BEGIN:VCALENDAR
VERSION:2.0
PRODID:-//Maha Montessori - ECPv6.15.13//NONSGML v1.0//EN
CALSCALE:GREGORIAN
METHOD:PUBLISH
X-WR-CALNAME:Maha Montessori
X-ORIGINAL-URL:https://mahamontessori.com
X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Maha Montessori
REFRESH-INTERVAL;VALUE=DURATION:PT1H
X-Robots-Tag:noindex
X-PUBLISHED-TTL:PT1H
BEGIN:VTIMEZONE
TZID:America/Los_Angeles
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20250309T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20251102T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20260308T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20261101T090000
END:STANDARD
BEGIN:DAYLIGHT
TZOFFSETFROM:-0800
TZOFFSETTO:-0700
TZNAME:PDT
DTSTART:20270314T100000
END:DAYLIGHT
BEGIN:STANDARD
TZOFFSETFROM:-0700
TZOFFSETTO:-0800
TZNAME:PST
DTSTART:20271107T090000
END:STANDARD
END:VTIMEZONE
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260202
DTSTAMP:20260425T100519
CREATED:20260107T035106Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T035106Z
UID:6679-1769904000-1769990399@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.Black 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-2/
CATEGORIES:Observance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/png:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/bhm-2023-950-466-px-2_05962-Meur7B.png
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260201
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260202
DTSTAMP:20260425T100519
CREATED:20260107T035328Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T035328Z
UID:6709-1769904000-1769990399@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-2/
CATEGORIES:Observance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/EPsns8xXsAAHoZ6-YoESiL.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260202
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260203
DTSTAMP:20260425T100519
CREATED:20260107T035124Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T035124Z
UID:6693-1769990400-1770076799@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/
CATEGORIES:Observance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/images-sePwst.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260204
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260205
DTSTAMP:20260425T100519
CREATED:20260107T035727Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T035727Z
UID:6727-1770163200-1770249599@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-2/
CATEGORIES:Observance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Rosa-Parks-bus-Montgomery-Alabama-1956-33Shdt.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260214
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260215
DTSTAMP:20260425T100519
CREATED:20260107T035824Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T035824Z
UID:6736-1771027200-1771113599@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Valentine's Day
DESCRIPTION:Valentine’s Day is celebrated on February 14. It is a festival of romantic love and many people give cards\, letters\, flowers or presents to their spouse or partner. They may also arrange a romantic meal in a restaurant or night in a hotel. Common symbols of Valentine’s Day are hearts\, red roses and Cupid. \nIs Valentine’s Day a Public Holiday?\nValentine’s Day is not a public holiday. Businesses have normal opening hours. \nWhat Do People Do?\nMany people celebrate their love for their partner by sending cards or letters\, giving gifts or flowers and arranging meals in restaurants or romantic nights in hotels. People who would like to have a romantic relationship with somebody may use the occasion to make this known\, often anonymously. Valentine’s cards are often decorated with images of hearts\, red roses or Cupid. Common Valentine’s Day gifts are flowers chocolates\, candy\, lingerie and champagne or sparkling wine. However\, some people use the occasion to present lavish gifts\, such as jewelry. Many restaurants and hotels have special offers at this time. These can include romantic meals or weekend breaks. \nPublic Life\nValentine’s Day is not a public holiday. Government offices\, stores\, schools and other organizations are open as usual. Public transit systems run on their regular schedule. Restaurants may be busier than usual as many people go out for an evening with their spouse or partner. Valentine’s Day is also a very popular date for weddings. \nBackground\nThere are a number of Saints called Valentine who are honored on February 14. The day became associated with romantic love in the Middle Ages in England. This may have followed on from the Pagan fertility festivals that were held all over Europe as the winter came to an end. Traditionally\, lovers exchanged hand written notes. Commercial cards became available in the mid nineteenth century. \nSymbols\nThe most common Valentine’s Day symbols are the heart\, particularly in reds and pinks\, and pictures or models of Cupid. Cupid is usually portrayed as a small winged figure with a bow and arrow. In mythology\, he uses his arrow to strike the hearts of people. People who have fallen in love are sometimes said to be ‘struck by Cupid’s arrow. Other symbols of Valentine’s Day are couples in loving embraces and the gifts of flowers\, chocolate\, red roses and lingerie that couples often give each other.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/valentines-day-2/
CATEGORIES:Observance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/webp:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/89540777-DnR9mR.webp
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260217
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260218
DTSTAMP:20260425T100519
CREATED:20260107T043714Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043714Z
UID:6823-1771286400-1771372799@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-2/
CATEGORIES:Observance
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/chinese-newyear-canada-jao3tY.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260217
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260218
DTSTAMP:20260425T100519
CREATED:20260107T043845Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260107T043845Z
UID:6884-1771286400-1771372799@mahamontessori.com
SUMMARY:Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras
DESCRIPTION:Shrove Tuesday is the last day before the fasting period of Lent (for Western Christians)\, 47 days before Easter Sunday. Shrove Tuesday is also called Mardi Gras\, Fat Tuesday\, or Pancake Day. \nIs Shrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras a Public Holiday?\nShrove Tuesday/Mardi Gras 2025 is a state holiday in 4 states and an observance\, christian in 47 states. \nWhat Is Mardi Gras?\nMardi Gras means “Fat Tuesday” in French. It was the last day to use fat and fatty foods before the time of Lent when Christians would fast. Today\, the word Mardi Gras mainly refers to Mardi Gras parades or Carnival parades in former French-speaking territories like Alabama and Louisiana. For many people\, Mardi Gras means colorful parades\, dancing\, glittering costumes\, and extravagant balls. \nWhat Is Shrove Tuesday?\n\nShrove Tuesday is the last day before the fasting period of Lent in Western Christian churches. On Shrove Monday and Shrove Tuesday\, people in many countries celebrate Carnival\, bake pancakes\, and prepare themselves for 40 days of fasting before the most important festival in the Christian Church: Easter. \n\nMardi Gras Traditions\nTo celebrate Mardi Gras\, people dress up in eye-catching costumes – featuring the colors purple\, green\, and gold – and dance in the streets or as part of a spectacular ball. Debutantes are introduced at the Ball Tableau as a formal introduction to society. \nPeople throw trinkets like plastic jewelry and sweets to crowds as part of the customary “parade throw” at New Orleans’ Mardi Gras celebration. During the Bacchus parade\, the king’s float throws doubloons with the image of the “Celebrity King” to parade watchers. \nA rare item you can catch from a Mardi Gras parade is the New Orleans Zulu or Golden Coconut\, a painted coconut with added glitter\, either in gold or painted like Zulu faces. Officially\, throwing these coconuts has been forbidden since 1988 – but you might still catch one. \nMardi Gras Parades\nOn Mardi Gras\, many people in the United States take part in parades and festivities\, mainly in southern states like Louisiana\, Alabama\, and Texas. Mardi Gras parades feature feathered masques\, colorful costumes\, and marching bands\, as well as many local customs. \nIn Alabama\, Mardi Gras is mainly celebrated in the counties of Mobile and Baldwin\, where parades can start as early as January and traditionally feature marching bands along side colorful floats. \nIn Galveston\, Texas\, people celebrate Mardi Gras with masked balls\, a royal coronation\, Cajun dances\, and jazz performances. \nThe most famous Mardi Gras parade in the US is probably held in New Orleans\, with thousands of people flocking into the city just for the event. There are many old traditions as part of the Mardi Gras festivities\, such as the King of the Carnival and Monarch of Merriment\, as well as Comus\, the God of Revelry. \nMardi Gras Food\nTraditional Mardi Gras food includes the super sweet King Cake covered in colorful frosting. The person who gets the piece of the cake containing the hidden baby charm or little Jesus figurine is dubbed the “King” of that year’s Mardi Gras. \nCrawfish Étoufée\, a thick stew served with white rice\, is another traditional Cajun and Creole dish served in New Orleans at Mardi Gras. \nHistory of Mardi Gras in the US\nMardi Gras celebrations in the United States go back as early as 1703\, when French soldiers held festivities in Mobile\, Alabama. Back then it was more of a pre-Lent celebration akin to festivities on Shrove Tuesday in modern-day France. \nMardi Gras became a parade event in 1857\, when the Cowbellion de Rakin Society\, the first of Mobile’s organizations that journeyed to New Orleans\, set up a Mardi Gras celebration with the first carnival society\, the Mistick Krewe of Comus. \nDuring the Covid-19 pandemic\, parades and large gatherings were canceled. In order to keep the spirit alive\, many New Orleans residents decorated their houses and front yards in spectacular fashion\, earning the 2021 festivities the nickname “Yardi Gras”.
URL:https://mahamontessori.com/event/shrove-tuesday-mardi-gras-2/
CATEGORIES:Christian
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://mahamontessori.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/01/Untitled-1-rL1IaG.jpg
END:VEVENT
END:VCALENDAR