Multicultural Calendar of Events & Related Resources
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OctoberOctober is National Disability Employment Awareness Month. This observance was launched in 1945 when Congress declared the first week in October as, “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1998, the week was extended to a month and renamed. The annual event draws attention to employment barriers that still need to be addressed.
October is LGBT History Month, a U.S. observance started in 1994 to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender history and the history of the gay-rights movement. Events this month: October 8: Dasara, or Vijayadashami, in the eastern and northeastern states of India, marks the end of Navaratri, remembering goddess Durga's victory over the buffalo demon Mahishasura to help restore dharma. October 8-9: Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, a day of atonement marked by fasting and ceremonial repentance. October 11: National Coming Out Day (U.S.). For those who identify as lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender, this day celebrates coming out and the recognition of the 1987 march on Washington for gay and lesbian equality. October 13-20: Sukkot, a seven-day Jewish festival giving thanks for the fall harvest. October 14: Canadian Thanksgiving, a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year. October 14: National Indigenous Peoples Day, an alternative celebration to Columbus Day, gives recognition to the indigenous populations affected by colonization. Related resources and local events: http://events.sulekha.com/ico-cultural-nights-garba-by-devang-patel_event-in_naperville-il_341450 https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/september-2019/4-ways-kids-can-participate-on-yom-kippur https://www.mykidisgay.com/blog/why-national-coming-out-day-still-matters October 20: Sikh Holy Day, the day Sikhs celebrate Sri Guru Granth Sahib, their holy scripture and spiritual guide. October 20: Birth of Báb, a Bahá’í holiday celebrating the birth of the prophet Báb. October 20-22 (sundown to sundown): Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday also known as The Eighth (Day) of Assembly, takes place the day after the Sukkot festival, where gratitude for the fall harvest is deeply internalized. October 21-22 (sundown to sundown): Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday, marks the end of the weekly readings of the Torah. The holy book is read from chapter one of Genesis to Deuteronomy 34 and then back to chapter one again, in acknowledgement of the words of the Torah being a circle, a never-ending cycle. Related resources and local events: http://www.primaryhomeworkhelp.co.uk/religion/sikhism.html https://www.beliefnet.com/faiths/bahai/the-birth-of-the-bab.aspx https://www.eventbrite.com/e/celebrating-the-bicentenary-of-the-birth-of-the-bab-tickets-76551424371 https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/august-2016/jewish-fall-activities October 20-22 (sundown to sundown): Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday also known as The Eighth (Day) of Assembly, takes place the day after the Sukkot festival, where gratitude for the fall harvest is deeply internalized. October 21-22 (sundown to sundown): Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday, marks the end of the weekly readings of the Torah. The holy book is read from chapter one of Genesis to Deuteronomy 34 and then back to chapter one again, in acknowledgement of the words of the Torah being a circle, a never-ending cycle. October 27-31: Diwali, the Hindu, Jain and Sikh five-day festival of lights celebrates new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil, and lightness over darkness. Related resources and local events: https://pjlibrary.org/beyond-books/pjblog/august-2017/7-fun-things-to-do-with-kids-on-simchat-torah https://www.chipublib.org/blogs/post/festival-of-lights-diwali-for-kids/ https://www.chicagoparent.com/play/holiday-fun/dia-de-los-muertos-chicago/ • October 27-31: Diwali, the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh five-day festival of lights celebrates new beginnings, the triumph of good over evil, and lightness over darkness. • October 29-30 (sundown to sundown): The birth of Bahá'u'lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í religion. • October 31: All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween), a celebration observed in a number of countries on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows' Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. • October 31: Reformation Day, a Protestant Christian religious holiday celebrated alongside All Hallows' Eve (Halloween) during the triduum of Allhallowtide in remembrance of the onset of the Reformation. • October 31-November 1 (sundown to sundown): Samhain, a Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter or the "darker half" of the year. • |
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DecemberOur theme for the month of December is Kindness & Social Justice. “Social justice is the view that everyone deserves to enjoy the same economic, political and social rights, regardless of race, socioeconomic status, gender or other characteristics” (https://www.educationworld.com/.../social-justice...).
Events this week: • December 3: International Day of Disabled Persons, designed to raise awareness in regards to persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity. • December 8: Immaculate Conception of Mary, the Feast of the Immaculate Conception celebrates the solemn celebration, by various Christian denominations, of belief in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Related resources & local events: • https://www.weareteachers.com/books-about-social-justice/ • https://www.barnesandnoble.com/.../8-empowering-middle.../ • https://www.un.org/.../day-of-persons-with-disabilities • December 10: International Human Rights Day, established by the United Nations in 1948 to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. • December 12: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe, a religious holiday in Mexico commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531. • December 13: St. Lucia’s Day, a religious festival of light in Scandinavia and Italy commemorating the martyrdom of St. Lucia, a young Christian girl who was killed for her faith in 304 C.E. She secretly brought food to persecuted Christians in Rome while wearing a wreath of candles on her head so both her hands would be free. • December 16-24: Las Posadas, a nine-day celebration in Mexico commemorating the trials Mary and Joseph endured during their journey to Bethlehem. • December 21: Yule Winter Solstice, celebrated by Pagans and Wiccans. The shortest day of the year represents a celebration focusing on rebirth, renewal and new beginnings as the sun makes its way back to the Earth. • December 22-30: Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday that is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, or Israelites, over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus, approximately 2,200 years ago. • December 25: Christmas Day, the day that many Christians associate with Jesus’ birth. • December 26-January 1: Kwanzaa, an African-American holiday started by Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate universal African-American heritage. • December 26: Zartosht No-Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra), a day of remembrance in the Zoroastrian religion. • December 26: St. Stephen’s Day, a day to commemorate St. Stephen, the first Christian martyr, or protomartyr. • December 27: St. John’s Day, Apostle and Evangelist, feast day for St. John celebrated by Christian denominations. • December 28: Feast of the Holy Innocents, a Christian feast in remembrance of the massacre of young children in Bethlehem by King Herod the Great in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus. • December 29: Feast of the Holy Family, a liturgical celebration in the Catholic Church in honor of Jesus, his mother and his foster father, St. Joseph as a family. The primary purpose of this feast is to present the Holy Family as a model for Christian families. • December 31: Watch Night, a day for Christians to review the year that has passed, make confessions, and then prepare for the year ahead by praying and resolving. |
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