jaggery to signify the bitter and
sweet of life.
Apr 13 Maundy Thursday Christian - Coptic & Eastern
Orthodox On this day, Jesus ate the Last Supper
and washed the feet of his disciples prior to his
arrest and crucifixion.
Apr 14 Baisakhi Bangladesh - Sikh, Hindu The first
day of the solar year, this is an agricultural
festival celebrating the harvest, especially in
North India. Tamils and Sri Lankans celebrate
their New Year on this day. In Kerala, South
India this day is called Vishu. Especially
important to the Sikhs, it marks this day in
1699, when the tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh,
established the order of ‘Khalsa’.
Apr 14 Holy Friday Christian - Coptic & Eastern
Orthodox This day commemorates the passion
and death by crucifixion of Jesus and is a
solemn day. Eastern Orthodox members fast on
this day. Macedonians make a plashtanitsa or
picture of the dead Jesus on a large cloth to be
carried in a procession.
Apr 15 Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage Sri Lanka It is an
ancient pilgrimage site to the sacred mountain,
Sri Pada. According to legend, when Buddha
visited Sri Lanka, he planted one foot on the
north of the royal city, and the other foot on
Sumana-Kuta (Adam’s Peak), about a hundred
miles distance.
Apr 16 Pasha/Easter Christian - Coptic & Eastern
Orthodox This day celebrates the resurrection
of Jesus from his grave. Most Christians
welcome Easter Sunday with a sunrise service.
Apr 17 Easter Monday Christian - Coptic & Eastern
Orthodox Easter Monday commemorates the
meeting of the women at Jesus’ tomb with
an angel who assured them that Jesus had been
resurrected from death.
Apr 18 Laylat al-Qadr Islam Night of Power,
commemorates the revelation of the Qur’an to
Prophet Muhammad in 610 CE. It begins the
previous evening.
Apr 18 Yom HaShoah Israel, Jewish Holocaust
Memorial Day commemorates the death of
6 million Jews by the Nazi regime.
Apr 21-May 2 Feast Of Ridvan Bahá’í ‘Ridvan’ means
paradise and the 12-day festival is the holiest
time for the Bahá’ís. It commemorates the
12 days that Baha’u’llah spent in the Garden
of Ridvan in the last days of his exile in Bagh
dad and announced that he was the prophet
whose coming had been foretold. The Bahá’ís
do not work on the first, ninth and twelfth day
of Ridvan.
Apr 21 Kartini Day Indonesia This day commerates
Indonesia’s first women’s emancipationist.
There are parades, lectures and social activities
attended by women, all wearing their regional
dress. Mothers aren’t allowed to work as the
family does the house chores. Many go on a
pilgrimage to the grave of Kartini who died
at age 24.
Apr 22 Eid-ul-Fitr Islam This marks the end of the
Ramadan fast and is celebrated for 3 days. Date
of observance may vary according to sighting
of the new moon. Dates vary by a day
depending on whether the Saudi Arabia or the
North American Calendar is being observed.
This calendar follows the North American
dates, which are a day later.
Apr 22 Akshaya Tritya Jain This day celebrates the
day when Lord Rishabha broke his first
year-long fast by drinking sugar cane juice.
To begin anything new is considered very
auspicious on this day.
Apr 23 St. George’s Day Christian He is the patron
saint of England. The Bulgarians and
Macedonians celebrate it on May 6. The red
cross on St. George’s armour and white tunic
is now the symbol of the International Red
Cross and the flag of England. It also forms part
of the Union Jack Flag of Scotland and Ireland.
Apr 24 Martyrs Day Armenia Commemorates the
genocide from 1915 to 1923 of Armenians
in Ottoman Empire Turkey.
Apr 25 Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) Israel This
is Israel’s Memorial Day honouring soldiers
who died fighting for their country.
Apr 27-29 Gathering Of Nations Pow Wow
Indigenous, USA Albuquerque, New Mexico is
the venue of over 700 tribes and nations
participating in a three-day event where over
3,000 participants share, teach and exchange
traditions.
Apr 29 Showa no hi Japan An annual holiday, it honors
the birthday of Emperor Showa (Hirohito), the
reigning Emperor before, during, and after
World War II (from 1926 to 1989). The official
purpose of the holiday is “To reflect on Japan’s
Showa period when recovery was made after
turbulent days, and to think of the country’s
future.”
Apr 30-May 4 Gahambar Maidyozarem Zoroastrian
This day celebrates the creation of the sky.
Multicultural Communications Month International Multicultural communications may seem difficult at
first - differences in languages, backgrounds, customs and the like all seem a challenge. By learning more
about our different cultures, it becomes easier to interact.
This month has been dedicated to further this cause.
April 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
ApRil 2023
Multicultural Communications Month
International
March 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30 31
May 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Saturday
FridayursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday
1
2
3 4
5
6 7
8
9
10 11
12
13 14
15
16
17 18
19
20 21
22
23
30
24 25
26
27 28
29
n Farvardin Iran
n April Fools’ Day
Canada, UK, USA
s Palm Sunday Christian
l World Autism
Awareness Day UN
4s Mahavira Jayanti Jain
n Midori No Hi Japan
n Independence Day
Senegal
n Ch’ing Ming Festival
China, Taiwan
Full Moon
4s Pesach / Passover
(Apr 6 - Apr 13) Jewish
s Holy Thursday Christian
s Organization of The
Church
Christian - Mormon
n Chakri Day Thailand
4s Good Friday Christian
s Jalál (2nd Month)
Bahá’í
l World Health Day UN
4s Easter Christian
n Independence Day
Georgia
s Easter Monday
Christian
DAY OF PINK
International
4s Songkran/New Year
Cambodia, India,
Myanmar, Sri Lanka,
Thailand
s Maundy Thursday
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
n Ugadi
India, Mauritius, Nepal
4s Baisakhi
Bangladesh, Sikh, Hindu
4s Holy Friday
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
n Bown Pinai / New Year
Laos
n Adam’s Peak
Pilgrimage Sri Lanka
4s Pasha/Easter
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
s Easter Monday
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
n Emancipation Day USA
n Independence Day Syria
s Laylat al-Qadr Islam
n Yom HaShoah
Israel, Jewish
n Family Day South Africa
n Independence Day
Zimbabwe
n Administrative
Professionals Day
Canada, USA
New Moon
4s Feast Of Ridvan
(thru May 2) Bahá’í
n Kartini Day Indonesia
EARTH DAY
International
4s Eid-ul-Fitr Islam
s Akshaya Tritya Jain
s Gahambar Maidyozarem
(30 - May 4) Zoroastrian
n Walpurgis Night
Sweden n Martyrs Day Armenia
n Yom HaZikaron
(Memorial Day) Israel
n Liberation Day Italy
n Anzac Day
Australia, New Zealand
n DayYom HaAtzma’ut
(Independence Day) Israel
s Jamál (3rd Month)
Bahá’í
n Freedom Day
South Africa
n Gathering of Nations
(Apr 27-29)
Indigenous, USA
n Kings Day Netherlands
n Independence Day Togo
n Daughter/Son To Work
USA n Arbor Day USA n Showa no hi Japan
n St. George’s Day
Christian
n National Sovereignty &
Children’s Day Turkey
May 1 Beltane Wicca Greets the summer. It takes
its name from the Celtic God Bel who unites
with the Earth Goddess on this day. It was a
mid summer fertility festival in Celtic
paganism. Maypole dances are presently
held.
May 1 Santa Cruzan Day Philippines Filipinos
consider this the first day of spring. It
commemorates the corresponding day in
the 4th century A.D. when St. Helena, the
mother of Emperor Constantine of Rome
found the holy cross on which Jesus was
crucified.
May 3 Eid-ul-Fitr Islam This marks the end of the
Ramadan fast and is celebrated for 3 days.
Date of observance may vary according to
sighting of the new moon. Dates vary by a
day depending on whether the Saudi Arabia
or the North American Calendar is being
observed. This calendar follows the North
American dates, which are a day later.
May 4 Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) Israel
Israel’s Memorial Day honouring soldiers
who died fighting for their country.
May 5 Kodomo No Hi Japan Childrens’ Day
promotes family unity in Japan celebrating
the relationship of parents with their sons
and daughters.
May 5 Cinco De Mayo Mexico It marks the victory
of the Mexican Army over the French at the
‘Batalla de Puebla’ in 1862. Although the
Mexican army was eventually defeated, it
came to represent a symbol of Mexican
unity and patriotism. It is celebrated on a
much larger scale in the United States.
May 5 Wesak Buddhist The most important
Buddhist festival, Wesak celebrates the
birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha
as one event. Different cultures observe this
day with different customs, for example,
Sri Lankans light lanterns, Vietnamese
purchase captive animals and release
them, and Koreans host a lantern parade.
May 9 Lag BaOmer Jewish In Israel, it is
celebrated as a symbol for the fighting
Jewish spirit.
May 12 Matsu Festival China, Taiwan Matsu saved
her brother from drowning and at the age
of 28 and ascended into heaven. She
earned the title of Goddess of the Sea
and is the patron of fishermen. There are
rites and processions at Matsu temples.
May 13 Our Lady of Fatima Portugal On May 13,
1917 in Portugal, three shepherd children
saw and conversed with the Virgin Mary in
a vision. This event occurred on the 13th
day of the month for six months in a row.
May 14 Mother’s Day Canada, USA In 1914, the
2nd Sunday in May was officially declared
Mother’s Day by President Wilson. Anna
Jarvis of Philadelphia first suggested a day
on which to honour mothers and
motherhood.
May 18 Ascension Christian This day
commemorates the ascension of Jesus into
Heaven.
May 22 Victoria Day Canada Queen Victoria’s
birthday (May 24, 1837-1901) was declared
a holiday by the Legislature of the Province
of Canada in 1845.
May 22 Day of the Patriots-Quebec Canada
Commemorates the French patriots of
1837-1838 for their contribution to freedom
and national recognition.
May 24 Declaration of Báb Bahá’í The Bahá’í faith
began in Persia (now Iran) on this day in
1844, by the prophet Báb who announced
his mission as the founder. The event is
celebrated about two hours after sunset.
May 24 Indigenous Awareness Week Indigenous,
Canada Aboriginal Awareness Week, first
introduced in 1992, is held on the four days
that follow the Victoria Day long weekend. It
was designed to increase awareness of
Aboriginal peoples among federal public
service employees.
May 26 Buddha’s Birthday Hong Kong, Korea
Buddhism, the fourthlargest religion in the
world, being exceeded in numbers only
by Christianity, Islam and Hinduism was
founded in Northern India by the first
known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.
May 26-27 Shavuot Jewish Begins previous
sundown at 6pm. Called the Feast of
Weeks or Pentecost which means 50 and
therefore celebrated on the 50th day at the
end of Passover. Shavuot celebrates the
time when the Ten Commandments were
given to Moses on Mount Sinai. This feast
lasts 2 days.
May 26 National Sorry Day Australia Also known
as Journey of Healing Day commemorates
the history of forcible removable of
Aboriginal & Torres Strait Islander children
from their families and the painful
repercussions of that action.
May 28 Pentecost Christian The holy Spirit was felt
amongst the 12 apostles after Jesus’ death.
New members of the church are baptized
on this day. It is called White Sunday
because white clothes are worn for
baptism.
May 29 Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í The
prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith passed
away near Haifa, Israel. The event is
observed at the actual time of his passing
at 3am.
May 30 Joan of Arc Day France St. Joan of Arc is
the patroness of soldiers and of France.
A peasant girl who, believing that she was
acting under divine guidance, led the
French army in a momentous victory at
Orléans. She was burned at the stake on
May 30, 1431 at the age of nineteen.
Asian Heritage Month Canada The Senate of Canada passed a motion in December 2001, designating
May as Asian Heritage month. Canadians take part in festivities commemorating the legacy of Asian
Canadians and their many contributions which have helped Canada become the multicultural and diverse
nation it is today.
Asian Heritage Month USA Generations of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have strengthened the US
as a nation. Many ethnic groups worked tirelessly to build a national railroad, paving the way for western
expansion. The first Asian/Pacific Heritage Week was celebrated in 1979, in response to little recognition of
this population during the 1976 bicentennial. By 1990, the celebration was one month long and then made
official in 1992.
National Older Peoples Month USA It was established by presidential proclamation in 1963. The entire
nation is encouraged to pay tribute in some way to older persons in their communities. It is celebrated
across the country through ceremonies and events.
Jewish Heritage Month Jewish May is declared Jewish Heritage Month in Canada and USA. It provides
an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the incredible contributions that Jewish people have made to the
country and in communities across North America.
May Hopi Kachina Dances Indigenous During late spring and early summer, long lines of Kachina Dancers
representing many spirit-powers, perform dances in Hopi pueblos.
April-May Iroquois Strawberry Season Indigenous Thanksgiving and Great Feather Dance. Early summer.
May 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
MAY 2023
June 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
April 2023
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30
May Hopi Kachina Dances Indigenous
Iroquois Strawberry Season Indigenous
Asian Heritage Month Canada, USA
Jewish American Heritage Month USA
National Older Peoples Month USA
Monday Tuesday Wednesday ursday Friday Saturday
Sunday
1 2
3
4 5
6
7
8 9
10
11 12
13
14
15 16
17
18 19
20
21
22 23
24
25 26
27
28
29 30
31
s Beltane Wicca
n Mothers’ Day
Portugal, Spain
n Vappu Day Finland
n Santa Cruzan Day
Philippines
l Labour Day
International
n Constitution Day
Japan, Poland
l World Press Freedom
Day UN
n National Day Of Prayer
USA
n Memorial Day
Netherlands
Full Moon
PENUMBRAL ECLIPSE
Africa, Asia, Australia
4s Wesak Buddhist
n Kodomo No Hi Japan
n Cinco De Mayo Mexico
n Liberation Day
Netherlands
n May Day Bank Holiday
Ireland, UK
l World Red Cross Day
International
n Lag BaOmer Jewish
n Victory Day Russia
n Liberation Day
Channel Islands
n Matsu Festival
China, Taiwan
n Our Lady of Fatima
Portugal
n Mothers’ Day
Canada, USA
n Independence Day
Paraguay
l Int’l Day of Families
International
s Ázamat (4th Month)
Bahá’í
n Constitution Day
Norway
l International Day
Against Homophobia LGBT
l World Information
Society Day UN s Ascension Christian
New Moon
n Ataturk Commemoration
Sports Day Greece, Turkey n National Day Cameroon
n Armed Forces Day USA
n Navy Day Chile
l World Day for Cultural
Diversity UN
4 n Victoria Day Canada
4 n Day of the
Patriots-Quebec Canada
n National Day Yemen
l Int’l Day for Biological
Diversity UN
n Labour Day Jamaica
l African Liberation Day
International
s Declaration of Báb
Bahá’í
n Indigenous
Awareness Week
Indigenous Canadian
n Bermuda Day Bermuda
n Independence Day
Eritrea
s Ascension Christian -
Coptic & Eastern Orthodox
n Independence Day
Jordan
n Revolution Day
Argentina
4s Shavuot
(May 26 - 27) Jewish
n Buddha’s Birthday
Hong Kong, Korea
n National Sorry Day
Australia
n Independence Day
Guyana
n Republic Day Nepal
n Republic Day Azerbaijan
s Pentecost Christian
n Mother’s Day
France, Sweden
4s Ascension of
Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í
4 n Memorial Day USA
n Spring Bank Holiday UK
l United Nations
Peacekeepers Day UN
n Joan of Arc Day France
l World No-Tobacco
Day UN
Jun 1 Gawai Dayak Malaysia This day marks the
traditional rice harvest. Rituals are performed
to express thanks to the spirits of the paddy
with requests for a better harvest during the
next planting season. It is an open house for
friends and relatives with celebrations usually
lasting three days.
Jun 4 Pentecost Christian - Coptic & Eastern
Orthodox The holy Spirit was felt amongst
the 12 apostles after Jesus’ death. New
members of the church are baptized on this
day. It is called White Sunday because white
clothes are worn for baptism.
Jun 10 Trooping The Colour England The official
birthday of the Queen is marked each year by a
colourful and historic military parade and
march-past, known as Trooping the Colour. It
takes place in June on Horse Guards Parade,
Whitehall, England.
Jun 16 Martydom of Guru Arjan Dev Sikh He was
the fifth Guru (1563-1606) and the first Sikh
martyr executed by the Mughal emperor
Jehangir. He built the Golden Temple in
Amritsar with doors facing all four directions to
emphasize that the Sikh way was open to all,
regardless of caste.
Jun 18 Father’s Day Canada, UK, USA The origins of
the day to honor fathers began in 1910, when
Louise Dodd of Spokane, Washington,
suggested to her minister that a day be set
aside. Her own father was a Civil War veteran
who raised his six children on the family farm
after his wife died in childbirth. Interest in
the day grew, and in 1966 a presidential
proclamation established Father’s Day as the
third Sunday in June.
Jun 19 Juneteenth USA June 19, 1865, also known as
National Freedom Day, is considered the
official end of slavery in the United States.
Slaves in Oklahoma, Texas, Louisiana and
Arkansas were not told about their freedom
until this day, even though other Southern
states had known since April, 1863. Today, the
holiday is observed in African-American
communities throughout the country with
rallies, concerts and fairs.
Jun 20 Litha Wicca Litha falls on the summer solstice.
The latin word solstice means ‘the sun stood
still’. Wiccans celebrate the Sun at the height of
its power for providing good harvests.
Jun 21 National Indigenous Peoples Day Canada
(Aboriginal/Native Canadian, Aboriginal
Peoples) This is an event growing in
importance in Canada when the outstanding
contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis
are recognized.
Jun 21 Inti Raymi Peru Inti Raymi is celebrated in
Cusco, and is the second biggest festival in
Latin America. This Inca festival celebrates the
winter solstice, where the God of the Sun,
Wiracocha, is honoured.
Jun 22 Dragon Boat Festival China, Hong Kong This
day honours the patriot poet Chu Yuan who
drowned himself in the Milo River, south of
China in protest of the political injustice
in 277 B.C. The villagers raced to the river and
jumped into dragon boats but never found
him. As they searched, they beat drums to
scare off fish and dragons that might attack his
mortal remains. It is a holiday celebrated by
boat races in the shape of dragons.
Jun 24 St. Jean Baptiste Day (Quebec) Canada He is
the patron saint of French-Canadians in
Quebec. It is a national holiday with parades,
bonfires and fireworks to celebrate his birthday.
Jun 24 Matariki Aboriginal/Maori, New Zealand
When the star cluster Matariki (Pleiades)
appears in the dawn sky, Maori New Year
starts. Festivities begins with the new moon
after the first appearance of Matariki and last
for a month. It is a time for connecting with,
and giving thanks to the land, sea and sky,
for the community to come together to farewell
the dead and to begin planning ahead for the
coming year.
Jun 24 Dia de San Juan Puerto Rico This day
commemorates the island’s patron saint,
St. John the Baptist. People gather at the
beaches in the afternoon. Then at midnight,
they jump into the ocean backwards three
times to symbolize baptism,immersion and
new life. The celebration continues with
families gathering to enjoy music, food and
dancing.
Jun 27 Multiculturalism Day Canada The Government
of Canada officially recognized June 27th as
Canadian Multiculturalism Day on November 13,
2002. This day acknowledges the contributions
that various communities make to Canadian
society and to celebrate the country’s richness
and diversity.
Jun 28 Eid-ul-Adha Islam It concludes the Hajj and is
a three-day festival celebrating Abraham’s test
of obedience to Allah when he was asked
to sacrifice his son Ismael. At the last minute,
Allah replaced Ismael with a lamb. Since Eid is
determined by the first sighting of the new
moon, the date varies by a day depending
on whether the Saudi Arabian or North
American sighting is being observed. This
calendar follows the North American dates
which is a day later.
Jun 28 Stonewall Rebellion Day LGBT This day
commemorates the U.S. anniversary of
the protest against police harassment in New
York City’s Greenwich Village in 1969. The
event has been commemorated by a Pride
Parade each year in New York City on the last
Sunday in June. Events and Pride Parades are
held in many metropolitan cities throughout the
United States and Canada.
Jun 29-Jul 3 Gahambar Maidyoshem Zoroastrian This
day celebrates the creation of animals. It is also
a time for the equitable sharing of food.
National Indigenous History Month Canada June is National Indigenous History Month as declared by
the Canadian Parliament in 2009. It is a fitting tribute to the heritage and diversity of First Nations, Inuit
and Métis communities across Canada. Indigenous History Month is an opportunity not only to recognize
the historic contributions of Indigenous peoples to the development of Canada, but also the strength of
present-day Indigenous communities and their promise for the future.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month USA,
Canada, Australia Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgendered (LGBT) Pride Events are celebrated by
communities across Canada and United States on different dates during June through to early August.
There is a Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras in Sydney, Australia annually in February/March. During this time
people find that they are not alone and can take pride in their community’s history. The most significant date
in LGBT history occurring in June, was the 3-day protest in 1969 at the Stonewall Inn in New York City, an
event that marked the first time the gay community joined together to fight for its rights, thereby gaining
national attention. Anniversary of this event was one of the reasons June was chosen as the nationally
proclaimed month to celebrate LGBT Pride.
National Caribbean American Heritage Month USA Proclaimed in May 2011 by the US President, it
commemorates a time to celebrate the history and culture of Caribbean Americans.
Jun 1-3 Red Earth Fair Indigenous, Canada, USA Cultural Festival takes place in Oklahoma City for 3 days.
Over 150 Native tribes from U.S. and Canada gather in downtown Oklahoma City to share and participate in
their rich and diverse heritage through highest quality original art, drum and dance juried competitions.
June 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
JUNE 2023
July 2023
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
ursday Friday Saturday
WednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday
1 2
3
4
5 6
7
8 9
10
11
12 13
14
15 16
17
18
19 20
21
22 23
24
25
26 27
28
29 30
n Gawai Dayak Malaysia
n Children’s Day Laos
n Independence Day
Samoa
n Labour Day Bahamas
l Global Day of Parents
UN n Republic Day Italy
Full Moon
s Núr (5th Month) Bahá’í
s Pentecost
Christian - Coptic &
Eastern Orthodox
l Int’l Day Of Innocent
Children Victims Of
Aggression UN
n Constitution Day
Denmark
n June Bank Holiday
Ireland
l World Environment
Day UN
n National Day Sweden
l World Oceans Day UN
n Trooping The Colour
UK, England
n Portugal Day Portugal
n Independence Day
Philippines
n Russia Day Russia
l World Day Against Child
Labour UN
n Flag Day USA
s Martydom of
Guru Arjan Dev Sikh
n Independence Day
Iceland
l World Day To Combat
Desertification & Drought
UN
New Moon
n Father’s Day
Canada, UK, USA
n Juneteenth USA
n Labour Day
Trinidad & Tobago
SUMMER SOLSTICE
International
s Litha Wicca
l World Refugee Day UN
4s National Indigenous
Peoples Day Canada
n Inti Raymi Peru
n National Day Greenland
l Intn’l Day of Yoga UN
n Dragon Boat Festival
China, Hong Kong
s Rahmat (6th Month(
Bahá’í
n National Day
Luxembourg
l Public Service Day UN
4 n St. Jean Baptiste Day
(Quebec) Canada
n Matariki
Aboriginal/Maori, New
Zealand
n Dia de San Juan
Puerto Rico
n Independence Day
Madagascar, Somalia
l Int’l Day Against Drug
Abuse & Illicit Trafficking
UN
l Int’l Day In Support Of
Victims Of Torture UN
n Multiculturalism Day
Canada
4s Eid-ul-Adha Islam
n Stonewall Rebellion Day
LGBT
s Gahambar Maidyoshem
(29 - Jul 3) Zoroastrian
n St. Peter and Paul Day
Chile
n Independence Day
Congo
May 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender
Pride Month USA, Canada, Australia
Indigenous Peoples’ History Month Canada
Caribbean American Heritage Month USA
Jul 1 Canada Day Canada On July 1, 1867, the
British North America Act created the
Canadian federal government. The BNA
proclaimed ‘one Dominion under the name
of Canada,’ hence the original title of the
holiday, ‘Dominion Day.’ Dominion Day
was officially renamed ‘Canada Day’ by an
act of Parliament on October 27, 1982.
Jul 1 HKSAR Establishment Day Hong Kong
Hong Kong was a British colony ruled by a
British Governor until it was reunited with
China as a Special Administrative Region of
the People’s Republic of China on 1 July, 1997.
Jul 3 Wassana / Dhamma Day Buddhist This day
marks the beginning of the 3-month ‘Rains
Retreat’ for self-examination and peace-
making for monks and nuns. It also
celebrates Buddha’s first teaching.
Jul 3 Guru Purnima Jain, Hindu Is celebrated by
disciples to revere and honour their Gurus
(spiritual masters).
Jul 3 NAIDOC Australia NAIDOC stands for
“National Aborigines and Islanders Day
Observance Committee”. A week-long
celebration around Australia during the first
week in July to focus on the history, culture
and achievements of Aboriginal and Torres
Strait Islander people.
Jul 4 Independence Day USA In 1776, the
13 Colonies signed the declaration of
Independence proclaiming their separation
from England and formed the United States
of America. It is celebrated with picnics,
fireworks, parades and outdoor activities.
Jul 6 Dalai Lama’s Birthday Tibet (Tibet,
Buddhist) His Holiness the XIVth Dalai Lama,
Tenzin Gyatso, is the spiritual and temporal
leader of the Tibetan people. Born to a
peasant family in northeastern Tibet, he was
recognized as the 14th Dalai Lama
(Mongolian for ‘Ocean of Wisdom’).
Jul 7 Tanabata Japan Meaning “Seven Evenings” is
a Japanese star festival, derived from Obon
traditions and the Chinese star festival, Qi Xi.
The festival is usually held on July 7, and
celebrates the meeting of Orihime (Vega)
and Hikoboshi (Altair). The Milky Way, a
river made from stars that crosses the sky,
separates these lovers. They are allowed to
meet only once a year. This special day, the
seventh day of the seventh lunar month.
Jul 10 Martyrdom of The Báb Bahá’í The Báb was
executed at the age of 31 by a firing squad in
Tabriz in 1850 C.E. The event is observed at
noon. Commerce is suspended on this day.
Jul 11 Imamat Day Islam Ismaili Imamat Day is
celebrated every year by Ismailis on the day
that the Imamat or religious leader
transferred from the past Imam to the
present Aga Khan.
Jul 11 Nadaam Festival Mongolia The festival lasts
for three days where the men compete in the
Three Manly national sports of archery,
wrestling and horse riding.
Jul 12 Battle of Boyne N. Ireland England’s
William III defeated the deposed King of
England and Scotland at the Battle of Boyne
in Ireland. After the battle, which took place
on July 1, 1690 James was forced to flee to
France.
Jul 14 Bastille Day France Commemorates the
event that launched the French Revolution.
On this date in 1789, the Bastille, which
held political prisoners and became a symbol
of oppression by the monarchy, was stormed
and prisoners freed. In France, the day is
called Fête Nationale.
Jul 17 Umi no hi Japan Japanese honour the
importance of the sea and its role in
Japanese history on this day.
Jul 20 Munoz-Rivera Day Puerto Rico This day
celebrates the anniversary of Luis Munoz -
Rivera, a Puerto Rican patriot, poet and
journalist.
Jul 20 1st Muharram - Islamic New Year Islam
Islamic New Year, 1443 AH. The first of
Muharram marks the first day of the first
month (Muharram) of the Islamic year.
Muharam lasts for 29-30 days depending on
the moon sighting. It begins at sundown
the previous day. The dates vary by a day
depending on whether the Saudi Arabia
or the North American Calendar is being
observed.
Jul 24 Pioneer Day Christian - Mormon This day
honours the U.S. pioneers led by Brigham
Young, who first settled in Utah in 1847.
This day is celebrated with parades to
remember their pioneering ancestors.
Jul 24 Simon Bolivar Day Venezuela, Ecuador
Simon Bolivar (1783-1830) was one of
South America’s greatest generals. His
victories over the Spaniards won
independence for Bolivia, Panama, Columbia,
Ecuador, Peru and Venezuela. He is called
El Liberator and the ‘George Washington’ of
South America.
Jul 27 Tish’a B’Av Jewish Jews mourn the
destruction of the First and Second Temples
in Jerusalem in 586 B.C.E. and 70 C.E. It is a
day of mourning and fasting.
Jul 28 Ashura Islam The tenth day of the first
Islamic month (Muharram). For Shi’ite
Muslims, this day mourns the martyrdom
of Hazrat Imam Husain, the grandson of
Prophet Muhammad. Devout Shi’a
commemorate this day of sadness with
retelling the story of the battle fought in
Kerbala.
Jul 30 Oh-Harai-Taisai Shinto During the Grand
Purification Ceremony, Japanese
worshippers walk through a large ring of
woven grass and reeds that are placed at the
entrance of the shrines as an act of inner
purification for sins and offenses committed
during the first half of the year. This sacred
ritual is observed twice yearly.
Jul 31 Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola Spain
Commemorates the life of St. Ignatius Loyola
(1491-1556), who founded the Society of
Jesus, the Roman Catholic religious order
whose members are known as Jesuits.
July-August Sun Dance Ritual Indigenous For many tribes of the Plains Indians, the Sun Dance
was a major communal religious ceremony. Generally held in early summer, the four-day dance
ceremony involves sacrifice and supplication to insure harmony between all living beings.
Iroquois - late spring; Cree, Arapaho, Cheyenne, Sioux and other Plains Peoples - summer.
July-August Green Corn Ceremony Indigenous Performed by some Oklahoma tribes as a time of
renewal. The ceremony involves participation in sweatlodge ceremonies, dances, offerings and
fasting.
July 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
JUlY 2023
Saturday
FridayursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday
1
2
3 4
5
6 7
8
9
10 11
12
13 14
15
16
17 18
19
20 21
22
23
24 25
26
27 28
29
4 n Canada Day Canada
n HKSAR Establishment
Day Hong Kong
n Independence Day
Rwanda, Burundi
n Constitution Day
Cayman Islands
Full Moon
sGuru Purnima
Jain, Hindu
s Wassana / Dhamma
Day Buddhis
n NAIDOC Australia
4 n Independence Day
USA
n Independence Day
Venezuela
n Dalai Lama’s Birthday
(Tibet) Buddhist
l Int’l Day of
Cooperatives UN n Tanabata Japan
n Independence Day
Argentina
s Martyrdom of The Báb
Bahá’í
n Independence Day
Bahamas
4s Imamat Day
Islam Ismaili
n Nadaam Festival
Mongolia
l World Population
Day UN
s Katimát (7th month)
Bahá’í
n Battle of Boyne
N. Ireland
n Bastille Day France
n Republic Day Iraq
New Moon
n Umi no hi Japan
n Nelson Mandela’s
Birthday South Africa
s 1st Muharram - Islamic
New Year Islam
n Munoz-Rivera Day
Puerto Rico
n Independence Day
Colombia
n Independence Day
Belgium
s Pioneer Day
Christian - Mormon
n Simon Bolivar Day
Venezuela, Ecuador
n Day of National
Rebellion Cuba
n Independence Day
Liberia s Tish’a B’Av Jewish
4s Ashura Islam
n Independence Day Peru
n Caribana Parade
African-American/Canadian
Canada
30
31
s Oh-Harai-Taisai Shinto
s Kamál
(8th Month) Bahá’í
n Feast of St. Ignatius
Loyola Spain
n Emancipation Day
Bermuda
Jul-Aug Green Corn CeremonyIndigenous
Sun Dance Ritual Indigenous
August 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
June 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
25 26 27 28 29 30
Aug 1 Lugnasad Wicca Its name is taken
from the Celtic God Lugh, or
Samildanach, which means ‘he of
many gifts’. It celebrates the ancient
festival of the first harvesting of grain
in August.
Aug 2 Ilinden Macedonia Commorates the
Macedonians revolt against the
Ottoman army on August 2, 1903, on
Ilinden, or St. Elijah’s Day.
Aug 6 Hiroshima Day Canada, Japan, USA
This solemn day commemorates the
day that United States dropped the
first atomic bomb in Hiroshima, Japan
in 1945. People from different back
grounds unite on this day to declare
their commitment to never letting
another nuclear bomb be used against
humans again.
Aug 8-17 Fravardeghan Zoroastrian
Fravardeghan lasts ten days in
preparation for Now Ruz for those who
follow the Shenshai calendar.
Ancestors are memorialized during
this time.
Aug 15 Assumption Christian This refers to
Mary’s death and ascent to heaven and
is celebrated by Catholic and Orthodox
Churchs. Special mentions: Sicilian -
Canadians hold an outdoor procession
for the Madonna del Assunta, Polish -
Canadians celebrate the Feast of the
Mother of God of the herbs, an early
harvest festival, Armenian Orthodox
bless the first grapes of the season,
Ukranians take flowers to the church
to be blessed.
Aug 15 Korean Liberation Day Korea The day
celebrates the national liberation from
Imperial Japan in 1945. On the same
day in 1948, the government of the
Republic of Korea was established.
Aug 16 Now Ruz (Shenshai) Zoroastrian
Now Ruz means ‘new day’ and is
celebrated by Zoroastrians who follow
the Shenshai calendar and by all
Ismaili Muslims around the world. The
New Year celebrates the creation of fire
on this day on which Zarathustra
received his revelation.
Aug 24 Birth of Prophet Zarathustra
(Shenshai) Zoroastrian Zarathushtra
(Zoroaster in Greek; Zarthosht in India
and Persia) is the founder of the
Zoroastrian religion, dating back to
sometime between 1500 and
1000 BCE. He lived in Persia, modern
day Iran. Zoroastrianism became the
state religion of various Persian
empires, until the 7th Century CE.
When Arabs, followers of Islam,
invaded Persia in 650 CE, a small
number of Zoroastrians fled to India
where most are concentrated today.
Aug 25-Sep 1 Paryushana-Parva Jain
Celebrated for eight days,
Paryushana-Parva is the holiest time
of the year and is marked by fasting
and worship of the 24 teachers of the
Jain faith known as Tirthankaras or
Jinas.
Aug 26 Notting Hill Festival UK The Notting
Hill Festival is held during the last
weekend in August. This is a West
Indian Street carnival with floats,
bands, and stalls. It began in 1964
with the focus of racismtoward
Caribbean and deterring other Black
immigrants and bringing together the
people of the Notting Hill area.
Aug 29 Onam India Onam is a Hindu festival
celebrated by the people of Kerala in
India. Lasting for four to ten days,
it is a harvest festival commemorating
the homecoming of the legendary
Emperor Mahabali from Patala (the
underworld) who visits every Malayali
home and during this time.
Aug 30 Raksha Bandhan Hindu According to
legend, God Indra was warring with
demons. His wife tied a silk charm
around his wrist to protect him and
he was able to defeat his enemies.
Hindu girls now tie a threaded amulet
or ‘rakhi’ on their brothers for
protection against evil.
Aug 30 Victory Day Turkey Honors the
warriors who died in the 1922 Battle
of Dumlupinar, the final battle in the
war of independence. The Mehtar
band, the world’s oldest military
band, plays, and celebrations include
military parades.
Aug 30 St. Rosa of Lima Peru
Commemorates a Peruvian saint who
lived in Lima. Her home is now a pil
grimage site, where every 30th of
August, people come to pray and
throw coins, messages and icons into
a water well near her home.
August Native Wild Rice Harvest Indigenous Northern Cree, Ojibwa, Algonkians. Celebrates last
full moon in August.
August Hopi Snake Dance Indigenous This dance requires two weeks of ritual preparation and
snakes are gathered and kept watch over by children. The dancers then take an emetic and dance
with the snakes in their mouths, with an Antelope priest in attendance. After the dance, the snakes are
released to carry their prayers.
August 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
AUGUST 2023
Tuesday Wednesday ursday Friday Saturday
MondaySunday
1
2
3 4
5
6
7 8
9
10 11
12
13
14 15
16
17 18
19
20
21 22
23
24 25
26
27
28 29
30
31
Full Moon
s Lugnasad Wicca
n Confederation Day
Switzerland
s Ilinden Macedonia
n Emancipation Day
Turks & Caicos Islands
n Hiroshima Day
Canada, Japan, USA
n Independence Day
Bolivia, Jamaica
4 n Civic Holiday Canada
n Summer Bank Holiday
Scotland, Ireland
s Fravardeghan (8-17)
Zoroastrian
n National Women’s Day
South Africa
n National Day Singapore
l Int’l Day Of The World’s
Indigenous People UN
n Independence Day
Ecuador
l International Youth
Day UN
n Independence Day
Pakistan
s Assumption Christian
n Independence Day India
n Korean Liberation Day
Korea
New Moon
4s Now Ruz (Shenshai)
Zoroastrian
n Independence Day
Indonesia
s Asmá (9th Month)
Bahá’í
n Independence Day
Afghanistan
l World Humanitarian
Day UN
l Int’l Day for
Remembrance of the Slave
Trade and its Abolition UN
s Birth of Prophet
Zarathustra (Shenshai)
Zoroastrian
n Independence Day
Ukraine
4s Paryushana-Parva
(Aug 25-Sep 1) Jain
n Independence Day
Uruguay
n Notting Hill Festival
UK, England
n Independence Day
Moldova
n Summer Bank Holiday
UK
n Onam India
s Raksha Bandhan Hindu
n St. Rosa of Lima Peru
n Victory Day Turkey
Full Moon
n Merdeka (Freedom Day)
Malaysia
n Independence Day
Trinidad & Tobago
Native Wild Rice
Harvest Indigenous
Hopi Snake
Dance
Indigenous
September 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
July 2023
S M T W T F S
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22
23 24 25 26 27 28 29
30 31
Sep 3 Red Earth Native American Fair Indigenous, USA
Cultural Festival takes place in Oklahoma City for
3 days. Over 150 Native tribes from U.S. and
Canada gather in Downtown Oklahoma City to
share and participate in their rich and diverse
heritage through highest quality original art, drum
and dance juried competitions.
Sep 4 Labour Day USA On June 29, 1894, the U.S.
Congress voted Labour Day as a National Holiday
to honour working people’s contribution of
labour. The day is celebrated with parades and
speeches.
Sep 4 Labour Day Canada National Holiday to honour
working people’s contribution of labour. The day is
celebrated with parades and speeches.
Sep 7 Janmashtami Hindu Celebrates the birth of Lord
Krishna and his rescue from potential death by the
demon Kasna. Lord Krishna was born in a prison,
then carried by his father to another village where
he was secretly exchanged with a cow herder’s
daughter for his safety.
Sep 11 Day Of Remembrance USA The effects of the
attacks on the World Trade Center and the
Pentagon in 2001 impacted Americans and most
other nations and has brought us to focus on the
devastation terrorism has caused in the world.
Sep 11 Meskerem (New Year) Ethiopia Coptic Orthodox
Christians are found in all of Africa. They include
Egypt, Libya, Sudan and Ethiopia. During the time
of Pharoahs 4,000 years ago, the appearance of
Soothis (Dog Star) marked the signal that the Nile
River would rise, flooding the fertile plains so that
planting could begin. The end of the rainy season
became known as the New Year.
Sep 12-16 Gahambar Paitishahem Zoroastrian This day
celebrates the creation of earth.
Sep 16-17 Rosh Hashanah/New Year Jewish Begins
previous sundown at 6pm and observed for
two days. Literally ‘Head of the Year’ marks the
first and second day of the Jewish New Year
and the anniversary of the creation of the world.
It, ends 10 days later with Yom Kippur. It is
celebrated with prayers and religious services.
Sep 16 Oktoberfest Germany Originally it was meant to be
just a simple horse race event but the bavarian
character quickly took over and it became a happy
gathering of cheerful beer drinkers. The
Oktoberfest attracts approximately 7 million
visitors each year.
Sep 17 Constitution Day USA Constitution Day (or
Citizenship Day) is an American federal observance
that recognizes the adoption of the United States
Constitution and those who have become U.S.
citizens.
Sep 18 Keiro No Hi Japan Respect of the Aged Day, or
Keiro no Hi, was established as a national holiday
in 1966 to express respect for the elders in the
community, and to recognise and thank them for
their contributions to society and last but not least,
celebrate their long lives.
Sep 19 Ganesh Chaturthi Hindu It is in honour of one of
Hindu’s major deity, Ganesh, the elephant-headed
god. He is known as the ‘remover of all obstacles’
and is invoked at the beginning of all new
undertakings.
Sep 20 Dashalakshani-Parva Jain Celebrated by the
Digambara sect and lasts ten days, each day
dedicated to a virtue: humility, honesty, purity,
forgiveness, truthfulness, selfrestraint, asceticism,
study, celibacy and detachment.
Sep 23 Mabon Wicca This day celebrates the fall equinox
and the end of the harvest season. Apples are
juiced for cider and grapes for wine.
Sep 23 Shuki sorei sai Japan, Shinto On this Autumnal
Equinox Day, the Japanese honour family ancestry,
visiting ancestoral graves and having family
reunions.
Sep 23 Chichen Itza Festival Mexico During the Autumn
Equinox, thousands gather at the Mayan Temple
of Kukulkan to see the interplay of sun and shadow
as it forms the impression of a long-tailed serpent
leading downward to the stone head of the
serpent Kukulkan.
Sep 24 Heritage Day South Africa Celebrates cultural
diversity and serves as a time for South Africans of
various heritages to strengthen bonds.
Sep 24 Our Lady of Las Mercedes Dominican Republic,
Peru In Carhuaz, Peru celebrations are held in
honor of the virgin, with traditional processions,
bands of musicians, bullfights and fireworks.
In the Dominican Republic, a procession held
at the site of the 16th century shrine of Our Lady
of Las Mercedes, where Columbus fought a battle
against the Indians and the Virgin Mary appeared
to him.
Sep 25 Yom Kippur Jewish The Day of Atonement is the
holiest and most solemn of all days in the Jewish
year. They believe that once you atone for your
mistakes, you can be ‘at one’ with God. Jews do not
work, and they fast, from sunset to sunset.
Sep 28 Pavarana Buddhist Buddha went into intensive
practice during the rainy season. This marks the
end of the retreat.
Sep 28 Fiesta San Miguel Mexico The festival of the
Archangel San Miguel is in honor of the Patron
Saint of the city of San Miguel. Cultural, social,
artistic and sporting events are held throughout
the city, along with bullfights.
Sep 28 Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi Islam Anniversary of the
birth of Prophet Muhammad. Some Muslims mark
this occasion by special prayers, whilst other
Muslims may mark the occasion by dedicating
more time to reading the Koran.
Sep 29 Harvest Moon Festival China, Hong Kong,
Taiwan The festival is celebrated with family
reunions, moon gazing and eating of moon cakes.
In Vietnam, it is called ‘Trung Thu.’ On that night
children form a procession and travel through
the streets with bright lanterns, singing and
dancing to the beat of drums.
Sep 29 Chuseok Korea Chuseok is referred to as Korean
Thanksgiving Day. It’s a celebration of the harvest
and thanksgiving for the bounty of the earth.
Family members come from all over the country to
visit their ancestral homes.
Sep 29 Ksamavani Jain Ksamavani is the ‘day of universal
forgiveness’ for wrongs committed by them and to
them.
Sep 29 Kathina Buddhist New robes and necessities are
given to ordained monks and nuns.
Sep 30-Oct 1 Sukkot Jewish Begins previous sundown
at 6pm. The Feast of Booths is a joyful harvest
festival lasting 9 days. A little hut called ‘sukkah’
is built outdoors where families eat to remember
the time Israelites wandered in the desert for 40
years, sleeping and eating under the stars.
Sep 30 San Geronimo Day Indigenous, USA Named after
St. Jerome (1829-1909), an Apache fighter, this
day is celebrated by the Native Americans in Taos
Pueblo, New Mexico. Ceremonies are the morning
races, the sacred clowns and the pole climb.
Sep 30 National Day of Truth and Reconciliation
Indigenous People, Canada This day honours the
survivors of the residential school system, their
families, and communities.
National Hispanic Heritage Month USA Initiated in 1968 as ’National Hispanic Heritage Week’ but was
established in 1988 by the U.S. Congress, and includes the days between September 15 through October 15.
Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 because this day marks the anniversary of independence for
five Hispanic countries – Costa Rica, El Salvador, Honduras, Guatemala and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico achieved
independence on September 16, and Chile on September 18. Latinos from all across the nation take a moment to
reflect upon their history, customs and culture, as well as the contributions their people have made to the U.S.
September Sunrise Dance Indigenous Apache This is an ancient rite of passage for 14-year old girls and lasts
four days. After a girl’s first mentruation, the girl is massaged and prayed for by an elder female relative. Then, the
girl’s family decides which ceremony will be sponsored, which medicine man to choose, and whom to ask to be
her godparents and co-sponsors of the ceremony.
September 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
SEpTEMBER 2023
Friday Saturday
ursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday
1
2
3
4 5
6
7 8
9
10
11 12
13
14 15
16
17
18 19
20
21 22
23
24
25 26
27
28 29
30
n Independence Day
Vietnam
n Red Earth Native
American Fair
Indigenous, USA
n Father’s Day
Australia, New Zealand
4 n Labour Day
Canada, USA
l International Day of
Charity UN
n Defence Day Pakistan
4s Janmashtami Hindu
n Independence Day Brazil
s Ízzat (10th Month)
Bahá’í
l International Literacy
Day UN
n Day Of Remembrance
USA
n Meskerem (New Year)
Ethiopia
s Gahambar Paitishahem
(12-16) Zoroastrian
New Moon
n Hispanic Heritage
Month (until Oct.15) USA
n Independence Day
Costa Rica, El Salvador,
Guatemala, Honduras,
Nicaragua
4s Rosh Hashana
(Sep 16-17) Jewish
n Oktoberfest Germany
n Dia de la Independencia
Mexico
l Int’l Day For
Preservation Of The
Ozone Layer UN
n Constitution Day USA
n Keiro No Hi Japan
n Independence Day Chile
s Ganesh Chaturthi Hindu
n Independence Day
Saint Kitts/Nevis
s Dashalakshani-Parva
Jain
n Independence Day
Armenia, Malta
l Int’l Day Of Peace UN
n Independence Day
Bulgaria, Mali
AUTUMN EQUINOX
International
s Mabon Wicca
n Shuki sorei sai
Japan, Shinto
n Chichen Itza Festival
Mexico
n Unification Day
Saudi Arabia
n Our Lady of Las
Mercedes
Dominican Republic, Peru
n Heritage Day
South Africa
n Republic Day
Trinidad & Tobago
4s Yom Kippur Jewish
s Mashiyyat (11th
Month) Bahá’í
4s Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi
Islam
s Pavarana Buddhist
n Fiesta San Miguel
Mexico
Full Moon
s Kathina Buddhist
n Harvest Moon Festival
China, Hong Kong, Taiwan
Ksamavani Jain
n Trung Thu Vietnam
n Chuseok Korea
4s Sukkot
(Sep 30 - Oct 1) Jewish
n National Day of Truth&
Reconciliation
Indigenous, Canada
n San Geronimo Day
Indigenous, USA
l World Maritime Day UN
National Hispanic Heritage
Month USA
September Sunrise Dance
Indigenous
August 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5
6 7 8 9 10 11 12
13 14 15 16 17 18 19
20 21 22 23 24 25 26
27 28 29 30 31
October 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
Oct 2 Mehragan Iran, Zoroastrian The word
‘Mehr’ in Persian means kindness, love and
friendship. Mehregan is celebrated by
Zoroastian and Persian (Iranian) people and
was based on the concept that all of the
farmers would bring their harvest in the
middle of the town square and split it up
evenly.
Oct 3 Gandhi’s Birthday India Mohandas
Karamchand Gandhi (1869-1948) is the
National Father of India, who adopted
‘non-violence’ in fighting for the country’s
freedom.
Oct 3 Day of German Unity Germany
Commemorates the date in 1990 when, after
45 years of division, East and West Germany
were reunited as one country.
Oct 4 Feast of St. Francis of Assisi Italy
St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of
animals was born in 1182 at Assisi. He
abandoned his dream of becoming a knight,
donned the clothes of a poor farmhand and
began caring for the sick. He founded the
Franciscan Order, which today has about
33,000 members.
He died on 3rd October 1226.
Oct 7 Shemini Atzeret Jewish On the eighth day of
Sukkot, special prayers for rain are offered.
Oct 8
Simchat Torah Jewish Simchat Torah or
Rejoicing in the Torah is the beginning of the
synagogue’s annual reading cycle. It begins at
previous sundown.
Oct 9 Taiiku no hi Japan Also known as Health
Sports Day or Sports Day, is a national
holiday in Japan held annually on the second
Monday in October. It commemorates the
opening of the 1964 Summer Olympics
being held in Tokyo, and exists to promote
sports and an active lifestyle.
Oct 9 Han-Gul Day Korea This day commemorates
the creation of the Korean alphabet of 29
phonetic symbols called han-gul by King
Sejong between 1443 and 1446.
Oct 9 Columbus Day USA This day commemorates
the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’
discovery of the New World.
Oct 9 Thanksgiving Canada Early Canadian
settlers gave thanks for good harvests by
decorating their churches with fruits and
vegetables and celebrated dinner with
venison and waterfowl.
Oct 9 Indigenous Peoples’ Day USA Many cities
in USA are replacing Columbus Day with
Indigenous Peoples’ Day. This day honours
Native American heritage.
Oct 11 Coming Out Day LGBT The first National
Coming Out Day was held on October 11,
1988. It is an international event which gives
gay, lesbian and bisexual people the
opportunity to ‘come out’ to others about
their sexuality. It also provides a means of
increasing the visibility of gay people.
Oct 11 Int’l Day of the Girl UN International Day of
the Girl officially declared December 19,
2011 by the United Nations General Assembly,
recognizes the rights of girls and the
particular challenges they face in the world.
Oct 12-16 Gahambar Ayathrem Zoroastrian This
day celebrates the creation of plant life.
Oct 12 Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity
Argentina Known as Día de la Raza in many
South American countries, it celebrates
the Hispanic influence on the Americas.
Oct 12 Dia de la Raza Mexico This day celebrates
the Hispanic and Latino heritage in the
Americas.
Oct 12 Nossa Senhora de Aparecida Brazil In
1717, a group of Brazilian fisherman pulled
up a wooden statue of the Virgin Mary which
was followed by an abundant catch after
a fruitless fishing day. They enshrined the
statue and in 1929, the Brazilian nation
declared Nossa Senhora De Aparecida the
Patroness of Brazil.
Oct 15 Navratri Hindu It means ‘nine nights’
beginning on the new moon and ending on
Dussehra. It is dedicated to the goddess
Durga who had nine incarnations and has
the power of good to destroy demons.
Oct 16 Birthday Of The Báb Bahá’í Born Siyyid ’Ali
Muhammad in Southwestern Iran in 1819.
His title, in Arabic, means ’The Gate’. Work
is suspended and Bahá’ís come together for
prayer and festivities.
Oct 17 Birth Of Bahá’u’lláh Bahá’í Born Mirza
Husayn ‘Ali into one of the leading noble
families of Persia in 1817. His name is a title,
in Arabic, meaning ‘The Glory of God’.
Oct 22 Abu Simbel Festival Egypt Built by Ramses II,
his temple is angled so that the inner
sanctum lights up twice a year: on the
anniversary of his rise to the throne and,
once again, on his birthday. Crowds pack the
temple before sunrise to watch the shafts
of light illuminate the statues of Ramses, Ra
and Amon. The other date for this event
is February 22.
Oct 22 Durga Puja Hindu This day celebrates the
divine creative force of the universe and
honours the 10-armed goddess Durga, wife
of Shiva, and the destroyer of demons.
Oct 23 Chulalongkorn Day Thailand This day
commemorates the birth of Rama V, a
progressive ruler who lived in 1868-1910.
Oct 23 Chung Yeung Festival China, Hong Kong,
Taiwan Families visit the graves of their
ancestors.
Oct 24 Dussehra Nepal, Hindu Dussehra means
‘the tenth’ and celebrates the triumph of
Lord Ram over the demon Ravan who
stole his wife Sita. The great Hindu epic
poem, the Ramayana, is read and enacted,
called Ram Lila. A big effigy of Ravan is
burnt accompanied by fireworks. In Nepal it
is called Dashain and is a major holiday.
Oct 31 Samhain Wicca Traditionally, animals were
slaughtered for winter provisions and the
spirits of those who have died in the last
year are invited to a final celebration.
Oct 31 Halloween Canada, USA This tradition goes
back to the Celtic people 2,000 years ago
who celebrated their New Year in late
autumn and honoured Samhain or Lord of
the Dead.
Disability Employment Awareness Month USA In 1945, in an effort to assist disabled veterans,
Congress designated the first week of October as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.
In the 1970s, a historic shift in disability public policy occurred. For the first time, the exclusion
of people with disabilities was viewed as discrimination. The efforts of disability activists led to
significant changes in laws, such as the passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act in 1990 and
the designation of a full month to recognize the potential of America’s millions of working-age people
with disabilities.
Women’s History Month Canada Established in 1992 by the Government of Canada, this special
month provides an opportunity to learn more about women’s historic accomplishments and their
contributions to Canadian society.
Black History Month UK In Britain, Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987 as part
of African Jubilee Year. The decision to make this an annual event each October was endorsed by the
Association of London Authorities. It has since grown to recognise and embrace the contributions
and traditions of other black communities.
Latin American Heritage Month Canada Proclaimed by the Parliament of Canada on June 21, 2018,
this month is an opportunity for Canadians to recognize the valuable contribution of members of the
Latin American community to this country’s social, economic, political and cultural fabric.
October 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
OCTOBER 2023
September 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
November 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday ursday Friday Saturday
1
2 3
4
5 6
7
8
9 10
11
12 13
14
15
16 17
18
19 20
21
22
23 24
25
26 27
28
29
30 31
n National Day China
n Independence Day
Cyprus, Nigeria
l Int’l Day For The Elderly
UN
n Gandhi’s Birthday India
n Mehragan Iran,
Zoroastrian
l Int’l Day of
Non-Violence UN
n Foundation Day Korea
n Day of German Unity
Germany
n Feast of St. Francis of
Assisi Italy
n Republic Day Portugal
l World Habitat Day UN
l World Teachers’ Day UN
n Armed Forces Day Egypt
n Constitution Day
Dominican Republic,
Puerto Rico
4s Shemini Atzeret
Jewish
4s Simchat Torah Jewish
n Independence Day
Croatia
4 n Thanksgiving
Canada
4 n Indigenous Peoples’
Day Indigenous, USA
4 n Columbus Day USA
n Han-Gul Day Korea
n Independence Day
Uganda
l World Post Day UN
n Fiji Day Fiji
n Independence Day Cuba
n Double Tenth Day
Taiwan
n Curacao Day Curacao
l World Mental Health
Day UN
n Coming Out Day LGBT
n National Boss Day USA
l Int’l Day of the Girl UN
s Gahambar Ayathrem
(12-16) Zoroastrian
n Dia de la Raza Mexico
n Day of Respect for
Cultural Diversity
Argentina
n Discovery Day Bahamas
n National Day Spain
n Nossa Senhora de
Aparecida Brazil
New Moon
ANNULAR SOLAR
ECLIPSE
America, Mexico,
south & central America.
l Int’l Day for Natural
Disaster Reduction UN
s Navratri Hindu
s ‘Ilm (12th Month) Bahá’í
s Birthday Of The Báb
Bahá’í
n National Heroes Day
Jamaica
l World Food Day UN
s Birth Of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’í
l Int’l Day For Eradication
Of Poverty UN
n Independence Day
Azerbaijan
s Durga Puja Hindu
n Abu Simbel Festival
Egypt
n Chung Yeung Festival
Taiwan, Hong Kong, China
n Labour Day New
Zealand
n Chulalongkorn Day
Thailand
4s Dussehra
Nepal, Hindu
n Bank Holiday Ireland
n Suez Victory Day Egypt
n Independence Day
Zambia
l United Nations Day UN
l World Development
Information Day UN
n Republic Day
Kazakhstan n National Day Austria
Full Moon
PARTIAL LUNAR ECLIPSE
e America, Europe, Africa,
Asia, Australia.
n National Day
Czech Republic
n National Day ‘Ochi’
Greece
n Republic Day Turkey
n Bank Holiday Ireland
s Samhain Wicca
n Halloween Canada, USA
n Reformation Day Chile
Women’s History Month
Canada
Disability Employment
Awareness Month USA
Black History Month
Canada, UK
Nov 1 All Saints’ Day Christian This day is for
honouring saints, known and unknown.
Nov 1 Karva Chauth Hindu A one-day fast kept
by married Hindu women for the well-being
and longevity of their husbands. The
husbands feed the first bite to their wives
only after they see the moon.
Nov 2 All Souls Day Christian Catholic Christians
day of prayers of intercession for the dead.
Prayers of the faithful are seen as helping to
cleanse the souls of the departed.
Nov 2 Dia de Finados Portugal This holiday is
celebrated by people visiting the deceased.
They bring hearts and crowns made of
flowers to the graves.
Nov 2 Dia de los Muertos Mexico Known as the
Day of the Dead. Is celebrated in parts of the
United States and Central America. Families
build altars in their homes surrounded
with flowers, food and burning candles.
Nov 3 Bunka No Hi Japan A national holiday
dedicated to the love of freedom and
promotion of Japanese culture.
Nov 5 Guy Fawkes Day UK This is also known as
Bonfire Night. Guy Fawkes was a leader of a
group of Catholic men who were plotting to
blow up the king and Parliament but were
arrested in time. The English and Irish burn
bonfires topped by a figure known as the guy.
Nov 11 Remembrance Day Australia, Canada,
UK This day commemorates the soldiers
killed in World Wars I and II and is in
re membrance for all those who have given
their lives in service of their country.
Canadians always set aside this day in
memory of those who gave their lives for
freedom. Many observers wear red poppies
as a symbol of this day.
Nov 11 Veterans Day USA It was first proclaimed
as Armistice Day in 1919 to commemorate
the termination (at 11 AM on November 11,
1918) of World War I.
Nov 12 Diwali Sikh, Hindu It means ‘row of lights’
and is the Hindu New Year. Diwali lasts for
5 days: Day 1 - New Year for business, Day
2 - the triumph of god Vishnu over the evil
demon, Day 3 - Lakshmi, the goddess of
prosperity visits homes lit by lamps,
Day 4 - Bali worship day, Day 5 - devoted to
brothers and sisters.
Nov 12 Mahavira Nirvana Jain This day celebrates
the attainment of Moksa by Lord Mahavira
and is the ‘Festival of Lamps’.
Nov 15 Shichi-Go-San Japan Prayers are offered
for children’s growth. The ages of three and
five for boys, three and seven for girls, are
celebrated. On this day, children dress up
in their gala dresses and go with their
parents to a Shinto shrine to pay a visit to
the tutelary deity. Children are given
thousand-year candy which is red and white
(auspicious colours) with crane and turtle
illustrations (symbols of long life).
Nov 23 Thanksgiving Day USA Early American
settlers gave thanks for good harvests by
decorating their churches with fruits and
vegetables and celebrating dinner with
venison and waterfowl.
Nov 23 Kinro Kansha No Hi Japan This is the
Japanese Labour Thanksgiving Day when
people express gratitude to each other for
their labours throughout the year.
Nov 24 Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur Sikh This
day commemorates his martyrdom
(1621-1675). He was the ninth of the Ten
Sikh Gurus and executed in Delhi by the
Mughal emperor. He died for the Sikh faith
and also for religious liberty.
Nov 25 St. Catherine’s Day Canada, France She is
the patron saint of virgins and philosophers,
lived in Alexandria in the 4th century A.D.
and was martyred after being tortured on a
spiked wheel. At one time, match-making
balls were held on this day.
Nov 26 Day of Covenant Bahá’í The eldest son and
appointed successor of Bahá’u’lláh,
‘Abdu’l-Bahá, referred to this day as the
‘Centre of the Covenant’ which was
established to safeguard the unity of the
community.
Nov 27 Guru Nanak’s Birthday (Bikarami) Sikh
Born in 1469 CE, he was the first of the
Ten Gurus of the Sikh faith and founded
Sikhism. An accomplished poet, 974 of
his hymns are in the Sikh scriptures,
the Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
Nov 27 Lokashah Jayanti Jain This day
commemorates the birth of a famous 15th
century reformer, Lonka Saha, who opposed
temple worship and use of images.
Nov 28 Ascension Of Abdu’l-Bahá¡ Bahá’í After
years of serving his father and safeguarding
the unity of the Faith, Abdu’l-Bahá¡ passed
away in Haifa, Israel in 1921.
Nov 30 St. Andrew’s Day Romania, Scotland This
day commemorates the life of the patron
saint of Scotland.
National Indigenous Month USA. Since 1900, many have sought to recognize the great
influence American Natives have had on the history, cultural development, and continuing growth of
the US. Various dates and weeks were acknowledged until 1976, when Congress authorized a week in
October as Native American Awareness Week. Finally, in 1990, the month of November was chosen
because it is traditionally a time when many American Natives gather for fall harvest festivals,
world-renewal ceremonies, and pow wows.
Oct-Nov Iroquois Harvest Ceremony Indigenous This a day-long
ceremony giving thanks to earth
spirits for providing now and in the future.
November 2023 Observances
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
NOVEMBER 2023
October 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
8 9 10 11 12 13 14
15 16 17 18 19 20 21
22 23 24 25 26 27 28
29 30 31
December 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2
3 4 5 6 7 8 9
10 11 12 13 14 15 16
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
31
Wednesday ursday Friday Saturday
TuesdayMondaySunday
1
2 3
4
5
6 7
8
9 10
11
12
13 14
15
16 17
18
19
20 21
22
23 24
25
26
27 28
29
30
s All Saints’ Day Christian
s Karva Chauth Hindu
n Take Our Kids to Work
Canada
n Independence Day
Antigua & Barbuda
n Revolution Day Algeria
s All Souls Day Christian
n Dia de los Muertos
Mexico
n Dia de Finados Portugal
n Bunka No Hi Japan
n Independence Day
Panama, Dominica
s Qudrat (13th Month
Bahá’í
DAYLIGHT SAVINGS
TIME ENDS
n Guy Fawkes Day
UK, England
l Int’l Day For Preventing
The Exploitation Of The
Environment UN
n Independence Day
Cambodia
n Veterans Day USA
n Remembrance Day
Australia, Canada, UK
n Armistice Day France
n Independence Day
Poland
4s Diwali Sikh, Hindu
s Mahavira Nirvana Jain
New Moon
l Int’l World Kindness
Day International
l World Diabetes Day UN
n Shichi-Go-San Japan
n National Day Palestine
n Republic Day Brazil
l Int’l Day of Tolerance
UN
n Independence Day
Latvia, Morocco
n Discovery Day
Puerto Rico
l Int’l Men’s Day
International
l World Toilet Day UN
n Transgender Day of
Remembrance LGBT
n National Sovereignty
Day Argentina
l Universal Children’s
Day UN
l World Television Day
UN
s Qawl (14th Month)
Bahá’í
n Independence Day
Lebanon
4 n Thanksgiving Day
USA
n Kinro Kansha No Hi
Japan
s Martyrdom of Guru Teg
Bahadur Sikh
n St. Catherine’s Day
Canada, France
n National Day Bosnia
l Int’l Day For Elimination
Of Violence Against
Women UN
s Day of Covenant Bahá’í
Full Moon
4s Guru Nanak’s
Birthday (Bikarami) Sikh
s Lokashah Jayanti Jain
s Ascension Of
Abdu’l-Bahá¡ Bahá’í
n Independence Day
Albania
n National Day Panama
l Int’l Day of Solidarity
with Palestinian People UN
n St. Andrew’s Day
Scotland
n Independence Day
Barbados
National Indigenous
Peoples Month USA
December 2023 Observances
Dec 1 Rosa Parks Day USA Commemorates the
arrest of Rosa Parks, in 1955, for defying
segregation by refusing to give up her seat
on the bus for a white passenger. The
incident led to the end of segregation.
Dec 3 First Sunday of Advent Christian The
Christian church year begins with Advent
(from the Latin adventus meaning ‘coming’
or ‘arrival’) which is also a time when
Christians prepare to celebrate the birth of
Christ.
Dec 6 St. Nicholas Day Christian He is the patron
saint of Russia and came from a town in
Turkey. Being known as a protector of
children, the tradition of leaving shoes out
in the hopes of receiving treats is practiced
in the Dutch, German and Eastern European
communities.
Dec 7 Pearl Harbor Day USA This day
commemorates the attack of the Imperial
Japanese Navy and Air Force on the armed
forces of the United States stationed at Pearl
Harbor, Hawaii, killing two thousand people.
This caused the United States to enter into
World War II.
Dec 7-15 Hanukkah Jewish Begins previous
sundown at 6pm. The Festival of Lights is
celebrated for eight days. Approximately in
164 B.C., Maccabees, a small group of Jews
fighting for religious freedom won victory
over the Syrians. The legend goes that to
rededicate the Temple, they found only
one jar of holy oil and miraculously the
candelabra remained lit for 8 days. An eight
candle menorah is lit.
Dec 8 Bodhi Day Buddhist In Japanese Zen, Bodhi
Day is called “Rohatsu” and is the
observance of enlightenment of the
historical Buddha. Zen monasteries observe
this day with a meditation retreat lasting
several days. On the last night of a Rohatsu
sesshin, monks and students often sit in
meditation until dawn, as the Buddha did
25 centuries ago.
Dec 8 Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Christian According to the Catholic religion,
Mary, the mother of Jesus, was conceived
without Original Sin in the womb of her
mother, St. Anne.
Dec 12 Our Lady of Guadalupe Mexico An
important religious festival in Mexico. It
commemorates the appearance of the
Blessed Virgin to an Indian boy in 1531.
Processions, dances and visits are led to her
Mexico City shrine.
Dec 13 Aga Khan’s Birthday Islam Ismaili He is the
religious head of the Ismaili sect.
Dec 16-24 Posadas Mexico A nine-day traditional
celebration throughout Mexico. Processions
of pilgrims go door to door asking for
posada, which means shelter,
commemorating the search by Mary and
Joseph for shelter.
Dec 16 Bijoy Dibash Bangladesh Signifies
independence after a 9-month Liberation
War against Pakistan in 1971. East Pakistan
became Bangladesh.
Dec 22 Solstice International In the Northern
Hemisphere, winter begins today. In the
Southern Hemisphere, today is the
beginning of summer. Between the equator
and the Arctic Circle, the sun rises and sets
farthest south on the horizon for the year
and the period of daylight is at its shortest -
12 hours, 8 minutes at the equator and
decreasing to zero at the Arctic Circle.
Dec 22 Yule Wicca During the winter solstice –
the longest night of the year, the rebirth of
the sun which is life sustaining is
celebrated. The Yule tree is decorated with
fruit and candles are lit to represent the sun.
Dec 22 Tohji-Tasai Shinto The sun is of central
importance in Japan and this day celebrates
the end of the Yin period of the Sun in its
declining strength and the growing power of
the Yang period.
Dec 23 Joseph Smith’s Birthday Christian -
Mormon He was the American Mormon
Leader, founder of the Church of Jesus
Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
Dec 25 Christmas Day Christian This day
celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth over 2000
years ago. Customs include lighting candles,
exchanging gifts and using ever green
decorations to celebrate this day, the most
widely observed Christian festival of the
year. In most communities it is a family day.
Dec 26 Junkanoo Bahamas A festival that combines
elements of Mardi Gras, mummers’
parades, and ancient African tribal rituals.
Continues on January 1.
Dec 26 Wren Day/St Stephen’s Day Ireland On
Wren Day, boys in wren costumes go from
house to house with a captured wren,
singing songs and gathering coins. These
coins help to pay for a big celebratory feast
in the evening.
Dec 26 Kwanzaa African-American/Canadian, USA
A professor who wanted to encourage
African Americans to celebrate their
heritage started Kwanzaa’s in California in
1966. Kwanzaa means first fruit in Swahili
and is a harvest festival. Families exchange
gifts and have African-style feasts. Seven-
pronged candleholders are lit on each
consecutive night for the seven principles:
unity, self-determination, working together,
sharing, purpose, creativity and faith.
Dec 26 Death of Prophet Zarathustra Zoroastrian
This day marks the death of the founder of
the Zoroastrian faith.
Dec 30 Rizal Day Philippines This day
commemorates the death of Jose Mercado
Rizal in 1896, a Philippine doctor and author
whose books denounced Spanish
administration. He was an inspiration to the
Philippine nationalist movement.
Dec 31-Jan 4 Gahambar Maidyarem Zoroastrian
This day celebrates the creation of animals.
It is also a time for the equitable sharing of
food.
Dec 31 Omisoka Japan To usher in the new year,
families clean their homes, eat toshi-koshi
buckwheat noodles in the hope that one’s
life will be stretched out as long as these
noodles. As midnight approaches, Shinto
temples around the country begin ringing
out the old year, sounding the temple bell
108 times, signifying the 108 human worldly
desires removed by the striking of the bell.
Universal Human Rights Month UN The Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR) was
adopted by the UN in 1948 as a response to the Nazi holocaust and to set a standard by which the
human rights activities of all nations, rich and poor alike, are to be measured. Some of the Rights
are: No one shall be subjected to cruel and inhuman punishment, being entitled to a fair and public
hearing by an impartial tribunal, the right of the people to be secure in their persons, houses, papers,
and effects, the right to freedom of thought, conscience and religion, and the right to a standard of
living to include food, clothing, housing and medical care and necessary social services, the right to
education, the right to participate in the cultural life of the community, not being arbitrarily deprived of
his property, a speedy juried trail and right to legal counsel.
4 Schedule Consideration s Religious day n Cultural/National day l UN and Int’l days. Bahá’í and Jewish days begin at previous sundown.
DECEMBER 2023
November 2023
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4
5 6 7 8 9 10 11
12 13 14 15 16 17 18
19 20 21 22 23 24 25
26 27 28 29 30
January 2024
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
28 29 30 31
Friday Saturday
ursdayWednesdayTuesdayMondaySunday
1
2
3
4 5
6
7 8
9
10
11 12
13
14 15
16
17
18 19
20
21 22
23
24
31
25 26
27
28 29
30
n Rosa Parks Day USA
n National Day
Romania, Laos, UAE
n Independence Day
Portugal
l World AIDS Day UN
l Int’l Day for the
Abolition of Slavery UN
s First Sunday of Advent
Christian
l Int’l Day for Disabled
Persons UN
n Discovery Day Haiti
l Int’l Volunteer Day for
Economic & Social
Development UN
s St. Nicholas Day
Christian
n Independence Day
Finland
n Constitution Day Spain
4s Hanunukah
(Dec 7-15) Jewish
n Pearl Harbor Day USA
l Int’l Civil Aviation
Day UN
s Feast of the Immaculate
Conception Christian
s Bodhi Day Buddhist
n Independence Day
Tanzania
l Int’l Anti-Corruption
Day UN
n Constitution Day
Thailand
l Human Rights Day UN
s Masá’il
(15th Month) Bahá’í
l Int’l Mountain Day UN
New Moon
n Jamhuri
(Independence Day) Kenya
n Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mexico
4s Aga Khan’s Birthday
Islam Ismaili
n Luciadagen Sweden
n Bill of Rights Day USA
n Navidades Puerto Rico
n Posadas
(Dec 16- 24) Mexico
n Day of Reconciliation
South Africa
n Independence Day
Bahrain
n Bijoy Dibash
Bangladesh
n National Day Bhutan
n Independence Day Qatar
l Int’l Migrants Day UN
l Human Solidarity
Day UN
WINTER SOLSTICE
International
s Yule Wicca
s Tohji-Tasai Shinto
s Joseph Smith’s
Birthday
Christian - Mormon
n Independence Day Libya
s Gahambar Maidyarem
(Dec 31-Jan 4) Zoroastrian
n Omisoka Japan
n Hogmanay Scotland
4s Christmas Day
Christian
n Jinnah’s Birthday
Pakistan
4s Death of Prophet
Zarathustra Zoroastrian
n Boxing Day
Canada, UK, Ireland
n Kwanzaa African -
American/Canadian
n Wren Day/St Stephen’s
Day Ireland
n Junkanoo Bahamas
Full Moon
n TIndependence Day
Mongolia
s Sharaf (16th Month)
Bahá’í
n Rizal Day Philippines
Universal Human Rights Month
UN
It’s time to order your
2024 calendar!
Indigenous Peoples
The circle and the four cardinal directions are: sacred
objects,sacred feathers, sacred herbs and sacred art.
Indigenous Peoples’ religions represent examples of primal traditions
that have existed for some 30,000 to 60,000 years. Due to their
migrations across North America over successive time periods,
generalizations regarding Indigenous People traditions are difficult
to make. Differences amongst hundreds of tribal groups with their
languages, together with contrasts of geography and climate
to which the people have adapted has resulted in specific
ceremonies unique to each tribe. In no Indigenous People language is
there a term that translates as ‘religion’ and thus the term ‘tradition’
is preferable. Basic Indigenous People concepts are grounded in the
experience of time and process. Therefore, the seasons of nature are
understood in a cyclical manner. They have developed an interrelation
with the natural environment and the sacred lore, thus the ending
of seasons for activities such as hunting, fishing and agricultural
pursuits are celebrated through dance, song and recital of legends,
mythical stories and clan histories.
Indigenous Peoples’ festivals have been listed as a separate
group each month, since different tribes perform their ceremonies
according to individual tribal time frames.
Bahá’í
The nine-pointed star is used to symbolize the teachings
of the Bahá’í Faith regarding the oneness of humanity
and the oneness of religion.
The Bahá’í Era began in 1844 with the declaration of the Báb (1819-
1850) who claimed to be the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh (1817-1892), the
Promised One of all ages and religions. There are over 5 million Bahá’ís
who come from virtually every ethnic group, culture, profession and
social or economic class, and are from more than 235 countries of the
world. The Bahá’í World Center is located on Mount Carmel in Haifa,
Israel. In the words of Bahá’u’lláh, the Founder of their Faith, “The earth
is but one country, and mankind its citizens.” The Badi’ Calendar was
established by the Báb. Based on the solar year, each year is divided
into nineteen months of nineteen days, each with four intercalary days
(five in leap year).
The Bahá’í year begins on March 21 and the Bahá’í day begins at sunset.
Fasting season lasts 19 days beginning March 2. Baha’i holy days begin
at sundown the day before the date listed and end at sundown on the
date listed.
Buddhist
The eight-spoked wheel represents the Eight-Fold Path
which, when practiced together, enables a person to reach
a state of equanimity and compassion.
The word buddha means ‘one who has woken up’. Siddhatha, the
founder was born in India in 6th century BCE and gained enlightenment
at the age of 35. Buddhism teaches that the way to Nirvana is
through leading a moral life and meditation on the Eight-fold path.
It is based on compassion for all living beings. Buddhists accept
belief in reincarnation and karma, the result of good and evil
actions. Buddhism coexists with indigenous religious traditions,
adapting to local folk religions such as Hinduism, Confucianism, Shinto
and Taoism. The three great traditions of Buddhism are distinct
historically and geographically: Southern Buddhism, with 100 million
followers who live in Sri Lanka, Burma, Cambodia and Thailand;
Eastern Buddhism practiced in China, Japan, Korea and Vietnam;
Northern Buddhism covers Tibet, Mongolia, the Himalayas and parts of
Soviet Union. There is no single Buddhist calendar and events related
to the Buddha are celebrated at different times in different temples.
The full moon is commonly recognized as the most important day
for celebration.
Christian
The Crucifix is a symbol used to represent the life, death
and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The term ‘Christian’
was first recorded in the New Testament in Acts 11:26
in Antioch, Syria to describe a group of people who
demonstrated attachment to ‘Christos’, a Greek translation of the
Hebrew term ‘Messiah’ used by the Jews. The Christian movement has
produced a diversity of expressions, but allegiance to ‘Christ”, Jesus
the Son of God, who began preaching at age 30, is crucial to them all.
Jesus proclaimed the coming of the Kingdom of God here on earth and
taught that the greatest commandments of the Bible are to love God
and to love our neighbours as ourselves. Sharpened by geographical
isolation, five ‘great traditions’ of Christianity have developed.
These may be identified as Eastern, Oriental, Latin, Western and African.
In most Christian communities, Sunday is the first day of the week,
although many minority groups i.e. Seventh-day Adventists and many
African churches, insist on a literal observance of the Ten Commandments
and the special status of Saturday.
The Gregorian (Western) calendar has been adopted by all Roman
Catholic and Protestant Churches. Most Eastern churches, however,
continue to use the Julian (Eastern) calendar for religious purposes,
though only a few use it exclusively. At the present time, the Julian and
Gregorian calendars are approximately 13 days out of phase.
Christian - Coptic and Eastern Orthodox
The Eastern Orthodoxy is the main group of the Eastern Christianity. The
Eastern Orthodox Church comprises of Russian Orthodox, Greek and Cypriot
Churches and uses the Julian (Eastern) Calendar for moveable feasts such as
Easter. The modern use of the term “Coptic” describes Egyptian Christians.
The Coptic Church is based on the teachings of Saint Mark who brought
Christianity to Egypt during the reign of the Roman emperor Nero in the
first century. The Coptic Orthodox Church’s clergy is headed by the Pope of
Alexandria and includes Bishops who oversee the priests ordained in their
dioceses. There are over 10 million Copts in Egypt and another 2.2 million
emigrant Copts all over the world.
Explanations of Religions
Christian - Mormon
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, widely known as
the LDS Church or the Mormon Church was founded by Joseph Smith
Apr. 6, 1830. The church is headquartered in Salt Lake City Utah and has
established congregations and temples worldwide. The church teaches
that it is a restoration of the church instituted by Jesus Christ. It teaches
that before Joseph Smith restored the true church, an apostasy occurred
shortly after the death of Peter and the other original apostles.
Latter-day Saints believe in the divine authority of the Old Testament
and New Testament and also have additional books in the scriptural
canon: The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants and the Pearl
of Great Price.
Hindu
OMexpresses the complete nature of God. ‘Hindu’ is, in
origin, simply the Persian word for people of the Indus
Valley civilization. The earliest indications are derive from artifacts
4000-2200 BCE. Hinduism teaches that there is one ultimate reality
or energy behind the universe, called Brahman. The many gods and
goddesses are the various manifestations of Brahman. God also takes
birth on earth as different Incarnations or Avatars.
The same reality exists in human beings, who through
reincarnation, or repeated births, try to realize their unity with
God. The word ‘Hinduism’ is used to refer to the complex religious
tradition which has evolved in the Indian subcontinent and is
represented by highly diverse beliefs and practices of over 500 million
Hindus. Hinduism has no founder nor is it prophetic. No particular
doctrine, dogma or practice is essential to it. The major scriptures
of Hinduism are the Vedas, the Upanishads and the Bhagavad Gita.
Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism arose within the Hindu tradition.
Hinduism has been described as a religion of fasts, feasts and
festivals. As with pilgrimage, festivals are local, regional and
all-Indian. Festivals are connected with seasons as well as with major
gods of Hinduism. Hindu festivals and holy days are based on a lunar
calendar.
Islam
The Islamic crescent symbolizes the new moon that
determines the Islamic calendar. For its followers, Islam is
a total way of life. Islam, which in Arabic means ‘submission’ (to God),
proclaims a religious faith and sets forth certain rituals as well as
prescribing patterns of order for society in matters of family
life, law, business, food, dress and etiquette. There are five
fundamental religious duties, called the Pillars of Islam,
incumbent upon every Muslim. Muslims believe that God’s final
message was revealed to Muhammad (born approximately 570 AD)
through the angel Gabriel, and is contained in the Qu’ran. With
over 700 million Muslims, Islam is the second largest religious
group in the world. There are over 72 sects, the major ones
being the Sunnis and the Shi’ites. The largest Islamic community
is in the Indian sub-continent, followed by South-East Asia and
Indonesia; Arab countries; Turkey, Iran and Afghanistan; Sub-Sahara
Africa; Russia and China; and Europe (Balkans). The times of observance
of annual practices, notably Ramadan and the pilgrimage to Mecca,
are determined by the Islamic lunar year of 354 days.
Although Islamic dates are always on the same day of
the Islamic calendar, the date on the Gregorian calendar varies
from year to year, since the Gregorian calendar is a solar
calendar and the Islamic calendar is a lunar calendar. This
difference means the Islamic dates move in the Gregorian calendar
approximately 11 days every year. The dates also vary from country
to country depending on whether the moon has been sighted or not.
The dates vary by a day depending on whether the Saudi Arabia or
the North American Calendar is being observed. This calendar follows
the North American dates which is a day later.
Islam Ismaili
The Ismailis are considered another branch of Shia Islam. It grew out
of a dispute over who should lead the Shia community after the death of
the Sixth Imam, Jaafar al-Sadiq. Ismailis believe it was Ismail, the son
of the sixth Imam, and so the sect takes its name from Ismail. Ismaili
groups today can be found in India, Pakistan, Yemen, and East Africa.
They are led today by the Harvard educated Aga Khan who oversees a
global economic development and charitable program much respected
in progressive Western circles.
Jain
The stylized hand is in a gesture of blessing. On the palm is
inscribed “Ahimsa” meaning ‘non-injury’. The phrase at the
bottom of the symbol translates “All life is bound by mutual support
and interdependence.”
Jainism is one of the oldest religions of the world. Jains take their name
from the term ‘Jina’ which means ‘conqueror’ and is given to honour the
twenty-four great teachers. The founder of Jainism, Vardhamana
Mahavira (599-527 BCE) was the last of the great teachers. India’s
most famous Jain was Mahatma Gandhi, the greatest champion of non-
violence. The Jain philosophy encompasses the principal of non-violence,
harmony through compassion towards all living beings, tolerance and
forgiveness, and following a vegetarian diet. At present, the community
includes approximately 10 million Jains (about one-half of one per cent
of India’s population). Because of their philosophy of non-injury towards
any living thing, most Jains are members of mercantile and professional
classes.
Shinto
The torii is the gateway to a Shinto shrine. The ends of the
horizontal bars reach toward heaven. Shinto means “Way
of the Kami”, and is the oldest religion in Japan. The Shinto worship
all the deities of Heaven and Earth and their belief is that the world is
populated by millions of Kami, spirits that inhabit the nature world
which is regarded with awe and respect rocks, trees, heavenly bodies;
the guardian deities: souls of ancestors, renowned persons and Buddha
incarnations. Shinto ceremonies dedicated to Kami, are held at shrines
in homes and processions.
Jewish
The Shield of David or “six-pointed star” is the symbol of
Judaism. Judaism is based on the covenant, or promise
made by the Jewish people to follow the teachings of the Torah and
by God to protect the people who followed those laws. Though
Abraham is considered the first Jew because he eschewed idols
for an invisible, all powerful deity, the covenant took place when
God gave the Torah, or sacred law, to the Jewish people through
Moses at Mount Sinai about 4000 years ago. The Torah, which means laws,
consists of the first five books of Moses.
Modern religious Jews, whether affiliated with an Orthodox,
Conservative, Reconstructionist, or Reform synagogues, are members
of a worldwide faith community. Today there are nearly 15 million
Jews in the world, the biggest concentration in the U.S.A., followed by
Israel and the Soviet Union. Jews of all races live throughout the world,
primarily in France, Britain, Canada, South America and South Africa.
The main precepts of Judaism are obedience to moral law, justice,
mercy, and compassion, The Jewish year is based on a lunar calendar of
12 months. Each month begins with the new moon, The year begins in
late September/early October with Rosh Hashanah, the “head of the year,”
and the holy day on which Jews reflect on their actions the previous year.
A week later on Yom Kippur, Jews repent for their mistakes and sins,
but not before having asked how to make retribution to those wronged.
All holidays and Sabbaths (Friday -Sat). begin and end at sundown. No
matter where Jews live, their rituals, music, holidays and Sabbaths are
celebrated in fundamentally the same ways. Judaism is a religion, not a
race or a nationality. The language of prayer is Hebrew.
Sikh
The Sikh symbol, known as the “Khanda”, represents two basic
principles of the faith: the need to balance temporal
obligations with spiritual duties, and the duty of every Sikh to first
serve those who are poor, oppressed, voiceless or disadvantaged
in any way. Sikhism began in 15th century Punjab - a land that
now spans across modern-day India and Pakistan - with the
simple message that there is One Creator, and therefore all people,
regardless of gender, caste, race, color, ethnicity or religious
belief, are equal. Sikhs are unequivocally monotheistic and
reject all forms of ritual, superstition and idol worship. They are
guided by the teachings of Ten Teachers, the first being Nanak
(1439-1539) and the last Gobind Singh (1666-1708). Their
compositions, in poetry and set to music, constitute the Guru Granth
Sahib, the Sikh Scripture also revered as the Living Teacher.
The word ‘Sikh’ literally means ‘student’ or ‘one who is learning’.
Sikhs are easily recognized by their turbans. Those who take on the
full discipline adopt the five “K’s”: Kangha (wooden comb); Kara (steel
bracelet); Kirpan (sword); Kaccha (pair of shorts); Kesh (long hair).
Today, it is the fifth largest world religion with more than 25
million adherents living mainly in Punjab, Hong Kong, Singapore
and other Commonwealth countries. Approximately 1.2 million
Sikhs now call North America their home. Since 1999, Sikh
high holidays have been demarcated in the solar Nanakshahi
Calendar, which does not vary from year to year (as was the case with
the traditional lunar Bikarami calendar) and is now in accordance with
the western calendar.
Wicca
The Pentacle is the most common symbol used in Wicca.
Its five points symbolize Air, Fire, Water, Earth
and Spirit, in the circle of eternity. Wicca is the common
term for many different traditions of Neo-Pagan nature religions
that celebrate seasonal and life cycles, and revere a Goddess and
a God. There are eight seasonal festivals called Sabbats: four
equinoxes and four agricultural and herd-farming times. The basic
tenets are: worship of the Goddess in her three aspects, Maiden,
Mother and Crone; worship of her consort Pan, the Horned God; the
use of magic within a definite code of ethics, including the Wiccan rede,
“And ye harm none, do what ye will”; reverence for nature and ecological
principles; belief that the divine is in everything; that there are multiple
deities and many different pathways to the divine; and acceptance of
reincarnation. Wiccans are found in Great Britain, U.S.A., Canada, Australia,
Germany and Holland.
Zoroastrian
FRAVASHI, the divinity in humanity, is represented by
symbol. The prophet Zarathustra lived in Persia
around 1800 BCE. The Zoroastrians of India are called Parsis
and follow the Shenshai calendar. The Zoroastrians in Iran follow the
Fasli calendar. Zarathustra in his Gathas or ‘verses’ declared the
sovereignty of the one God, Ahura Mazda “Lord of All Wisdom”, and
the opposition of good and evil forces. Zoroastrian worship centers
around a continually burning sacred fire. Although prosperous, the
community is numerically very small, residing primarily in India, Iran,
England, Canada, Australia and the U.S.A. There are seven obligatory
holy days known as the six gahambars and Nowruz (‘New Day’) which
celebrates the beginning of the year and is dedicated to the seventh
creation, fire, the symbol of righteousness.
Summary of Religious
Holidays for 2023
4 The mosT imporTanT daTes To Take inTo consideraTion when
scheduling meeTings and evenTs aT work. some form of
accommodaTion for religious observances may be required.
Indigenous Peoples
Indigenous Peoples’ Day -
Canada 4 Jun 21
National Day of Truth and
Reconciliation - Canada Sep 30
Indigenous Peoples’ Day-US 4 Oct 9
Bahá’í
All holy days begin at sunset the day
before the date listed and end at
sundown on the date listed
Intercalary Days Feb 25-Mar 1
Alá (19-Day Fast Begins)
Mar 2-Mar 20
Now Ruz (New Year) 4 Mar 21
Feast Of Ridvan 4 Apr 21-May 2
Declaration of Báb May 24
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh 4 May 29
Martyrdom of The Báb Jul 10
Birthday Of The Báb Oct 16
Birth Of Bahá’u’lláh Oct 17
Day of Covenant Nov 26
Ascension Of Abdu’l-Bahá¡ Nov 28
Buddhist
Chinese New Year 4 Jan 22
Losar (New Year Tibet) 4 Feb 21
Great Prayer Festival (Tibet)
Feb 24-Mar 3
Butter Lamp Festival (Tibet) Mar 7
Wesak 4 May 5
Dalai Lama’s Birthday (Tibet) Jul 6
Wassana / Dhamma Day Jul 3
Pavarana Sep 28
Kathina Sep 29
Bodhi Day Dec 8
Christian
Occidental calendar
(Gregorian)
Epiphany Jan 6
Three Kings’ Day Jan 6
Christmas - Armenia 4 Jan 6
Shrove Tuesday Feb 21
Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins) Feb 22
St. Joseph’s Day Mar 19
Annunciation Mar 25
Palm Sunday Apr 2
Holy Thursday Apr 6
Good Friday 4 Apr 7
Easter 4 Apr 9
Easter Monday Apr 10
St. George’s Day Apr 23
Ascension May 18
Pentecost May 28
Assumption Aug 15
All Saints’ Day Nov 1
All Souls Day Nov 2
First Sunday of Advent Dec 3
St. Nicholas Day Dec 6
Feast of the Immaculate
Conception Dec 8
Christmas Day 4 Dec 25
Christian - Coptic & Eastern
Orthodox
Coptic & Eastern Orthodox
(Julian) Calendar
Christmas 4 Jan 7
New Year -
Eastern Orthodox Jan 14
Timkat / Theophany Jan 20
Clean Monday
(Great Lent Begins)
Feb 27
Maundy Thursday Apr 13
Holy Friday 4 Apr 14
Pasha/Easter 4 Apr 16
Easter Monday Apr 17
Ascension May 25
Pentecost Jun 4
Christian - Mormon
Organization of The Church Apr 6
Pioneer Day Jul 24
Joseph Smith’s Birthday Dec 23
Hindu
Lohri Jan 13
Makar Sankranti Jan 14
Basant Panchami Jan 26
Shivratri Feb 18
Holi 4 Mar 7
Ram Navami Mar 30
Baisakhi 4 Apr 14
Guru Purnima Jul 3
Raksha Bandhan Aug 30
Janmashtami 4 Sep 7
Ganesh Chaturthi Sep 19
Navratri Oct 15
Durga Puja Oct 22
Dussehra 4 Oct 24
Karva Chauth Nov 1
Diwali 4 Nov 12
Islam
Dates are subject to sighting of moon
Ramadan Begins Mar 23
Laylat al-Qadr Apr 18
Eid-ul-Fitr 4 Apr 22
Day of Hajj (Day of Arafat) Jun 26
Eid-ul-Adha 4 Jun 28
1st Muharram - Islamic New Year
Jul 20
Ashura 4 Jul 28
Eid-Maulad-un-Nabi 4 Sep 28
Islam Ismaili
Now Ruz (New Year) 4 Mar 21
Imamat Day 4 Jul 11
Aga Khan’s Birthday 4 Dec 13
Jain
Mahavira Jayanti 4 Apr 4
Akshaya Tritya Apr 22
Guru Purnima Jul 3
Paryushana-Parva 4 Aug 25-Sep 1
Samvatsari Sep 20
Dashalakshani-Parva Sep 20
Ananta-Chaturdasi Sep 28
Ksamavani Sep 29
Mahavira Nirvana Nov 12
Lokashah Jayanti Nov 27
Jewish
All holy days begin
at previous sundown
*Some Jews may abstain from work
Tu B’Shevat (Arbor Day) Feb 6
Purim 4 Mar 7
Pesach /Passover 4 Apr 6-Apr 13
Yom HaShoah Apr 18
Lag BaOmer May 9
Shavuot 4 May 26-27
Tish’a B’Av Jul 27
Rosh Hashana 4 Sep 16-17
Yom Kippur 4 Sep 25
Sukkot 4 Sep 30-Oct 1
Shemini Atzeret 4 Oct 7
Simchat Torah 4 Oct 8
Hanunukah 4 Dec 7-15
Shinto
Gantan-Sai Jan 1
Shunki-Sorei-Sai Mar 20
Oh-Harai-Taisai Jul 30
Shuki sorei sai Sep 23
Tohji-Tasai Dec 22
Sikh
The old lunar calendar is Bikarami; the
new solar calendar is Nanakshahi.
The dates below are mostly
Nanakshahi unless otherwise indicated
Guru Gobind Singh’s Birthday Jan 5
Lohri Jan 13
Holi 4 Mar 7
Hola Mohalla (Bikarami) Mar 8
Baisakhi 4 Apr 14
Martydom of Guru Arjan Dev
Jun 16
Diwali 4 Nov 12
Martyrdom of
Guru Teg Bahadur Nov 24
Guru Nanak’s Birthday
(Bikarami) 4 Nov 27
Wicca
Imbolg Feb 2
Eostre Mar 20
Beltane May 1
Litha Jun 20
Lugnasad Aug 1
Mabon Sep 23
Samhain Oct 31
Yule Dec 22
Zoroastrian
Sadeh Jan 30
Gahambar Hamaspathmaedem
Mar 16-20
Now Ruz (New Year) 4 Mar 21
Birth Of Prophet Zarathustra
(Fasli) Mar 26
Gahambar Maidyozarem
Apr 30-May 4
Gahambar Maidyoshem Jun 29-Jul 3
Fravardeghan Aug 8-17
Now Ruz (Shenshai) 4 Aug 16
Birth of Prophet Zarathustra
(Shenshai) Aug 24
Gahambar Paitishahem Sep 12-16
Mehragan Oct 2
Gahambar Ayathrem Oct 12-16
Death of Prophet
Zarathustra 4 Dec 26
Gahambar Maidyarem Dec 31-Jan 4
Afghanistan
Now Ruz (New Year) Mar 21
Independence Day Aug 19
African-American/Canadian
Caribana Parade Jul 29
Kwanzaa Dec 26
Albania
Independence Day Nov 28
Algeria
Revolution Day Nov 1
Antigua & Barbuda
Independence Day Nov 1
Argentina
Revolution Day May 25
Independence Day Jul 9
Day of Cultural Diversity Oct 12
National Sovereignty Day Nov 20
Armenia
Martyrs Day Apr 24
Independence Day Sep 21
Aruba
Flag Day Mar 18
Australia
Australia Day Jan 26
Harmony Day Mar 21
Anzac Day Apr 25
National Sorry Day May 26
NAIDOC Jul 3
Father’s Day Sep 3
Remembrance Day Nov 11
Austria
National Day Oct 26
Azerbaijan
Martyrs’ Memorial Day Jan 20
Republic Day May 27
Independence Day Oct 18
Bahamas
Flag/Labour Day Jun 1
Independence Day Jul 10
Discovery Day Oct 12
Junkanoo Dec 26
Bahrain
Independence Day Dec 16
Bangladesh
Independence Day Mar 26
Baisakhi Apr 14
Bijoy Dibash Dec 16
Barbados
Independence Day Nov 30
Belgium
Independence Day Jul 21
Bermuda
Bermuda Day May 24
Emancipation Day Jul 31
Bhutan
National Day Dec 17
Bolivia
Independence Day Aug 6
Bosnia
Independence Day Mar 1
National Day Nov 25
Brazil
Carnaval Parade Feb 21
Independence Day Sep 7
Nossa Senhora de Aparecida Oct 12
Republic Day Nov 15
Bulgaria
Baba Marta Mar 1-2
Independence Day Sep 22
Burundi
Independence Day Jul 1
Cambodia
Songkran/New Year Apr 13
Independence Day Nov 8
Cameroon
National Day May 20
Indigenous Peoples - Canada
Louis Riel Day Feb 20
Indigenous Awareness Week May 24
Indigenous Peoples Day Jun 21
Day of Truth and Reconciliation Canada Sep 30
Canada
Groundhog Day Feb 2
National Flag Day Feb 15
Louis Riel Day Feb 21
Family Day Feb 20
Mother’s Day May 14
Victoria Day May 22
Day of the Patriots-Quebec May 22
Father’s Day Jun 18
St. Jean Baptiste Day-Quebec Jun 24
Multiculturalism Day Jun 27
Canada Day Jul 1
Caribana Parade Jul 29
Civic Holiday Aug 7
Hiroshima Day Aug 6
Labour Day Sep 4
Thanksgiving Oct 9
Halloween Oct 31
Take our Kids to Work Nov 1
Remembrance Day Nov 11
Boxing Day Dec 26
Cayman Islands
Constitution Day July 1
Channel Islands
Liberation Day May 9
Chile
Navy Day May 21
St. Peter and Paul Day Jun 29
Independence Day Sep 18
Reformation Day Oct 31
China
Kitchen God Celebration Jan 15
Chinese / Lunar New Year Jan 22
Ch’ing Ming Festival Apr 5
Matsu Festival May 12
Dragon Boat Festival Jun 22
Harvest Moon Festival Sep 29
National Day Oct 1
Chung Yeung Festival Oct 23
Colombia
Independence Day Jul 20
Congo
Independence Day Jun 30
Costa Rica
Independence Day Sep 15
Croatia
Independence Day Oct 8
Cuba
Day of National Rebellion Jul 26
Independence Day Oct 10
Curacao
Curacao Day Oct 10
Cyprus
Independence Day Oct 1
Czech Republic
National Day Oct 28
Denmark
Constitution Day Jun 5
Dominica
Independence Day Nov 3
Dominican Republic
Independence Day Feb 27
Our Lady of Las Mercedes Sep 24
Constitution Day Oct 6
Ecuador
Simon Bolivar Day Jul 24
Independence Day Aug 10
Egypt
Abu Simbel Festival Feb 21
Armed Forces Day Oct 6
Abu Simbel Festival Oct 22
Suez Victory Day Oct 24
El Salvador
Independence Day Sep 15
England
Pancake Tuesday Feb 21
Mothering Sunday Mar 19
May Day Bank Holiday May 8
Spring Bank Holiday May 28
Trooping The Colour Jun 10
Notting Hill Festival Aug 21
Summer Bank Holiday Aug 28
Guy Fawkes Day Nov 5
Remembrance Day Nov 11
Boxing Day Dec 26
Eritrea
Independence Day May 24
Estonia
Independence Day Feb 24
Ethiopia
Meskerem (New Year) Sep 11
Fiji
Fiji Day Oct 10
Finland
St. Knut’s Day Jan 13
Kalevala Day Feb 28
Vappu Day May 1
Independence Day Dec 6
France
Mother’s Day May 28
Joan of Arc Day May 30
Bastille Day Jul 14
Armistice Day Nov 11
St. Catherine’s Day Nov 25
Gambia
Independence Day Feb 18
Georgia
Independence Day Apr 9
Germany
Oktoberfest Sep 16
Day of German Unity Oct 3
Ghana
Independence Day Mar 6
Greece
St. Basil’s Day Jan 1
Greek Education Day Jan 30
Evangelismou Mar 25
Ataturk Commemoration
Sports Day May 19
National Day ‘Ochi’ Oct 28
Greenland
National Day Jun 21
Grenada
Independence Day Feb 7
Guatemala
Independence Day Sep 15
Guyana
Independence Day May 26
Haiti
Independence Day Jan 1
Discovery Day Dec 5
Honduras
Independence Day Sep 15
Hong Kong
Chinese Lunar New Year Jan 22
Buddha’s Birthday May 26
Dragon Boat Festival June 22
SAR Establishment Day Jul 1
Harvest Moon Festival Sep 29
National Day Oct 1
Chung Yeung Festival Oct 23
Hungary
Memorial Day Mar 15
Iceland
Independence Day Jun 17
India
Makar Sankranti Jan 14
Pongol Jan 15
Republic Day Jan 26
Thaipoosam Cavadee Feb 5
Songkran/New Year Apr 13
Ugadi Apr 13
Independence Day Aug 15
Onam Aug 29
Gandhi’s Birthday Oct 2
Indonesia
Kartini Day Apr 21
Independence Day Aug 17
International
New Year’s Day Jan 1
Kindness Awareness Week Feb 13
World Day Of Prayer Mar 3
Spring Equinox Mar 20
Int’l Day of the Francophonie Mar 20
Day of Pink Apr 12
Earth Day Apr 22
Labour Day May 1
World Red Cross Day May 8
African Liberation Day May 23
Summer Solstice Jun 20
Autumn Equinox Sep 23
Int’l World Kindness Day Nov 13
Solstice Dec 22
Iran
Sadeh Jan 30
Now Ruz (New Year) Mar 21
Farvardin Apr 1
Mehragan Oct 2
Iraq
Republic Day Jul 14
Ireland
Robert Burns’ Night Jan 25
St Brigid’s Day Jan 31
St. Patrick’s Day Mar 17
Mothering Sunday Mar 19
May Day Bank Holiday May 8
June Bank Holiday Jun 5
Summer Bank Holiday Aug 7
Bank Holiday Oct 30
Boxing Day Dec 26
Wren Day/St Stephen’s Day Dec 26
Northern Ireland
St. Patrick’s Day Mar 17
Mothering Sunday Mar 19
May Day Bank Holiday May 8
Spring Bank Holiday May 29
Battle of Boyne Jul 12
Summer Bank Holiday Aug 28
Israel
Yom HaShoah Apr 18
Yom HaZikaron (Memorial Day) Apr 25
Yom HaAtzma’ut (Independence) Apr 26
Yom Yerushalayim May 19
Italy
Liberation Day Apr 25
Republic Day Jun 2
Feast Of St. Francis Of Assisi Oct 4
Jamaica
Labour Day May 23
Independence Day Aug 6
National Heroes Day Oct 16
Japan
Gantan-Sai Jan 1
Seijin No Hi Jan 9
Setsubun-Sai Feb 3
National Foundation Day Feb 11
Heisei Emperor’s Birthday Feb 23
Shunbun no hi Mar 20
Midori No Hi Apr 4
Showa no hi Apr 29
Constitution Day May 3
Kodomo No Hi May 5
Tanabata Jul 7
Umi no hi Jul 17
Hiroshima Day Aug 6
Keiro No Hi Sep 18
Shuki sorei sai Sep 23
Taiiku no hi Oct 9
Shichi-Go-San Nov 15
Kinro Kansha No Hi Nov 23
Omisoka Dec 31
Jordan
Independence Day May 25
Kazakhstan
Republic Day Oct 25
COUNTRY INDEX 2023
Kenya
Jamhuri (Independence Day) Dec 12
Korea
Solnal Jan 22
Buddha’s Birthday May 26
Korean Liberation Day Aug 15
Chuseok Sep 29
Foundation Day Oct 3
Han-Gul Day Oct 9
Kuwait
National Day Feb 25
Laos
Bown Pinai/New Year Apr 14
Children’s Day Jun 1
National Day Dec 1
Latvia
Independence Day Nov 18
Lebanon
Independence Day Nov 22
LGBT
Day Against Homophobia May 17
Stonewall Rebellion Day Jun 28
Coming Out Day Oct 11
Transgender Day of
Remembrance Nov 20
Liberia
Independence Day Jul 26
Libya
Independence Day Dec 24
Lithuania
Independence Day Feb 16
Luxembourg
National Day Jun 23
Macedonia
Illinden Aug 2
Madagascar
Independence Day Jun 26
Malaysia
Gawai Dayak Jun 1
Merdeka (Freedom) Day Aug 31
Mali
Independence Day Sep 22
Malta
Independence Day Sep 21
Mauritius
Abolition of Slavery Feb 1
Thaipoosam Cavadee Feb 5
National Day Mar 12
Ugadi Apr 13
Mexico
Cinco De Mayo May 5
Dia de la Independencia Sep 16
Chichen Itza Festival Sep 23
Fiesta San Miguel Sep 28
Dia de la Raza Oct 12
Dia de los Muertos Nov 2
Our Lady of Guadalupe Dec 12
Posadas Dec 16-24
Moldova
Independence Day Aug 27
Mongolia
Nadaam Festival Jul 11
Independence Day Dec 29
Morocco
Independence Day Nov 18
Myanmar
Independence Day Jan 4
Songkran/New Year Apr 13
Nepal
Ugadi Apr 13
Republic Day May 27
Dussehra Oct 24
Netherlands
Kings Day Apr 27
Memorial Day May 4
Liberation Day May 5
Indigenous/Maori, New Zealand
Poutuerangi Mar 20
Matariki Jun 24
New Zealand
Anniversary Day -Wellington Jan 20
Anniversary Day - Auckland Jan 31
Waitangi Day Feb 6
Anzac Day Apr 25
Father’s Day Sep 3
Labour Day Oct 23
Nicaragua
Independence Day Sep 15
Nigeria
Independence Day Oct 1
Norway
Constitution Day May 17
Pakistan
Independence Day Aug 14
Defence Day Sep 6
Jinnah’s Birthday Dec 25
Palestine
National Day Nov 15
Panama
Independence Day Nov 3
National Day Nov 28
Paraguay
Independence Day May 15
Peru
Inti Raymi Jun 21
Independence Day Jul 28
St. Rosa Of Lima Aug 30
Our Lady of Las Mercedes Sep 24
Philippines
People Power Day Feb 25
Santa Cruzan Day May 1
Independence Day Jun 12
Rizal Day Dec 30
Poland
Constitution Day May 3
Independence Day Nov 11
Portugal
Mothers Day May 1
Our Lady Of Fatima May 13
Portugal Day Jun 10
Republic Day Oct 5
Dia De Finades Nov 2
Independence Day Dec 1
Puerto Rico
Emancipation Day Mar 22
Dia de San Juan Jun 24
Munoz-Rivera Day Jul 20
Constitution Day Oct 6
Discovery Day Nov 19
Navidades Dec 15
Qatar
Independence Day Dec 18
Romania
St. Andrew’s Day Nov 30
National Day Dec 1
Russia
Victory Day May 9
Russia Day Jun 12
Rwanda
Independence Day Jul 1
Saint Kitts/Nevis
Independence Day Sep 19
Saint Lucia
Independence Day Feb 22
Samoa
Independence Day Jun 1
Saudi Arabia
Unification Day Sep 23
Scotland
New Year’s Bank Holiday Jan 2
Robbie Burns Day Jan 25
May Day Bank Holiday May 8
Spring Bank Holiday May 29
Summer Bank Holiday Aug 7
St. Andrew’s Day Nov 30
Hogmanay Dec 31
Senegal
Independence Day Apr 4
Serbia
National Day Feb 15
Singapore
National Day Aug 9
Somalia
Independence Day Jun 26
South Africa
Family Day Apr 18
Freedom Day Apr 27
National Women’s Day Aug 9
Heritage Day Sep 24
Day of Reconciliation Dec 16
Spain
Mother’s Day May 1
Feast of St. Ignatius Loyola Jul 31
National Day Oct 12
Constitution Day Dec 6
Sri Lanka
Independence Day Feb 4
Songkran/New Year Apr 13
Adam’s Peak Pilgrimage Apr 15
Sudan
Independence Day Jan 1
Sweden
St. Knut’s Day Jan 13
Walpurgis Night Apr 30
Mother’s Day May 28
National Day Jun 6
Luciadagen Dec 13
Switzerland
Berchtold’s Day Jan 2
Chalanda März Mar 1
Confederation Day Aug 1
Syria
Independence Day Apr 17
Taiwan
Chinese / Lunar New Year Jan 22
Ch’ing Ming Festival Apr 5
Matsu Festival May 12
Harvest Moon Festival Sep 29
Double Tenth Day Oct 10
Chung Yeung Festival Oct 23
Tanzania
Independence Day Dec 9
Thailand
Chakri Day Apr 6
Songkran/New Year Apr 13
Chulalongkorn Day Oct 23
Constitution Day Dec 10
Tibet
Losar (New Year Tibet) Feb 21
Great Prayer Festival Feb 24-Mar 3
Butter Lamp Festival (Tibet) Mar 7
Dalai Lama’s Birthday (Tibet) Jul 6
Togo
Independence Day Apr 27
Trinidad & Tobago
Labour Day Jun 19
Independence Day Aug 31
Republic Day Sep 24
Tunisia
Independence Day Mar 20
Turkey
Sovereignity&Children’s Day Apr 23
Ataturk Comm. Sports Day May 19
Victory Day Aug 30
Republic Day Oct 29
Turks & Caicos Islands
Emancipation Day Aug 5
UAE
National Day Dec 1
Uganda
Independence Day Oct 9
United Kingdom
Valentine’s Day Feb 14
Pancake Tuesday Feb 21
Mothering Sunday Mar 19
April Fools’ Day Apr 1
Emancipation Day Apr 17
May Day Bank Holiday May 8
Spring Bank Holiday May 29
Trooping The Colour Jun 10
Father’s Day Jun 18
Notting Hill Festival Aug 26
Summer Bank Holiday Aug 28
Guy Fawkes Day Nov 5
Remembrance Day Nov 11
Boxing Day Dec 26
Ukraine
Independence Day Aug 24
UN
International Women’s Day Mar 8
Int’l Day for Elimination of Racial Discrimination
Mar 21
World Day of Water Mar 22
Autism Awareness Day Apr 2
World Health Day Apr 7
World Environment Day Jun 5
International Youth Day Aug 12
International Day Of Peace Sep 21
World Habitat Day Oct 5
International Day of the Girl Oct 11
World Food Day Oct 16
United Nations Day Oct 24
Int’l Day of Tolerance Nov 16
Int’l Day For Elimination Of
Violence Against Women Nov 25
World AIDS Day Dec 1
Human Rights Day Dec 10
Uruguay
Independence Day Aug 25
Indigenous Peoples - USA
Gathering Of Nations Pow Wow Apr 28
Red Earth Native American Fair Sep 2
San Geronimo Day Sep 30
USA
Martin Luther King Jr. Day Jan 16
Lincoln’s Birthday Feb 12
Presidents Day (Obsvd) Feb 20
Emancipation Day Apr 17
Daughter/ Son to Work Day Apr 27
Arbor Day Apr 28
Mother’s Day May 14
Armed Forces Day May 21
Memorial Day May 29
Father’s Day Jun 18
Independence Day Jul 4
Hiroshima Day Aug 6
Labour Day Sep 4
Day Of Remembrance Sep 11
Constitution Day Sep 17
Halloween Oct 31
Veterans Day Nov 11
Thanksgiving Day Nov 23
Rosa Parks Day Dec 1
Pearl Harbor Day Dec 7
Venezuela
Independence Day Jul 5
Simon Bolivar Day Jul 24
Vietnam
Chinese Lunar New Year Jan 22
Independence Day Sep 1
Trung Thu Sep 29
Wales
St. David’s Day Mar 1
May Day Bank Holiday May 8
Spring Bank Holiday May 29
Summer Bank Holiday Aug 28
Yemen
National Day May 22
Zambia
Independence Day Oct 24
Zimbabwe
Independence Day Apr 18
