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Seasonal religious and secular events:

Events: January, February & March 2010

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Events during 2010-January (according to the Gregorian calendar):

JAN-01: This is New Years Day, a secular holiday, in those areas that use the Gregorian calendar.

JAN-04: This is World Hypnotism Day. There are about two dozen participating groups and organizations. Most are involved in the use of hypnotism for weight loss, smoking cessation, insomnia prevention, etc.

JAN-06:

	Christians in the west celebrate Epiphany. This is variously recognized as a celebration of the divinity of Yeshua of Nazareth (Jesus Christ), the visit of the Maji to Yeshua, or the baptism of Yeshua by John.
	Orthodox Christians celebrate the Feast of the Theophany, one of the great feasts of Orthodoxy. It celebrates Yeshua's baptism.
	Armenian Orthodox celebrate Christmas on this day.

JAN-07:

Most Eastern Orthodox churches celebrate the Feast of the Nativity -- Christmas -- on this day. They use the Julian Calendar which lacks accuracy and is gradually falling behind the Gregorian Calendar.

Rastafarians also celebrate Christmas on this day.

Muslims celebrate Ashura. (a.k.a. 'Āshūrā', Ashura, Ashoura, etc).

	To Shi'a Muslims, it is a day of mourning for Husayn ibn Ali, Muhammad's grandson, who was martyred on that day along with about 70 martyrs who refused to submit to the Caliph.
	To Sunni Muslims, it recalls Moses fast in gratitude to God for the Exodus from Egypt.

In some countries, this celebration may be delayed until the crescent moon is visible to the naked eye.

JAN-11: This is National Human Trafficking Awareness Day. The UN estimates that at least 27 million people are enslaved in the world today -- more than at any other time in history. 80% of people who are sold as slaves today are women and girls; 50% are children. Human Trafficking is the fastest growing black market trade on the planet. ₁₄

JAN-14: The Hindu celebration, Makar Sankranti, represents the arrival of spring. It is celebrated on JAN-15 in some areas of the world. Lord Surya is worshiped.

JAN-15: This is Adults' Day in the Shinto religion. In Japan, a person becomes an adult on their 20th birthday. Followers of Shinto who become an adult during the previous year go to a shrine to give thanks.

JAN-16: This is Religious Freedom Day, celebrated on the anniversary of the passage of the Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom in 1786. As President Bush's term drew to a close in 2009-JAN-13, he issued a proclamation for the day stating:

"In America, people of different faiths can live together united in peace, tolerance, and humility. We are committed to the proposition that as equal citizens of the United States of America, all are free to worship as they choose." _10,11

JAN-17: Baha'is celebrate World Religion Day on the third Sunday in January. Interfaith discussions, conferences, and other events fostering religious understanding are held. ₄

JAN-18:

	This is the start of the Week of Prayer for Christian Unity which is 8 days long. It recollects a prayer attributed to Jesus: "...that they all may be one," from John 17:21. It began 100 years ago as the Church Unity Octave in 1908-JAN. There are about 35,000 Christian faith groups in the world. Achieving unity is quite a challenge.
	Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday is celebrated in the U.S. on the third Monday in January.

JAN-22: This is the 37 anniversary of the 1973 Roe v. Wade decision of the U.S. Supreme Court that made abortions freely available to women during the first trimester, and with increasing restrictions later in gestation.

JAN-27: This is the United Nations International Holocaust Memorial Day. It is held on the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi death camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945.

JAN-28: In Canada, this is the 20th anniversary of women's free access to abortion. The existing law was declared unconstitutional by the Supreme Court of Canada because it was too restrictive. Members of Parliament tried to craft bills to replace the law, but gave up in frustration because any proposed bills were more restrictive that the Supreme Court would allow. Canada remains without an abortion law -- perhaps the only country in the world to not have one.

JAN-30:

	In India, the 62nd anniversary of the assassination of Gandhi on this day in 1938. Gandhi was a.k.a. Mahatma or Great Soul. He was murdered by a Hindu extremist because of his desire to see Hindus, Muslims and Christians live together in peace.
	Tu Bishvat, a Jewish celebration, is celebrated on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Shevat, starting at sunset on the previous day. It is the new-year celebration for the trees. It is celebrated mainly in Israel, where school children are taken on tree-planting expeditions.

Events during 2010-FEB:

All month:

	Black History Month originated in 1926 as "Negro History Week," through the work of African American scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson. It is also celebrated during February in Canada. In the UK, it is observed during October.
	American Heart Month. Cardiovascular diseases, including stroke, are the #1 killer in the U.S.

FEB-02:

	Wiccans and many other Neopagans celebrate one of their four major Sabbats on this day, called Imbolc, (a.k.a. Lughanssad & Candlemas) in the Northern hemisphere. They welcome the start of the end of winter and the expected return of the season of warmth. Wiccans in the southern hemisphere celebrate Lughnassad.
	The Catholic Church adopted this date as the Feast of St. Brigid. She was the most important female saint in Ireland until the Church determined that she never lived -- at least as a human. She was really a recycled Pagan Goddess.
	This Groundhog Day, when the movements of specially selected male groundhogs in various areas of North America are supposed to predict the future weather. We are aware of six groundhogs who are being monitored to see if they emerge from their den, see their shadow, and return to sleep out an extended winter: Woody from Howell, MI; General Beauregard Lee in GA, Shubenacadie Sam from NS, Balzac Billy in AB, Wiarton Willie in ON, and Punxsutawney Phil from PA.

FEB-08:

The 13th annual Freedom to Marry Week begins somewhere around this date. We couldn't find the exact date for 2010 on the Internet. The week promotes the belief that all loving, committed couples should be free to marry, whether they be of the same-sex or opposite-sex. Same-sex marriage is available in all 10 provinces and 3 territories in Canada, 5 states and the District of Columbia in the U.S. ₈

This is the 42nd anniversary of the Orangeburg Massacre, one of the earliest martyrdoms of students active in the civil rights movement. Picketing black students were trying to integrate a local bowling alley. On 1968-FEB-08, Police tracked them back to South Carolina State University, and killed three students. At least 28 were injured. ₅

FEB-12:

On this date in 1809, two remarkable people were born: Abraham Lincoln in a one-room log cabin in Kentucky, and Charles Darwin on an English estate.

Darwin Day: the 201st anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin and the 151st anniversary of the publication of his book "On the Origin of Species." Darwin Day as an annual observance was founded by Humanists Robert Stephens and Arthur Jackson in 1995. It has since evolved into "an International Celebration of Science and Humanity as well as a year-round educational website. Promoters hope that there will be global celebrations of Darwin's legacy this year, while "promoting understanding of science and critical inquiry within our global community." ₇

FEB-14:

Valentine's day is observed: a day devoted to love, affection, the exchange of cards, and the color red.

This is the lunar new year's day celebrated as a major festival in China, and in many other countries and immigrant communities throughout the world. It falls yearly on dates between JAN-21 and FEB-20, according to the Gregorian calendar. This is the beginning of year 4704 according to the Chinese calendar. It is the year of the Tiger, according to the 12 animal Asian Zodiac. "If you were born in 1914, 1926, 1938, 1950, 1962, 1974, 1986, 1998 or 2010 - you were born under the sign of the tiger. Like the tiger, you are one of the most caring and thoughtful signs in the Chinese zodiac. You have a lot to say on the best way to right society's wrongs, and quite capable of defending children, friends, and loved ones against all enemies."

"Famous 'tigers' are/were Emily Bronte, Sheryl Crow, Tom Cruise, Leonardo DiCaprio, Emily Dickinson, Dwight D. Eisenhower, Jay Leno, Karl Marx, Marilyn Monroe, Marco Polo, Beatrix Potter, Queen Elizabeth II, and Jon Stewart. ₁₂

FEB-15:

	Buddhists celebrate Nirvana Day in memory of the death of the Buddha when he reached Nirvana -- the end of a cycle of rebirths -- at the age of 80. Some Buddhists celebrate the occasion on FEB-08.
	Presidents' Day (aka Presidents Day, Washington's Birthday) is observed in the U.S. on the third Monday of February. It is a federal holiday.

FEB-16: Mardi Gras (a.k.a. Fat Tuesday, Shrove Tuesday. Pancake Day, Pancake Tuesday, Paczki Day, Fasnacht Day) is the day before Lent. It is now a largely secular, hedonistic festival.

FEB-21: Start of National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (NEDA).

FEB-25: Ash Wednesday begins the 40 day season of Lent. Believers are marked with ashes on their forehead.

FEB-26: Sunni Muslims celebrate Mawlid al-Nabi as the birthday of the prophet Muhammad. It is celebrated in some areas, and forbidden in others.

FEB-28:

	The Jewish festival of Purim begins at sunset. It recalls the deliverance of the Jewish people from genocide in the ancient Persian Empire as recorded in the book of Esther in the Bible.
	FEB-28: Hindu's celebrate Holi, a colorful and exuberant two-day spring festival dedicated to welcoming Spring and seek the support of the Gods for good harvests. It is held at the time of the full moon on the Hindu calendar's month of Phatgun.

FEB-??: GLSEN, the Gay, Lesbian, and Straight Education Network, is sponsoring TransAction! This is a one-day effort to raise awareness about gender identity/expression and transgender students and to help generate a safe and welcoming environment for all students, regardless of their gender identity and expression. In 2009 it was held on FEB-27. ₉

Events during 2010-MAR:

All month:

Women's History Project was "... originated in 1980 to recognize and celebrate the diverse and historic accomplishments of women by providing information and educational materials and programs." This year's theme is "Writing women back into history." See the National Women's History Project at: http://www.nwhp.org

MAR-05: This is the Women's World Day of Prayer, and has been held on the first Friday of March since 1887. The theme in 2010 is: "Let Everything That Has Breath, Praise God."

MAR-08: This is International Women's Day. Their centenary will be celebrated in 2011.

MAR-13: Scientologists observe the birthday of their founder, L. Ron Hubbard.

MAR-14: Daylight Savings begins in the U.S. and Canada on the second Sunday in March, except for Arizona, Hawaii (a.k.a. Paradise), Puerto Rico, Virgin Islands, Guam, and American Samoa. Clocks are moved one hour forward at 02:00 hrs.

MAR-15: This is the first day of Brain Awareness Week (BAW). It is sponsored by a coalition of over 1,200 science, advocacy and other health organizations.

MAR-17: St Patrick's Day honors the patron saint of Ireland.

MAR-20:

	The Vernal or Spring Equinox -- the start of Spring when the daytime and nighttime are balanced. This year, it happens at MAR-20 @ 17.32 GMT; subtract 4 hours for EDST.
	This date and time also marks Norouz, (a.k.a. Norooz, NoRuz, NowRuz), the Persian/Zoroastrian/Farsi New Year
	Wiccans in the Northern hemisphere observe the equinox as a minor Sabbat, called Ostara on or about this day. Those in the Southern hemisphere celebrate Mabon.

MAR-21:

	It is Naw Ruz, when Baha'is celebrate the New Year.
	Followers of the Shinto religion in Japan celebrate Equinox Day

MAR-25:

	The Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, recalls the announcement by the angel Gabriel of Mary's pregnancy. It is commonly called Lady Day in England and Notre Dame de Maas in France. It was mentioned by St. Augustine in the 5th century CE.
	The date is being promoted by some in the pro-life movement as the "day of the unborn child." It is falls roughly on a date nine months before Christmas. ₆

MAR-27: The first Earth Hour was observed in Sydney, Australia, during the evening of 2007-MAR-31 when 2.2 million people and 2,100 businesses turned off their lights. Energy consumption in the city was reduced by 10.2% for that hour. During Earth Hour in 2008, 50 million people in 370 cities and towns participated. They hope to reach one billion people this year. On Saturday, 2010-MAR-27 citizens are urged to turn off their lights between 8:30 and 9:30 PM local time. Brisbane, Chicago, Copenhagen, Manila, Melborne, Sydney, Toronto, Tel Aviv and many other cities are participating. More info. YouTube has a video about Earth Day 2009

Notes:

	These dates are approximate. If you need to know the precise date for planning purposes, we suggest that you confirm the date with other information sources.
	Muslim observances are based on a lunar calendar. They are dated about 11 days earlier each year.

References used:

The following information sources were used to prepare and update the above essay. The hyperlinks are not necessarily still active today.

"When-is" at: http://www.when-is.com/
"Interfaith Calendar: Primary sacred times for world religions," at: http://www.interfaithcalendar.org/
Holy days and festivals calendar," BBC, at: http://www.bbc.co.uk/
"World Religion Day," at: http://www.worldreligionday.org/
"40 years on, civil-rights killings still fuel activist," Toronto Star, 2008-FEB-08.
"Celebrate the 'Day of the Unborn Child," at: http://dayoftheunbornchild.com/
Edna Devore, "Darwin Day: A Dialog between Science and Religion," at: http://www.space.com/
"Freedom to Marry" is a "gay and non-gay partnership working to win marriage equality nationwide." See: http://www.freedomtomarry.org/
"Students Celebrate Transgender Day of Remembrance Nationwide," GLSEN, 2008-NOV-20, at: http://www.glsen.org/
George Bush, "Religious Freedom Day, 2008," The White House, 2008-JAN-14, at: http://www.whitehouse.gov/
ReligiousFreedomDay.com's home page is at http://religiousfreedomday.com/ It is sponsored by Gateways to Better Education in Lake Forest, CA -- a fundamentalist Christian group.
"Lunar New Year 2010," Chiff, at: http://www.chiff.com/
"When-is - Dates of religious and civil holidays around the world," at: http://www.when-is.com
National Human Trafficking Awareness Day," NoPornNorthampton.org, 2010-JAN-11, at: http://nopornnorthampton.org/

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Originally written: 2008-JAN-21
Latest update: 2010-JAN-24
Author: B.A. Robinson

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