Multicultural Calendar: November 2018
November 2018
1
All Saints Day (Christianity) is a holy day to honour all saints of the church. This event gives people a moment of reflection on the lives of saints, as well as a chance to pray for friends or family members who are deceased.
1
Independence Day (Antigua & Barbuda) marks the day that Antigua and Barbuda gained independence.
1
Revolution Day Algeria commemorates the start of the war against France to eventually gain independence.
2
All Souls Day (Christianity) continues the theme from All Saints Day to honour the departed, but instead of honouring those in heaven, it shifts focus on those departed believed to be in purgatory.
2
Di de Finados (Portugal) is a day for visiting loved ones who have passed.
2
Holocaust Education Week (Canada) begins on this day. It exists to raise awareness and remembrance about the Holocaust.
3
Bunka No Hi (Japan) is a day to celebrate freedom and culture in Japan.
3
Independence Day (Panama) honours Panama’s independence from Colombia.
4
Qudrat (Bahá’í) marks the 13th month of the year. In English it means “power.”
4
Daylight savings time ends
6
Mahavira Nirvana (Jain) is known as the Festival of Lamps to celebrate the attainment of Moska by Mahavira.
6
Constitution Day (Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico) marks the day the constitution approvals of the Dominican Republic and Puerto Rico passed.
6
International Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment (UN) aims to inform people about the dangers war has on the environment.
7
Diwali (Sikh, Hindu) is known as a festival of lights, to commemorate the Hindu New Year. It is celebrated over a five-day period recognizing the triumph of good over evil.
8
Independence Day (Cambodia) marks the day Cambodia became independent from the French.
9
Birthday of the Báb (Bahá’í) is a holiday that celebrates the birth of Siyyid `Alí Muḥammad Shírází, the founder of Bábism.
11
Veterans Day (U.S.A.) is a day to celebrate veterans who fight for freedom.
11
Remembrance Day (Australia, Canada, U.K., England) is a day for remembering and honouring the soldiers have fought and continue to fight war to protect the Commonwealth.
11
Armistice Day (France) is a day to remember those who have died in war.
11
Independence Day (Poland) commemorate independence from Russia and Austria.
12
Birth of Baha’u’llah (Bahá’í) marks the birthday of the founder of the Bahá’í religion.
13
International World Kindness Day began in Japan in 1997, and now has members in more than 17 countries, including Canada. Its goal is to inspire and promote kindness.
15
Shichi-Go-San (Japan) is a day where people pray for the growth of children. Kids get dressed up and visit the shrine of the protector deity.
15
Republic Day (Brazil) commemorates the removal of Emperor Dom Pedro the second and the declaration of the republic.
16
International Day of Tolerance (UN) is a day of encouraging mutual respect and cooperation amongst different cultures.
18
Independence Day (Latvia, Morocco) commemorates the day of independence from France in 1956.
19
Discovery Day (Puerto Rico) celebrates the day that Christopher Columbus found Puerto Rico.
19
World Toilet Day (UN) is a day to promote access to sanitary and reliable toilets for all.
19-25
Canada History Week (Canada) provides Canadians with opportunities to learn more about the people and events that have shaped Canada. 2018 theme is Science, Creativity and Innovation: Our Canadian Story.
20
Transgender Day of Remembrance is a day of vigils and remembrance of transgender people who have been killed due to intolerance and prejudice.
20
Universal Children’s Day (UN) celebrates togetherness and promotes improving children’s welfare worldwide.
20
Eid-Milad-un-Nabi (Islam), which ends on November 21, is the birthday of the prophet Muhammed.
22
Independence Day (Lebanon) celebrates Lebanon’s independence from France.
22
Thanksgiving Day (U.S.A.) is a day when families come together to give thanks and celebrate the harvest season.
23
Guru Nanak’s Birthday (Sikh), is a celebration of one of the first guru’s birthdays back in 1469.
23
Kinro Kansha No Hi (Japan) is also known as the Japanese labour thanksgiving, where Japanese show their gratitude to each other for their work.
23
Qawl (Bahá’í) marks the 14th month of Bahá’í. In English, it means “speech.”
23
Native American Heritage Day (U.S.A.) occurs on the Friday after Thanksgiving in the United States. It is a day to celebrate the Native American peoples.
24
Martyrdom of Guru Teg Bahadur (Sikh) on this day, the Sikh commemorate the martyrdom of their ninth Guru.
25
St. Catherine’s Day (France) is a day where match-making balls took place in honour of St. Catherine, the patron saint of virgins and philosophers.
25
National Day (Bosnia) marks the day Bosnia declared statehood.
25
International Day for Elimination of Violence Against Women (UN) is a day to raise awareness about women’s rights and put an end to the abuse and violation of females.
26
Day of Covenant (Bahá’í) is a day created to protect the community.
28
Ascension of Abdu’l- Bahá (Bahá’í) marks the day that Abdu’l- Bahá, safeguard of unity through faith, passed away.
28
Independence Day (Albania) marks the day Albania declared independence from the Ottoman Empire.
28
National Day (Panama) honours the country’s independence from Spain.
29
International Day of Solidarity with Palestinian People (UN) is a day when Palestinian people’s rights are observed.
30
St. Andrew’s Day (Scotland) celebrates the life of Scotland’s Patron Saint.
30
Independence Day (Barbados) is a national holiday in Barbados celebrating the country’s independence from the British.