Multicultural Calendar

An annual holiday, it honors the birthday of Emperor Showa (Hirohito), the reigning Emperor before, during, and after World War II (from 1926 to 1989). The official purpose of this holiday is “To reflect on Japan’s Showa period when recovery was made after turbulent days, and to think of the country’s future.”

(Memorial Day) This is Israel’s Memorial Day honouring soldiers who died fighting for their country.

This day celebrates the day when Lord Rishabha broke his first year-long fast by drinking sugar cane juice. To begin anything new is considered very auspicious on this day.

(Independence Day)

This day celebrates the creation of the sky.

Valborgsmässoafton (Walpurgis Night or Walpurgis Eve) This is the night of the bonfire in Sweden, a traditional spring celebration believed to ward off evil spirits but is now a festive wat of getting rid of excess gardening odds and ends. It’s a foretaste of summer as at dusk, bonfires are lit and people gather to listen to speeches and song welcoming spring and a brighter future.

Greets the summer. It takes its name from the Celtic God Bel who unites with the Earth Goddess on this day. It was a mid summer fertility festival in Celtic paganism. Maypole dances are presently held.

Buddhism, the fourth largest religion in the world, being exceeded in numbers only by Christianity, Islam and Hinduism was founded in Northern India by the first known Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama.

It marks the victory of the Mexican Army over the French at the ‘Batalla de Puebla’ in 1862. Although the Mexican army was eventually defeated, it came to represent a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. It is celebrated on a much larger scale in the United States.

Childrens’ Day promotes family unity in Japan celebrating the relationship of parents with their sons and daughters.

St. Joan of Arc is the patroness of soldiers and of France. A peasant girl who, believing that she was acting under divine guidance, led the French army in a momentous victory at Orléans. She was burned at the stake on May 30, 1431 at the age of nineteen.

In 1914, the 2nd Sunday in May was officially declared Mother’s Day by President Wilson. Anna Jarvis of Philadelphia first suggested a day on which to honour mothers and motherhood.

The most important Buddhist festival, Wesak celebrates the birth, enlightenment and death of Buddha as one event. Different cultures observe this day with different customs, for example, Sri Lankans light lanterns, Vietnamese purchase captive animals and release them, and Koreans host a lantern parade.

On May 13, 1917 in Portugal, three shepherd children saw and conversed with the Virgin Mary in a vision. This event occurred on the 13th day of the month for six months in a row.

In Israel, it is celebrated as a symbol for the fighting Jewish spirit.