Guru Gaddi

Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru, installed the Siri Guru Granth Sahib as Guru October 20, 1706. This day is celebrated today as “Guru Gaddi Day” each year. This is often celebrated with special Kirtan programs, Akhand Paths (continuous reading of the full Siri Guru Granth Sahib) and Sikh parades. At the time of […]

Remembrance/Veteran’s Day

World War I – known at the time as “The Great War” – officially ended when the Treaty of Versailles was signed on June 28, 1919, in the Palace of […]

World Diabetes Day

World Diabetes Day (WDD) was created in 1991 by IDF and the World Health Organization in response to growing concerns about the escalating health threat posed by diabetes. World Diabetes Day became an official United Nations Day in 2006 with the passage of United Nation Resolution 61/225. It is marked every year on 14 November, the birthday […]

Guru Nanak Jayanti

This day celebrates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, founder and first Guru of Sikhism. It is considered one of the most important Sikh holy days. Most Sikhs have traditionally celebrated Guru Nanak Jayanti in November, following the Nanakshahi calendar, However, some scholars believe it should be celebrated on Baisakhi Day, usually falling in […]

The Day of the Covenant

The Day of the Covenant is a Baha’i holy day honoring the Covenant of Baha’u’llah and, in particular, ‘Abdu’l-Baha (1844–1921) as the “Centre of the Covenant.” …the Covenant established by Baha’u’llah protects the Baha’i religion from schism. In anticipation of his eventual passing, Baha’u’llah called on all Baha’is to turn to ‘Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’u’llah’s eldest son) […]

Bodhi Day (Rohatsu)

Bodhi Day is being observed by Buddhists worldwide. The word "bodhi" originates from a verb that means "to awaken" or "awakened" in Pali and Sanskrit, two ancient Indian languages. It is commonly considered to indicate "enlightenment" in Buddhism. Bodhi Day honours the moment 2,600 years ago when Siddhartha Gautama became enlightened, or awakened, to become the Buddha. Sourced from […]

Christmas

Christmas, Christian festival celebrating the birth of Jesus. The English term Christmas (“mass on Christ’s day”) is of fairly recent origin. The earlier term Yule may have derived from the Germanic jōl or the Anglo-Saxon geōl, which referred to the feast of the winter solstice. The corresponding terms in other languages—Navidad in Spanish, Natale in Italian, Noël in French—all probably denote nativity. The German word Weihnachten denotes “hallowed night.” Since the early 20th century, Christmas has also been a secular family holiday, observed by Christians and […]

Maghi

Sikhs and Hindus, especially in India’s Punjab region, both observe the first day of the month of Magh. In Sikhism, Maghi honors the martyred Chali Mukte (40 Liberated Ones), killed as they resisted an attack on Guru Gobind Singh. The battle took place on 30 Poh (December 29), 1705 in Muktsar, Punjab. The fallen were cremated […]

Losar

Known as Losar, the Tibetan New Year is the most important celebration in the Tibetan calendar, which consists of twelve lunar months. Losar corresponds to the first day of the […]

St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, feast day (March 17) of St. Patrick, patron saint of Ireland. Born in Roman Britain in the late 4th century, he was kidnapped at the age of 16 and taken to Ireland as a slave. […]