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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260216
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260217
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20260107T043827Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043827Z
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SUMMARY:Presidents' Day
DESCRIPTION:The federal holiday on the third Monday of February is called Washington’s Birthday\, while several US states celebrate it as “Presidents’ Day” (spellings vary). The holiday creates a long weekend. \nFederal Holiday: These Services Are Closed\nPresidents’ Day (officially “Washington’s Birthday”) is a federal holiday in the United States on the third Monday in February. Because it is a federal holiday\, federal services\, such as US Postal Service post offices\, are closed on Presidents’ Day. Some schools close as well\, especially in the DC area. Private businesses are usually open\, as well as private mail and delivery companies. Public transport often operates on a Saturday schedule. \nWhy Is Presidents’ Day on a Monday?\nPresidents’ Day is celebrated on a Monday to create a long weekend—initially only for federal employees. The holiday has only been celebrated on a Monday since 1971 when the US Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The act moved three federal holidays from their original dates to a Monday: Washington’s Birthday (originally February 22)\, Memorial Day (originally May 30)\, and Veterans Day (originally November 11\, and moved back to that date in 1978). \nWashington’s Birthday or Presidents’ Day?\nIt all started with Washington’s Birthday. In 1885\, the US Government decided to honor the first US president\, George Washington\, with his own federal holiday: Washington’s Birthday. It was celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday*\, February 22. In 1885\, this day was a Sunday. \nAlmost one hundred years later\, in 1971\, the US Congress changed the date for Washington’s birthday celebration to the third Monday in February to create a three-day weekend. Congress never changed the name—federally\, the holiday is still called “Washington’s Birthday.” \nThe naming differences become clearer when you look at the state holidays. Several US states introduced their own state holidays with different names: \n\n7 states and DC call it “Washington’s Birthday” or “George Washington Day.”\n5 states use some combination of Washington and another president\, usually Lincoln.\n4 states use Washington and “Presidents’ Day” in their title.\n24 states use “Presidents’ Day” in some variation—eleven use “Presidents’ Day” (plural)\, ten call it “President’s Day” (singular)\, and three simply use “Presidents Day.”\n10 states do not celebrate the day at all.\n\nSo both “Presidents’ Day” and “Washington’s Birthday” are correct. Today\, most people use “Presidents’ Day” as the name for this holiday. \nIs Presidents’ Day a Public Holiday?\nPresidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday in all US states. Federal employees will usually have a day off from work. 41 US states have instituted a state holiday on the same date\, usually called “Presidents’ Day” or “Washington’s Birthday” or some variation thereof. State holidays are not necessarily public holidays\, they can be observances as well—please check with your local state rules and regulations to see if Presidents’ Day is a public holiday in your state. \n\n* George Washington was born February 11\, 1731\, however\, when the British colonies changed their calendar from Julian to Gregorian in 1752\, Washington’s birth date became February 22\, 1732.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/presidents-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/istock-659526568-3KdOrH.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260119
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260120
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20260107T043727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043727Z
UID:6829-1768780800-1768867199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Martin Luther King Jr. Day
DESCRIPTION:artin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.\, an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. \nIs Martin Luther King Jr. Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMartin Luther King Day is a relatively new federal holiday and there are few long standing traditions. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans\, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years\, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups. \nMartin Luther King Day\, also known as Martin Luther King’s birthday and Martin Luther King Jr Day\, is combined with other days in different states. For example\, it is combined with Civil Rights Day in Arizona and New Hampshire\, while it is observed together with Human Rights Day in Idaho. It is also a day that is combined with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some states. The day is known as Wyoming Equality Day in the state of Wyoming. \nPublic Life\nMartin Luther King Day is a federal holiday\, but has slightly different names in some states. Non-essential Government departments are closed\, as are many corporations. Some schools and colleges close but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King. \nSmall companies\, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open\, although a growing number are choosing to close on this day. Some compensate by opening on Washington’s Birthday instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to give some of their time on Martin Luther King Day as volunteers in citizen action groups. Public transit systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule. \nLong Weekend\nSince Martin Luther King Day falls on Monday\, it is one of the public holidays in the United States that always create a long weekend. \nBackground\nMartin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968. \nIn 1968\, shortly after Martin Luther King died\, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced\, trade unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was endorsed in 1976. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single “Happy Birthday” and a petition with six million signatures\, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986\, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000. In 1990\, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther King Jr/Wyoming Equality Day as a legal holiday.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260102
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20260107T035526Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T035526Z
UID:6715-1767225600-1767311999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:New Year's Day
DESCRIPTION:New Year’s Day falls on January 1 and marks the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. It marks the end of New Year’s Eve celebrations in the United States and gives many Americans a chance to remember the previous year. \nIs New Year’s Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nThe start of New Year’s Day\, at midnight\, is heralded by fireworks\, parties and special events\, which are often televised. Very few people have to work on the day itself. For many it is a day of recovery from the New Year’s Eve celebrations the previous night. In some towns and cities\, parades are held and special football games are played. The birth of the first baby in the New Year is often celebrated with gifts to his or her parents and appearances in local newspapers and on local news shows. Many people make New Year’s resolutions. These are usually promises to themselves that they will improve something in their own lives. Common New Year’s resolutions are to stop smoking or drinking alcohol\, to lose weight\, exercise more or to live a healthier lifestyle. \nPublic Life\nGovernment offices\, organizations\, schools and many businesses are closed in the USA on New Year’s Day. Public transit systems do not run on their regular schedules. Where large public celebrations have been held\, traffic may be disrupted by the clean-up operation. In general\, public life is completely closed down. \nBackground\nThe Gregorian calendar is widely used in many countries such as the United States. This was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Julian calendar that had been in use until then was slightly inaccurate\, causing the vernal equinox to move backwards in the calendar year. The Gregorian calendar was not accepted everywhere and some churches\, particularly with origins in Eastern Europe\, still use other calendars. According to the Gregorian calendar\, the first day of the year is January 1. \nSymbols\nA common symbol of New Year’s Day is Baby New Year. This is often a white male baby dressed in a diaper\, a hat and a sash. The year he represents is printed on his sash. He rarely a newborn baby\, as many pictures show him sitting up or even standing alone. According to mythology\, Baby New Year grows up and ages in a single year. At the end of the year he is an old man and hands his role over to the next Baby New Year. Other symbols of New Year’s Day are spectacular fireworks exploding over landmarks and clocks striking midnight as the year begins.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/new-years-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/fireworks-usa-0sGaJu.jpg
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251225
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251226
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250714T060713Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T060713Z
UID:6519-1766620800-1766707199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Christmas Day
DESCRIPTION:Many people in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on December 25. The day celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth. \nIs Christmas Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nPeople celebrate Christmas Day in many ways. It is often combined with customs from pre-Christian winter celebrations. Many people decorate their homes\, visit family or friends and exchange gifts. In the days or even weeks before Christmas Day\, many people decorate their homes and gardens with lights\, Christmas trees and much more. \nIt is common to organize a special meal\, often consisting of turkey and a lot of other festive foods\, for family or friends and exchange gifts with them. Children\, in particular\, often receive a lot of gifts from their parents and other relatives and the mythical figure Santa Claus. This has led to Christmas Day becoming an increasingly commercialized holiday\, with a lot of families spending a large part of their income on gifts and food. \nMany Sunday schools\, churches and communities organize special events. These can include decorating the neighborhood or a shopping mall\, putting up a Christmas tree and planning a Nativity display\, concert or performance. A lot of plays and songs have a aspect of Christmas as a theme. Some groups arrange meals\, shelter or charitable projects for people without a home or with very little money. \nPublic Life\nGovernment offices\, organizations\, businesses and schools are closed\, almost without exception. Many people visit relatives or friends and are out of town. This may cause congestion on highways and at airports. Public transit systems do not run on their regular schedules. In general\, public life closes down completely. \nBackground\nThe original meaning of Christmas is a special church service\, or mass\, to celebrate the birth of Christ. The story of the Nativity\, or the events surrounding the birth of Jesus\, are particularly important in religious celebrations of Christmas. However\, many traditions that are around today have their roots in pre-Christian winter festivals. These include the importance of candles and decorations made from evergreen bushes and tree\, symbolizing everlasting light and life. \nIn Roman times\, a mid-winter festival was held. This was a relaxing time with a lot of parties and merry making. It was also common to give other people small gifts\, such as dolls for children and candles for adults. This festival culminated with the celebration of the winter solstice\, which fell on December 25 in the Roman calendar. In Scandinavia\, a festival called Yule and lasting up to twelve days was held in late December and early January. In this time people burnt logs and held parties. These customs have influences how Christmas Day is celebrated today in the United States. \nThe Bible does not give a precise date for the birth of Jesus. It is also unclear when December 25 became associated with the birth of Jesus\, although it may have been around two hundred years after his birth. In the early centuries of Christianity\, the anniversary of the birth of Jesus was not a cause for celebrations. The idea of turning this day into a celebration started in the early Middle Ages in Europe. \nDuring Reformation and up until the middle of the 1800s\, Christmas was often not celebrated because partying and merry making was seen as unchristian. From about 1840\, celebrating Christmas became more widespread. December 25 was declared a federal holiday in the United States in 1870. Since then Christmas Day has become a steadily more important holiday. \nSymbols\nA wide range of people and objects represent Christmas. These include baby Jesus\, the Nativity and the Three Kings\, but also Santa Claus\, reindeer and elves. Common objects at this time of year are pine trees\, holly\, decorations\, fairy lights\, candles and presents. Christmas Day is now truly a mix of religious celebration and commercial interests.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/christmas-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251129
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250714T061013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T061013Z
UID:6516-1764288000-1764374399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Day After Thanksgiving
DESCRIPTION:The Day After Thanksgiving is also known as Black Friday. It is a holiday in more than 20 states. \nIs Day After Thanksgiving a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nThe Thanksgiving Weekend\nThanksgiving is on the fourth Thursday in November\, and it is celebrated widely by Americans. Schools and universities are closed for the entire Thanksgiving weekend. It is a time for family celebration on the Thursday\, and many spend the day after — which is also known as Black Friday — bargain shopping. \nThe Friday after Thanksgiving is a state holiday in California\, Delaware\, Florida\, Illinois\, Iowa\, Kansas\, Kentucky\, Louisiana\, Maine\, Michigan\, Minnesota\, Nebraska\, Nevada\, New Hampshire\, North Carolina\, Oklahoma\, Pennsylvania\, South Carolina\, Tennessee\, Texas\, Virginia\, and West Virginia. \nGeorgians Celebrate Robert E. Lee\nIn Georgia\, it is also a state holiday. Georgians have chosen this day to commemorate the birth of Robert E. Lee\, commander of the Confederate army during the American Civil War in the 1860s. HIs birthday is also a holiday in other states\, however on different dates.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/day-after-thanksgiving-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed,State Holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/istock-1194525598.jpg
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251127
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251128
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250714T060535Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T060535Z
UID:6515-1764201600-1764287999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Thanksgiving Day
DESCRIPTION:Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. The day after is also known as Black Friday. \nIs Thanksgiving Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nFamily Celebration\nThanksgiving Day is a day for people in the US to give thanks for what they have. Families and friends get together for a meal\, which traditionally includes a roast turkey\, stuffing\, potatoes\, vegetables\, cranberry sauce\, gravy\, and pumpkin pie. \nIn some cities and towns\, there are parades during the Thanksgiving weekend. In most areas\, these festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. \nLong Weekend in More Than 20 States\nThe Day After Thanksgiving\, also know as Black Friday\, is a holiday in more than 20 states. It’s common to take trips and visit family and friends during the long weekend. \nMany Have the Day Off\nMost government offices\, businesses\, schools\, universities\, colleges\, and other organizations are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Many offices and businesses allow staff to have a long four-day weekend for Thanksgiving\, so these offices and businesses are also closed on the Day after Thanksgiving Day. Public transit systems usually do not operate on their regular timetables. \nThanksgiving Day is one of the busiest periods for travel in the USA. This can cause congestion and overcrowding. Seasonal parades and busy football games can also cause disruption to local traffic. \nHistory and Controversy\nThanksgiving Day has been an annual holiday in the United States since 1863. However\, not everyone sees Thanksgiving Day as a cause for celebration. Some in the US Native American community feel the mythology of the holiday ignores the destruction of indigenous cultures that followed European settlement. \nBeginning in 1970\, a group of Native Americans and their supporters have staged an annual protest for a National Day of Mourning at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth\, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day. American Indian Heritage Day is also observed at this time of the year. \nThere are claims that the first Thanksgiving Day was held in the city of El Paso\, Texas\, in 1598. Another early event was held in 1619 in the Virginia Colony. Many people trace the origins of the modern Thanksgiving Day to the harvest celebration the Pilgrims held in Plymouth\, Massachusetts in 1621. However\, their first true thanksgiving was in 1623\, when they gave thanks for rain that ended a drought. These early thanksgivings took the form of a special church service\, rather than a feast. \nIn the second half of the 1600s\, thanksgivings after the harvest became more common and started to become annual events. However\, they were celebrated on different days in different communities and in some places there were more than one thanksgiving each year. George Washington\, the first president of the United States\, proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/thanksgiving-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20251111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20251112
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250714T060920Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T060920Z
UID:6517-1762819200-1762905599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Veterans Day
DESCRIPTION:In the USA\, Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice\, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day. \nIs Veterans Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nObservance\nVeterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars\, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am. Some schools are closed on Veterans Day\, while others do not close\, but choose to mark the occasion with special assemblies or other activities. \nVeterans Day is officially observed on November 11. However\, if it falls on a week day\, many communities hold their celebrations on the weekend closest to this date. This is to enable more people to attend and participate in the events. Federal Government offices are closed on November 11. If Veterans Day falls on a Saturday\, they are closed on Friday November 10. If Veterans Day falls on a Sunday\, they are closed on Monday November 12. State and local governments\, schools and non-governmental businesses are not required to close and may decide to remain open or closed. Public transit systems may follow a regular or holiday schedule. \nHistory\nOn the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11\, 1919\, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919\, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory”. There were plans for parades\, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am. \nIn 1926\, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should “issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches\, or other suitable places\, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.” \nAn Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code\, Sec. 87a) was approved on May 13\, 1938\, which made November 11 in each year a legal holiday\, known as Armistice Day. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later\, World War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the United States and the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954\, the veterans service organizations urged Congress to change the word “Armistice” to “Veterans”. Congress approved this change and on June 1\, 1954\, November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans\, where ever and whenever they had served. \nIn 1968 the Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) made an attempt to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The bill took effect in 1971. However\, this caused a lot of confusion as many states disagreed with this decision and continued to hold Veterans Day activities on November 11. In 1975\, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479)\, which stated that Veterans Day would again be observed on November 11 from 1978 onwards. Veterans Day is still observed on November 11.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/veterans-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed,State Holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/american-veteran.jpg
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250901
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250902
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250714T055733Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T055733Z
UID:6509-1756684800-1756771199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Labor Day
DESCRIPTION:Labor Day is a federal holiday on the first Monday of September every year. It has its roots in the American labor movement. \nIs Labor Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Day Is Labor Day?\nLabor Day is on the first Monday of September every year and is a national holiday in the US. It has its origins in the labor movement and is a day to celebrate American workers. \nPeople celebrate Labor Day with picnics\, sports events\, and street parades. The American football season begins on—or around—Labor Day. \nWhy don’t the US celebrate in May\, like the rest of the world? \nLabor Day Weekend\nLabor Day has become the unofficial end of summer—after Labor Day Weekend\, kids are back to school. \nFor many\, it is the last chance to take a break before school starts again for the fall session\, and people take advantage of the long weekend to take a last summer trip. As a result\, there may be extra traffic on highways and at airports. \nHistory of Labor Day\nLabor Day has deep roots in the 130 years of the labor movement and its efforts to improve working conditions in America. It is also known as International Workers’ Day or May Day and is celebrated on May 1 internationally. \nWith the growth of the Industrial Revolution came the demand for labor and trade unions. Around the 1850s\, eight-hour movements across the world aimed to reduce the working day from ten to eight hours. At its first congress in 1886\, the American Federation of Labour called for a general strike in Chicago on May 1 to demand an eight-hour day\, which culminated in what is known today as the Haymarket affair. \nWhen Was the First Labor Day?\nThe first Labor Day celebration was the Labor Day parade in New York City on September 5\, 1882. Its origins stem from the Central Labor Union’s and other labor organizations’ desire to create a holiday for workers. Oregon was the first state to pass it as a legal holiday in 1887\, and by the end of the same year\, Colorado\, Massachusetts\, New Jersey\, and New York had passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. President Grover Cleveland made it a federal holiday in 1894. \nWho Founded Labor Day?\nAccording to the US Department of Labor\, it is not completely clear who first suggested the Labor Day holiday. Some sources say that Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. Others argue that Peter J. Mcguire\, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor\, suggested a holiday for the ‘laboring classes’ in 1882. \nThe holiday was set on the first Monday in September because this was considered a more politically neutral date than May 1. Another reason was to add a holiday to bridge the long gap between Independence Day in July and Thanksgiving in November.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/labor-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed,State Holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/labor-day.jpg
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250704
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250705
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250714T055247Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250714T055247Z
UID:6507-1751587200-1751673599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Independence Day
DESCRIPTION:Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 and is often known as the Fourth of July. It is the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. \nIndependence Day Celebrations\nIndependence Day is a day of family celebrations with picnics and barbecues\, showing a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom. Activities associated with the day include watermelon or hotdog eating competitions and sporting events\, such as baseball games\, three-legged races\, swimming activities\, and tug-of-war games. \nThe American flag is often placed outside homes and buildings on July 4th\, and communities arrange fireworks after dark. The most impressive firework displays are shown on television. Big cities like New York and Washington\, D.C. often organize parades and other large public events on the 4th of July. \nSome employees use one or more vacation days to create a long weekend to escape to their favorite beach or vacation spot. \nAmerican Day\nIndependence Day is a patriotic holiday for celebrating the United States. Politicians appear at public events to show their support for their country’s history\, heritage\, and people. \nAbove all\, people in the United States express and give thanks for the freedom and liberties fought by the first generation of many of today’s Americans. The Statue of Liberty is a national monument associated with Independence Day. \nIs Independence Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nFourth of July\nIndependence Day is a federal holiday. If July 4 is a Saturday\, it is observed on Friday\, July 3. If July 4 is a Sunday\, it is observed on Monday\, July 5. Government offices and schools are closed. Some businesses may be closed as well. \nIn some years\, many employees use a portion of their vacation days to create a long weekend. This can cause congestion in some places\, particularly towards popular holiday destinations. \nThere are many public events\, parades\, shows\, and fireworks displays. This may cause local disruption to traffic. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables. \nThe History of Independence Day\nIn 1775\, people in the thirteen colonies began fighting the British under King George III for their own independence. On July 2\, 1776\, Congress secretly voted for independence from Great Britain. Two days later\, on July 4\, 1776\, the final wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved\, and the document was published. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was on July 8\, 1776. Delegates began to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2\, 1776. \nIn 1870\, Independence Day was made an unpaid holiday for federal employees. In 1941\, it became a paid holiday for them. \nThe first description of how Independence Day would be celebrated was in a letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail on July 3\, 1776. He described “pomp and parade\, with shows\, games\, sports\, guns\, bells\, bonfires\, and illuminationst” throughout the United States. However\, the term “Independence Day” was not used until 1791. \nInterestingly\, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams\, both signers of the Declaration of Independence and presidents of the United States\, died on July 4\, 1826—exactly 50 years after the adoption of the declaration. \nIt is also important to note that Native Americans lived in the country\, and each tribe had its own nation and government prior to the European settlers.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/independence-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed,State Holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/ThinkstockPhotos-801709792.webp
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250619
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250620
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250712T050528Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250712T050528Z
UID:6443-1750291200-1750377599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Juneteenth
DESCRIPTION:Juneteenth is an annual observance on June 19 to remember when Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas on June 19\, 1865. This day is an opportunity for people to celebrate freedom and equal rights in the United States. \nIs Juneteenth a Public Holiday?\nJuneteenth has been a federal holiday in the US since 2021. However\, the day’s official status and how it is celebrated differs from state to state. \nIt is a paid state holiday in several states including Massachusetts\, New Jersey\, New York\, and Virginia; other states celebrate it as an official observance. \nIn some states\, people employed by the state may have a day off work. Stores\, post offices\, and other organizations and businesses are likely to be open as usual\, but some may be closed or have restricted opening hours in some areas. Many public transit services operate on their usual schedule\, but there may be some changes. There may be some local disruption to traffic around large scale public events. \nWhat Do People Do?\nA range of public\, community and private events are held to celebrate Juneteenth\, often on a weekend close to June 19. These include: \n\nPot luck outdoor cookouts\, barbecues or picnics.\nBaseball games.\nWorkplace lunches.\nRodeos.\nNeighborhood or block parties.\nCommunity flag-raising ceremonies.\nJuneteenth displays in city halls\, libraries\, schools\, and post offices.\nEssay or artwork competitions for young people.\nPresentations of community service awards.\nThe distribution of Juneteenth buttons\, t-shirts\, mugs\, and bags.\n\nSome people also decorate conference rooms or corridors at their workplace\, and their neighborhoods and yards with Juneteenth banners\, yard signs\, and flags to raise awareness of the event. \nBackground\nSlavery in the United States can be traced back to the 16th century when Spanish explorers brought African slaves with them to the New World. It lasted until the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect on January 1\, 1863. On that date Texas was largely controlled by forces fighting for the Confederate States\, which opposed the abolition of slavery. \nOn June 19\, 1865\, Union soldiers arrived to take control of Texas and enforce the emancipation of slaves in the state. In Galveston\, Texas\, the newly freed slaves held large public celebrations and so laid the base for future Juneteenth activities. The word ‘Juneteenth’ resulted from the words ‘June Nineteenth’ being combined together in speech. \nAfter 1865\, Juneteenth was mainly celebrated in Texas. Parks have been established on land bought by former slaves to hold Juneteenth celebrations in the Texan cities of Austin\, Houston\, and Mexia. \nToday\, it is a federal holiday and a state holiday or observance in more than half of the US states. \nJuneteenth celebrations are also held in other countries around the world\, including Ghana\, Honduras\, Japan\, Taiwan\, and Trinidad and Tobago. \nSymbols\nThe Juneteenth flag consists of a rectangle. The lower part of the rectangle is red and the upper part is blue and it has a solid white\, five-pointed star at its center. The star is surrounded by a white outline of a 12-pointed star. The Juneteenth flag is often displayed with the United States flag to symbolize that slavery is illegal. \nIn Texas and some other southern states\, the traditional drink on Juneteenth is Big Red soda. This variety of cream soda is a sweet\, soft drink flavored with orange and lemon oils and vanilla. It is available in different flavors and with or without caffeine and sugar.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/juneteenth-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed,State Holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/junteenth-dancers.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250526
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250527
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20250712T050116Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20250712T050614Z
UID:6461-1748217600-1748303999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Memorial Day
DESCRIPTION:Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season. \nIs Memorial Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nIt is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials\, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is combined with Jefferson Davis’ Birthday in Mississippi. \nMemorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics\, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events. For the fashion conscious\, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing\, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day. However\, fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year. \nPublic Life\nMemorial Day is a federal holiday. All non-essential Government offices are closed\, as are schools\, businesses and other organizations. Most public transit systems do not run on their regular schedule. Many people see Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to go on a short vacation or visit family or friends. This can cause some congestion on highways and at airports. \nBackground\nMemorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I\, it was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. \nMemorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30\, regardless of the day of the week\, on which it fell. In 1968\, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that from 1971\, the Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However\, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/memorial-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/05/soldier-father-daughter.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250217
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250218
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20241103T034704Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T034704Z
UID:6310-1739750400-1739836799@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Presidents' Day
DESCRIPTION:The federal holiday on the third Monday of February is called Washington’s Birthday\, while several US states celebrate it as “Presidents’ Day” (spellings vary). The holiday creates a long weekend. \nFederal Holiday: These Services Are Closed\nPresidents’ Day (officially “Washington’s Birthday”) is a federal holiday in the United States on the third Monday in February. Because it is a federal holiday\, federal services\, such as US Postal Service post offices\, are closed on Presidents’ Day. Some schools close as well\, especially in the DC area. Private businesses are usually open\, as well as private mail and delivery companies. Public transport often operates on a Saturday schedule. \nWhy Is Presidents’ Day on a Monday?\nPresidents’ Day is celebrated on a Monday to create a long weekend—initially only for federal employees. The holiday has only been celebrated on a Monday since 1971 when the US Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The act moved three federal holidays from their original dates to a Monday: Washington’s Birthday (originally February 22)\, Memorial Day (originally May 30)\, and Veterans Day (originally November 11\, and moved back to that date in 1978). \nWashington’s Birthday or Presidents’ Day?\nIt all started with Washington’s Birthday. In 1885\, the US Government decided to honor the first US president\, George Washington\, with his own federal holiday: Washington’s Birthday. It was celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday*\, February 22. In 1885\, this day was a Sunday. \nAlmost one hundred years later\, in 1971\, the US Congress changed the date for Washington’s birthday celebration to the third Monday in February to create a three-day weekend. Congress never changed the name—federally\, the holiday is still called “Washington’s Birthday.” \nThe naming differences become clearer when you look at the state holidays. Several US states introduced their own state holidays with different names: \n\n7 states and DC call it “Washington’s Birthday” or “George Washington Day.”\n5 states use some combination of Washington and another president\, usually Lincoln.\n4 states use Washington and “Presidents’ Day” in their title.\n24 states use “Presidents’ Day” in some variation—eleven use “Presidents’ Day” (plural)\, ten call it “President’s Day” (singular)\, and three simply use “Presidents Day.”\n10 states do not celebrate the day at all.\n\nSo both “Presidents’ Day” and “Washington’s Birthday” are correct. Today\, most people use “Presidents’ Day” as the name for this holiday. \nIs Presidents’ Day a Public Holiday?\nPresidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday in all US states. Federal employees will usually have a day off from work. 41 US states have instituted a state holiday on the same date\, usually called “Presidents’ Day” or “Washington’s Birthday” or some variation thereof. State holidays are not necessarily public holidays\, they can be observances as well—please check with your local state rules and regulations to see if Presidents’ Day is a public holiday in your state. \n\n* George Washington was born February 11\, 1731\, however\, when the British colonies changed their calendar from Julian to Gregorian in 1752\, Washington’s birth date became February 22\, 1732.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/presidents-day-25/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250120
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250121
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20241103T031544Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T031544Z
UID:6293-1737331200-1737417599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Martin Luther King Jr. Day
DESCRIPTION:artin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.\, an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. \nIs Martin Luther King Jr. Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMartin Luther King Day is a relatively new federal holiday and there are few long standing traditions. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans\, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years\, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups. \nMartin Luther King Day\, also known as Martin Luther King’s birthday and Martin Luther King Jr Day\, is combined with other days in different states. For example\, it is combined with Civil Rights Day in Arizona and New Hampshire\, while it is observed together with Human Rights Day in Idaho. It is also a day that is combined with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some states. The day is known as Wyoming Equality Day in the state of Wyoming. \nPublic Life\nMartin Luther King Day is a federal holiday\, but has slightly different names in some states. Non-essential Government departments are closed\, as are many corporations. Some schools and colleges close but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King. \nSmall companies\, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open\, although a growing number are choosing to close on this day. Some compensate by opening on Washington’s Birthday instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to give some of their time on Martin Luther King Day as volunteers in citizen action groups. Public transit systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule. \nLong Weekend\nSince Martin Luther King Day falls on Monday\, it is one of the public holidays in the United States that always create a long weekend. \nBackground\nMartin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968. \nIn 1968\, shortly after Martin Luther King died\, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced\, trade unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was endorsed in 1976. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single “Happy Birthday” and a petition with six million signatures\, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986\, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000. In 1990\, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther King Jr/Wyoming Equality Day as a legal holiday.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day-25/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/mlk-7-gty-aa-200116_hpMain_16x9_1600.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250102
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20241103T031850Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T031850Z
UID:6297-1735689600-1735775999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:New Year's Day
DESCRIPTION:New Year’s Day falls on January 1 and marks the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. It marks the end of New Year’s Eve celebrations in the United States and gives many Americans a chance to remember the previous year. \nIs New Year’s Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nThe start of New Year’s Day\, at midnight\, is heralded by fireworks\, parties and special events\, which are often televised. Very few people have to work on the day itself. For many it is a day of recovery from the New Year’s Eve celebrations the previous night. In some towns and cities\, parades are held and special football games are played. The birth of the first baby in the New Year is often celebrated with gifts to his or her parents and appearances in local newspapers and on local news shows. Many people make New Year’s resolutions. These are usually promises to themselves that they will improve something in their own lives. Common New Year’s resolutions are to stop smoking or drinking alcohol\, to lose weight\, exercise more or to live a healthier lifestyle. \nPublic Life\nGovernment offices\, organizations\, schools and many businesses are closed in the USA on New Year’s Day. Public transit systems do not run on their regular schedules. Where large public celebrations have been held\, traffic may be disrupted by the clean-up operation. In general\, public life is completely closed down. \nBackground\nThe Gregorian calendar is widely used in many countries such as the United States. This was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Julian calendar that had been in use until then was slightly inaccurate\, causing the vernal equinox to move backwards in the calendar year. The Gregorian calendar was not accepted everywhere and some churches\, particularly with origins in Eastern Europe\, still use other calendars. According to the Gregorian calendar\, the first day of the year is January 1. \nSymbols\nA common symbol of New Year’s Day is Baby New Year. This is often a white male baby dressed in a diaper\, a hat and a sash. The year he represents is printed on his sash. He rarely a newborn baby\, as many pictures show him sitting up or even standing alone. According to mythology\, Baby New Year grows up and ages in a single year. At the end of the year he is an old man and hands his role over to the next Baby New Year. Other symbols of New Year’s Day are spectacular fireworks exploding over landmarks and clocks striking midnight as the year begins.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/new-years-day-25/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/fireworks-usa.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241225
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241226
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T230658Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T231155Z
UID:5784-1735084800-1735171199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Christmas Day
DESCRIPTION:Many people in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on December 25. The day celebrates Jesus Christ’s birth. \nIs Christmas Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nPeople celebrate Christmas Day in many ways. It is often combined with customs from pre-Christian winter celebrations. Many people decorate their homes\, visit family or friends and exchange gifts. In the days or even weeks before Christmas Day\, many people decorate their homes and gardens with lights\, Christmas trees and much more. \nIt is common to organize a special meal\, often consisting of turkey and a lot of other festive foods\, for family or friends and exchange gifts with them. Children\, in particular\, often receive a lot of gifts from their parents and other relatives and the mythical figure Santa Claus. This has led to Christmas Day becoming an increasingly commercialized holiday\, with a lot of families spending a large part of their income on gifts and food. \nMany Sunday schools\, churches and communities organize special events. These can include decorating the neighborhood or a shopping mall\, putting up a Christmas tree and planning a Nativity display\, concert or performance. A lot of plays and songs have a aspect of Christmas as a theme. Some groups arrange meals\, shelter or charitable projects for people without a home or with very little money. \nPublic Life\nGovernment offices\, organizations\, businesses and schools are closed\, almost without exception. Many people visit relatives or friends and are out of town. This may cause congestion on highways and at airports. Public transit systems do not run on their regular schedules. In general\, public life closes down completely. \nBackground\nThe original meaning of Christmas is a special church service\, or mass\, to celebrate the birth of Christ. The story of the Nativity\, or the events surrounding the birth of Jesus\, are particularly important in religious celebrations of Christmas. However\, many traditions that are around today have their roots in pre-Christian winter festivals. These include the importance of candles and decorations made from evergreen bushes and tree\, symbolizing everlasting light and life. \nIn Roman times\, a mid-winter festival was held. This was a relaxing time with a lot of parties and merry making. It was also common to give other people small gifts\, such as dolls for children and candles for adults. This festival culminated with the celebration of the winter solstice\, which fell on December 25 in the Roman calendar. In Scandinavia\, a festival called Yule and lasting up to twelve days was held in late December and early January. In this time people burnt logs and held parties. These customs have influences how Christmas Day is celebrated today in the United States. \nThe Bible does not give a precise date for the birth of Jesus. It is also unclear when December 25 became associated with the birth of Jesus\, although it may have been around two hundred years after his birth. In the early centuries of Christianity\, the anniversary of the birth of Jesus was not a cause for celebrations. The idea of turning this day into a celebration started in the early Middle Ages in Europe. \nDuring Reformation and up until the middle of the 1800s\, Christmas was often not celebrated because partying and merry making was seen as unchristian. From about 1840\, celebrating Christmas became more widespread. December 25 was declared a federal holiday in the United States in 1870. Since then Christmas Day has become a steadily more important holiday. \nSymbols\nA wide range of people and objects represent Christmas. These include baby Jesus\, the Nativity and the Three Kings\, but also Santa Claus\, reindeer and elves. Common objects at this time of year are pine trees\, holly\, decorations\, fairy lights\, candles and presents. Christmas Day is now truly a mix of religious celebration and commercial interests.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/christmas-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/christmas-day-fox.png
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241129
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T230344Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T230603Z
UID:5779-1732752000-1732838399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Thanksgiving Day
DESCRIPTION:Thanksgiving Day in the United States is a holiday on the fourth Thursday of November. The day after is also known as Black Friday. \nIs Thanksgiving Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nFamily Celebration\nThanksgiving Day is a day for people in the US to give thanks for what they have. Families and friends get together for a meal\, which traditionally includes a roast turkey\, stuffing\, potatoes\, vegetables\, cranberry sauce\, gravy\, and pumpkin pie. \nIn some cities and towns\, there are parades during the Thanksgiving weekend. In most areas\, these festivities also mark the opening of the Christmas shopping season. \nLong Weekend in More Than 20 States\nThe Day After Thanksgiving\, also know as Black Friday\, is a holiday in more than 20 states. It’s common to take trips and visit family and friends during the long weekend. \nMany Have the Day Off\nMost government offices\, businesses\, schools\, universities\, colleges\, and other organizations are closed on Thanksgiving Day. Many offices and businesses allow staff to have a long four-day weekend for Thanksgiving\, so these offices and businesses are also closed on the Day after Thanksgiving Day. Public transit systems usually do not operate on their regular timetables. \nThanksgiving Day is one of the busiest periods for travel in the USA. This can cause congestion and overcrowding. Seasonal parades and busy football games can also cause disruption to local traffic. \nHistory and Controversy\nThanksgiving Day has been an annual holiday in the United States since 1863. However\, not everyone sees Thanksgiving Day as a cause for celebration. Some in the US Native American community feel the mythology of the holiday ignores the destruction of indigenous cultures that followed European settlement. \nBeginning in 1970\, a group of Native Americans and their supporters have staged an annual protest for a National Day of Mourning at Plymouth Rock in Plymouth\, Massachusetts on Thanksgiving Day. American Indian Heritage Day is also observed at this time of the year. \nThere are claims that the first Thanksgiving Day was held in the city of El Paso\, Texas\, in 1598. Another early event was held in 1619 in the Virginia Colony. Many people trace the origins of the modern Thanksgiving Day to the harvest celebration the Pilgrims held in Plymouth\, Massachusetts in 1621. However\, their first true thanksgiving was in 1623\, when they gave thanks for rain that ended a drought. These early thanksgivings took the form of a special church service\, rather than a feast. \nIn the second half of the 1600s\, thanksgivings after the harvest became more common and started to become annual events. However\, they were celebrated on different days in different communities and in some places there were more than one thanksgiving each year. George Washington\, the first president of the United States\, proclaimed the first national Thanksgiving Day in 1789.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/thanksgiving-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/619290edd6722800192460f4.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241112
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T230217Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T230217Z
UID:5776-1731283200-1731369599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Veterans Day
DESCRIPTION:In the USA\, Veterans Day annually falls on November 11. This day is the anniversary of the signing of the armistice\, which ended the World War I hostilities between the Allied nations and Germany in 1918. Veterans are thanked for their services to the United States on Veterans Day. \nIs Veterans Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nObservance\nVeterans Day is intended to honor and thank all military personnel who served the United States in all wars\, particularly living veterans. It is marked by parades and church services and in many places the American flag is hung at half mast. A period of silence lasting two minutes may be held at 11am. Some schools are closed on Veterans Day\, while others do not close\, but choose to mark the occasion with special assemblies or other activities. \nVeterans Day is officially observed on November 11. However\, if it falls on a week day\, many communities hold their celebrations on the weekend closest to this date. This is to enable more people to attend and participate in the events. Federal Government offices are closed on November 11. If Veterans Day falls on a Saturday\, they are closed on Friday November 10. If Veterans Day falls on a Sunday\, they are closed on Monday November 12. State and local governments\, schools and non-governmental businesses are not required to close and may decide to remain open or closed. Public transit systems may follow a regular or holiday schedule. \nHistory\nOn the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 an armistice between Germany and the Allied nations came into effect. On November 11\, 1919\, Armistice Day was commemorated for the first time. In 1919\, President Wilson proclaimed the day should be “filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country’s service and with gratitude for the victory”. There were plans for parades\, public meetings and a brief suspension of business activities at 11am. \nIn 1926\, the United States Congress officially recognized the end of World War I and declared that the anniversary of the armistice should be commemorated with prayer and thanksgiving. The Congress also requested that the president should “issue a proclamation calling upon the officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on November 11 and inviting the people of the United States to observe the day in schools and churches\, or other suitable places\, with appropriate ceremonies of friendly relations with all other peoples.” \nAn Act (52 Stat. 351; 5 U. S. Code\, Sec. 87a) was approved on May 13\, 1938\, which made November 11 in each year a legal holiday\, known as Armistice Day. This day was originally intended to honor veterans of World War I. A few years later\, World War II required the largest mobilization of service men in the history of the United States and the American forces fought in Korea. In 1954\, the veterans service organizations urged Congress to change the word “Armistice” to “Veterans”. Congress approved this change and on June 1\, 1954\, November 11 became a day to honor all American veterans\, where ever and whenever they had served. \nIn 1968 the Uniforms Holiday Bill (Public Law 90-363 (82 Stat. 250)) made an attempt to move Veterans Day to the fourth Monday of October. The bill took effect in 1971. However\, this caused a lot of confusion as many states disagreed with this decision and continued to hold Veterans Day activities on November 11. In 1975\, President Gerald R. Ford signed Public Law 94-97 (89 Stat. 479)\, which stated that Veterans Day would again be observed on November 11 from 1978 onwards. Veterans Day is still observed on November 11.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/veterans-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/08/american-veteran.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241014
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241015
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T225642Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T230000Z
UID:5771-1728864000-1728950399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Columbus Day
DESCRIPTION:Columbus Day\, which is on the second Monday of October\, celebrates Christopher Columbus’ arrival to the Americas on October 12\, 1492. This is an important date in many Italian-American communities; it is controversial in some Native American communities. \nIs Columbus Day a Public Holiday?\nColumbus Day 2024 is a state holiday in 22 states\, a state legal holiday in Tennessee\, and a federal holiday in 28 states. \nObserve Columbus Day\nSome Americans celebrate the anniversary of the discovery of their country with church services and other activities. In some towns and cities\, special church services\, parades and large events are held. Many celebrations happen in the Italian-American community. The celebrations in New York and San Francisco are particularly noteworthy. In Hawaii Columbus Day is celebrated as Discoverers’ Day\, but it is not a state holiday. \nMany states now celebrate Native Americans’ Day/Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day. \nWhat’s Open or Closed?\nColumbus day is a public holiday in many parts of the United states\, but is not a day off in some states. Some government offices are closed because Columbus Day is still a federal government holiday. \nIn Tennesse\, Columbus Day is a legal holiday according to the Tenn. Code Ann. § 15-1-101 (2019)\, but the Governor can substitute the day after Thanksgiving for Columbus Day for the purpose of closing state offices. When this occurs\, state employees do not get a day off on the second Monday of October. Instead\, they get the Friday after the fourth Thursday of November as a holiday. \nMany businesses and shops are open in states that don’t have Columbus Day as a public holiday. Schools are not required to close but check with your school district or school calendar on Columbus Day school holiday closures. The same goes for post offices – check with your local post office. \nLong Weekend\nSince Columbus Day falls on Monday\, it is one of the public holidays in the United States that always create a long weekend. \nAbout Columbus Day\nChristopher Columbus is often portrayed as the first European to sail to the Americas. He is sometimes portrayed as the discoverer of the New World. However\, this is controversial on many counts. There is evidence that the first Europeans to sail across the Atlantic were Viking explorers from Scandinavia. In addition\, the land was already populated by indigenous peoples\, who had ‘discovered’ the Americas thousands of years before. \nColumbus Day originated as a celebration of Italian-American heritage\, due to the explorer´s origins in Italy. The holiday was first held in San Francisco in 1869. The first state-wide celebration took place in Colorado in 1907. Thirty years later\, Columbus Day become a holiday across the United States. Since 1971\, it has been celebrated on the second Monday in October. The date on which Columbus arrived in the Americas is also celebrated as the Día de la Raza (Day of the Race) in Latin America and some Latino communities in the USA. However\, it is a controversial holiday in some countries and has been re-named in others. \nColumbus Day celebrations are controversial in some American communities because the settlement of Europeans in the Americas led to the deaths of a large proportion of the native people. Some have argued that this settlement was a direct result of Columbus’ actions. It has also been argued that Columbus should not be honored for discovering North America\, as he only went as far as some islands in the Caribbean and never set foot on mainland America. \nNote: timeanddate.com states the facts and issues associated with this observance but does not disclose its opinion on the matter.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/columbus-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240902
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240903
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T225226Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T225527Z
UID:5766-1725235200-1725321599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Labor Day
DESCRIPTION:Labor Day is a federal holiday on the first Monday of September every year. It has its roots in the American labor movement. \nIs Labor Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Day Is Labor Day?\nLabor Day is on the first Monday of September every year and is a national holiday in the US. It has its origins in the labor movement and is a day to celebrate American workers. \nPeople celebrate Labor Day with picnics\, sports events\, and street parades. The American football season begins on—or around—Labor Day. \nWhy don’t the US celebrate in May\, like the rest of the world? \nLabor Day Weekend\nLabor Day has become the unofficial end of summer—after Labor Day Weekend\, kids are back to school. \nFor many\, it is the last chance to take a break before school starts again for the fall session\, and people take advantage of the long weekend to take a last summer trip. As a result\, there may be extra traffic on highways and at airports. \nHistory of Labor Day\nLabor Day has deep roots in the 130 years of the labor movement and its efforts to improve working conditions in America. It is also known as International Workers’ Day or May Day and is celebrated on May 1 internationally. \nWith the growth of the Industrial Revolution came the demand for labor and trade unions. Around the 1850s\, eight-hour movements across the world aimed to reduce the working day from ten to eight hours. At its first congress in 1886\, the American Federation of Labour called for a general strike in Chicago on May 1 to demand an eight-hour day\, which culminated in what is known today as the Haymarket affair. \nWhen Was the First Labor Day?\nThe first Labor Day celebration was the Labor Day parade in New York City on September 5\, 1882. Its origins stem from the Central Labor Union’s and other labor organizations’ desire to create a holiday for workers. Oregon was the first state to pass it as a legal holiday in 1887\, and by the end of the same year\, Colorado\, Massachusetts\, New Jersey\, and New York had passed laws creating a Labor Day holiday. President Grover Cleveland made it a federal holiday in 1894. \nWho Founded Labor Day?\nAccording to the US Department of Labor\, it is not completely clear who first suggested the Labor Day holiday. Some sources say that Matthew Maguire proposed the holiday in 1882 while serving as secretary of the Central Labor Union in New York. Others argue that Peter J. Mcguire\, co-founder of the American Federation of Labor\, suggested a holiday for the ‘laboring classes’ in 1882. \nThe holiday was set on the first Monday in September because this was considered a more politically neutral date than May 1. Another reason was to add a holiday to bridge the long gap between Independence Day in July and Thanksgiving in November.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/labor-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240704
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240705
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T224715Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T225010Z
UID:5761-1720051200-1720137599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Independence Day
DESCRIPTION:Independence Day is celebrated on July 4 and is often known as the Fourth of July. It is the anniversary of the publication of the Declaration of Independence from Great Britain in 1776. \nIndependence Day Celebrations\nIndependence Day is a day of family celebrations with picnics and barbecues\, showing a great deal of emphasis on the American tradition of political freedom. Activities associated with the day include watermelon or hotdog eating competitions and sporting events\, such as baseball games\, three-legged races\, swimming activities\, and tug-of-war games. \nThe American flag is often placed outside homes and buildings on July 4th\, and communities arrange fireworks after dark. The most impressive firework displays are shown on television. Big cities like New York and Washington\, D.C. often organize parades and other large public events on the 4th of July. \nSome employees use one or more vacation days to create a long weekend to escape to their favorite beach or vacation spot. \nAmerican Day\nIndependence Day is a patriotic holiday for celebrating the United States. Politicians appear at public events to show their support for their country’s history\, heritage\, and people. \nAbove all\, people in the United States express and give thanks for the freedom and liberties fought by the first generation of many of today’s Americans. The Statue of Liberty is a national monument associated with Independence Day. \nIs Independence Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nFourth of July\nIndependence Day is a federal holiday. If July 4 is a Saturday\, it is observed on Friday\, July 3. If July 4 is a Sunday\, it is observed on Monday\, July 5. Government offices and schools are closed. Some businesses may be closed as well. \nIn some years\, many employees use a portion of their vacation days to create a long weekend. This can cause congestion in some places\, particularly towards popular holiday destinations. \nThere are many public events\, parades\, shows\, and fireworks displays. This may cause local disruption to traffic. Public transit systems do not usually operate on their regular timetables. \nThe History of Independence Day\nIn 1775\, people in the thirteen colonies began fighting the British under King George III for their own independence. On July 2\, 1776\, Congress secretly voted for independence from Great Britain. Two days later\, on July 4\, 1776\, the final wording of the Declaration of Independence was approved\, and the document was published. The first public reading of the Declaration of Independence was on July 8\, 1776. Delegates began to sign the Declaration of Independence on August 2\, 1776. \nIn 1870\, Independence Day was made an unpaid holiday for federal employees. In 1941\, it became a paid holiday for them. \nThe first description of how Independence Day would be celebrated was in a letter from John Adams to his wife Abigail on July 3\, 1776. He described “pomp and parade\, with shows\, games\, sports\, guns\, bells\, bonfires\, and illuminationst” throughout the United States. However\, the term “Independence Day” was not used until 1791. \nInterestingly\, Thomas Jefferson and John Adams\, both signers of the Declaration of Independence and presidents of the United States\, died on July 4\, 1826—exactly 50 years after the adoption of the declaration. \nIt is also important to note that Native Americans lived in the country\, and each tribe had its own nation and government prior to the European settlers.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/independence-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240619
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240620
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T224427Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T224542Z
UID:5756-1718755200-1718841599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Juneteenth
DESCRIPTION:Juneteenth is an annual observance on June 19 to remember when Union soldiers enforced the Emancipation Proclamation and freed all remaining slaves in Texas on June 19\, 1865. This day is an opportunity for people to celebrate freedom and equal rights in the United States. \nIs Juneteenth a Public Holiday?\nJuneteenth has been a federal holiday in the US since 2021. However\, the day’s official status and how it is celebrated differs from state to state. \nIt is a paid state holiday in several states including Massachusetts\, New Jersey\, New York\, and Virginia; other states celebrate it as an official observance. \nIn some states\, people employed by the state may have a day off work. Stores\, post offices\, and other organizations and businesses are likely to be open as usual\, but some may be closed or have restricted opening hours in some areas. Many public transit services operate on their usual schedule\, but there may be some changes. There may be some local disruption to traffic around large scale public events. \nWhat Do People Do?\nA range of public\, community and private events are held to celebrate Juneteenth\, often on a weekend close to June 19. These include: \n\nPot luck outdoor cookouts\, barbecues or picnics.\nBaseball games.\nWorkplace lunches.\nRodeos.\nNeighborhood or block parties.\nCommunity flag-raising ceremonies.\nJuneteenth displays in city halls\, libraries\, schools\, and post offices.\nEssay or artwork competitions for young people.\nPresentations of community service awards.\nThe distribution of Juneteenth buttons\, t-shirts\, mugs\, and bags.\n\nSome people also decorate conference rooms or corridors at their workplace\, and their neighborhoods and yards with Juneteenth banners\, yard signs\, and flags to raise awareness of the event. \nBackground\nSlavery in the United States can be traced back to the 16th century when Spanish explorers brought African slaves with them to the New World. It lasted until the Emancipation Proclamation came into effect on January 1\, 1863. On that date Texas was largely controlled by forces fighting for the Confederate States\, which opposed the abolition of slavery. \nOn June 19\, 1865\, Union soldiers arrived to take control of Texas and enforce the emancipation of slaves in the state. In Galveston\, Texas\, the newly freed slaves held large public celebrations and so laid the base for future Juneteenth activities. The word ‘Juneteenth’ resulted from the words ‘June Nineteenth’ being combined together in speech. \nAfter 1865\, Juneteenth was mainly celebrated in Texas. Parks have been established on land bought by former slaves to hold Juneteenth celebrations in the Texan cities of Austin\, Houston\, and Mexia. \nToday\, it is a federal holiday and a state holiday or observance in more than half of the US states. \nJuneteenth celebrations are also held in other countries around the world\, including Ghana\, Honduras\, Japan\, Taiwan\, and Trinidad and Tobago. \nSymbols\nThe Juneteenth flag consists of a rectangle. The lower part of the rectangle is red and the upper part is blue and it has a solid white\, five-pointed star at its center. The star is surrounded by a white outline of a 12-pointed star. The Juneteenth flag is often displayed with the United States flag to symbolize that slavery is illegal. \nIn Texas and some other southern states\, the traditional drink on Juneteenth is Big Red soda. This variety of cream soda is a sweet\, soft drink flavored with orange and lemon oils and vanilla. It is available in different flavors and with or without caffeine and sugar.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/juneteenth/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240506
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240507
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240501T035446Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240812T044540Z
UID:5407-1714953600-1715039999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Memorial Day
DESCRIPTION:Memorial Day is observed on the last Monday of May. It was formerly known as Decoration Day and commemorates all men and women who have died in military service for the United States. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials on Memorial Day and it is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season. \nIs Memorial Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nIt is traditional to fly the flag of the United States at half staff from dawn until noon. Many people visit cemeteries and memorials\, particularly to honor those who have died in military service. Many volunteers place an American flag on each grave in national cemeteries. Memorial Day is combined with Jefferson Davis’ Birthday in Mississippi. \nMemorial Day has become less of an occasion of remembrance. Many people choose to hold picnics\, sports events and family gatherings on this weekend. This day is traditionally seen as the start of the summer season for cultural events. For the fashion conscious\, it is seen as acceptable to wear white clothing\, particularly shoes from Memorial Day until Labor Day. However\, fewer and fewer people follow this rule and many wear white clothing throughout the year. \nPublic Life\nMemorial Day is a federal holiday. All non-essential Government offices are closed\, as are schools\, businesses and other organizations. Most public transit systems do not run on their regular schedule. Many people see Memorial Day weekend as an opportunity to go on a short vacation or visit family or friends. This can cause some congestion on highways and at airports. \nBackground\nMemorial Day started as an event to honor Union soldiers who had died during the American Civil War. It was inspired by the way people in the Southern states honored their dead. After World War I\, it was extended to include all men and women who died in any war or military action. \nMemorial Day was originally known as Decoration Day. The current name for this day did not come into use until after World War II. Decoration Day and then Memorial Day used to be held on May 30\, regardless of the day of the week\, on which it fell. In 1968\, the Uniform Holidays Bill was passed as part of a move to use federal holidays to create three-day weekends. This meant that from 1971\, the Memorial Day holiday has been officially observed on the last Monday in May. However\, it took a longer period for all American states to recognize the new date.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/memorial-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240219
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240220
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T224151Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T224215Z
UID:5752-1708300800-1708387199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Presidents' Day
DESCRIPTION:The federal holiday on the third Monday of February is called Washington’s Birthday\, while several US states celebrate it as “Presidents’ Day” (spellings vary). The holiday creates a long weekend. \nFederal Holiday: These Services Are Closed\nPresidents’ Day (officially “Washington’s Birthday”) is a federal holiday in the United States on the third Monday in February. Because it is a federal holiday\, federal services\, such as US Postal Service post offices\, are closed on Presidents’ Day. Some schools close as well\, especially in the DC area. Private businesses are usually open\, as well as private mail and delivery companies. Public transport often operates on a Saturday schedule. \nWhy Is Presidents’ Day on a Monday?\nPresidents’ Day is celebrated on a Monday to create a long weekend—initially only for federal employees. The holiday has only been celebrated on a Monday since 1971 when the US Congress passed the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. The act moved three federal holidays from their original dates to a Monday: Washington’s Birthday (originally February 22)\, Memorial Day (originally May 30)\, and Veterans Day (originally November 11\, and moved back to that date in 1978). \nWashington’s Birthday or Presidents’ Day?\nIt all started with Washington’s Birthday. In 1885\, the US Government decided to honor the first US president\, George Washington\, with his own federal holiday: Washington’s Birthday. It was celebrated on Washington’s actual birthday*\, February 22. In 1885\, this day was a Sunday. \nAlmost one hundred years later\, in 1971\, the US Congress changed the date for Washington’s birthday celebration to the third Monday in February to create a three-day weekend. Congress never changed the name—federally\, the holiday is still called “Washington’s Birthday.” \nThe naming differences become clearer when you look at the state holidays. Several US states introduced their own state holidays with different names: \n\n7 states and DC call it “Washington’s Birthday” or “George Washington Day.”\n5 states use some combination of Washington and another president\, usually Lincoln.\n4 states use Washington and “Presidents’ Day” in their title.\n24 states use “Presidents’ Day” in some variation—eleven use “Presidents’ Day” (plural)\, ten call it “President’s Day” (singular)\, and three simply use “Presidents Day.”\n10 states do not celebrate the day at all.\n\nSo both “Presidents’ Day” and “Washington’s Birthday” are correct. Today\, most people use “Presidents’ Day” as the name for this holiday. \nIs Presidents’ Day a Public Holiday?\nPresidents’ Day or Washington’s Birthday is a federal holiday in all US states. Federal employees will usually have a day off from work. 41 US states have instituted a state holiday on the same date\, usually called “Presidents’ Day” or “Washington’s Birthday” or some variation thereof. State holidays are not necessarily public holidays\, they can be observances as well—please check with your local state rules and regulations to see if Presidents’ Day is a public holiday in your state. \n\n* George Washington was born February 11\, 1731\, however\, when the British colonies changed their calendar from Julian to Gregorian in 1752\, Washington’s birth date became February 22\, 1732.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/presidents-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240115
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240116
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T223533Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T224256Z
UID:5748-1705276800-1705363199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Martin Luther King Jr. Day
DESCRIPTION:artin Luther King Day is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of January. It celebrates the life and achievements of Martin Luther King Jr.\, an influential American civil rights leader. He is most well-known for his campaigns to end racial segregation on public transport and for racial equality in the United States. \nIs Martin Luther King Jr. Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMartin Luther King Day is a relatively new federal holiday and there are few long standing traditions. It is seen as a day to promote equal rights for all Americans\, regardless of their background. Some educational establishments mark the day by teaching their pupils or students about the work of Martin Luther King and the struggle against racial segregation and racism. In recent years\, federal legislation has encouraged Americans to give some of their time on this day as volunteers in citizen action groups. \nMartin Luther King Day\, also known as Martin Luther King’s birthday and Martin Luther King Jr Day\, is combined with other days in different states. For example\, it is combined with Civil Rights Day in Arizona and New Hampshire\, while it is observed together with Human Rights Day in Idaho. It is also a day that is combined with Robert E. Lee’s birthday in some states. The day is known as Wyoming Equality Day in the state of Wyoming. \nPublic Life\nMartin Luther King Day is a federal holiday\, but has slightly different names in some states. Non-essential Government departments are closed\, as are many corporations. Some schools and colleges close but others stay open and teach their students about the life and work of Martin Luther King. \nSmall companies\, such as grocery stores and restaurants tend to be open\, although a growing number are choosing to close on this day. Some compensate by opening on Washington’s Birthday instead. Recent federal legislation encourages Americans to give some of their time on Martin Luther King Day as volunteers in citizen action groups. Public transit systems may or may not operate on their regular schedule. \nLong Weekend\nSince Martin Luther King Day falls on Monday\, it is one of the public holidays in the United States that always create a long weekend. \nBackground\nMartin Luther King was an important civil rights activist. He was a leader in the movement to end racial segregation in the United States. His most famous address was the “I Have A Dream” speech. He was an advocate of non-violent protest and became the youngest man to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. He was assassinated in 1968. \nIn 1968\, shortly after Martin Luther King died\, a campaign was started for his birthday to become a holiday to honor him. After the first bill was introduced\, trade unions lead the campaign for the federal holiday. It was endorsed in 1976. Following support from the musician Stevie Wonder with his single “Happy Birthday” and a petition with six million signatures\, the bill became law in 1983. Martin Luther King Day was first observed in 1986\, although it was not observed in all states until the year 2000. In 1990\, the Wyoming legislature designated Martin Luther King Jr/Wyoming Equality Day as a legal holiday.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/martin-luther-king-jr-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20240101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20240102
DTSTAMP:20260414T173758
CREATED:20240819T223115Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T224245Z
UID:5745-1704067200-1704153599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:New Year's Day
DESCRIPTION:New Year’s Day falls on January 1 and marks the start of a new year according to the Gregorian calendar. It marks the end of New Year’s Eve celebrations in the United States and gives many Americans a chance to remember the previous year. \nIs New Year’s Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day. \nWhat Do People Do?\nThe start of New Year’s Day\, at midnight\, is heralded by fireworks\, parties and special events\, which are often televised. Very few people have to work on the day itself. For many it is a day of recovery from the New Year’s Eve celebrations the previous night. In some towns and cities\, parades are held and special football games are played. The birth of the first baby in the New Year is often celebrated with gifts to his or her parents and appearances in local newspapers and on local news shows. Many people make New Year’s resolutions. These are usually promises to themselves that they will improve something in their own lives. Common New Year’s resolutions are to stop smoking or drinking alcohol\, to lose weight\, exercise more or to live a healthier lifestyle. \nPublic Life\nGovernment offices\, organizations\, schools and many businesses are closed in the USA on New Year’s Day. Public transit systems do not run on their regular schedules. Where large public celebrations have been held\, traffic may be disrupted by the clean-up operation. In general\, public life is completely closed down. \nBackground\nThe Gregorian calendar is widely used in many countries such as the United States. This was introduced in 1582 by Pope Gregory XIII. The Julian calendar that had been in use until then was slightly inaccurate\, causing the vernal equinox to move backwards in the calendar year. The Gregorian calendar was not accepted everywhere and some churches\, particularly with origins in Eastern Europe\, still use other calendars. According to the Gregorian calendar\, the first day of the year is January 1. \nSymbols\nA common symbol of New Year’s Day is Baby New Year. This is often a white male baby dressed in a diaper\, a hat and a sash. The year he represents is printed on his sash. He rarely a newborn baby\, as many pictures show him sitting up or even standing alone. According to mythology\, Baby New Year grows up and ages in a single year. At the end of the year he is an old man and hands his role over to the next Baby New Year. Other symbols of New Year’s Day are spectacular fireworks exploding over landmarks and clocks striking midnight as the year begins.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/new-years-day/
CATEGORIES:Federal Holiday,School Closed
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