Holidays

November 29 Calendar day profile for November 29: position in the year, calendar details, notable historical associations and common observances across cultures and seasons.

November 30 November 30 is the 334th day of the year (335th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; it marks several national holidays and historical events, including St. Andrew's Day and B…

November 4 November 4 is a date in the Gregorian calendar, typically the 308th day of the year; it is marked by a mix of historical events, national observances and seasonal associations.

November 5 November 5 is the 309th day of the Gregorian year (310th in leap years) with 56 days remaining. Notable for the Gunpowder Plot and observed as Guy Fawkes Night and World Tsunami Aw…

November 6 November 6 is the 310th day of the year (311th in leap years). It often falls during early-November observances and has been the date of several notable elections and historical ev…

November 8 November 8 is the 312th day of the year (313th in leap years). It has been the date of scientific breakthroughs, elections and varied cultural observances; many almanacs record eve…

Nowruz: The Persian New Year and Spring Equinox Festival Nowruz Nowruz, meaning "new day", is the ancient Persian New Year celebrated at the spring equinox across Iran, Central Asia, the Caucasus and by diaspora communities; customs include the…

October 10 October 10 is the 283rd day of the year (284th in leap years). It is known for Taiwan’s Double Ten Day, World Mental Health Day, and other cultural and calendrical significances.

October 12 October 12: the 285th day of the year (286th in leap years), notable for Columbus's 1492 landing and widely observed as Columbus Day, Día de la Raza, Spain's national day, and Indi…

October 15 October 15 is the 288th day of the Gregorian calendar (289th in leap years). It is associated with several international observances and a notable date in the calendar reform of 15…

October 17 Overview of October 17: its place in the calendar, seasonal and astrological context, common observances (including the UN's International Day for the Eradication of Poverty), and…

October 2 October 2 is a date in the Gregorian calendar (275th day in common years). It marks observances such as Gandhi Jayanti and the International Day of Non‑Violence and falls under the…

October 20 — calendar date, seasonal context, and notable facts October 20 October 20 is the 293rd day of the year (294th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar; this entry explains its calendar position, seasonal context, observances and a few well-kno…

October 22 Overview of October 22: its place in the Gregorian calendar, typical seasonal and astrological context, notable historical events and observances associated with the date.

October 23 Overview of October 23 in the Gregorian calendar: position in the year, common observances, notable associations and historical significance.

October 25 — calendar date, history and observances October 25 October 25 is the 298th day of the year (299th in leap years). This article covers its calendar position, notable historical events, famous births and observances.

October 27 October 27 is the 300th day of the Gregorian year (301st in leap years). It falls in late October and is associated with seasonal markers, historical events, notable births, and a…

October 31 — date overview, cultural observances, and historical notes October 31 October 31 is the 304th day of the year (305th in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar and is widely known for Halloween, All Hallows' Eve, and related seasonal and religious obse…

October 9 October 9 is the 282nd day of the year (283rd in leap years) in the Gregorian calendar. It marks several national and cultural observances, including Leif Erikson Day and Uganda's…

Ofrenda — the Día de Muertos altar Ofrenda An ofrenda is a Mexican altar or offering assembled for Día de Muertos to honor a deceased person. It combines symbolic objects, food and personal items to welcome and remember the…

Ōmisoka: Japan's New Year's Eve traditions and customs Ōmisoka Ōmisoka (大晦日) is the Japanese observance of New Year's Eve on December 31, marked by year‑end cleaning, special foods like toshikoshi soba, temple bell ringing, and preparations fo…

Onam: Kerala's ten-day harvest festival and cultural celebration Onam Onam is Kerala's major annual festival, a ten-day harvest celebration marked by floral carpets, a grand vegetarian feast, boat races, dances and traditions honoring the legendary K…

Orangeman's Day (The Twelfth) Orangeman's Day Annual July 12 commemorations marking William of Orange's victory and associated Orange Order parades, bonfires and controversies, chiefly observed in Northern Ireland and among di…

Ostara — Vernal equinox festival in modern Pagan and Wiccan practice Ostara Ostara is a modern Pagan festival held at the vernal equinox. It celebrates balance, renewal and the return of growth. Observances include planting, eggs, rites of balance and comm…

Over the River and Through the Wood: Lydia Maria Child’s Thanksgiving Poem Over the River and Through the Wood A concise encyclopedia entry on Lydia Maria Child’s 1844 poem commonly known as “Over the River and Through the Wood,” its origins, text features, cultural role in American Thanksg…

Pakistan Day (Yaum-e-Pakistan) Pakistan Day Pakistan Day, observed each 23 March, commemorates the 1940 Lahore Resolution and Pakistan becoming a republic in 1956. It is marked by national ceremonies, military parades, award…

Palm Sunday: Christian observance marking Jesus’ entry into Jerusalem Palm Sunday Palm Sunday is the Christian observance that commemorates Jesus’ entrance into Jerusalem, beginning Holy Week with processions, blessed palms, liturgies and local customs across ma…

Passover (Pesach) — Jewish spring festival commemorating the Exodus Passover Passover (Pesach) is the Jewish spring festival remembering the Exodus from Egypt. It centers on the Seder meal, the prohibition of leaven, and themes of freedom and communal memor…

Patriot Day (September 11) — United States Day of Remembrance Patriot Day Patriot Day, observed each September 11 in the United States, honors those killed in the 2001 terrorist attacks through flags at half-staff, moments of silence, memorials and commu…

Patriots' Day — Massachusetts holiday commemorating Lexington and Concord Patriots' Day A Massachusetts and Maine public holiday honoring the opening battles of the American Revolution. Observed on the third Monday in April; noted for the Boston Marathon, ceremonies a…

Pentecost: Christian feast commemorating the Holy Spirit and the birth of the Church Pentecost Pentecost, observed 50 days after Easter (also called Whitsun), commemorates the coming of the Holy Spirit to the apostles and the early formation of the Christian Church.

Pi Day — annual celebration of the mathematical constant π Pi Day Pi Day is observed on March 14 to honor π (approximately 3.14159). It combines mathematics, education and recreation: talks, recitation contests, pie-eating, baking and classroom a…

Pohela Boishakh — Bengali New Year Pohela Boishakh Pohela Boishakh is the Bengali New Year celebrated each mid-April with processions, fairs, music and traditional foods across Bangladesh, West Bengal and Bengali communities worldw…

Purim — Jewish festival of deliverance Purim Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday commemorating the story of Esther and the deliverance of the Jews in ancient Persia. It is observed with readings, feasting, costumes, gifts, and c…

Qi Xi (Double Seventh) — Chinese festival of lovers and needlework Qi Xi Qi Xi, also called the Double Seventh or Magpie Festival, is a traditional Chinese celebration on the 7th day of the 7th lunar month honoring the legend of the Cowherd and Weaver G…

Quinquagesima — the Sunday before Ash Wednesday Quinquagesima Quinquagesima is the traditional name for the Sunday immediately preceding Ash Wednesday. Historically part of a pre-Lenten season, its observance and liturgical place vary among C…

Remembrance Day Annual observance on November 11 honoring those who served and died in wars, marking the 1918 armistice. Common rites include a moment of silence, wreath-laying and the red poppy s…

Ronald Reagan Day (state observance in the United States) Ronald Reagan Day Ronald Reagan Day is observed each year on February 6 in several U.S. states to commemorate the life and public career of President Ronald Reagan. Observance and closures vary by s…

Rosh Chodesh: The Jewish New-Moon Day and Its Observance Rosh Chodesh Rosh Chodesh marks the beginning of each month in the Hebrew calendar, tied to the new moon. This article explains its meaning, liturgy, calendar mechanics, history, customs and di…

Rosh Hashanah: Jewish New Year and Days of Repentance Rosh Hashanah Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish festival marking the beginning of the year in Tishrei, a time of prayer, shofar blowing, symbolic foods and reflection that begins the Ten Days of Repen…

Saint David's Day: Wales's National Feast Day and Cultural Observance Saint David's Day Saint David's Day, held on 1 March, commemorates Wales's patron saint with religious services, parades, cultural events, traditional emblems such as the daffodil and leek, and worl…

Saint George: life, legend, and cultural legacy Saint George Saint George is a widely venerated figure—traditionally a third‑century soldier‑martyr and dragon‑slayer—whose cross and feast day shape symbols and customs in England and many oth…

Saint Joseph's Day A Christian feast observed on March 19 honoring Joseph, spouse of Mary and foster father of Jesus; marked by liturgy, popular devotions, cultural customs and, in some countries, Fa…

Saint Patrick's Day — history, traditions and global celebration Saint Patrick's Day Saint Patrick's Day (March 17) honors Ireland's patron saint and celebrates Irish culture worldwide with parades, green symbols, religious observances and diasporic customs.

Saint Valentine: history, traditions, and legacy Saint Valentine Several Christian martyrs named Valentine are linked with February 14. Their identities are uncertain; the day later became associated with romantic love, patronage of lovers, and…

Samhain: Gaelic festival marking the end of harvest and beginning of winter Samhain Samhain is a Gaelic festival observed on October 31–November 1 that marks the close of the harvest and the start of winter. It influenced Halloween and is observed in modern Pagan…

Samkranthi (Makar Sankranti): India's mid-January solar and harvest festival Samkranthi Samkranthi (Makar Sankranti) is a pan-Indian mid-January solar festival marking the Sun's entry into Capricorn; celebrated as a harvest festival with regional names, foods, kite fl…

Santa Claus (Father Christmas) Santa Claus Santa Claus, also called Father Christmas, is a legendary gift‑bringing figure tied to Christmas traditions, with origins in Saint Nicholas and diverse European customs.