Maha Montessori

Election Day (General Election)
2024-11-05
Election Day in the United States of America is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. It can fall on or between November 2 and November 8. It is the day when popular ballots are held to select public officials. These include national, state, and local government representatives at all levels up to the president.
Is Election Day a Public Holiday?
Election Day 2024 is a state holiday in 12 states and an observance in 39 states.
What Do People Do?
On Election Day, citizens of the United States of America can vote by popular ballot for candidates for public offices at local, state, and national levels. In even-numbered years, federal elections are held, while in years divisible by four, presidential elections are held. Elections for local and state officials may be held in odd- or even-numbered years, depending on local and state laws.
The way in which people vote depends on the state in which they live. In Oregon, all votes are cast by post and all votes have to be received at a given time on Election Day. In the state of Washington, nearly all people vote by post and the envelopes containing the voting papers have to be postmarked with the date of Election Day. In other states, people vote at voting stations, where long queues can form.
Public Life
Election Day is not a federal holiday, but it is a yearly or biennial holiday in some states (see table below article), including:

Delaware
Hawaii
Illinois
Indiana
Michigan
Montana
West Virginia

Employees in some states have the legal right to have time off work to vote, and in some cases, without losing any pay.
Background
In 1792, a law was passed allowing each of the states to conduct presidential elections at any point in the 34 days before the first Wednesday in December. This was the date when the meetings of the Electors of the U.S. president and vice-president, known as the Electoral Colleges, were held in each state. A date in November or early December was preferable because the harvest would have been finished, but the most severe winter storms would not have begun.
As long distance communication improved and became quicker with the advent of trains and telegraphs, allowing each state to conduct its elections at any point in a period of more than a month became outdated. The results of the elections that were announced earliest could influence the outcomes of elections held later in the permitted period.
In 1845, the United States Congress chose a single date for all national elections in all states. The first Tuesday after the first Monday in November was chosen so that there would never be more than 34 days between Election Day and the first Wednesday in December. Election Day is held on a Tuesday so that voters will not have to vote or travel on Sunday. This was an important consideration at the time when the laws were written and is still so in some Christian communities in the United States.
On Inauguration Day, which is on January 20 every four years, the president and vice-president of the United States of America are sworn in and take office.
In 2008, Barack Obama became the first African-American to be elected as president of the United States, 45 years after Martin Luther King Jr’s speech about equal opportunities.

Daylight Saving Time Ends
2024-11-03
Also called Fall Back and Winter Time.
Most of the United States observes daylight saving time (DST), the practice of setting the clock forward by one hour when there is longer daylight during the day, so that evenings have more daylight and mornings have less. Exceptions include Arizona (except for the Navajo, who do observe daylight saving time in the Navajo Nation), Hawaii, and the territories of American Samoa, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, Puerto Rico, and the United States Virgin Islands. The Uniform Time Act of 1966 established a uniform set of rules for states opting to observe daylight saving time.
In the U.S., daylight saving time starts on the second Sunday in March and ends on the first Sunday in November, with the time changes taking place at 2:00 a.m. local time. With a mnemonic word play referring to seasons, clocks “spring forward, fall back”—that is, in springtime the clocks are moved forward from 2:00 a.m. to 3:00 a.m. and in fall they are moved back from 2:00 a.m. to 1:00 a.m. Daylight saving time lasts for a total of 34 weeks (238 days) every year, about 65% of the entire year.

All Saints' Day
2024-11-01
Many Catholic churches in the United States celebrate All Saints’ Day to honor all the saints, particularly those who do not have their own special feast day, on November 1.
Is All Saints’ Day a Public Holiday?
All Saints’ Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
All Saints’ Day is also known as All Hallows Tide, All-Hallomas, or All Hallows’ Day, and it’s celebrated in many areas of the United States, especially where there are large Roman Catholic populations.
In New Orleans, for example, people gather in local cemeteries and decorate the graves with flowers. The descendants of French Canadian settlers around St Martinsville, Louisiana, observe this day in the traditional French manner by laying wreaths and bouquets and lighting candles on even the most obscure graves.
All Saints’ Day, which is celebrated globally, is closely tied with All Souls’ Day, which was first instituted at the monastery in Cluny, France in 993 CE and quickly spread among Christians. Some eastern churches in the United States celebrated All Saints’ Day on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
Day After Halloween
All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day are also closely linked with Halloween, which is a shortened for the name “All Hallows’ Eve”.
In the United Methodist Church, All Saints’ Day is observed on the first Sunday in November to remember deceased members of the local church congregation. A candle is lit as each person’s name is called out, followed by a prayer offered for each soul.
Many Latin American communities in the United States hold celebrations around November 1 and 2, linking with All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 2). These celebrations are part of the Day of the Dead, also known as Día de los Muertos.
Public Life
All Saints’ Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States.
Background
According to some sources, the idea for All Saints’ Day goes back to the fourth century when the Greek Christians kept a festival on the first Sunday after Pentecost (in late May or early June) in honor of all martyrs and saints. Other sources say that a commemoration of “All Martyrs” began to be celebrated as early as 270 CE, but no specific month or date is recorded.
Pope Gregory IV made All Saints’ Day an authorized holiday in 837 CE. It is speculated that the chosen date for the event, November 1, may have been an attempt to supplant pagan festivals that occurred around the same time.
Symbols
Symbols commonly associated with All Saints’ Day are:

A sheaf of wheat.
Rayed Manus Dei (hand of God).
The crown.
Symbols / images of saints.

The liturgical color is white on All Saints’ Day.

First Day of Native American Heritage Month
2024-11-01
Is First Day of Native American Heritage Month a Public Holiday?

The first day of Native American Heritage Month is November 1st. President George H.W. Bush signed a joint congressional resolution in 1990 to designate the month of November as National American Indian Heritage Month. The month honors the cultural, historical, educational, and societal contributions of Native Americans, Alaska Natives, Native Hawaiians, and affiliated Island communities. It also celebrates their traditions, languages, and stories, and honors veterans who have served the nation.

Congress chose November because it’s a time of celebration and giving thanks that generally follows the end of the traditional harvest season. The month also honors Indigenous peoples who have suffered at the hands of the U.S. government.

Before the month-long celebration, there was a week-long celebration called American Indian Week in 1986, which took place from November 23–30. The first American Indian Day was celebrated in New York in May 1916, after Red Fox James, a member of the Blackfeet Nation, rode across the country on horseback to get 24 state governments to approve the day.

Here are some ways to celebrate Native American Heritage Month: Participate in Native American cultural events, Explore Native American cuisine, Read Native American literature, Listen to Native American podcasts, and Recognize what Native land you are on.

Diwali/Deepavali
2024-10-31
Diwali is also known as Deepavali, Dipavali, Dewali, Deepawali, or the Festival of Lights. It is celebrated in October or November each year. Diwali celebrations can last for about five days.
Is Diwali/Deepavali a Public Holiday?
Diwali/Deepavali is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.

Learn about India’s biggest holiday of the year.

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India’s biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness. This festival is as important to Hindus as the Christmas holiday is to Christians.

Over the centuries, Diwali has become a national festival that’s also enjoyed by non-Hindu communities. For instance, in Jainism, Diwali marks the nirvana, or spiritual awakening, of Lord Mahavira on October 15, 527 B.C.; in Sikhism, it honors the day that Guru Hargobind Ji, the Sixth Sikh Guru, was freed from imprisonment. Buddhists in India celebrate Diwali as well.

Halloween
2024-10-31
Many Americans celebrate Halloween on October 31. Celebrations include costume parties and trick-or-treating.
Is Halloween a Public Holiday?
Halloween is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Halloween is usually celebrated amongst family, friends and, sometimes, co-workers. However, some areas hold large community events. Parties and other events may be planned on October 31 or in the weekends before and after this date. Adults may celebrate by watching horror films, holding costume parties or creating haunted houses or graveyards.
Many children dress up in fancy costumes and visit other homes in the neighborhood. At each house, they demand sweets, snacks or a small gift. If they do not get this, they threaten to do some harm to the inhabitants of the house. This is known as playing ‘trick-or-treat’ and is supposed to happen in a friendly spirit, with no nasty or mean tricks being carried out. However, if your children take part, it is important to accompany them and to check their ‘treats’ to make sure they are safe to eat or play with.
Some families carve lanterns with ‘scary’ faces out of pumpkins or other vegetables or decorate their homes and gardens in Halloween style. These were traditionally intended to ward off evil spirits. If you are at home on Halloween, it is a good idea to have a bowl of small presents or sweets to offer to anyone who knocks on your door. This will help you to please the little spirits in your neighborhood!
One cause that ties with Halloween is collecting donations for the United Nations International Children’s Emergency Fund (UNICEF). As children trick-or-treat on Halloween night, some of them might carry small cardboard boxes with the UNICEF logo on them and collect coins instead of the usual candy. The money collected is then given to UNICEF and used to help needy children worldwide.
Public Life
Halloween is not an official holiday. Government offices and businesses are open as usual and public transit services run on regular schedules. If you drive around in late afternoon or evening, it is important to keep a careful lookout for children who are unaccustomed to being out on the street after dark. If they are wearing dark costumes or masks, they may be less easy to see than normal. They may also be excited and dart out unexpectedly from between vehicles or behind bushes.
Background
Halloween originated as a pagan festival in parts of Northern Europe, particularly around what is now the United Kingdom. Many European cultural traditions hold that Halloween is a time when magic is most potent and spirits can make contact with the physical world. In Christian times, it became a celebration of the evening before All Saints’ Day. Immigrants from Scotland and Ireland brought the holiday to the United States.
The commercialization of Halloween started in the 1900s, when postcards and die-cut paper decorations were produced. Halloween costumes started to appear in stores in the 1930s and the custom of ‘trick-or-treat’ appeared in the 1950s. The types of products available in Halloween style increased with time. Now Halloween is a very profitable holiday for the manufacturers of costumes, yard decorations and candy. In recent years, debate over the apporpriateness of costumes representing ethnic groups has arisen.
Symbols
There are various symbols associated with Halloween. These include the spooks, ghosts and walking skeletons that represent the contact between the spiritual and physical world and between the living and the dead. Human figures that are often represented on Halloween are witches and wizards, who are seen to have the power to contact the spirit world. Bats, black cats and spiders are often connected with this holiday. These animals are associated with the night and darkness and often accompany witches and wizards.
There are also a range of objects associated with Halloween. These include blood, fire, gravestones, pumpkins, bones and skulls. They all have connections with death, the spirit world or protecting property from evil spirits. Many of these objects are now available in stores as decorations for the Halloween season.

Boss's Day
2024-10-16
Boss’s Day, also known as National Boss Day or Bosses Day, is a time for many workers to appreciate their employers. It is annually observed in the United States on October 16, or the nearest working day.
Is Boss’s Day a Public Holiday?
Boss’s Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Boss’s Day is dedicated to all employers and provides a prospect of improving the liaison between employers and their staff. Many workers dedicate this day to their supervisors for various reasons, such as supporting staff with their jobs and careers. This observance also gives employees a chance to recognize those in supervisory positions.
Some people give their bosses cards, gift certificates, or flowers on Boss’s Day. This observance is becoming increasingly popular in various workplaces. It has received both praise and controversy.
Public Life
Boss’s Day, which is on October 16, is an observance and it is not a nationwide public holiday in the United States. If it falls on a weekend, then it is celebrated on the working day closest to it.
Background
The concept of National Boss Day began in 1958 when Patricia Bays Haroski, then an employee at State Farm Insurance Company in Deerfield, Illinois, registered the holiday with the United States Chamber of Commerce. She designated October 16 as the special day because it was her father’s birthday. Haroski’s purpose was to designate a day to show appreciation for her boss and other bosses. She also hoped to improve the relationship between employees and supervisors.
Four years later in 1962, Illinois Governor Otto Kerner backed Haroski’s registration and officially proclaimed the day. The event’s popularity is growing outside the United States and is now also observed in countries such as Australia, India, and South Africa.
Note: The dates below show when National Boss Day was first officially proclaimed in 1962, although the concept for this observance began in 1958.

White Cane Safety Day
2024-10-15
White Cane Safety Day celebrates blind and visually impaired people’s achievements in the United States on October 15 every year. It also reminds people about the how the white cane is an important tool in helping the blind and the visually impaired live with greater independence.
Is White Cane Safety Day a Public Holiday?
White Cane Safety Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
The United States president may issue each year a proclamation calling on people in the United States to observe White Cane Safety Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities. Communities across the nation re-affirm their commitment to improve access to basic services for blind and visually impaired people.
Organizations, such as Lions Clubs International and the National Federation of the Blind, organize promotional activities involving the public as part of a goal to help to increase awareness of the use of the white cane and the laws that govern its use. Activities such as visual displays, walks, meetings, public service announcements, and the distribution of t-shirts reminding people about the day are all part of the day’s activities. White Cane Safety Day also reminds people that motor vehicles and pedestrians should yield the right of way to blind or visually impaired people using canes.
Public Life
Although White Cane Safety Day is a national observance in the United States, it is not a federal public holiday.
Background
Many blind and visually impaired people, including famous musicians and writers, have made major positive contributions in the United States. Many have also used a white cane to help them succeed at educational institutions, work environments, and their homes. The first of the state laws regarding the right of blind people to travel independently with the white cane was passed in 1930. It granted blind pedestrians protection and the right-of-way while carrying a white cane.
In 1963, the National Federation of the Blind called upon the governors from every state to proclaim October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day. At the time, only a few people achieved enough independence to travel alone on busy highways. The United States Congress, by joint resolution approved on October 6, 1964, designated October 15 of each year as White Cane Safety Day. By 1978, the number of visually impaired people who achieved a lot of independence through the white cane had greatly increased. Promotions on the benefits of the white cane proved to be successful and they are still continuing.
Symbols
The white cane can be perceived by many as a symbol of blindness or visual impairment. White canes are recognized for providing the visually impaired with greater mobility, allowing them to participate more within their communities. Blind and visually impaired people have used canes as mobility tools for centuries, but it was not until after World War I that the white cane was properly introduced. In modern times, there are different varieties of this tool, each serving slightly varied needs.

Columbus Day
2024-10-14
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.
Is Columbus Day a Public Holiday?
Columbus Day 2024 is a state holiday in 22 states, a state legal holiday in Tennessee, and a federal holiday in 28 states.
Observe Columbus Day
Some 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.
Many states now celebrate Native Americans’ Day/Indigenous People’s Day instead of Columbus Day.
What’s Open or Closed?
Columbus 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.
In 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.
Many 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.
Long Weekend
Since Columbus Day falls on Monday, it is one of the public holidays in the United States that always create a long weekend.
About Columbus Day
Christopher 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.
Columbus 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.
Columbus 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.
Note: timeanddate.com states the facts and issues associated with this observance but does not disclose its opinion on the matter.

Indigenous People's Day
2024-10-14
Is Indigenous People’s Day a Public Holiday?
Indigenous People’s Day 2024 is a state observance in 30 states and a state holiday in 3 states and 1 federal district.
Where Is Indigenous Peoples’ Day Celebrated?
As of 2023, some 29 states do not celebrate Columbus Day and have renamed it or replaced it with Indigenous Peoples Day. Some states recognize Indigenous Peoples Day via proclamation, while others treat it as an official holiday.
Among the states where the holiday is observed or honored are Alaska, Minnesota, Vermont, Iowa, North Carolina, California, Louisiana, Maine, Michigan, New Mexico, Wisconsin, Virginia, Oregon, Texas, as well as South Dakota, which celebrates Native Americans’ Day, Hawaii, which celebrates Discoverers’ Day, and Alabama, which celebrates American Indian Heritage Day. Washington, D.C. also recognizes the holiday.
President Biden became the first U.S. president to issue a proclamation recognizing Indigenous Peoples’ Day in 2021, writing, “Today, we recognize Indigenous peoples’ resilience and strength as well as the immeasurable positive impact that they have made on every aspect of American society.”
Why Replace Columbus Day with Indigenous Peoples’ Day?
Activists have long argued that holidays, statues and other memorials to Columbus sanitize his actions—which include the enslavement of Native Americans—while giving him credit for “discovering” a place where communities had lived for thousands of years.
“Columbus Day is not just a holiday, it represents the violent history of colonization in the Western hemisphere,” says Leo Killsback, a professor of American Indian Studies at Arizona State University.
Columbus Day became a federal holiday in 1937, in part because of efforts by Roman Catholic Italian Americans. During the late 19th and early 20th century, members of the stigmatized ethnic and religious group successfully campaigned to establish a Columbus Day in order to place Catholic Italians, like Christopher Columbus, into American history. In doing so, they edged out people of Anglo-Saxon descent who wanted a federal holiday honoring Leif Erikson as the first European to reach the Americas.
But decades later, the question of which European got here “first” is beside the point. “Indigenous Peoples’ Day represents a much more honest and fair representation of American values,” writes Killsback, who is a citizen of the Northern Cheyenne Nation of southeastern Montana.

Navy Birthday
2024-10-13
The Navy Birthday is on October 13 and celebrates the establishment of the US Navy in 1775.
Is Navy Birthday a Public Holiday?
Navy Birthday is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, October 13, 2024 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.
On October 13, 1775, the United States Navy was established. The day is celebrated as the birthdate of the American Navy.
Naval Celebration
The day is mainly celebrated by personnel, veterans, or other people related to the navy. Usually, it is marked with a Navy Birthday Ball with a formal dinner, birthday cake, and entertainment.
Pirate Problem
The United States Navy originated over 240 years ago as the Continental Navy. The then Continental Congress authorized 2 armed vessels to search for ships supplying the British army with weapons and ammunition during the American Revolutionary War (1775–1783).
When the war ended, the Continental Navy was dismantled, but pirate threats to American merchant shipping led President George Washington to establish the Naval Act of 1794, creating a permanent standing US Navy.
US Navy Today
The United States Navy is the naval warfare branch of the US Armed Forces. It has more than 300,000 personnel on active duty and around 100,000 personnel in the Navy Reserve.

Dussehra
2024-10-12
Dussehra (also known as Vijaya Dashami) is a prominent Hindu festival observed on the tenth day of Navaratri. It commemorates the triumph of Lord Rama over the demon king Ravana, symbolizing the victory of good over evil. The festivities commonly include the ritualistic burning of effigies representing Ravana, reminding people of the need to conquer their internal enemies, such as vices, and embrace virtues in their lives. Dussehra holds a profound spiritual significance, inspiring devotees to seek righteousness and dispel negativity from their hearts, thus fostering a path of virtue and inner transformation.

Leif Erikson Day
2024-10-09
Leif Erikson Day honors a viking explorer known as Leif Erikson. He is believed to be the first recorded Nordic person to have visited North America. It is believed that he visited places such as Baffin Island and Labrador around 1000 CE.
Is Leif Erikson Day a Public Holiday?
Leif Erikson Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
The president of the United States issues a proclamation about the holiday. Many US presidents have, in the past, publicly praised the spirit of exploration and discovery, as well the contributions of people with a Nordic background and their culture.
Public Life
Leif Erikson Day is an observance and not a federal public holiday in the United States. Public transit systems run on their regular schedules.
Background
Leif Erikson was born of Norwegian descent around 970 CE in Iceland. It is thought that his father and grandfather were outlaws and explorers around Scandinavia and Greenland. His father founded two settlements in Greenland. Leif had two brothers and one sister. He married a woman named Thorgunna and they had one son, called Thorkell Leifsson.
Leif Erikson went to Norway to work for King Olaf I of Norway. During his stay, he converted to Christianity. When he returned to Island, he bought a boat and, in 1003, set out to explore the land west of Greenland that had been discovered by Bjarni Herjolfsson, and older explorer. The land that he had discovered was actually Newfoundland, which is now part of Canada. The ‘Saga of the Greenlanders’ tells of his adventures.
It is thought that he visited Baffin Island and Labrador and settled on the Northern part of the island of Newfoundland, now all part of Canada. There are speculations that Leif Erikson or later explorers may have traveled into the area that is now Minnesota in the United States. Some controversial archaeological finds, such as the Kensington Runestone and the Maine Penny, support this theory, but it is not considered proven.
October 9 was chosen because it is the anniversary of the day that the ship Restauration arrived in New York from Stavanger, Norway on October 9, 1825. This was the start of organized immigration from Scandinavia to the USA. The date is not associated with an event in Leif Erikson’s life.

Child Health Day
2024-10-07
Child Health Day in the United States raises people’s awareness of how they can protect and develop children’s health. This event is annually celebrated on the first Monday of October.
Is Child Health Day a Public Holiday?
Although Child Health Day is not a public holiday, businesses and schools may be closed because it falls on the same date as Frances Xavier Cabrini Day in 2024, which is a public holiday in Colorado.
What Do People Do?
As part of the annual presidential proclamation for the day, all agencies and organizations interested in child welfare are invited to unite on Child Health Day to observe exercises to stimulate or increase people’s awareness of the need for a year-round program to protect and develop children’s health in the United States.
Health professionals and health organizations across the United States take part in this day through various activities and events. For example, the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) takes on an active role in providing educational resources for parents, children and schools about issues such as healthy choices, fitness, and child obesity prevention. The HRSA also calls for every surgeon general across the nation to make a pledge towards providing a healthy future for children.
The Maternal and Child Health Library also actively participates in Child Health Day through activities that focus on healthy eating and physical activity for children and their parents or parental figures. The library provides information on nutrition for children and adolescents, the importance of physical activity, and nutrition for pregnant women.
Public Life
Although Child Health Day is a national observance in the United States, it is not a public holiday.
Background
Calvin Coolidge was the first president to issue a proclamation for Child Health Day in 1928 and it was annually observed on May 1 until it was observed on the first Monday of October from 1960 onwards. The concept of this event was supported by organizations such as the American Child Health Association, the American Federation of Labor and the General Federation of Women’s Clubs in the early 20th century.
According to the HRSA, about one in six children between 2 and 19 in the United States is overweight. This is a risk factor for serious health consequences including asthma, diabetes and heart disease. Child Health Day helps spark or increase people’s awareness of ways to minimize or alleviate health problems that children may face. The day focuses on a range of child health issues such as prenatal care, adolescent health, the impact of daycare on a child’s development, preventing injuries, healthy eating and lifestyle choices, and immunization.
Symbols
Images of health and active children are used in promotional materials such as posters, stickers and information kits for Child Health Day.
Disclaimer: There may be other websites informing that Child Health Day in the United States was called to be designated for the first Monday of October since the late 1928. However, newspaper archives and other historical information show that the date was in fact observed on May 1 until 1960. Regardless, readers use this site at their own risk and the site takes no responsibility for possible errors in this article.

German American Day
2024-10-06
Why are we celebrating German American Day? What’s this all about?

Did you know that German Americans are the largest ethnic group in the United States?
Almost 44 million people self-report to have ancestors who immigrated from a German-speaking country. That’s almost one-third of the total global population with German ancestry.
Very few of the German states had colonies in the new world. In the 1670s, the first significant groups of German immigrants arrived in the British colonies, settling primarily in Pennsylvania, New York and Virginia.
The first German came to Virginia in May of 1607; his name was Dr. Johannes Fleischer the Younger, a botanist and physician. Although he died in August of 1608 having contracted one of the many diseases that decimated the fledgling colony, he had managed to recruit fellow Germans to make the treacherous journey across the Atlantic to Virginia.
The next group of Germans arrived aboard the vessel Mary and Margaret about 1 October 1608. These Germans were glassmakers and carpenters. In 1620, German mineral specialists and saw-millwrights followed, to work and settle in the Virginia colony.
However, Germans lived in the New World even earlier than that: America’s oldest city, Saint Augustine in Florida, then a Spanish colony, was home to a small group of German-speaking residents as early as the 1570s.

On Oct. 6, we celebrate our German-American heritage by commemorating the date in 1683, when 13 families from the German town of Krefeld landed in Philadelphia. These families subsequently founded Germantown, Pennsylvania, the first German settlement in the original 13 colonies.
Library of Congress
They were led by Franz Daniel Pastorius, a native of Sommerhausen in the German Duchy of Franconia, and a lawyer by training. Earlier in 1683, a group of Mennonites, Pietists, and Quakers in Frankfurt, including Abraham op den Graeff, a cousin of William Penn, had approached Pastorius about acting as their agent to purchase land in Pennsylvania for a settlement. In Philadelphia, Pastorius then negotiated the purchase of 15,000 acres (61 km²) from William Penn, the proprietor of the colony, and laid out the settlement of Germantown, where he himself would live until his death in 1720.
As one of Germantown’s leading citizens, Pastorius served in many public offices. He was the first mayor and also was a member of the Pennsylvania General Assembly in 1687 and 1691.
Germantown was absorbed into Philadelphia in 1854. Germantown has played a significant role in American history; it was the birthplace of the American antislavery movement, the site of a Revolutionary War battle, the temporary residence of George Washington, the location of the first bank of the United States, and the residence of many notable politicians, scholars, artists, and social activists.
Many German-Americans commemorated their heritage with local versions of German-American Day in the 19th century. It is believed that the first “German Day” was celebrated in Philadelphia in 1883, on the 200th anniversary of the settlement of Germantown to acknowledge the importance of German influence in the area. Later, other surrounding communities held their own “German Day” celebrations. Sadly, World War 1 brought an end to “German Day”, and much of the pride people had in their culture was tucked away for nearly 60 years. The holiday was revived in 1983, when President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6th as German-American Day to celebrate and honor the 300th anniversary of German American immigration and culture to the United States.
Mr. Helmut Krüger, a native of Germany and our 2019 Distinguished German-American of the Year, who was then the president of GAHF, played a vital role in establishing German-American Day, and also worked with President Reagan to pass a bill for the development of a German-American Friendship Garden.
On Aug. 6, 1987, Congress approved Resolution 108, designating Oct. 6, 1987, as German-American Day, and it became public law on Aug. 18. A proclamation was issued on October 2, 1987, by President Reagan in a formal ceremony in the White House Rose Garden, at which time the President called on Americans to observe the Day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.

Feast of St Francis of Assisi
2024-10-04
Many churches in the United States celebrate the Feast of St Francis of Assisi on October 4 each year. The feast commemorates the life of St Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. It is a popular day for pets to be “blessed”.
Is Feast of St Francis of Assisi a Public Holiday?
Feast of St Francis of Assisi is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Many children in the USA bring their pets to the church to be blessed on St Francis’ feast day because of his love for animals as expressed in his Canticle of Creatures. St Francis is the patron saint of animals so many churches offer animal blessing services, usually held on or around October 4. The services may include a verbal blessing and holy water and are usually held at a place where different animals can gather.
Blessings may occur indoors or outdoors. Pets may include dogs, cats, fish and birds. Some people choose to bring photos of their pets if it is difficult for their pets to attend the blessing. Pet blessings occur in states such as (but not exclusive to):

Alabama.
California.
Colorado.
Connecticut.
Florida.
Maryland.
New Mexico.
North Carolina.
Oklahoma.
Tennessee.
Texas.
Utah.
Virginia.
Washington.

Some churches ask people to bring animal food or blankets to be donated to a local animal shelter around this time of the year. This event is not exclusive to Catholic churches, as some Anglican churches also have animal blessing services on the Feast of St Francis of Assisi. The Feast of St Francis of Assisi gives many educators, caregivers and animal rights organizations an opportunity to teach children about endangered or abused animals and what can be done to help save these animals.
Public Life
The Feast of St Francis of Assisi is not a federal public holiday in the USA.
Background
St Francis, who founded the Catholic Church’s Franciscan order, lived in Italy during the late 12th and 13th centuries. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor and his willingness to minister to the lepers. He is remembered for his love for animals and nature. St Francis died at Portiuncula, Italy on October 4, 1226.
Pope Gregory IX pronounced St Francis a saint in 1228. The pope also laid the foundation stone for the Basilica of St Francis in Assisi, Italy. The church, also known as Basilica of San Francesco d’Assisi, is a UNESCO world heritage site.
Symbols
Symbols associated with St Francis of Assisi are:

Birds and animals.
A bag of gold and rich raiment at St Francis’ (of Assisi) feet.
A winged crucifix with five rays.
Stigmata.
A crown of thorns.
A lighted lamp.
A fiery chariot.
Animals such as birds, deer, and a wolf.
Fire.
A skull.

Some of these symbols are seen around the time of the Feast of St Francis of Assisi.

Navratri
2024-10-03
Navratri is one of the most important festivals in the Hindu calendar.
It’s celebrated all over the world, typically falling between September and October during the month of Ashvin, and lasts for nine days.
Nav means nine and Ratri means nights
People come together during Navratri to celebrate Durga, the mother goddess who carries lots of weapons in her arms.
Durga is best known for killing an evil demon in a battle which lasted nine days and nights and that is why the festival lasts for nine days and nights as well!
Each day is represented by a different colour which symbolises one of her distinct characteristics or traits. Many Hindus wear a different coloured traditional outfit each day to reflect this.
The festival ends with what’s known as Dussehra, which is the celebration of good over evil.
What’s the story behind Navratri?
Navratri is a time when Hindus celebrate the goddess Durga for killing the demon, Mahishasura.
A more powerful God, Lord Brahma, had blessed Mahishasura with the gift of immortality because of his dedication to him, which meant he could never die.
However, this gift did come with one condition – the only person who would be able to defeat Mahishasura would be a woman.
Mahishasura didn’t think any women would be strong enough to kill him and was happy with the deal.
Over the years, Mahishasura and his men became a powerful force attacking people on Earth and no gods were able to defeat him.
Finally Lord Brahma, Lord Vishnu and Lord Shiva – the three most powerful Hindu gods – decided to come together and create the goddess Durga, a powerful woman whose job would be to destroy Mahishasura.
The gods equipped the new goddess Durga with lots of weapons before she went into battle with Mahishasura.
Durga fought the demon for 10 days, and it proved quite difficult as he kept changing his form to confuse the goddess. However, when he finally turned into a buffalo, Durga was able to defeat him.
How is Navratri celebrated?

How the festival is celebrated varies depending on where people live but during Navratri some families choose to fast, only having milk, water, fruit and nuts during the day, followed by a full meal after sunset.
Some people only have water and a simple meal at night.
The celebrations also involve lots of dancing!

Gold Star Mother's Day
2024-09-29
Gold Star Mother’s Day is observed in the United States on the last Sunday of September each year. It is a day for people to recognize and honor those who have lost a son or daughter while serving the United States Armed Forces.
Is Gold Star Mother’s Day a Public Holiday?
Gold Star Mother’s Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, September 29, 2024 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.
What Do People Do?
Each year on Gold Star Mother’s Day the United States president calls on all Americans to display the nation’s flag and hold appropriate meetings to publicly express their love, sorrow, and reverence towards Gold Star Mothers and their families. Government buildings are also required to display the flag.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. is an organization of mothers whose sons or daughters served and died while serving their nation in times of war or conflict. It organizes major events that take place on or around Gold Star Mother’s Day each year. Previous activities included a Gold Star flower wreath laying service, as well as an afternoon tour of President Lincoln’s cottage in Washington DC.
The last Sunday in September is also Parents of Fallen Military Sons and Daughters Day in New Jersey. This day is a tribute to all parents whose children died as a result of their service with the United States Armed Forces. It commemorates the contributions, commitments and sacrifices made by those parents individually and through the American Gold Star Mothers, Inc.
Public Life
Gold Star Mother’s Day is not a designated public holiday in the United States so public life is not affected.
Background
The name the Gold Star Mothers was derived from the custom of military families who put a service flag near their front window. The flag featured a star for each family member serving in their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty. In 1918 President Woodrow Wilson approved the wearing of black arm bands bearing a gilt star by those who had a family member who died in the military service to the United States. This distinguished them from the blue stars, representing a family member presently serving in the armed forces.
American Gold Star Mothers, Inc. was incorporated in 1929, obtaining a federal charter from the US Congress. It began with 25 mothers living in the Washington DC area and soon expanded to include affiliated groups throughout the nation. On June 23, 1936, a joint congressional resolution designated the last Sunday in September as Gold Star Mother’s Day, a holiday that has been observed each year by a presidential proclamation.
Symbols
A gold star symbolizes a family member who died in the line of duty while serving the United States Armed Forces. It may be seen on a service flag or in the form of a pin, which is worn by Gold Star mothers. The pin is not limited to mothers and it is awarded by the US Department of Defense.

Native American Day
2024-09-27
While the second Monday of October marks Columbus Day in many parts of the United States, some states instead observe Native American Day, a celebration of North America’s Indigenous peoples and their cultures.
Is Native American Day a Public Holiday?
Native American Day 2024 is a state observance in 5 states and a state holiday in Arizona and South Dakota.
Where and When Is Native American Day Celebrated?
Native American Day is a public holiday or official state observance only in some states. However, it has been steadily growing in both scope and popularity. Some states celebrate it on the second Monday of October, while others have moved the celebration to different dates. The table below shows where and when it is observed.
In Arizona, the holiday is a legal state holiday and is observed on June 2, if it is a Sunday. When June 2 falls on any other weekday, it is observed on the following Sunday.
Some states observe a similar celebration called Indigenous People’s Day.
Celebrating Native American Day
Native American Day is an opportunity to celebrate and learn about the traditions, culture, and background of Native Americans. Events vary from one place to another, but they may include pow wows, markets, or exhibitions.
Background
Native Americans are the indigenous peoples of North America. The term encompasses hundreds of different tribes, from the Inuit of Alaska to the Cherokees of the southeastern woodlands, each of whom has its own unique culture and language.

September Equinox
2024-09-22
There are two equinoxes every year: one in March and one in September. In September, the Sun crosses the equator from north to south.
Sun Crosses Celestial Equator
The September equinox is the moment the Sun crosses the celestial equator—an imaginary line in the sky above Earth’s equator—from north to south. This happens on September 22, 23, or 24 in most years.
Why Does the Sun Move North and South?
During 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. The December solstice marks the southernmost point of its journey.
The 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.
Why Is It Called “Equinox?”
On the days of the equinoxes, the Earth’s axis is perpendicular to the Sun’s rays, meaning that all regions on Earth receive about the same number of hours of sunlight. In other words, night and day are, in principle, the same length all over the world. This is the reason it’s called an “equinox,” derived from Latin, meaning “equal night.”
However, this is literal translation not entirely true. In reality, equinox days don’t have exactly 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of dark.
The Equinoxes and the Seasons
The March and September equinoxes mark the beginning of the spring and autumn seasons on Earth, according to one definition. The equinox in September is the start of fall in the Northern Hemisphere and the beginning of spring south of the equator.
Why Does the Date Vary?
The 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.
Today’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.
To 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.
Other 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).

National POW/MIA Recognition Day
2024-09-20
The United States’ National POW/MIA Recognition Day is observed across the nation on the third Friday of September each year. Many Americans take the time to remember those who were prisoners of war (POW) and those who are missing in action (MIA), as well as their families.
Is National POW/MIA Recognition Day a Public Holiday?
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Many Americans across the United States pause to remember the sacrifices and service of those who were prisoners of war (POW), as well as those who are missing in action (MIA), and their families. All military installations fly the National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag, which symbolizes the nation’s remembrance of those who were imprisoned while serving in conflicts and those who remain missing.
Veteran rallies take place in many states, such as Wisconsin, in the United States on National POW/MIA Recognition Day. United States flags and POW/MIA flags are flown on this day and joint prayers are made for POWs and those missing in action. National POW/MIA Recognition Day posters are also displayed at college or university campuses and public buildings to promote the day. Remembrance ceremonies and other events to observe the day are also held in places such as the Pentagon, war memorials and museums.
Public Life
National POW/MIA Recognition Day is not a federal public holiday in the United States but it is a national observance.
Background
There are 1,741 American personnel listed by the Defense Department’s POW/MIA Office as missing and unaccounted for from the Vietnam War, as of April 2009. The number of United States personnel accounted for since the end of the Vietnam War in 1975 is 841. About 90 percent of the 1,741 people still missing were lost in Vietnam or areas of Laos and Cambodia under Vietnam’s wartime control, according to the National League of Families website (cited in the United States Army website).
The United States Congress passed a resolution authorizing National POW/MIA Recognition Day to be observed on July 18, 1979. It was observed on the same date in 1980 and was held on July 17 in 1981 and 1982. It was then observed on April 9 in 1983 and July 20 in 1984. The event was observed on July 19 in 1985, and then from 1986 onwards the date moved to the third Friday of September. The United States president each year proclaims National POW/MIA Recognition Day. Many states in the USA also proclaim POW/MIA Recognition Day together with the national effort.
Symbols
The National League of Families’ POW/MIA flag symbolizes the United States’ resolve to never forget POWs or those who served their country in conflicts and are still missing. Newt Heisley designed the flag. The flag’s design features a silhouette of a young man, which is based on Mr Heisley’s son, who was medically discharged from the military. As Mr Heisley looked at his returning son’s gaunt features, he imagined what life was for those behind barbed wire fences on foreign shores. He then sketched the profile of his son as the new flag’s design was created in his mind.
The flag features a white disk bearing in black silhouette a man’s bust, a watch tower with a guard on patrol, and a strand of barbed wire. White letters “POW” and “MIA”, with a white five-pointed star in between, are typed above the disk. Below the disk is a black and white wreath above the motto “You Are Not Forgotten” written in white, capital letters.
The flag can also be displayed on Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day and Veterans Day. The flag can be displayed at the Capitol, the White House, the Korean War Veterans Memorial and the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, national cemeteries, various government buildings, and major military installations.

Constitution Day and Citizenship Day
2024-09-17
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day on September 17 commemorates the formation and signing of the Constitution of the United States on September 17, 1787. It is dedicated to all US citizens.
Is Constitution Day and Citizenship Day a Public Holiday?
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day 2024 is a state holiday in Arizona and an observance in 50 states.
What Do People Do?
The United States president may issue each year a proclamation calling on government officials within the nation to display the country’s flag on government buildings on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, as well as inviting the people to observe this event in schools, churches, or other suitable places, with appropriate ceremonies.
Various civil and educational authorities and individuals throughout the United States observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day through a range of events and activities each year. For example, the Center for Civic Education provides lesson topics on Constitution Day and Citizenship Day for students at different levels. The US Department of Education provides various resources on the event as the department is responsible for implementing Constitution Day legislated mandates. Among these is the requirement for educational institutions that receive federal funds to hold an educational program on the United States Constitution on September 17 each year.
Public Life
Many people observe Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, which is not a federal public holiday, in the United States.
Background
On Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, an event which falls during Constitution Week, many people in the United States recognize the anniversary of the nation’s constitution and the efforts and responsibilities of all citizens. With regard to the nation’s constitution, in the summer of 1787 delegates convened in Philadelphia to create “a more perfect union” and to craft the country’s constitution. They worked to develop a framework that would provide balance and freedom, taking into account federal and state interests, as well as individual human rights. The delegates signed the Constitution of the United States on September 17 that year. By June 21, 1788, the constitution was effective, having been approved by nine of the 13 states.
With regard to recognizing citizens, newspaper magnate William Randolph Hearst advocated a day to celebrate US Citizenship in 1939. In 1940 the Congress created “I Am an American Day” to be celebrated in the third Sunday in May. On February 29, 1952, President Harry Truman signed into law “Citizenship Day”. It was established to replace I am an American Day. On August 2, 1956, the Congress requested that the president proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week”. One more change was made to the event when a federal law enacted in December 2004 designated September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day”.
When Constitution Day falls on a Saturday, Sunday or on another holiday, the day must be held on a weekday during the preceding or following week. This was the case in 2005, when Constitution Day was generally observed on Friday, September 16, and 2006 when the holiday was observed on Monday, September 18.
In Arizona, the holidays is called Constitution Commemoration Day. It is a state holiday observed on September 17 when September 17 is a Sunday. When September 17 falls on any other weekday, the holiday is observed on the previous Sunday.
Symbols
Positive images of United States citizens of all backgrounds have been used to promote the “Citizenship” element of Constitution Day and Citizenship Day. The colors (red, white and blue) of the United States flag, as well as images of the flag, have also been used in artwork for promotional material for the day. Painted images of the constitution’s founders are also used to illustrate the importance of the meaning behind the day and the words “We the People”, which are written in the constitution, have been highlighted in promotional material to symbolize unity and cooperation within the nation.

The Prophet's Birthday (Tentative Date)
2024-09-16
Eid Milad ul-Nabi (Mawlid, Milad–un-Nabi) celebrates the Prophet Muhammad’s life. It falls on the 12th or 17th day of the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-awwal. Some Muslims in the United States mark this occasion by fasting or holding communal meals, special prayers or outdoor celebrations.
Is The Prophet’s Birthday a Public Holiday?
The Prophet’s Birthday is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
There are mixed beliefs on how one observes Muhammed’s birthday. Some people see the Prophet’s birthday as an event worthy of praise. Others view the celebration of birthdays as contradictory to Islamic law. Both sides cite the Hadith (narrations originating from the words and deeds of the Prophet Muhammed) and events from Muhammed’s life to support their views.
Mawlid, or Milad, is celebrated with large street parades in some countries. Homes and mosques are also decorated. Some people donate food and other goods for charity on or around this day. Others listen to their children read out poems about events that occurred in the Prophet Muhammed’s life. Mawlid is celebrated in this way in many communities across the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, or Australia.
However, many Muslims also do not participate in celebrations on this day. Instead, they may mark the occasion by spending more time to read the Koran. Muhammed is said to have been born on a Monday and some scholars see fasting during the hours of daylight on Mondays as another way to celebrate his birth.
Public Life
Mawlid is a public holiday in many Islamic countries but not in Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States. Many schools, stores, businesses and organizations are open. Islamic schools, stores, businesses and organizations may be closed for part of or all of the day. Public transit systems usually operate to their regular schedule.
Background
Muhammed was born in Mecca, now in Saudi Arabia, in the year 570 of the Gregorian calendar. The precise date of his birth is unclear. However, Sunni Muslims observe Muhammed’s birthday on the 12th day of the Islamic month of Rabi’ al-awwal, while Shi’a Muslims mark it on the 17th day of this month. The 17th day of Rabi’ al-awwal commemorates the birth of the sixth Shi’a iman, Ja’far al-Sadiq.
The term Mawlid is used in Egypt and Sudan to refer to the birthdays of both Muhammed and local Sufi saints. The birthdays of about 3000 Sufi saints are marked or celebrated. Some of these birthdays are large celebrations that attract visitors from various countries. One of the most notable of these is the celebration of Ahmed el-Bedawi’s birthday. Ahmed el-Bedawi lived about 700 years ago and is believed to be buried under the Mosque of Sheikh el-Said Ahmed el-Bedawi. The site attracts millions of visitors, including those who sleep in the mosque and in tents on the streets surrounding it.
The word Mawlid, or Milad, depending on the method of transliteration used, comes from the Arabic word for birth and usually refers to the anniversary of Muhammed’s birth. This observance is also known as Mevlid Serif in Turkish, Mawlūd Sharīf in Urdu and Maulidur-Rasūl in Malay.

First Day of National Hispanic Heritage Month
2024-09-15
Is First Day of National Hispanic Heritage Month a Public Holiday?
This 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.
National Hispanic Heritage Month traditionally honors the cultures and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans as we celebrate heritage rooted in all Latin American countries. During this month and throughout the year, the National Park Service and our partners, share history, heritage, and accomplishments of Hispanic and Latino Americans of past and present.

California Admission Day
2024-09-09
September 9 is California Admission Day in the United States. It celebrates the time when California became the 31st state in 1850.
Is California Admission Day a Public Holiday?
This is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day.
Celebrate California Admission Day
Some state public offices, organizations, businesses, museums and schools have special events to celebrate the state’s history on this day.
Public Life
California Admission Day is a legal observance but most public offices, schools, and businesses generally do not close. However, some municipalities in California observe it as a holiday with closed offices. This includes the City of Monterey, the site of the first California Constitutional Convention, held in 1849.
About California Admission Day
In 1849, leaders from around the future state of California drafted California’s first constitution, which was approved on November 13 that year by a vote of 12,064 to 811. In January, 1850, the State Legislature began its first two-year session. On September 9, 1850, California became the 31st entry into the Union.
On September 9, 1924, California’s “Bear Flag” flew over the White House to honor the date of California’s admission. In 1984, however, Governor George Deukmejian signed legislation changing its observance to a “personal” option. In recent times, Californian governors have made public proclamations, inviting the public to observe the day.

National Grandparents Day
2024-09-08
Many families in the United States observe National Grandparents Day on the first Sunday of September after Labor Day. This day honors grandparents.
Is National Grandparents Day a Public Holiday?
National Grandparents Day is not a public holiday. It falls on Sunday, September 8, 2024 and most businesses follow regular Sunday opening hours in United States.
What Do People Do?
Many people honor their grandparents through a range of activities such as gift-giving, card-giving, and for children to invite their grandparents to school for a day where they participate in special lessons or special assembly programs. Many school students take part in story-telling activities that relate to their grandparents, as well as art or poster competitions where children often use a story about their grandparents in their artwork.
About four million greeting cards are sent within the United States each year on National Grandparents Day. This day is also an opportunity for people to appreciate and express their love to their grandparents through kind actions such as making a phone call or inviting their grandparents for dinner. People living in retirement villages or nursing homes may receive a visit from their grandchildren or loved ones on this day.
Public Life
National Grandparents Day is an observance and not a public holiday in the United States.
Background
National Grandparents Day has more than one origin. Some people consider it to have been first proposed by Michael Goldgar in the 1970s after he visited his aunt in an Atlanta nursing home, Spending $11,000 of his own money in lobbying efforts to have the day officially recognized, he made 17 trips to Washington DC over a seven-year span to meet with legislators.
Others consider Marian Lucille Herndon McQuade, a housewife in West Virginia, to have been the main driver for the day of observance. Throughout the 1970s McQuade worked hard to educate the people about the important contributions senior citizens made and the contributions that they would be willing to make if asked. She also urged people to adopt a grandparent, not for one day a year and not for material giving, but for a lifetime of experience.
In any event National Grandparents Day was finally signed into law by President Jimmy Carter in 1978. Marian McQuade received a phone call from the White House to advise her of this event. Many people believe that National Grandparents Day was inspired by her efforts. A presidential proclamation on September 6, 1979, made this day official – it designated Sunday, September 9, 1979, (being the “first Sunday of September following Labor Day”) as National Grandparents Day.
Each year the President is requested to issue a proclamation to: designate the first Sunday in September after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day; and to call on people, groups and organizations to observe the day with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Symbols
The official song of National Grandparents Day is “A Song for Grandma And Grandpa” by Johnny Prill. The official flower for the day is the “forget-me-not” flower.

Ganesh Chaturthi
2024-09-06
Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesha, the Hindu god of wisdom and success. It is also known as Vinayaka Chaturthi and can last up to 10 days during the Hindu Month of Bhadra, which usually falls between mid-August and mid-September.
Is Ganesh Chaturthi a Public Holiday?
Ganesh Chaturthi is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Artistic clay models of Lord Ganesha that range from 3/4″ of an inch to over 25 feet tall are made two to three months prior to the festival. Many of these statues are put into specially made mandapas or pandals that are decorated with flower garlands and lights so that they can be displayed inside homes. Many Hindus attend temple on this day and offer Lord Ganesha coconut and sweet pudding.
The festival includes many public activities such as local communities competing to put up the biggest statue and best pandal of Lord Ganesha, cultural activities such as singing, art presentations, yoga demonstrations, music and theater performance, as well as community services such as free medical check-ups, blood donations, and charities for the poor.
Lord Ganesha is worshipped for ten days, and on the 11th day after the final offering of coconuts, flowers and camphor are made, a procession accompanied with dancing and singing is taken through the streets with people carrying the images and statues of Ganesha. The idol is immersed into the river or sea to symbolize Lord Ganesha’s journey back to his home in Kailash and taking with him all of the misfortunes of man.
Public Life
Ganesha Chaturthi is a gazetted holiday in some countries so government offices and many businesses may be closed. It is a restricted holiday in India so government offices and most businesses remain open. Individuals have the flexibility to take time off to celebrate the holiday if they choose. It is not a nationwide public holiday in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom, and the United States but some cities may hold large celebrations for the occasion.
Background
Ganesha Chaturthi is a major traditional Hindu festival that celebrates the birthday of Lord Ganesh, the elephant-headed son o f Shiva (the God of Destruction) and Parvati. Lord Ganesha is widely worshiped as the god of wisdom, prosperity, and good fortune. It is believed that Lord Ganesha was born on a fourth day (chaturthi) of the fortnight of the Hindu lunar month of Magh, thus making a festival dedicated to the worship of Lord Ganesha to be named Ganesha Chaturthi.
Indian freedom fighter and social reformer Lokmanya Tilak transformed the annual festival into a large, well-organized public event after 1893. Tilak encouraged the installation of large public images of Lord Ganesha in pavilions, and also established the practice of submerging all public images of the deity into rivers, seas, or other pools of water. Tilak’s support of the festival facilitated community participation and involvement. It served as a meeting ground for people of all communities and began many community activities such as intellectual discourses, poetry recitals, performances of plays, musical concerts, and folk dances.
Symbols
The statues of Ganesha are made in various poses. Lord Ganesha has the head of an elephant, four podgy hands joined to a large belly with each hand holding its own symbolic object. Lord Ganesha holds a trishul or trident in one hand to punish, an ankush or goad (made from his very own broken tooth) in another to control the mind, a lotus in the third to bless the well-being of humanity, and a rosary (which is sometimes replaced by modaks, his favorite sweet) in the fourth for happiness. Some say that his large ears signify listening to God, while his large forehead is to develop great intellect. His large stomach shows his capacity to empathize with the troubles of devotees, while his long trunk symbolizes his deep scriptural wisdom.

Labor Day
2024-09-02
Labor Day is a federal holiday on the first Monday of September every year. It has its roots in the American labor movement.
Is Labor Day a Public Holiday?
This is a state public holiday. State government offices are closed. Some schools and businesses may also be closed on this day.
What Day Is Labor Day?
Labor 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.
People celebrate Labor Day with picnics, sports events, and street parades. The American football season begins on—or around—Labor Day.
Why don’t the US celebrate in May, like the rest of the world?
Labor Day Weekend
Labor Day has become the unofficial end of summer—after Labor Day Weekend, kids are back to school.
For 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.
History of Labor Day
Labor 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.
With 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.
When Was the First Labor Day?
The 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.
Who Founded Labor Day?
According 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.
The 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.

Janmashtami
2024-08-26
Krishna Janmashtami (Krishnashtami, Saatam Aatham, Gokulashtami, Astami Rohini, Srikrishna Jayanti, Sree Jayanthi, Janmashtami) is one of the most important Hindu festivals that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth incarnation of the god Vishnu. It is celebrated on the eighth day of the Hindu month of Bhadrava, which is usually in August or September.
Is Janmashtami a Public Holiday?
Janmashtami is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
What Do People Do?
Many people fast until the sighting of the new moon, which is followed by a full night vigil that commemorates the birth of Krishna at midnight. There are ceremonies and prayers at temples, as well as rituals that are performed in different areas such as bathing the idol of the infant Krishna, dressing it in new clothes and jewelry, and then placing his image in a silver cradle with toys.
Some areas have performances such as folk dramas that depict scenes from Krishna’s life in Mathura. Other areas have rituals that include pots that have money, curds, and butter that are hung high over the streets, and boys form human pyramids to try to break the pot, which is held in Maharashtra and known as Govinda. The event is accompanied with a feast of 108 dishes, a number that has come to be identified as religious by the faithful. Traditional processions are held as part of the celebrations.
Public Life
Krishna Janmashtami is a gazetted holiday in India so government offices and many businesses (including local offices and shops) are closed. It is not a nationwide public holiday in countries such as Australia, Canada, the United Kingdom and the United States but some cities may hold large celebrations for the Janmashtami festival.
Background
There are numerous legends that tell the life of Krishna. He is known for his mischievous pranks such as tricking people out of their freshly churned butter or stealing clothes while they bathed in the river. Krishna is known for defeating the 100-headed serpent, Kaliya, by dancing it to submission.
Symbols
There are many paintings, sculptures and classical dances that depict the life of Krishna, which typically show him as a child dancing and holding a ball of butter. He is also often shown as the divine lover, playing the flute and surrounded by adoring women.
The climbing games reflect the stories of Krishna, who as a boy loved milk and butter so much that they had to be kept out of his reach.
Ladies draw patterns of little children’s footprints outside that are walking towards their house to symbolize the entry of the infant Krishna into his foster-home or their homes.

Women's Equality Day
2024-08-26
Women’s Equality Day celebrates the anniversary of the adoption of the 19th Amendment to the United States’ Constitution on August 26, 1920.
Is Women’s Equality Day a Public Holiday?
Women’s Equality Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours.
A 40-Year Journey
The amendment, which was and still remains a major landmark in the women’s rights movement in the United States, was first introduced in the Congress in 1878 by California Senator Aaron A. Sargent on the behest of suffragists Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Susan B. Anthony. Because of this, the first version of the amendment is often called the Anthony Amendment, after Susan B. Anthony, who was arrested for voting in the Presidential elections in 1872.
Arrested for Voting
The journey to gain the right to vote for women was a long one – voting rights had been extended to all male citizens of the United States by the 14th Amendment in 1868. The 15th Amendment, which was passed in 1870, prohibited the central or any state government from denying an American citizen the right to vote based on their “race, color, or previous condition of servitude. Despite this, women were not allowed to vote in most states and were often arrested when they tried to cast their ballots during elections under the two amendments.
Widespread Opposition
Opposition to voting by women was widespread and the amendment did not get to the see the light of the day again until 1914 when it was once gain brought up in the US congress. In May 1919, two-thirds of the Congress voted in favor of the amendment and it was sent to the states for ratification.
While there are still many issues that the women’s rights movement has been working and fighting for, the amendment ensured that women could make their voices heard and affect policy change.
Celebrating Equality
Women’s Equality Day was first celebrated in 1971 after the Congress passed a resolution to mark the occasion annually. The proposal to do so was made by Representative and feminist Bella Abzug. The purpose behind the creation of this holiday was to raise awareness about the importance of gender equality in society and to recognize the hard work and sacrifices made by the pioneers in the suffrage movement.
Women’s rights organizations and groups that work in the area of voting rights celebrate this day by holding seminars and workshops that address issues and problems currently faced by women in the country. Schools and educators take the day as an opportunity to educate students of the long and often difficult journey of the women’s rights movement to gain basic human rights.
Because this is an observance and not a national holiday, businesses, public and private organizations and schools remain open on this day.
