Today’s Holiday: Autumnal Equinox

Today’s Holiday:
Autumnal Equinox

The sun crosses the plane of the earth’s equator twice a year: on or about March 21 (the Vernal Equinox) and again six months later, on or about September 22 or 23 (the Autumnal Equinox). On these two occasions, night and day are of equal length all over the world. In the Northern Hemisphere, September 22 or 23 is the first day of autumn. Autumnal Equinox Day is a national holiday in Japan, observed on either September 23 or 24 to celebrate the arrival of autumn and to honor family ancestors. More…: https://play.google.com/store/apps/details?id=com.tfd.mobile.TfdSearch

today’s holiday: Martinsfest

Martinsfest

Martin’s Festival in Germany honors both St. Martin of Tours and Martin Luther (1483-1546), the German theologian and leader of the Protestant Reformation. In Düsseldorf, a man dressed as St. Martin rides through the streets followed by hundreds of children. Many carry lanterns made from hollowed-out pumpkins. In Erfurt, where Martin Luther attended the university, there is a procession of children carrying lanterns. With their lanterns, the children form the “Luther rose,” or the escutcheon of Martin Luther. More… Discuss

Today’s Holiday: Disarmament Week

Disarmament Week

The United Nations‘ Disarmament Week, observed between October 24 and October 30, was established in 1978. It begins on October 24, the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations, now observed as United Nations Day. Observance revolves around raising public awareness of the dangers of the arms race and the need for international disarmament. More… Discuss

today’s holiday: Nebuta Matsuri

Nebuta Matsuri

Nebuta Matsuri, the main festival of Aomori Prefecture in Japan, features processions of huge, elaborately painted papier-mâché figures called nebuta. In the capital city of Aomori, the nebuta figures, up to 49 feet wide and 26 feet high, depict ferociously scowling samurai warriors. Illuminated from within by candles, they glow as they are carried through the streets at nightfall. Spectators wear hats made of flowers and dance in the streets. More… Discuss

today’s holiday: Irrigation Festival

Irrigation Festival

The Irrigation Festival is the oldest continuous festival in Washington, held since 1896 in Sequim. Originally known as “May Days,” the festival celebrated the opening of the first ditch to bring water from the Dungeness River to the arid Sequim prairie. In the early days, there were horse races, dancing, a keg of beer hidden in the brush, and tables loaded with food. Today, thousands come for a week of activities: a grand parade, a loggers’ show, a high school operetta, crafts and flower exhibits, dances, music, and the Ditchwalkers Clam and Spaghetti Dinner. More… Discuss

today’s holiday, Zimbabwe Independence Day

Zimbabwe Independence Day

Like much of Africa, the area that is now Zimbabwe was long controlled by Europeans. In 1922, the 34,000 European settlers chose to become a self-governing British colony, Southern Rhodesia. In 1923, Southern Rhodesia was annexed by the British Crown. A fight for independence took place in the 1970s. An independent constitution was written for Zimbabwe in London in 1979, and independence followed on April 18, 1980. Independence Day is celebrated in every city and district of the nation with political rallies, parades, traditional dances, singing, and fireworks. More… Discuss

today’s holiday: St. Urho’s Day (2015)

St. Urho’s Day (2015)

St. Urho, whose name in Finnish means “hero,” is credited with banishing a plague of grasshoppers that was threatening Finland’s grape arbors. His legend in the US was popularized in the 1950s. After being celebrated as a “joke holiday” for several years in the Menahga-Sebeka area, the idea spread to other states with large Finnish populations. The actual celebrations include wearing St. Urho’s official colors—Nile Green and Royal Purple—drinking grape juice, and chanting St. Urho’s famous words, “Grasshopper, grasshopper, go away,” in Finnish. More… Discuss

today’s holiday: Girl Scout Day (2015)

Girl Scout Day (2015)

This observance marks the anniversary of the founding of the American Girl Scouts by Juliette Gordon Low (1860-1927) in Savannah, Georgia, in 1912. The day is the focal point of Girl Scout Week, which begins on the Sunday before March 12 and is observed by Girl Scout troops nationwide in various ways—with community service projects, anniversary parties, and plays. The 80th anniversary in 1992 was celebrated with various events, including the kick-off of a national service project on the environment. More… Discuss