Multicultural Calendar: October 2018
October 2018
Small Business Month
1
Simchat Torah (Judaism) marks the beginning of the synagogue’s reading cycle.
1
Shemini Atzeret (Judaism) is a celebration to mark the end of Sukkot.
1
World Habitat Day (UN) is a day to shine a light on the right of sufficient shelter.
1
International Day for the Elderly (UN) celebrates the achievements and contributions of elderly people.
1
National Day (China) is a holiday to celebrate the founding day of the country.
1
Independence Day (Cyprus) commemorates the country’s independence from the United Kingdom.
1
Independence Day (Nigeria) commemorates the country’s independence from Britain.
2
Gandhi’s Birthday (India) is the day that Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi was born.
2
International Day of Non-Violence (UN) is a day to celebrate non-violence, was purposely chosen to be on Gandhi’s birthday.
3
Foundation Day (Korea) celebrates the founding of Korea’s first state, Gojoseon.
3
Day of German Unity (Germany) is in honour of the day the east and west sides of Germany came together as one.
4
Feast of St. Francis of Assisi (Italy) is a day to celebrate St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals.
5
Republic Day (Portugal) is a holiday to celebrate the first Portuguese Republic, which was proclaimed in 1910.
5
World Teachers’ Day (UN) is a day to celebrate the important role of teachers in our world.
8
Independence Day (Croatia) celebrates the day that Croatia became independent from Yugoslavia.
8
Citizenship Week (Canada), which ends on October 14, is a time to celebrate the rights and responsibilities of Canadian citizens.
8
Thanksgiving (Canada) is celebrated on the second Monday of October. It is for giving thanks for the harvest and other blessings of the year.
8
Columbus Day (USA) marks the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’ arrival to America.
8
Taiiku no hi (Japan) is a day to celebrate sports and health in Japan.
9
Han-Gul Day (Korea) celebrates the development of the Korean alphabet.
9
Independence Day (Uganda) marks the day Uganda became independent from Britain.
9
Navratri (Hindu), which ends on October 18, is an annual celebration of autumn.
10
Independence Day (Cuba) commemorates the day that Cuban slaves were freed by Carlos Manuel de Céspedes and Cuba became independent from Spanish control.
10
World Mental Health Day (UN) is a day to raise awareness about mental health and to help end the stigma that is associated with it.
10
Fiji Day (Fiji) is a day of celebration in commemoration of the day that Fiji became independent from Britain.
11
National Coming Out Day (USA) serves to raise awareness of the LGBT community.
11
International Day of the Girl (UN) is a day to promote gender equality and progress for females.
12
Day of Respect for Cultural Diversity (Argentina) is held to celebrate the day that Christopher Columbus found the Americas. It celebrates diversity between Native Americans and Europeans.
12
Dia de la Raza (Mexico) is a day to celebrate the Latin heritage in Mexico.
12
Discovery Day (Bahamas) honour heroes of the Bahamas.
12
National Day (Spain) celebrates Christopher Columbus’ discovery of the Americas in the 1400s.
13
International Day for Natural Disaster Reduction (UN) is meant to raise awareness about reducing the risk of harm due to natural disasters.
15
National Heroes Day (Jamaica) is a day to honour Jamaican heroes.
15
Durga Puja (Hindu) is a festival of the Goddess Durga, the destroyer of demons.
16
‘Ilm (Bahá’í) marks the 12th month, the month of knowledge.
16
World Food Day (UN) is a day to take action against hunger.
17
International Day for Eradication of Poverty (UN) is a day of awareness and action to rid the world of poverty.
17
Chung Yeung Festival (China, Hong Kong, Taiwan) is a holiday where people visit the graves of their ancestors. It occurs on the ninth day of the ninth lunar month.
18
Independence Day (Azerbaijan) marks Azerbaijan’s independence from the former Soviet Union.
19
Dussehra (Hindu) is celebrated to commemorate the victory of good over evil.
22
Abu Simbel Festival (Egypt) is a festival to celebrate the days that light can reach the inner sanctum of the temple of Ramses ll. The light goes into the sanctum to light up the four statues of gods there.
23
Chulalongkorn Day (Thailand) is the birthday of progressive ruler Rama V.
23
Memorial Day (Hungary) marks the declaration of the Third Hungarian Republic.
24
Kathina (Buddhim) new robes and other items are given to monks.
24
Pavarana (Buddhism) is the holy day that marks the end of Vassa, sometimes referred to as the Buddhist Lent.
24
World Development Information Day (UN) is a day to promote the improvement of dissemination of information to the public, so to better allow individuals to be aware of problems of development.
24
UN Day (UN) celebrates the creation of the United Nations in 1945.
26
National Day (Austria) celebrates national freedom and the removal of Soviet Troops in the 1950s.
27
Karva Chauth (Hindu) is a day when Hindu women fast to support the wellbeing and prosperity of their husbands.
28
National Day ‘Ochi’ (Greece) marks the day that Prime Minister Metaxas stopped the invasion of Albanian and Italian troops.
28
National Day (Czech Republic) marks the beginning of an independent Czechoslovak state.
29
Republic Day (Turkey) commemorates Turkey’s declaration as a republic.
31
Halloween (Canada, U.S.A.) is an annual holiday where children get dressed up in costumes and go door to door asking for candy. Its heritage comes from the Christian celebration of the night before All Saints Day and the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.
31
Dia los Muertos (Mexico) is a two-day holiday that is said to reunite people with the souls of loved ones. Families decorate homes and tombstones, often with marigolds, to honour those who have passed.