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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241111
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241112
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241128
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241129
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241130
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T063907Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T063907Z
UID:6071-1732838400-1732924799@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Black Friday
DESCRIPTION:Black Friday is an informal name for the day after Thanksgiving Day in the United States. It is a public holiday in more than 20 states\, and is considered the start of the US Christmas shopping season. \nIs Black Friday a Public Holiday?\nBlack Friday is on the Day After Thanksgiving\, which is a public holiday in more than 20 states. In these states\, businesses may be closed. \nThe same day is also a state holiday in Georgia\, commemorating General Robert E Lee’s birthday. \nSchools and universities all over the United States are closed for the entire Thanksgiving weekend. \nBargain Shopping\nThanksgiving Day is a public holiday all over the US. Even where the day after is not a public holiday\, many take a day off work or use a day from their quota of annual leave on Black Friday. Some people use this to make trips to see family members or friends who live in other areas or to go on vacation. Others use it to start shopping for the Christmas season. \nShopping for Christmas presents is also popular on Black Friday. Many stores have special offers and lower their prices on some goods\, such as toys. \nThe Monday after\, is known as Cyber Monday\, a marketing effort for online retailers equivalent to Black Friday. \nWhat’s Open or Closed?\nPublic transit systems may not run on their normal schedule. Some stores extend their opening hours on Black Friday. There can also be congestion on roads to popular shopping destinations. \nWhy Is It Called Black Friday?\nBlack Friday is one of the busiest shopping days in the USA. There are two popular theories as to why the day after Thanksgiving Day is called Black Friday. One theory is that the wheels of vehicles in heavy traffic on the day after Thanksgiving Day left many black markings on the road surface\, leading to the term Black Friday. \nThe other theory is that the term Black Friday comes from an old way of recording business accounts. Losses were recorded in red ink and profits in black ink. Many businesses\, particularly small businesses\, started making profits before Christmas. Many hoped to start showing a profit\, marked in black ink\, on the day after Thanksgiving Day.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/black-friday/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241130
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T064139Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T064139Z
UID:6074-1732838400-1732924799@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Native American Heritage Day
DESCRIPTION:From The American Presidency Project\, Proclamation 10667—National Native American Heritage Month\, 2023\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n“During National Native American Heritage Month\, we recognize the invaluable contributions of Native peoples that have shaped our country and honor the hundreds of Tribal Nations who continue exercising their inherent sovereignty as vital members of the overlapping system of governments in the United States. We also recommit to supporting Tribal sovereignty; upholding the Federal Government’s solemn trust and treaty responsibilities; and working in partnership with Tribal Nations to advance prosperity\, dignity\, and safety for all Native peoples. \n“Since time immemorial\, Native communities have passed down rich cultures\, knowledge\, traditions\, and ways of life. But throughout our history\, Native peoples’ cultures\, identities\, and governments were not always seen as a part of this Nation but as a threat to it. Native people were pressured to assimilate\, banned from practicing their traditions and sacred ceremonies\, and forced from their homes and ancestral homelands. This violence and devastation cost countless lives\, tore families apart\, and caused lasting damage to Tribal communities and institutions. \n“Despite centuries of violence and oppression\, Native peoples remain resilient and proud. Today\, Native Americans are essential to the fabric of the United States. They serve in the United States Armed Forces at higher rates than any other ethnic group. They continue to steward so many of our great lands. Their contributions to science\, humanities\, arts\, public service\, and more have brought prosperity for all of us. Their diverse cultures and communities continue to thrive and lead us forward.”
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/native-american-heritage-day/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241130
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240821T220246Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T071345Z
UID:5936-1732838400-1732924799@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/
CATEGORIES:School Closed,State Holiday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241202
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240819T212804Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T212954Z
UID:5722-1733011200-1733097599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:First Sunday of Advent
DESCRIPTION:The Advent season marks the beginning of the Christian year across many western churches in the United States. Its length varies from 22 to 28 days\, starting on the Sunday nearest St Andrew’s Day and encompassing the next three Sundays\, ending on Christmas Day. \nIs First Sunday of Advent a Public Holiday?\nFirst Sunday of Advent is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday\, December 1\, 2024 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMany Christians in the United States attend a church service on the first Sunday of Advent and may engage in activities such as special prayers and contributing to ideas on enhancing peace. Many Advent traditions are observed in the United States in the prelude to Christmas Day. For example\, the Advent wreath is becoming increasingly popular in the United States. The wreath can be seen in various churches across the nation around this time of the year. \nAdvent calendars of all designs are also given as gifts at this time of the year. The calendars feature openings in the form of windows or doors that are numbered to count the days to Christmas. Calendars may contain chocolates\, toys\, or candy and are given to children as a fun way to observe the Christmas countdown. Some traditional Advent calendars show 24 days but many Advent calendars showing 25 days\, with the last opening on Christmas Day. \nThe church year begins in September 1 in many eastern Christian churches\, so Advent begins at a different time to when it starts in the western churches. The eastern equivalent of Advent is called the Nativity Fast\, which runs for 40 days. \nPublic Life\nThe first Sunday of Advent is not a nationwide public holiday in the United States. However\, churches may be busy on this day\, as well as families who use the beginning of Advent as a time to prepare for the Christmas season. \nBackground\nIt is uncertain as to when exactly the celebration of Advent was first introduced in the Christian church. Some sources say that Advent began on November 11 (St Martin’s Day) at some time in the fifth century in the form of a six-week fast leading to Christmas. Advent was reduced to its current length at some stage in the sixth century and the fasting was later no longer observed. Advent is originally a time to reflect and prepare for Christmas similarly to how Lent is in preparation for Easter. Advent has sometimes been referred to as the Winter Lent.  In recent times the restrictions that Advent brings to Christians have become more relaxed. \nAdvent traditions spread from Europe to the United States\, especially the Advent calendar\, which became very popular in the United States after World War II as American military personnel and their families who were stationed in Germany brought them home and made them a part of the pre-Christmas traditions. Some people credit President Dwight Eisenhower with helping the tradition of the Advent calendar spread in the United States during the 1950s. \nSymbols\nPurple is historically the main color used for Advent because it reflects penitence\, fasting\, and the color of royalty to welcome the Advent of the king (Jesus Christ). The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his first Advent\, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his second Advent. Some churches use other colors in recent times. For example\, some churches mark the third Sunday of Advent with pink or rose\, colors that represent joy. Many Protestant churches use blue to distinguish the Season of Advent from Lent. \nAdvent wreaths are symbolic of Advent. They are usually made of fir and decorated with gold and silver ribbons or scarlet woolen threads. Lit wreaths may be displayed on the table where family and friends sit while singing carols and preparing handmade gifts.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/first-sunday-of-advent/
CATEGORIES:Christian
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241202
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241203
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T064416Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T064450Z
UID:6077-1733097600-1733183999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Cyber Monday
DESCRIPTION:Cyber Monday falls on the first Monday after Thanksgiving Day and Black Friday in the United States. It’s becoming one of busiest online shopping days for deals and discounts in the US. \nIs Cyber Monday a Public Holiday?\nCyber Monday is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nOnline Shopping Day\nCyber Monday is a marketing invention that was first observed in 2005 by online retailer shop.org. Seen as an online version of Black Friday\, Cyber Monday was created to allow customers to shop online from the comfort of their offices and homes. \nThe day after Thanksgiving in the United States is traditionally considered to be the beginning of the Christmas shopping season. On this day\, brick and mortar retailers have sales and provide massive discounts to attract customers\, making it one of the busiest shopping days of the year. As a result\, many people tend to stay away from stores to avoid crowds. Additionally\, thanksgiving weekend is also one of the busiest travel weekends in the US when people travel around the country to be with their families. Such travel may mean that many customers miss Black Friday deals and sales. It is thought that Cyber Monday was created as a way to encourage such customers to shop without having to visit brick and mortar stores. \nSales and Discounts\nOnline retailers offer deals\, often posting the kind of deals and sales they will have on online forums and websites\, several weeks and days ahead. It is thought that a large percentage of the shopping on this day is done during work hours. Keeping this in mind\, several retailers offer extra lunchtime discounts to their customers. \nSeveral other countries\, including Canada\, Germany\, and the United Kingdom also now have their own version of Cyber Monday. \nWhat’s Open or Closed?\nCyber Monday is not a public holiday\, so it’s business as usual in the US.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/cyber-monday/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241203
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241204
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T065132Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T065132Z
UID:6080-1733184000-1733270399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Giving Tuesday
DESCRIPTION:What is Giving Tuesday?\nGiving Tuesday\, often described as a global day of giving or a global generosity movement\, is held each year on the Tuesday after Thanksgiving. \nThe giving movement is also sometimes stylized as GivingTuesday or #GivingTuesday. \nWhat is the history of Giving Tuesday?\nAccording to GivingTuesday.org\, this day of giving was founded in 2012 by New York’s 92nd Street Y in partnership with the United Nations Foundation as a day that encourages people to do good. In July 2019\, GivingTuesday spun out into its own organization\, led by GivingTuesday co-founder\, Asha Curran\, as its CEO. \nWhy do nonprofits participate in this global day of giving?\nOutside of awareness days\, days that are significant for individual causes or organizations\, or national or international crises\, there are few opportunities to drive significant attention among a larger audience. \nGiving Tuesday presents nonprofits with a day full of opportunities. Because many members of the general public now know what it is and may even set aside money each year to donate on that day\, it’s the perfect chance for nonprofits to highlight their missions\, solicit donations\, and gain new supporters. Nonprofits looking to increase visibility and capitalize on a day of giving would be smart to participate. \nBecause nonprofit organizations have varying resources\, sometimes a nonprofit’s involvement may be as simple as sharing a single social media post or sending an email newsletter. \nConsidered by many as the day that kicks off the giving season\, it directly follows three major shopping days: Black Friday\, Small Business Saturday\, and Cyber Monday. \nBecause it usually falls on a day in late November or early December\, some nonprofits use the day as an opportunity to launch end-of-year giving campaigns to take advantage of people making their final tax-deductible donations for the year. Nonprofits benefit from the generosity of those wishing to make a positive impact during the holiday season.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/giving-tuesday/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241206
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241207
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T065436Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T065436Z
UID:6083-1733443200-1733529599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:St Nicholas Day
DESCRIPTION:St Nicholas’ Day is an observance of European origin that is celebrated in some American communities on December 6. \nIs St Nicholas Day a Public Holiday?\nSt Nicholas Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nCelebrate St Nicholas’ Day\nChildren in families who celebrate St Nicholas’ Day receive treats – including candy\, cookies\, small toys\, or fruit – in stockings\, socks\, shoes or bags on December 6. Some churches have special services dedicated to the feast of St Nicholas on this day. \nPublic Life\nSt Nicholas’ Day is an observance and not a federal public holiday in the US. \nAbout St Nicholas’ Day\nThe legendary figure of St. Nicholas is derived from Nicholas of Myra who officiated as a bishop in 4th century Greece. During his lifetime he developed a reputation for gift-giving by putting coins into other people’s shoes\, which accounts for many of today’s Christmas traditions that involve leaving gifts in shoes or boots. \nSome Europeans who immigrated to the United States brought with them beliefs\, customs and practices associated with St Nicholas’ Day. It has been recorded that celebrations associated with the observance took place in cities such as New York in the early 1800s.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/st-nicholas-day/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241209
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241210
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240819T213105Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T213921Z
UID:5726-1733702400-1733788799@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Feast of the Immaculate Conception
DESCRIPTION:Many Christians\, particularly those of Catholic faith\, in the United States observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on or around December 8. \nIs Feast of the Immaculate Conception a Public Holiday?\nFeast of the Immaculate Conception is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMany churches\, especially the Catholic Church\, in the United States hold special services (or masses) to commemorate the Feast of the Immaculate Conception on or close to December 8. The feast focuses on the concept that the Virgin Mary was conceived without sin. Many churches that observe the Feast of the Immaculate Conception are busy preparing for it prior to its occurrence. \nThe Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a legal holiday in Guam\, known as Our Lady of Camarin Day\, commemorating a small wooden statue known as Our Lady of Camarin (Santa Marian Kamalen). The statue is found in the Agana Cathedral Basilica. It has been tradition since the early 1900s for the statue to be taken down\, groomed and placed on a cart\, which is then pulled into Hagåtña\, Guam’s capital. This statue leads a procession\, in which people pray in various languages to honor Jesus through his mother Mary. \nPublic Life\nThe Feast of the Immaculate Conception is a public holiday in Guam\, which is an unincorporated territory of the United States. However\, this event is not a nationwide public holiday in the United States. \nBackground\nThe Feast of the Immaculate Conception centers on the belief that Jesus’ mother\, the Virgin Mary\, was conceived without sin. Pope Pius IX issued an apostolic constitution\, known as the Ineffabilis Deus\, on December 8\, 1854. This document clarified the importance of the Immaculate Conception in the Catholic Church. This day is a public holiday in Guam. A law in Guam attempted to eliminate this holiday for locals in 2002 but this attempt did not succeed due to public pressure. Typhoon Pongsona struck Guam on the feast day on December 8 that year. \nSymbols\nVarious paintings\, statues and other forms of artwork have been made depicting the Immaculate Conception. They usually show Mary as a young woman dressed in white and blue. She is often standing on a hill or raised area and has a halo of stars around her head. The pieces of art may also include images of clouds\, golden lights\, cherubs\, lilies or roses. \nOne well-known example associated with the Immaculate Conception is a statue known as Our Lady of Camarin (Santa Marian Kamalen)\, which was found on the shores of Merizo in Guam more than 300 years ago. The statue’s hands and face are made of ivory and the jewel-studded crown sits atop a cap of natural hair. It has survived earthquakes\, fires\, typhoons and World War II. The statue was stolen in 1968\, 1971\, and 1992 but was successfully retrieved.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/feast-of-the-immaculate-conception/
CATEGORIES:Christian
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241212
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241213
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240819T214039Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240819T214405Z
UID:5731-1733961600-1734047999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
DESCRIPTION:The Day of the Virgin of Guadalupe is becoming an increasingly popular Catholic feast in some American communities on December 12. It is dedicated to Jesus’ mother Mary. \nIs Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe a Public Holiday?\nFeast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nCelebrate Our Lady of Guadalupe Day\nThe popularity of this religious feast has grown particularly along the south-west of the US\, including cities such as Los Angeles. It serves as a tribute to Jesus’ mother Mary and is particularly celebrated by Americans of Mexican descent. \nPublic Life\nOur Lady of Guadalupe Day is a religious observance\, not a public holiday in the US. \nAbout Our Lady of Guadalupe Day\nThe day is particularly special for Americans of Mexican heritage\, as it honors the belief that Jesus’ mother Mary\, who is Mexico’s patron saint\, appeared to a man in Mexico City twice in 1531. Mexican Americans make up over 10% of the US population\, with about 33.5 million Americans being listed as being of full or partial Mexican ancestry\, according to the US Census Bureau 2011.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/feast-of-our-lady-of-guadalupe/
CATEGORIES:Christian
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241215
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241216
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T065849Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T065929Z
UID:6086-1734220800-1734307199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Bill of Rights Day
DESCRIPTION:Is Bill of Rights Day a Public Holiday?\nBill of Rights Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday\, December 15\, 2024 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States. \nThe Bill of Rights is the first 10 amendments to the Constitution. When the Framers wrote the Constitution\, they did not focus on individual rights. They focused on creating the system and structure of government. Many Americans believed that the Constitution should guarantee the rights of the people\, and they wanted a list of all the things a government could not do. They were afraid that a strong government would take away the rights people won in the Revolutionary War. \nJames Madison\, one of the Framers of the Constitution\, wrote a list of individual rights and limits on the government. These rights appear in the first 10 amendments\, called the Bill of Rights. Some of these rights include freedom of expression\, the right to bear arms\, freedom from search without warrant\, freedom not to be tried twice for the same crime\, the right to not testify against yourself\, the right to a trial by a jury of your peers\, the right to an attorney\, and protection against excessive fines and unusual punishments. The Bill of Rights was ratified on December 15\, 1791. Today\, we recognize December 15 as Bill of Rights Day. \nUnderstanding the Bill of Rights is also an important part of the naturalization test. During the naturalization interview\, prospective citizens may be asked\, “What do we call the first ten amendments to the Constitution?” as part of the civics test. Applicants may also be asked to read the words\, “Bill of Rights\,” during the English test.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/bill-of-rights-day/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241217
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241218
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T070245Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T070245Z
UID:6089-1734393600-1734479999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Wright Brothers Day
DESCRIPTION:Wright Brothers Day is celebrated in the United States on December 17 each year. The date commemorates the Wright brothers’ first successful flight in heavier-than-air\, mechanically propelled craft\, accomplished on December 17\, 1903\, near Kitty Hawk\, North Carolina. Wright Brothers Day falls on the same day as Pan American Aviation Day. It must not be confused with National Aviation Day. \nIs Wright Brothers Day a Public Holiday?\nWright Brothers Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nWhat Do People Do?\nThe United States president annually makes a proclamation inviting Americans to observe Wright Brothers Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Observations\, including the annual Wright Brothers dinner where the Wright Brothers Memorial Trophy is awarded in Washington DC\, take place on or around this day. Celebrations are also held at Kitty Hawk in North Carolina and in Dayton\, Ohio\, where the brothers were born. \nEvents focused on the day also take place at the Wright Brothers National Memorial\, a 425-acre (about 1.7km2) area that features a 60-foot (about 18.3 meters) granite pylon (tower) on top of Kill Devil Hill\, where the Wright Brothers’ camp was located. Other activities include: luncheons in honor of the Wright brothers; school activities focused on aviation and the Wright brothers’ achievements in opening doors for future flight advancements; and field trips to aviation and flight museums and centers. \nPublic Life\nThe Wright Brothers Day is an observance but it is not a federal public holiday in the United States. \nBackground\nOrville and his brother Wilbur are given credit for building the world’s first successful airplane with aircraft controls that enabled them to steer the plane. The brothers’ first aircraft\, named Flyer\, made its maiden flight for 12 seconds and 120 feet (about 36-37 meters) around the site of Wright Brothers National Memorial in North Carolina on December 17\, 1903. This day is observed nationally since 1963 to honor Wilbur and Orville Wright. \nThe Wright brothers were not the first to build and fly experimental aircraft but they are the first to invent aircraft controls that made fixed wing flight possible. In the years that followed\, aviation advancements were made. The Wright brothers’ efforts paved the way for modern day aeronautics. The brothers’ status as inventors of the airplane has been an issue of debate\, particularly as there were competing claims regarding other early aviators. \nSymbols\nImages of the Wright brothers and the first flight have been seen in posters\, flyers\, stamps and other memorabilia. First Flight stamps\, in honor of the Wright brothers’ first flight\, were issued in 2003 at the United States Air Force Museum in Dayton\, Ohio\, and the Wright Brothers National Memorial Park in Kill Devil Hills\, North Carolina.  The stamp illustration depicts Orville Wright at the controls of the 1903 Wright flyer. The text at the bottom of the design reads “First Flight. Wright Brothers. 1903”. \nA large memorial tower\, located on top of Kill Devil Hill\, is also dedicated to the Wright Brothers. Orville Wright attended the monument dedication in 1932. The first floor interior showcases special pink granite-lined walls and a black granite floor. Only the first floor of the monument displays this color granite. The rest of the monument is made of white granite stone.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/wright-brothers-day/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241221
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241222
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240821T220953Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240821T220958Z
UID:5939-1734739200-1734825599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:December Solstice
DESCRIPTION:December Solstice: Longest and Shortest Day of the Year\nThere are two solstices every year: one in December and one in June. The December solstice marks the shortest day north of the equator and the longest day in the south. \nSun Reaches Most Southerly Point\nThe December solstice is the moment the Sun is directly above the Tropic of Capricorn in the Southern Hemisphere. This is the southernmost latitude it reaches during the year. After the solstice\, it begins moving north again. \nShortest Day in the North\nSince the Northern Hemisphere is tilted away from the Sun in December\, it receives less sunlight during the course of a day. At the solstice\, the North Pole’s tilt away from the Sun is greatest\, so this event marks the shortest day of the year north of the equator. \nThis effect is greatest in locations that are farther away from the equator. In tropical areas\, the shortest day is just a little shorter than 12 hours; in the temperate zone\, it is significantly shorter; and places within the Arctic Circle experience polar night\, when the Sun does not rise at all. \nLongest Day in the South\nConversely\, the day of the December solstice is the longest day of the year in the Southern Hemisphere. Here\, too\, the effect is greater the farther a location is away from the equator. \nPlaces within the Antarctic Circle experience Midnight Sun\, when the Sun does not set at night. \nWhat Does “Solstice” Mean?\nDuring the course of a year\, the subsolar point—the spot on the Earth’s surface directly beneath the Sun—slowly moves along a north-south axis. Having reached its northernmost point at the June solstice\, it starts moving southward until it crosses the equator on the day of the September equinox. At the December solstice\, which marks the southernmost point of its journey\, it stops again to start its journey back toward the north. \nThis is how the solstices got their name: the term comes from the Latin words sol and sistere\, meaning “Sun” and “to stand still”. \nInitially\, the naming arose from observations of how the Sun’s apparent path across the sky changes slightly from one day to the next\, which is caused by the same process as the subsolar point’s movement described above. \nIn the months leading up to the December solstice\, the position of sunrise and sunset creeps southward. On the day of the solstice\, it reaches its southernmost point. After that\, the daily path of the Sun across the sky begins to creep northward. \nWhy Does the Sun Move North and South?\nThe subsolar point moves north and south during the year because the Earth’s axis is tilted at an angle of about 23.4° in relation to the ecliptic\, an imaginary plane created by Earth’s path around the Sun. In June\, the Northern Hemisphere is tilted toward the Sun\, and the subsolar point is north of the equator. As the Earth travels toward the opposite side of its orbit\, which it reaches in December\, the Southern Hemisphere gradually receives more sunlight\, and the subsolar point travels south. \nThe Solstices and the Seasons\nThe December solstice marks the start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere and the start of summer in the Southern Hemisphere\, according to one definition. \nSunrise and Sunset Times Lag Behind\nThe shortest day of the year is commonly associated with the latest sunrise and earliest sunset of the year. However\, in most locations\, the earliest sunset happens a few days before the solstice\, while the latest sunrise occurs some days after it. Find out why \nThe December Solstice in the Calendar\nThe December solstice can be on December 20\, 21\, 22\, or 23. \nDecember 21 or 22 solstices happen more often than December 20 and 23 solstices. The last December 23 solstice was in 1903 and the next one is in 2303. A December 20 solstice is also rare\, with the next one in the year 2080. \nWhy Does the Date Vary?\nThe date of the equinoxes and solstices varies because a year in our calendar does not exactly match the length of the tropical year—the time it takes the Earth to complete an orbit around the Sun. \nToday’s Gregorian calendar has 365 days in a common year and 366 days in a leap year. However\, our planet takes about 365.242199 days to orbit the Sun. This means that the timing of the equinoxes and solstices slowly drifts apart from the Gregorian calendar\, and the solstice happens about 6 hours later each year. Eventually\, the accumulated lag becomes so large that it falls on the following date. \nTo realign the calendar with the tropical year\, a leap day is introduced (nearly) every four years. When this happens\, the equinox and solstice dates shift back to the earlier date again. \nOther factors influencing the timing of the equinoxes and solstices include variations in the length of a tropical year and in the orbital and daily rotational motion of the Earth\, such as the “wobble” in the Earth’s axis (precession). \n  \n  \n 
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/december-solstice/
CATEGORIES:Season
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241224
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241225
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T070445Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T070445Z
UID:6092-1734998400-1735084799@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Christmas Eve
DESCRIPTION:Christmas Eve in the United States\, which is annually on December 24\, is the day before Christmas Day. It falls within the Christmas season\, which is a time for people to buy presents and visit friends or relatives. \nIs Christmas Eve a Public Holiday?\nChristmas Eve 2024 is a state holiday in 11 states and an observance\, christian in 40 states. \nCelebrate Christmas Eve\nSince Christmas Eve is not usually an official federal holiday\, most people have to work. However\, it is a partial day off or a full day off in some states. Many workplaces hold Christmas parties or celebrations\, so there is a celebratory air to the day. People who work in the retail or catering sectors often have to work very hard to meet consumer demands on December 24. \nMany people in the United States decorate their homes and driveways with seasonal decorations\, although some do this much earlier\, starting just after Thanksgiving Day in late November. The centerpiece of the decorations is often a Christmas tree decorated with fairy lights\, tinsel\, angels\, stars and other seasonal ornaments. Outdoor light sculptures are also becoming increasingly popular. These are many light bulbs or LEDs in the form of trees\, sleighs\, reindeer\, Santa Claus\, snowmen and other seasonal figures. Light sculptures may be placed on driveways\, roofs or in gardens. \nIn the evening\, often just before bedtime\, many families\, particularly those with children\, will hang up stockings on the fireplace or the end of their bed. These Christmas stockings are often red with a white fluffy trim\, although they may be of any design and are often much bigger than the socks that they represent. Children hope that Santa Claus\, a mythical figure thought to represent an ancient European saint\, will enter their home via the chimney and fill their stocking with gifts\, sweets and oranges. \nPublic Life\nChristmas Eve is not a federal holiday. However\, it is a partial day off in states like Kansas\, North Dakota\, and Virginia. It is a state holiday in Kentucky\, Michigan\, North Carolina\, Oklahoma\, South Carolina\, Texas\, and Wisconsin. Most schools and other educational institutions throughout the U.S. are usually closed on December 24. Many organizations will open as usual\, but some may close earlier or offer reduced services. Stores are normally open as usual\, but may shut earlier. Stores and malls are likely to be very busy\, as people look for last minute Christmas gifts and stock up on food for the festive season. \nPublic transit systems may run a normal or reduced service\, particularly in the evening. If you need to use public transit on Christmas Eve\, is it a good idea to check the services that the appropriate companies offer carefully. Many people travel to visit family members or friends on Christmas Eve. There may be some congestion on roads and highways\, particularly around major cities. Airports and long distance bus terminals may be especially busy. \nAbout Christmas Eve\nChristmas Eve marks the start of the holiday season at the end of the year. For many Christians\, it is a day to remember the events around the birth of Jesus. Some people\, especially Roman Catholics\, attend a midnight mass at church. Traditionally\, the midnight mass started at midnight\, just as Christmas Eve ended and Christmas Day started. However\, now may churches hold this church service in the late afternoon or early evening of Christmas Eve. \nMany Protestant churches also hold special services on Christmas Eve. These are often candle-lit and may be very solemn. Some include the presentation of a crib scene depicting the holy family\, with statues or actors representing Mary\, Joseph\, the baby Jesus\, the shepherds and various animals thought to be present in the stable where Jesus was born. \nOn Christmas Eve in 1914 and 1915\, unofficial Christmas truces began in the World War I fighting. German soldiers lit candles and sung Christmas carols. On the other side\, British troops responded by singing English carols. Soldiers from both sides shouted greeting and visited each other\, sometimes exchanging small gifts. On Christmas Eve in 1968\, the astronauts of Apollo 8 read from the creation story in the Book of Genesis. This was widely broadcast on television.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/christmas-eve/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241225
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241226
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241226
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20241227
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T071011Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T071011Z
UID:6095-1735171200-1735257599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Kwanzaa (first day)
DESCRIPTION:Kwanzaa is a week-long holiday honoring African culture and traditions. It falls between December 26 and January 1 each year. Maulana Karenga\, an African-American leader\, proposed this observance and it was first celebrated between December 1966 and January 1967. \nIs Kwanzaa (first day) a Public Holiday?\nAlthough Kwanzaa (first day) is not a public holiday\, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Day After Christmas Day in 2024\, which is a public holiday in North Carolina\, South Carolina\, and Texas. \nWhat Do People Do?\nKwanzaa is a holiday honoring the culture and traditions of people of African origin. It is celebrated by people from a range of African countries and their descendants. Kwanzaa consists of a week of celebrations\, which ends with a feast and the exchange of gifts. During the celebrations\, candles are lit and libations are poured. A libation is the name given to a ritual pouring of a drink as an offering to a god. During Kwanzaa\, a wooden unity cup is used to pour the libations. \nA Kwanzaa ceremony often also includes performance of music and drumming\, a reflection on the Pan-African colors of red\, green and black and a discussion of some aspect of African history. Women often wear brightly colored traditional clothing. Some cultural organizations hold special exhibitions of African influenced art or performances during the period of the celebrations. \nOriginally the people observing Kwanzaa did not mix any elements of other festivals into their celebrations. However\, in recent years\, it has become increasingly common for people to mix elements of Kwanzaa with Christmas or New Year celebrations. For instance\, a family may have both a Christmas tree and a Kwanzaa candle stick on display in their home. This enables them to include both Christian and African inspired traditions in their lives at this time of year. \nPublic Life\nApart from New Year’s Day (January 1)\, the days on which Kwanzaa falls are not public holidays. It is largely a private celebration observed by individuals\, families and local communities. However\, it falls between Christmas and New Year’s Day\, when some businesses and organizations may be closed or run fewer services. If you need to do business with a company or organization with an African-American orientation during this period\, it may be wise to check whether they are open as usual. \nSymbols\nThe main symbols of Kwanzaa are a mat\, on which to put the things needed for the celebration\, the unity cup used to pour libations\, a candle stick holding seven candles\, the seven candles\, ears of corn\, the Kwanzaa flag and a poster depicting the seven principles of Kwanzaa. The seven principles of Kwanzaa are: unity; self-determination; collective work and responsibility; co-operative economics; purpose; creativity; and earth. \nThe colors of Kwanzaa are red\, black and green. The Kwanzaa flag consists of three blocks\, one in each of these colors. Three of the seven candles are red\, three are green and one is black. Each candle represents one of the principles of Kwanzaa. The candle holder is carved from a single piece of wood and its shape was inspired by the form of the Ashanti royal throne. \nBackground\nKwanzaa was first celebrated in December 1966 and January 1967. The holiday was proposed by Maulana Karenga to give those of African descent a holiday to celebrate their own cultural heritage and the key values of family and community.  Although seen as an alternative to Christmas and thus possibly anti-Christian in the early years\, many people now observe aspects of both festivals. \nIn 1997 and 2004\, the United States Postal Service honored Kwanzaa by issuing stamps depicting an aspect of the festival. In 1997\, the stamp was designed by Synthia Saint James and showed an African-American family observing the celebrations. In 2004\, the stamp was designed by Daniel Minter and shows seven figures representing the seven principles of Kwanzaa. Kwanzaa gained popularity quite quickly. It is now estimated that about 13 percent of African-Americans (nearly five million people) celebrate the festival in some way.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/kwanzaa-first-day/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20241231
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250101
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240901T071219Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240901T071248Z
UID:6098-1735603200-1735689599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:New Year's Eve
DESCRIPTION:New Year’s Eve\, which is on December 31\, is the last day of the year in the United States. It is a major social observance and many parties are held\, particularly in the evening. \nIs New Year’s Eve a Public Holiday?\nNew Year’s Eve 2024 is a state holiday in Louisiana\, Michigan\, and Wisconsin and an observance in 48 states. \nCelebrate New Year’s Eve\nNew Year’s Eve is a major social holiday for many people in the United States. Many people hold parties at home or attend special celebrations to celebrate the upcoming New Year. In many cities\, large scale public events are held. These often attract thousands of people. \nA particularly striking aspect of the New Year’s Eve festivities is the ball drop in Times Square in Manhattan\, New York City. The ball is made of crystal and electric lights and is placed on top of a pole\, which is 77 feet\, or 23 meters\, high. At one minute before midnight on December 31\, the ball is lowered slowly down the pole. It comes to rest at the bottom of the pole at exactly midnight. The event is shown on television across the United States and around the world. The event has been held every year since 1907\, except during World War II. \nAcross the United States a range of cities and towns hold their own versions of the ball drop. A variety of objects are lowered or raised during the last minute of the year. The objects are usually linked to an aspect of local history or industry. Examples of objects ‘dropped’ or raised in this way include a variety of live and modeled domestic and wild animals\, fruit\, vegetables\, automobiles\, industrial machinery\, a giant replica of a peach (Atlanta\, Georgia)\, an acorn made of brass and weighing 900 pounds (Raleigh\, North Carolina) and ping pong balls (Strasburg\, Pennsylvania). \nPublic Life\nDecember 31 is not a federal holiday\, but it does fall in the holiday season at the end of the year. It is a holiday in some states like Kentucky\, Michigan\, and Wisconsin. Most schools and other educational institutions throughout the United States are closed. Some organizations are closed and others are open but offer limited services. Many stores are open on New Year’s Eve\, but may close early. Many theaters\, clubs and other entertainment venues have special programs. It may be necessary to reserve tickets many weeks in advance. \nPublic transit systems may operate normal or reduced services. Some companies extend their schedules into the early hours of January 1 to enable people who have attended New Year’s Eve parties to return home safely. If you need to use public transit on December 31\, it is wise to check the appropriate timetables carefully before you travel. \nThere may be some congestion to traffic or diversions around large scale events. Diversions may be in effect in the days before New Year’s Eve so that stands can be built. It is wise to check the local media if you wish to drive to or near large scale events. \nAbout New Year’s Eve\nIn both the Gregorian calendar\, currently used in the United States\, and the Julian calendar\, which was used until 1752 in the British colonies\, the last day of the year is December 31. In Europe\, the mid-winter period was traditionally associated with feasting and parties. In the early years of the American colonies and within the United States\, this type of celebration was often frowned upon\, particularly by religious communities. \nAround the start of the 1900s\, New Year’s Eve celebrations in America started to appear. The first Ball drop in Times Square was held in 1907. Around the same time\, special events to welcome the New Year started to be organized on January 1.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/new-years-eve/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250101
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250102
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
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
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250102
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250111
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20240915T181103Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20240915T181103Z
UID:6270-1735776000-1736553599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Winter Break
DESCRIPTION:HAPPY WINTER BREAK & HAPPY NEW YEAR\nSCHOOL IS CLOSED\nSEE YOU AFTER WINTER BREAK
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/winter-break/
CATEGORIES:School Break,School Closed
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END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250106
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250107
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T033018Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T033018Z
UID:6296-1736121600-1736207999@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Epiphany
DESCRIPTION:Epiphany\, commonly known as Three Kings’ Day in the United States\, is on January 6. It celebrates the three wise men’s visit to baby Jesus and also remembers his baptism\, according to the Christian Bible’s events. The United States (US) Virgin Islands observe the day as a public holiday. \nIs Epiphany a Public Holiday?\nEpiphany is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nWhat Do People Do?\nPeople from the US Virgin Islands celebrate Three Kings’ Day to emphasize and maintain their heritage and culture\, especially on the island of St Croix where the day features parades\, bands\, food\, music\, and other types of entertainment. Although it is not a public holiday in other parts of the United States\, many Christians take part in Epiphany activities such as: \n\nStar processionals on the Sunday closest to January 6 for church services\nParties or get-togethers to clean up homes after the festive season and put away Christmas decorations.\nTreasure hunts to find a figure of the Christ child.\nEpiphany luncheons\, parties and celebrations among churchgoers.\nAnd Sunday school activities for children that focus on Epiphany\, such as creating the star that led the wise men to Bethlehem.\n\nEpiphany marks the beginning of the Mardi Gras season in Louisiana. It is customary to bake king cakes during this time of the year. These cakes may include a small trinket (such as a baby doll) inside. The person who gets the piece of cake with the trinket receives various privileges or obligations. For example\, they may be requested to provide the next king cake. The interval between Epiphany and Mardi Gras is sometimes known as “king cake season”. \nPublic Life\nEpiphany is a public holiday in the US Virgin Islands so shops\, government offices and businesses are closed. Some businesses may close early the day before the holiday. It is not a federal public holiday in the rest of the United States. \nBackground\nEpiphany is one of the oldest Christian feasts. It was celebrated since the end of the second century\, before the Christmas holiday was established. It is commonly known as Twelfth Night\, Twelfth Day\, or the Feast of Epiphany. It means “manifestation” or “showing forth”. It is also called Theophany (“manifestation of God”)\, especially by Eastern Christians. Epiphany also refers to the church season that follows the day. \nIt commemorates the first two occasions on which Jesus’ divinity\, according to Christian belief\, was manifested: when the three kings visited infant Jesus in Bethlehem\, and when John the Baptist baptized him in the River Jordan. The Roman Catholic and Protestant churches emphasize the visit of the Magi when they celebrate the Epiphany. The Eastern Orthodox churches focus on Jesus’ baptism. \nSymbols\nVarious paintings\, artworks and sketches show the three wise men and Jesus. Some paintings artworks show the three wise men on the way to Bethlehem or adoring baby Jesus. The kings are important because their visit illustrates that Jesus was the king of all kings who came for the Jews and the Gentiles. \nThe star that guides the wise men to Christ also symbolizes Epiphany\, as well as the three gifts they gave to Jesus: gold (fit for a king); frankincense (used to worship at a temple); and myrrh (used for embalming\, as well as a salve for irritations such as diaper rash). Other paintings depict the story of Jesus’ baptism. Many Orthodox churches consider Jesus’ baptism to be the first step towards the crucifixion. The liturgical color for the Epiphany season is white.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/epiphany_25/
CATEGORIES:Christian
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250107
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250108
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T032851Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T032851Z
UID:6295-1736208000-1736294399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Orthodox Christmas Day
DESCRIPTION:Many Orthodox Christians in the United States celebrate Christmas Day on or near January 7 in the Gregorian calendar. This date works to be December 25 in the Julian calendar\, which pre-dates the Gregorian calendar. It is a time to celebrate the birth of Jesus Christ\, who is believed to be the son of God. \nIs Orthodox Christmas Day a Public Holiday?\nOrthodox Christmas Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMany Orthodox Christians in countries such as the United States fast before Christmas Day. Many people identify the Nativity Fast as the period of preparing to celebrate Jesus Christ’s birth. It is believed that fasting helps people shift their focus from themselves to others\, spending less time worrying about food and using more time in increased prayer and caring for the poor. In return\, fasting before the Nativity enables one to fully enjoy\, appreciate and celebrate the Nativity of Christ. \nMany Orthodox Christians attend a special church liturgy on Christmas Day on January 7. Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas Day with various traditions. For example\, many churches light a small fire of blessed palms and burn frankincense to commemorate the three wise men’s (also known as Magi) gifts to baby Jesus.  Some parishes have joint celebrations for Christmas Day. \nPublic Life\nThe Orthodox Christians’ observance of Christmas Day on or near January 7 is not a nationwide public holiday in the United States. However\, parking and traffic around Orthodox Christian churches may be busy around this time of the year. \nBackground\nThere are Orthodox Churches in the United States that recognize the holiday dates according to the Julian calendar\, for example the Russian\, Ukrainian\, and Serbian Orthodox Churches. Christmas is still on December 25 in the Julian calendar so the January 7 date is only valid between 1901 and 2100. The Gregorian date for Orthodox Christmas will be January 8 in 2101 if the Julian calendar is still used. \nThe Julian calendar was revised in 1923 and this version is more in line with the Gregorian calendar. Some Orthodox churches follow the revised Julian calendar but many Orthodox churches still follow the more traditional Julian calendar\, which has the original dates for Christian observances prior to the Gregorian calendar’s introduction. \nAccording to the Orthodox Church in America\, many Americans of Orthodox Christian faith celebrate Christmas according to the revised Julian calendar. \nSymbols\nFor many Orthodox Christians\, Christmas Day is not about presents\, eggnog or Christmas characters that have become popular through commercialization.  Christmas Day is a time to heal the soul. It is also a time of peace and unity. \nWhite cloth is used on dinner tables in some countries to symbolize purity and the cloth that baby Jesus was wrapped in. Straw may be placed on these tables to symbolize the simplicity of the place where Jesus was born.  Candles may be lit to represent the light of Christ and the festive Christmas meal represents the end of fasting.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/orthodox-christmas-day-25/
CATEGORIES:Orthodox
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250114
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250115
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T032803Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T032803Z
UID:6294-1736812800-1736899199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Orthodox New Year
DESCRIPTION:Many Orthodox Christian Americans celebrate the New Year on January 1 in the Julian calendar\, which pre-dates the more widely used Gregorian calendar. This date falls on or near January 14 in the Gregorian calendar. \nIs Orthodox New Year a Public Holiday?\nOrthodox New Year is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMany Orthodox Christians in the United States observe the New Year based on January 1 in the Julian calendar. This calendar is older than the Gregorian calendar\, which is used more widely in many countries. Therefore the Orthodox Christian New Year date falls on or around January 14 in the Gregorian calendar. \nOrthodox New Year celebrations include dinner dances and traditional buffets among Orthodox Christian communities in the United States. Many of the Orthodox New Year traditions linked with these celebrations were brought over from other parts of the world\, including eastern Europe\, to the United States.  Many Americans of Orthodox Christian faith also attend special New Year’s Day liturgies at their churches. \nPublic Life\nOrthodox New Year’s Day falls on or near January 14. It is not a federal public holiday in the United States. However\, parking and traffic around some Orthodox Christian churches where special New Year liturgies are held may be busy around this time of the year. \nBackground\nThe Orthodox New Year is widely known as the Old New Year. It is marked as January 1 in the Julian calendar\, which was used before the Gregorian calendar. The Orthodox New Year does not remain static in the Gregorian calendar because there are shifts between the Julian and Gregorian calendars over time. For example\, the Old New Year falls on January 14 between 1901 and 2100 but it will move again in time if the Julian calendar is still used. \nThe Julian calendar was revised in 1923 and this version is more in line with the Gregorian calendar. Some Orthodox churches follow the revised Julian calendar but many Orthodox churches still follow the more traditional Julian calendar\, which has the original dates for Christian observances prior to the Gregorian calendar’s introduction. \nSymbols\nThe Orthodox New Year has been symbolized or mentioned in various Eastern European art\, including Russian art and literary works.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/orthodox-new-year-25/
CATEGORIES:Orthodox
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250120
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250121
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
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
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250127
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250128
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T035300Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T035300Z
UID:6316-1737936000-1738022399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Isra and Mi'raj
DESCRIPTION:Many Muslims in the United States observe Isra and Mi’raj (Al Isra’ wal Miraj\, Lailat al Mi’raj\, or Laylat al Miraj). This event commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent into heaven. It is observed on the 27th day of Rajab\, the seventh month in the Islamic calendar. \nIs Isra and Mi’raj a Public Holiday?\nIsra and Mi’raj is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nWhat Do People Do?\nCustoms and traditions that center on Isra and Mi’raj vary in the United States. Many Muslims make special prayers in the evening. Some people attend prayer services and sermons at Islamic centers or mosques while others observe Isra and Mi’raj quietly at home. Some Muslims celebrate the event over two days. \nConferences about Isra and Mi’raj were held in some parts of the United States in recent times. It has also been reported (in various media) that thousands Muslims in California\, Wisconsin and other states celebrate this observance each year. This event gives people the chance to reflect on the importance of prayer. It is a time for people\, particularly students\, to learn more about Isra and Mi’raj\, what it means in Islamic faith\, and how it is applied in practice. \nPublic Life\nIsra and Mi’raj is not a federal public holiday in the United States. There may be some local congestion on roads around major mosques in the evening of the event. \nBackground\nIsra and Mi’raj is a two-fold event that commemorates the Prophet Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascent into heaven\, according to Islamic belief. One night during the 10th year of Muhammad’s prophecy\, the angel Gabriel woke him and traveled with him to Jerusalem. Muhammad prayed at the site of the Temple of Solomon with the prophets Abraham\, Moses\, Jesus and others. \nThe Prophet Muhammad then rose to heaven (carried by Gabriel) from the rock of the temple mount\, where many people believe that the Dome of the Rock sanctuary now stands. Allah instructed Muhammad about the five daily prayers that all Muslims must observe. This day is also known as the Night Journey.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/isra-and-miraj-25/
CATEGORIES:Muslim
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250129
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250130
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T035206Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T035206Z
UID:6315-1738108800-1738195199@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Lunar New Year
DESCRIPTION:Many people in countries such as the United States celebrate Lunar New Year\, also known as the Spring Festival or Chinese New Year. It marks the first day of the New Year in the Chinese calendar. \nIs Lunar New Year a Public Holiday?\nThis is not a public holiday. Government and public offices\, businesses\, and schools are not closed on this day but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the annual observance. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMany individuals and communities\, particularly Chinese communities\, in the United States take part in the Lunar New Year celebrations\, which can last for days. Lunar New Year celebrations in the United States have\, over the years\, included activities and events such as: \n\nLunar New Year parades featuring colorful costumes\, floats\, firecrackers and other attractions.\nVarious dances\, including lion and dragon dances.\nChinatown fun runs or walks.\nBalls and pageants.\nStreet fairs.\nFirework displays.\n\nSome organizations may hold special contests or make announcements to coincide with Lunar New Year. For example\, some newspapers or magazines may announce the top 10 Chinese restaurants in a city or town on Lunar New Year. It is customary for many Chinese-American families to spend time together and exchange gifts\, including money wrapped in red and gold packages that are usually given to children. \nPublic Life\nLunar New Year is not a federal public holiday in the United States. It is a legal observance in California as of 2015. However\, some Chinese businesses may be closed on the day or amend their business hours to take part in the Lunar New Year festivities. There may be heavy traffic and some streets may be closed in towns or cities where Lunar New Year celebrations are held. \nBackground\nAccording to the U.S. Census Bureau (Census 2000: Chinese Largest Asian Group in the United States; March 4\, 2002)\, the Chinese comprised more than 20 percent of the 11.9 million people who identified themselves as Asians in the United States’ Census 2000. That translates into 2.7 million reporting as Chinese – the largest Asian group in the United States. \nChinese historical organizations in the United States can trace the arrival of the Chinese in North\, Central and South America as far back as the 1600s. Many Chinese immigrants settled in the United States during the 19th century. With immigration\, came Chinese traditions and events such as Lunar New Year\, which is now largely celebrated in many communities across the United States. \nSymbols\nLunar New Year has various symbols and traditions. For example\, flowers are an important part of New Year decorations. Writings that refer to good luck are often seen in homes and business environments. They are usually written by brush on a diamond-shaped piece of red paper. Tangerines and oranges are also displayed in many homes and stores as a sign of luck and wealth. \nEnvelopes with money (Hong Bao\, Ang Pao\, or Lai See) often come in the color red\, which symbolizes happiness\, good luck\, success and good fortune. These envelopes are mainly given as presents to children. Each Lunar New Year is associated with an animal name for one of 12 animals in the Chinese zodiac.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/lunar-new-year-25/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250202
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T035905Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T035905Z
UID:6320-1738368000-1738454399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:First Day of Black History Month
DESCRIPTION:Is First Day of Black History Month a Public Holiday?\nThis is not a public holiday. Government and public offices\, businesses\, and schools are not closed for this observation but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the beginning of the month-long annual observation. \nBlack History Month (1970) \nThe Black United Students first Black culture center\, Kuumba House in Kent State\, where many events of the first Black History Month celebration took place.\nBlack educators and Black United Students at Kent State University first proposed Black History Month in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later\, from January 2 to February 28\, 1970. \nSix years later\, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country in educational institutions\, centers of Black culture\, and community centers\, both great and small\, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976\, during the celebration of the United States Bicentennial. He urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history \n 
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/first-day-of-black-history-month-25/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250202
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T034613Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T034613Z
UID:6319-1738368000-1738454399@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:National Freedom Day
DESCRIPTION:National Freedom Day is an observance in the United States that honors the signing of a resolution that proposed the 13th amendment of the nation’s constitution on February 1\, 1865. Abraham Lincoln\, who was the president at the time\, signed the resolution to outlaw slavery. This anniversary is annually observed on February 1. \nIs National Freedom Day a Public Holiday?\nEven though National Freedom Day falls on Saturday\, February 1\, 2025\, it is a working day. Most businesses follow regular opening hours in United States. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMany people in the United States reflect on and remember the importance of freedom on National Freedom Day. The United States president may annually issue a proclamation on the day. Some educational institutions may incorporate themes relating to National Freedom Day as part of class discussion\, readings\, and other learning activities that explore the importance of the day and its history. \nInformation on local celebrations or events that center on National Freedom Day may be publicized prior to and on February 1. For some people\, it is a time to promote good will\, equality\, and to appreciate freedom. Wreath-laying at the Liberty Bell has also been a tradition to mark National Freedom Day for many years. Other events include annual breakfasts\, luncheons\, musical entertainment\, film screenings\, and literature meetings that explore the theme about freedom. \nPublic Life\nNational Freedom Day is an observance\, but it is not a public holiday in the United States. \nBackground\nNational Freedom Day commemorates the date – February 1\, 1865 – when Abraham Lincoln\, who was the nation’s president at the time\, signed a joint resolution that proposed the 13th amendment to the United States Constitution. The amendment was made to outlaw slavery and was ratified on December 18\, 1865. \nMajor Richard Robert Wright Senior\, a former slave who founded the National Freedom Day Association\, played a crucial role in creating the observance. Major Wright was deemed as a community leader in Philadelphia and was active in education\, the media\, business and politics. He hoped to see a day that would be dedicated to celebrating freedom for all Americans. \nThe first commemoration of such a day took place on February 1\, 1942\, although it was not made into law yet. A tradition of laying a wreath at Liberty Bell also began. On June 30\, 1948\, President Harry Truman signed a bill to proclaim February 1 as the first official National Freedom Day in the United States. \nSymbols\nNational Freedom Day’s theme is about freedom for all Americans.  Wreath-laying at Liberty Bell\, which symbolizes freedom or liberty\, has also occurred on this day over the years.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/national-freedom-day-25/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250202
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250203
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T035505Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T035813Z
UID:6318-1738454400-1738540799@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Groundhog Day
DESCRIPTION:Groundhog Day falls on February 2 in the United States\, coinciding with Candlemas. It is a part of popular culture among many Americans and it centers on the idea of the groundhog coming out of its home to “predict” the weather. \nIs Groundhog Day a Public Holiday?\nGroundhog Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday\, February 2\, 2025 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States. \nWhat Do People Do?\nGroundhog Day is a popular observance in many parts of the United States. Although some states have in some cases adopted their own groundhogs\, the official groundhog\, Punxsutawney Phil\, lives at Gobbler’s Knob near Punxsutawney\, Pennsylvania. The town has attracted thousands of visitors over the years to experience various Groundhog Day events and activities on February 2. \nThe Punxsutawney Groundhog Club plays an important role in organizing Groundhog Day in the town. Club members\, news reporters\, locals\, and visitors meet at Gobbler’s Knob on February 2 each year to await Phil’s appearance and his weather prediction. Pennsylvania’s governor has been known to attend Groundhog Day ceremonies. Many weather researchers questioned the groundhog’s accuracy in predicting the weather\, but some of the groundhog’s fans may not agree. \nPublic Life\nGroundhog Day is an observance but it is not a public holiday in the United States. However\, areas around parks and some streets may be busy or congested in towns\, such as Punxsutawney\, where Groundhog Day events are popular. \nRoots in Nature\nThousands of years ago when animalism and nature worship were prevalent\, people in the area of Europe now known as Germany believed that the badger had the power to predict the coming of spring. They watched the badger to know when to plant their crops. By the time the first German immigrants settled in Pennsylvania they probably understood that this was not true but the tradition continued. \nUnfortunately\, there were not many badgers in Pennsylvania so the groundhog was substituted for the badger. Tradition has it that if the groundhog sees its shadow on February 2 it will be frightened by it and will then return to its burrow\, indicating that there will be 6 more weeks of winter. If it does not see its shadow\, then spring is on the way. \nPunxsutawney Phil\nPunxsutawney held its first Groundhog Day in the United States in the 1800s. The first official trek to Gobbler’s Knob was made on February 2\, 1887. It is said that Punxsutawney Phil (the groundhog) was named after King Phillip. He was called Br’er Groundhog prior to being known as Phil. Canada also celebrates Groundhog Day. \nThe movie “Groundhog Day” from 1993\, starring comedian Bill Murray\, made Punxsutawney Phil in Pennsylvania famous worldwide. The film’s plot added new meaning to the term “Groundhog Day” as something that repeats itself endlessly. \nNote: References to seasonal changes in this article relate to the Northern Hemisphere.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/groundhog-day-25/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20250204
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20250205
DTSTAMP:20260404T050458
CREATED:20241103T035414Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20241103T035414Z
UID:6317-1738627200-1738713599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Rosa Parks Day
DESCRIPTION:Rosa Parks Day is an American observance to honor civil rights activist Rosa Parks\, who was known for refusing to give up her seat on a bus. \nIs Rosa Parks Day a Public Holiday?\nThis is not a public holiday. Government and public offices\, businesses\, and schools are not closed on this day but may hold special events and outreach programs to commemorate the annual observance. \nIt is observed in California and Missouri on February 4 and Alabama and Ohio on December 1. \nCelebrate Rosa Parks Day\nRosa Parks Day promotes equal opportunities\, civil rights\, and fairness across communities in the U.S. Church leaders\, politicians\, and organizational leaders unite in states like California and Ohio to promote the day with a range of events and activities. \nMany schools have classroom activities that focus on Rosa Parks’ struggles for equality and achievements against discrimination. \nPublic Life\nRosa Parks Day is an observance and not a public holiday in the U.S. \nAbout Rosa Parks\nOn December 1\, 1955\, African American seamstress Rosa Parks was travelling in a Montgomery City bus when the bus driver asked her to vacate her seat for a white man. The driver’s request was standard practice of racial segregation in buses at the time. Rosa Parks refused to leave her seat on the grounds of fairness\, freedom and equality. As a result\, she was arrested and convicted of violating the laws of segregation\, known as the “Jim Crow” laws. She appealed her conviction and formally challenged the legality of segregation. At the same time\, civil rights activists\, including Martin Luther King Jr\, boycotted the Montgomery bus system. \nThe boycott lasted for 381 days\, into December 1956\, when the U.S. Supreme Court ruled that the segregation law was unconstitutional and the Montgomery buses should be integrated. This boycott kick-started other civil rights protests throughout the U.S. Over the years\, the Rosa Parks bus has become a symbol of the fight for equal rights. It has been fully restored and is now displayed in the Henry Ford Museum. Rosa Parks’ Day\, on February 4\, is also known as the Day of Courage.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/rosa-parks-day-25/
CATEGORIES:Observance
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