July - August
2023
July
Guelaguetza Festival, Mexico
Oaxaca City, MexicoThe Guelaguetza festival celebrates the diversity of the state of Oaxaca which comprises 16 different ethnic groups, each with its own language. Citizens of these communities travel to Oaxaca City to present their native culture through music, dance, costumes, and food. The traditional dress typically includes embroidered fabric with bright colors. The beautiful clothing is a delight to the eyes as they perform dances that are particular to their region. After the performance gifts are thrown into the audience, such as fruit, woven hats, tamales, mezcal, and other items.
The Hajj
hajj, also spelled ḥadjdj or hadj, in Islam, the pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca
in Saudi Arabia, which every adult Muslim must make at least once in his or her lifetime.
Visit hajj web page for more information.
Rwanda Independence Day
On July 4, 1994, Rwanda was liberated from the clutches of a corrupt dictatorship.
After years of oppression, its first democratically elected President put an end to
the genocide that had been plaguing the country since the early 1990s. Since the creation
of a new government, the country has seen many changes including economic growth.
Visit web page for more information.
Venezuela Independence Day
Venezuela Independence Day is celebrated annually on July 5, commemorating its history
as the first independent country in South America. Today we remember Venezuela’s role
as a leader of popular resistance and the Latin American independence movement. A
day to honor visionaries such as Simón Bolívar and Francisco de Miranda, whose bravery
flew in the face of the mighty Spanish empire. Songs, legends, and shrines still abound
in their name. Despite unspeakable violence and atrocities on both sides, the patriots
secured Venezuelan independence in 1821 after decades of resistance. Although we celebrate
the country’s independence today, July 5 symbolizes the road to freedom for all people.
Venezuela will welcome everyone who wants to join the celebration of this great holiday.
The main thing is an earnest desire to congratulate the people of Venezuela.
Visit Venezuela Independence Day web page for more information.
Fast of Tammuz
Fast of Tammuz, a minor Jewish observance (on Tammuz 17) that inaugurates three weeks
of mourning (see Three Weeks) that culminate in the 24-hour fast of Tisha be-Av.
Visit Fast of Tammuz web page for more information.
AgitÁgueda
Águeda, PortugalÁgueda’s streets get a bright uplift in the month July, as colorful umbrella canopies line the streets of this town. From the 7th of July through the 29th, visitors and locals can expect art installations, performances and tons of street art as the festival AgitÁgueda takes place.
Martyrdom of Báb
the Bāb, byname of Mīrzā ʿAlī Moḥammad of Shīrāz, (born October 20, 1819, or October
9, 1820, Shīrāz, Iran—died July 9, 1850, Tabrīz), merchant’s son whose claim to be
the Bāb (Gateway) to the hidden imām (the perfect embodiment of Islamic faith) gave
rise to the Bābī religion and made him one of the three central figures of the Bahāʾī
Faith.
Visit the-Bab web page for more information.
Argentina Independence Day
Argentine Independence Day is observed annually on July 9. It is a national public
holiday that marks the day when Argentina declared independence from Spain. Independence
Day is a historically significant event for every country, and on this day Argentina
organizes remarkable celebrations with patriotic events.
On July 9, 1816, the Congress of Tucumán declared the independence of the United Provinces
of South America, the region the nation belonged to. Argentines take to the streets
and participate in many different activities, from marches and concerts to public
rallies and parades, to celebrate Argentina’s Independence Day. Anyone in Argentina
or on another continent of the world can celebrate this holiday. To promote education
among Argentine students many organizations and companies have established scholarships
for Hispanic students.
Visit Argentina Independence Day web page for more information.
Islamic New Year
Islamic calendar, also called Hijrī calendar or Muslim calendar, dating system used
in the Islamic world for religious purposes. It is based on a year of 12 months: Muḥarram,
Ṣafar, Rabīʿ al-Awwal, Rabīʿ al-Thānī, Jumādā al-Awwal, Jumādā al-Thānī, Rajab, Shaʿbān,
Ramaḍān (the month of fasting), Shawwāl, Dhū al-Qaʿdah, and Dhū al-Ḥijjah. Each month
begins approximately at the time of the new moon. The months are alternately 30 and
29 days long except for the 12th, Dhū al-Ḥijjah, the length of which is varied in
a 30-year cycle intended to keep the calendar in step with the true phases of the
moon.
Visit Muslim calendar web page for more information.
Colombian Independence Day
Colombian Independence Day is celebrated on July 20. When the date falls on a weekend,
it’s not moved to a weekday. To rule the region independently from Spain’s colonial
era, the ‘Junta de Santa Fe’ began in Santa Fe de Bogota, the viceroyalty’s capital.
The event sparked independence movements throughout Latin America, resulting in a
decade-long rebellion that culminated in the establishment of the Republic of Gran
Colombia, including present-day Colombia, mainland Ecuador, Panama, Venezuela, parts
of northern Peru, and northwestern Brazil. Gran Colombia disintegrated in 1831; however,
it was among the most powerful countries in the Western Hemisphere. It influenced
the political development of new Latin American states.
Visit Colombian Independence Day web page for more information.
Pioneer Day
Completing a treacherous thousand-mile exodus, an ill and exhausted Brigham Young
and fellow members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints arrived in Utah’s
Great Salt Lake Valley on July 24, 1847. The Mormon pioneers viewed their arrival
as the founding of a Mormon homeland, hence Pioneer Day.
Visit Pioneer Day web page for more information.
Maldives Independence Day
On July 26, 1965, the Maldives was granted total autonomy. The independence was crucial
because it gave the country the ability to take control of its economy and develop
as it saw fit. The conclusion of World War II brought about the independence of two
neighboring countries, Sri Lanka and India, both of which were colonized by the British,
motivating the Maldives to pursue their own independence.
Visit Maldives Independence Day web page for more information.
Tisha B' Av
Tisha be-Av, also spelled Tisha b’Av, English Ninth of Av, in Judaism, traditional
day of mourning for the destruction of the First and Second Temples.
Visit Tisha B' Av web page for more information.
Peru Independence Day
On July 28, 1821, José de San Martín officially declared Peru's independence from
Spain at the Plaza de Armas in Lima with the words: “From this moment on, Peru is
free and independent, by the general will of the people and the justice of its cause
that God defends. Long live the homeland! Long live freedom! Long live our independence!"
Visit Peru Independence Day web page for more information.
August
Benin Independence Day
Benin Independence Day, celebrated on August 1, marks the day Benin regained complete
freedom from France after many years of spirited efforts to secure the right to self-determination
and self-rule. It’s a day of great pride for the Beninese, who mark this holiday with
elaborate festivals, military parades, and reenactments of ancient ceremonies. The
streets come alive with colorful displays of nationalism and cultural pride. Singers
and dancers perform before huge crowds in traditional regalia. Many Beninese give
gifts to their neighbors and invite them to sumptuous feasts, as is the custom in
this West African nation.
Visit Benin Independence Day web page for more information.
Lughnasadh
Lugnasad, also spelled Lughnasadh, Celtic religious festival celebrated August 1 as
the feast of the marriage of the god Lugus; this was also the day of the harvest fair.
Visit Lughnasadh web page for more information.
Ivory Coast Independence Day
Ivory Coast Independence Day is an annual event that commemorates the Ivory Coast’s
anniversary of independence Ivory Coast (officially the Republic of Cote d’Ivoire)
is a country in West Africa that borders Guinea, Liberia, Burkina Faso, Mali, and
Ghana. Before its colonization by France, most European contact with this part of
West Africa was for trade in elephant ivory, which is how the region got its name.
Visit Ivory Coast Independence Day web page for more information.
Ecuador Independence Day
Ecuador’s Independence Day is a national public holiday that is celebrated every year
on August 10. In Spanish, it is known as ‘Día del Primer Grito de Independencia de
Quito,’ ‘Day of Quito’s First Cry of Independence,’ and in other countries of Hispanic
America as ‘Primer Grito de Independencia Hispanoamericano,’ or ‘First Cry of Hispanic
American Independence,’ as the Ecuadorians were the first ones to do so in Latin America
and inspired other countries. On this day in 1809, the citizens of Quito, the current-day
capital city of Ecuador, rebelled and declared their independence from Spain. Ecuador
is Spanish for ‘the equator,’ which neatly describes its graphical place on the globe.
Visit Ecuador Independence Day web page for more information.
Pakistan Independence Day
Pakistan Independence Day on August 14 could be considered a double day of liberation.
Muslim Indians also fought to be free of British rule and later re-armed to battle
for their own nation-state, present day Pakistan — once part of the Indian subcontinent.
After the British put down the Indian Rebellion of 1857, the Crown assumed full control
during the British Raj period. This lasted until Pakistan’s independence in 1947.
The Mountbatten Plan split Pakistan (comprised of West and East Pakistan) from India,
creating an independent Muslim nation. In 1971, East Pakistan gained its own independence,
becoming known as Bangladesh. Today, West Pakistan is known simply as Pakistan.
Visit Pakistan Independence Day web page for more information.
Feast of Assumption
Assumption, in Eastern Orthodox and Roman Catholic theology, the notion or (in Roman
Catholicism) the doctrine that Mary, the mother of Jesus, was taken (assumed) into
heaven, body and soul, following the end of her life on Earth.
Visit Assumption web page for more information.
India Independence Day
On 15th August 1947, the Prime Minister of India, Jawaharlal Nehru lifted the Indian
flag above the Lahori Gate in Delhi. In some ways this became a custom and on each
subsequent Indian Independence Day, the sitting Prime Minister raised the countries
flag and gives an address to the nation.
Visit India Independence Day web page for more information.
Afghanistan Independence Day
Afghanistan became recognized in 1823 as the Empire of Afghanistan, which came into
existence after the fall of the Afghan Durrani Empire. Throughout history, Afghanistan
has been a place of geographic importance. It was the center of the ancient silk road
in central Asia and is the gateway to the Indian subcontinent, which connects China
to western Asia and Europe. This route also carried trade from the Mediterranean to
China. Afghanistan is called the ‘Central Asian roundabout,’ as it sits on many trade
and migration routes. The capital of Afghanistan is Kabul, a serene city of gardens
and mosques.
Sadly, Afghanistan has also been a place of political upheaval. The boundaries of
Afghanistan were established in the late 19th century because of the rivalry between
imperial Britain and tsarist Russia. In the 20th century, from 1979 to 1989, Afghanistan
suffered greatly from civil war and military invasion, and occupation of the Soviet
Union.
Visit Afghanistan Independence Day web page for more information.
La Tomatina
SpainIf you happen to be in the Valencian town of Buñol the last Wednesday of August, look out for flying tomatoes. The city’s wild tomato-throwing festival has been going since 1945 and is sheerly for entertainment purposes, giving you the opportunity to finally toss a few smashed tomatoes at your most annoying travel buddies.
