national holidays
Indigenous People’s Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day (also known as Native American Day) is a counter-celebration to Columbus Day, promoting Native American culture and commemorating the history of Native American peoples. The celebration began in Berkeley, California, through the International Indian Treaty Council, and Denver, Colorado, as a protest against Columbus Day. Indigenous Peoples' Day is usually held on […]
National Dashiki Day
National Dashiki Day is a day of cultural celebration to the colorful garment that was adopted by African-Americans in the 1960s and 1970s as a symbol of pride, awareness, independence and power. Although the loose-fitting pullover garment traces its roots to West Africa, it found a place in America during the post-civil rights era of […]
Halloween
Halloween originated with the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain, when people would light bonfires and wear costumes to ward off ghosts. In the eighth century, Pope Gregory III designated November 1 as a time to honor all saints; soon, All Saints Day incorporated some of the traditions of Samhain. The evening before was known as […]
Veterans Day
As we remember those who served, let us pray for peace.On November 11, 1919, U.S. President Woodrow Wilson issued a message to his countrymen on the first Armistice Day, in which he expressed what he felt the day meant to Americans:The White House, November 11, 1919A year ago today our enemies laid down their arms in accordance […]
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King, Jr. was asocial activist and Baptist minister who played a key role in the Americancivil rights movement from the mid-1950s until his assassination in 1968. King sought equality and humanrights for African Americans, the economically disadvantaged, and all victims ofinjustice through peaceful protest. He was the driving force behind watershedevents such as […]
February is Black History Month
Black History Month, or National African American History Month, is an annual celebration of achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Since 1976, […]