September - October
2023
September
Arba'een
Battle of Karbala, (October 10, 680 [10th of Muḥarram, AH 61]), brief military engagement
in which a small party led by al-Ḥusayn ibn ʿAlī, grandson of the Prophet Muhammad
and son of ʿAlī, the fourth caliph, was defeated and massacred by an army sent by
the Umayyad caliph Yazīd I. The battle helped secure the position of the Umayyad dynasty,
but among Shiʿi Muslims (followers of Ḥusayn) the 10th of Muḥarram (or ʿĀshūrāʾ) became
an annual holy day of public mourning.
Visit Arba'een web page for more information.
Krishna Janmashtami
Janmashtami, Hindu festival celebrating the birth (janma) of the god Krishna on the
eighth (ashtami) day of the dark fortnight of the month of Bhadrapada (August–September).
Visit Krishna Janmashtami web page for more information.
Brazil Independence Day
Brazil celebrates Independence Day on September 7 — or as they say in Brazil — Sete
de Setembro! The Regent Prince, Dom Pedro, son of the Portuguese king, Dom João VI,
was authorized to rule if the king either died or returned to Portugal. Upon his father’s
return to Portugal in 1821, Dom Pedro took over, eventually declaring allegiance with
Brazil. Brazilian independence was officially proclaimed September 22, 1822 (although
now Independence Day is celebrated on September 7).
After independence, the monarchy remained until it was later overthrown. During celebrations
today, the streets are full of patriotic Brazilians waving flags and banners. There’s
also singing and dancing among family and friends. Viva Brazil!
Visit Brazil Independence Day web page for more information.
Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashana, (Hebrew: “Beginning of the Year”) , Hashana also spelled Hashanah or
Ha-shanah, also called Day of Judgment or Day of Remembrance, a major Jewish observance
now accepted as inaugurating the religious New Year on Tishri 1 (September or October).
Visit Rosh Hashana web page for more information.
Honduras Independence Day
The bulk of the population of Honduras lives a generally isolated existence in the
mountainous interior, a fact that may help to explain the rather insular policy of
the country in relation to Latin and Central American affairs. Honduras, like its
neighbours in the region, is a developing nation whose citizens are presented with
innumerable economic and social challenges, a situation that is complicated by rough
topography and the occasional violence of tropical weather patterns, including the
devastation wreaked by Hurricane Mitch in 1998.
Visit Honduras history web page for more information.
Mexico Independence Day
Mexico is the best place to be on September 16, Mexican Independence Day. This fiesta-friendly
holiday celebrates Mexico’s declaration of independence from Spain in 1810, and it’s
filled with national pride, colorful parades, mariachi concerts, and food, food, and
more Sabrosa food.
People of Mexican heritage all over the world commemorate this important event in
their country’s history when a brave priest in the village of Dolores rang his church
bell and delivered a powerful speech that set the War of Independence from Spain in
motion. Even the President of Mexico participates by ringing that same bell — now
over 200 years old — live on TV the night before the big celebration.
Visit Mexico Independence Day web page for more information.
Tzom Gedaliah
Fast of Gedaliah, a minor Jewish observance (on Tishri 3) that mournfully recalls
the assassination of Gedaliah, Jewish governor of Judah and appointee of Nebuchadrezzar,
the Babylonian king.
Visit Tzom Gedaliah web page for more information.
Chile Independence Day
Chile exhibits many of the traits that typically characterize Latin American countries.
It was colonized by Spain, and the culture that evolved was largely Spanish. However,
appreciation for the influence of Indigenous culture has been growing. The people
became largely mestizo, a blend of Spanish and Indian bloodlines. The society developed
with a small elite controlling most of the land, the wealth, and the political life.
Visit Chile history web page for more information.
Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur, Hebrew Yom Ha-Kippurim, English Day of Atonement, most solemn of Jewish
religious holidays, observed on the 10th day of the lunar month of Tishri (in the
course of September and October), when Jews seek to expiate their sins and achieve
reconciliation with God.
Visit Yom Kippur web page for more information.
Mabon
Mabon is a pagan holiday, and one of the eight Wiccan sabbats celebrated during the
year. Mabon celebrates the autumnal equinox. In the northern hemisphere, this September
23rd will be the autumnal equinox. However, the southern hemisphere already celebrated
Mabon on March 20, when the Northern hemisphere celebrated Ostara. It also celebrates
the mid-harvest festival (also known as the second harvest).
Visit Mabon web page for more information.
Mawlid
Mawlid, also spelled mawlūd or mīlād, in Islam, the birthday of a holy figure, especially
the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad (Mawlid al-Nabī).
Visit Mawlid web page for more information.
Sukkot
Sukkot, also spelled Sukkoth, Succoth, Sukkos, Succot, or Succos, Hebrew Sukkot (“Huts”
or “Booths”), singular Sukka, also called Feast of Tabernacles or Feast of Booths,
Jewish autumn festival of double thanksgiving that begins on the 15th day of Tishri
(in September or October), five days after Yom Kippur, the Day of Atonement. It is
one of the three Pilgrim Festivals of the Hebrew Bible.
Visit Sukkot web page for more information.
October
Albuquerque International Balloon Fiesta
Albuquerque, New MexicoHundreds of balloons set flight at this 9-day October fiesta in Albuquerque. Kids and adults alike gather to the massive launch site for its festival like atmosphere and the absolute spectacle of seeing countless floating balloons of all shapes, sizes and colors light up the desert sky.
Nigeria Independence Day
Nigeria Independence Day is on October 1. It celebrates the country’s independence
from British rule which occurred in 1960. The government of Nigeria celebrates this
holiday annually. The President’s address to the public marks the beginning of the
festivities, this is broadcasted on radio and television. The Nigerian Armed Forces,
the Nigeria Police Force, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the workforce, and national
education services all celebrate this day with the public. Offices and markets will
close on this day and the citizens take to the street dressed in green and white to
celebrate. Primary and secondary schools also perform a parade in various state capitals
and local government areas.
Visit Nigeria Independence Day web page for more information.
Shemini Atzeret
(Hebrew: “Eighth Day of the Solemn Assembly”), a Jewish religious festival on the
eighth day of Sukkoth (Feast of Booths), considered by some to be an independent celebration
immediately following Sukkoth.
Visit Shemini Atzeret web page for more information.
Simchat Torah
Simchat Torah, Simchat also spelled Simhat, Simhath, Simchas, Simchath, or Simchat
Hebrew Simḥat Torah, (“Rejoicing of the Torah”), Jewish religious observance held
on the last day of Sukkot (“Festival of Booths”), when the yearly cycle of Torah reading
is completed and the next cycle is begun.
Visit Simchat Torah web page for more information.
Navarati
Navratri, (Sanskrit: “Nine Nights”) in full Sharad Navratri, Navratri also spelled
Navaratri, in Hinduism, major festival held in honour of the divine feminine.
Visit Navarati web page for more information.
Birthday 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 Birthday of Báb web page for more information.
Birthday of Baha'u'llah
Bahāʾ Allāh, (Arabic: “Glory of God”) also spelled Bahāʾullāh, original name Mīrzā
Ḥosayn ʿAlī Nūrī, (born November 12, 1817, Tehrān, Iran—died May 29, 1892, Acre, Palestine
[now ʿAkko, Israel]), founder of the Bahāʾī Faith upon his claim to be the manifestation
of the unknowable God.
Visit Birthday of Baha'u'llah web page for more information.
Dussehra
Dussehra, also called Dasara or Vijayadashami, in Hinduism, holiday marking the triumph
of Rama, an avatar of Vishnu, over the 10-headed demon king Ravana, who abducted Rama’s
wife, Sita.
Visit Dussehra web page for more information.
Samhain
Samhain, (Celtic: “End of Summer”) also spelled Samain, in ancient Celtic religion,
one of the most important and sinister calendar festivals of the year. At Samhain,
held on November 1, the world of the gods was believed to be made visible to humankind,
and the gods played many tricks on their mortal worshippers; it was a time fraught
with danger, charged with fear, and full of supernatural episodes.
Visit Samhain web page for more information.
