Holidays Flashcards
Diwali (Deepavali)
Hindu “festival of lights” - Signifies the victory of light over darkness or good over evil - Lights lit everywhere- On new moon, usually in Oct or Nov
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish new year - Sounding of the shofar trumpet y eating sweets - Date based on lunar calendar, usu. in Sept or Oct
Yom Kippur
Jewish “Day of Atonement” - Holiest day of the year- Prayer, fasting , synagogue all day - Date based on lunar calendar, usu. in Sept or Oct
Pentecost
Aka Whitsunday - From Greek for “50 days” - Held 49 days after Easter - Celebrates the descent of Holy Spirit upon the Apostles, with feast y church services - The “birthday” of Christian Church
Juneteenth
Aka Freedom Day or Emancipation Day - Annually on June 19 - Celebrates emancipation of last remaining slaves in US on 6/19/1865 - Recognized in most states, state holiday in Texas
Eid al-Fitr (holiday)
Lit. “Festival of breaking of the fast” - Muslim religious holiday celebrating the end of the month-long Ramadan daylight fasting - Falls on 1st day of month of Shawwal on Islamic lunar calendar, usu. between April or July
Purim
Jewish festival, celebrated on the 14th day of Adar (6th month of Jewish calendar, usu. in March), commemorating the deliverance of the Persian Jews from a massacre by Haman, as told in Book of Esther - Celebrated by listening to the Book of Esther in synagogue, sending food parcels y giving charity, dressing up in costume, y eating a festive meal
Feast of the Annunciation
Christian celebration observed on March 25 - Commemorates the visit of archangel Gabriel to Virgin Mary, informing her she would be mother of Jesus - Also known as Lady Day in England; was used as the legal start of new year there until 1752
Vesak
Aka Buddha Day, Buddha Purnima, Vesakha, or informally Buddha’s Birthday - Commemorates the birth, enlightenment (Buddhahood), and death (Parinirvāna) of Gautama Buddha in the Theravada tradition - Held on the full moon of the month of Vesākha, usually in April (first), May or June (last)
