We're always looking for more culturally significant dates to add to our calendar. If you know of any important dates that we've missed, please contact us and let us know so we can share them with everyone.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
Asian Heritage Awareness Month
Speech & Hearing Awareness Month
<% end if %> <% if m=6 then %> June 2010International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
Early Sept Terry Fox Run - Canada (undetermined as of May 29, 2009)
In 1980, Terry Fox ran across Canada on an artificial leg to raise money and awareness for cancer research; he called it his marathon of hope.
Muscular Dystrophy Month
Muscular Dystrophy is an inherited condition that affects the muscles of the body. The term refers to a group of different conditions that cause progressive weakness of the muscles.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
Breast Cancer awareness month - Canadian cancer society
Breast Cancer is the most common cancer in Canadian women; on average 407 Canadian women will be diagnosed every week.
Learning Disabilities awareness month (Raises awareness of one of many invisible disabilities)
<% end if %> <% if m=11 then %> November 2010International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
International Year for the Rapprochement of Cultures – United Nations
The United Nations Assembly encourages Member States to consider initiatives that identify areas for practical action at all levels of society to promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue, tolerance, understanding and cooperation. It also encourages the promotion of dialogue among the media from all cultures and civilizations.
This is the celebration of the New Year according to the Western calendar. This celebration comes after Christmas.
On a Bank Holiday many businesses (and all banks) are closed to give workers an extra holiday to spend with family and go on family-related trips.
The system created by Louis Braille forms the basis of a remarkable communications tool.
His birthday is an important festival and it is preceded by three weeks of early morning religious processions.
Baptism of the Lord; story of the three kings who brought gifts to Christ.
Following the Gregorian Calendar; preceded by the Eve of the Nativity of Jesus Christ on January 6.
All young people who turn twenty years old this year are celebrated. The age of twenty is considered the beginning of adulthood.
Bonfire festival celebrated in Punjab to mark the decrease to the increase of sunlight.
Rice Festival & Thanksgiving; Pongal = rice pudding that is ceremoniously cooked from the newly harvested rice; it is celebrated in mid-January but exact dates vary by regions
Bahá'í sponsored day dedicated to the unity and oneness of all world religions.
Commemorates the leader of the Afro-American rights movement in the USA.
Lasts 2 weeks; it is customary to get new clothes or give presents of cash in red envelopes (the color red is considered lucky). 2010 is the year of the tiger.
Legend says that a priest named Valentine was martyred on this day for secretly marrying couples in 269 A.D.
A day to Honour George Washington, Abraham Lincoln, and all past Presidents of the United States.
The flag symbolizes to Canadians what is best about Canada; the Maple Leaf flag was first raised in 1965.
Until 1885, Riel was the political leader of the Métis. He led a rebellion against the Canadian Authorities and was charged with high treason, found guilty and sentenced to death. His name is a symbol for Native independence.
This holiday celebrates the importance of families and family life for people and their communities. Family Day is observed in the provinces of Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Lent begins according to the Julian calendar; also called the Great Fast, it is a period of preparation for the Holy Week and Pascha (Easter).
This is a time for Canadians to explore and celebrate their own personal heritage. In Alberta, Heritage Day is celebrated on the first Monday in August. Yukon celebrates Heritage Day on the Friday before the last Sunday in February, and in Saskatchewan it is celebrated on February 17th.
Christian observance to begin the 40 day period of Lent; preceded by Mardi Gras.
Aims at promoting linguistic diversity and multilingual education as well as raising awareness of linguistic and cultural traditions.
Celebration of the deliverance of the Jewish minority in Persia from genocide; celebrated by fancy-dress costumes and specific cakes called hamantaschen.
Marks day 15 of the Chinese New Year; a legend speaks of a village where every person lit a lantern in order to cover the tracks of a young girl trying to escape life as a concubine.
Spring Festival also known as the festival of colours. It is celebrated with fun and games and people spray coloured water on each other.
Established in 1977 by the United Nations, this special day provides an opportunity to reflect on the progress made to advance women's equality rights and status.
Known for converting “pagan” Ireland of the 5th century to Christianity.
Spring Equinox; welcoming of spring and the goddess-as-maiden. Dependant upon the specific timing of the equinox.
On March 21, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid "pass laws". The day was proclaimed in 1966.
New Year; observance of spring equinox symbolizing spiritual growth and renewal.
Hindu celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, hero of the religious epic poem, The Ramayana; temples are decorated; the Ramayana is recited for ten days.
Archangel Gabriel announces to Mary that she will be Mother of the Son of God.
Begins at sundown; 8-day celebration of the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt.
Originates supposedly from confusion and rejection produced by the change from the Julian to the Gregorian Calendar in the 16th century France/Europe. This moved the New Year period (March 25 - April 1) to January 1.
Christian remembrance of the crucifixion of Jesus and the events, which led to it; followed by Easter (Apr 12), celebrating the resurrection of Christ.
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus from the grave.
Celebrating the resurrection of Christ according to the Julian calendar. This year (2010) the Julian and Gregorian calendar’s coincide.
The Monday following Easter, observed as a holiday in some countries. Two disciples met Jesus while walking to the village of Emmaus.
Since 1995 each year the WHO selects a different focus for the celebrations.
Jewish Holocaust Day; observed by many non-Jews as well.
New Year; greetings to wish good life, are exchanged; For Sikh the day commemorates the founding of the Sikh Brotherhood.
Marks the date when one of the equality provisions (Section 15) was included and enforced in the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms.
Recognizes the contributions people in administrative positions make to organizations.
Earth Day is celebrated as the birth of the environmental movement.
Street carnival related to St. Walpurgis (an English missionary to Germany); this is one of the many versions of Labour Day celebrations across the globe.
Marked by the UNESCO on May 3, with an international conference on media and press freedom, in conflict areas of the world.
Origins go as far back as ancient Greek culture, where it was a spring festival dedicated to Rhea, the mother of the gods.
Celebration of Moses' descent from Mt Sinai with the Ten Commandments.
To increase understanding of the values of Cultural Diversity; to move from Diversity to Pluralism.
God the Holy Spirit, came to the disciples in the forms of tongues of fire and rushing wind. This is a traditional day for baptism and confirmation.
Queen Victoria’s birthday was declared a holiday in 1845; the U.K. celebrates it in June.
Officially commemorates the patriots of Lower Canada who struggled for democratic institutions in the early 19th century. Formerly known as Fête de Dollard.
Buddhists celebrate the birthday of Buddha – dates vary between early April and late May.
This is the day for Americans to honor the dead. Originally a day on which flags and flowers were placed on graves of soldiers who died in the American Civil War, it has become a day on which the dead of all wars and all other dead are remembered the same way.
Over 100 Native tribes from U.S. and Canada gather in Downtown Oklahoma City to share and participate in their rich and diverse heritage.
Honours the poet Chu Yuan, who drowned himself in protest of social injustice in 277 B.C. Dragon Boat races are held in Canada throughout June and July.
Honours the contribution of fathers to the family unit.
Designated by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees in 2000.
Established in 1996, this day provides an opportunity to learn more about the diverse Canadian Aboriginal cultural heritage.
He is the patron saint of French-Canadians; a provincial holiday in Quebec.
Day of learning more about the contributions that various communities make to Canadian society and to celebrate Canada’s richness and diversity.
Formerly known as Dominion Day because on July 1, 1867, the British North America Act, proclaimed “one Dominion under the name of Canada”.
In 1776 the 13 colonies proclaimed their separation from England and formed the United States of America.
Born in 1935, Tenzin Gyatso was recognized at the age of 2 as the reincarnation of the Dalai Lama; he accepted the Nobel Peace Prize for his work on global human rights in 1989.
Ali Mohammed, the Forerunner of Bahá'u'lláh, and Prophet-Founder of the Babi Faith (Bahá’í Faith), was executed in 1850 by Persian political and religious powers; observed by abstaining from commerce and work.
This day commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, which led to the end of the monarchy.
A night of prayer to God for forgiveness of the dead; also preparation for Ramadan through intense prayer; not universally observed.
14-day fasting period in preparation for the celebration of the Great Feast of the Dormition of the Virgin Mary.
Caribana was created by people with a common West Indian heritage; it is the largest Caribbean festival in North America.
The first Monday in August is a holiday across Canada, but the holiday is called different things in different areas. It is not recognized in Quebec, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nunavut and the Yukon.
One of the Pillars of Islam begins and lasts until September 21. This is the holiest time of the Islamic Year. Muslims fast between dawn and sunset for the entire month. It is a time of abstinence and contemplation.
Honouring deceased ancestors; also celebrated in Vietnam and China with varying customs. In some regions in Japan it is celebrated July 13 - 15.
Commemorates (1) the happy departure of Mary from this life; (2) the assumption into heaven.
Honours the loving ties between brothers and sisters in a family.
Hindu commemoration of the birth of Krishna - the 8th incarnation of god Vishnu.
Honours organized labour and its contribution to Canadian society; is a statutory holiday observed throughout Canada and the U.S.
Jewish New Year; anniversary of the creation of the world; symbols of this holiday are apples and honey for a sweet new year.
End of Ramadan; 3-day Islamic celebration marking the end of Ramadan; festival of thanksgiving to God for commemorating the month of Ramadan.
Originally a horse race to celebrate a Bavarian King’s marriage in 1810, it has become an annual cheerful gathering of beer drinkers with international spin-offs including Ontario, Canada. This year is the 200th anniversary of the celebration!
The Day of Atonement is the holiest of all days in the Jewish Year, with fasting and prayer.
Families and friends gather to enjoy the full moon, a symbol of promise for abundance, of harmony and luck.
Observance of the change of seasons.
Feast of Tabernacles; which celebrates the harvest and the protection of the people of Israel as they wandered in the wilderness dwelling in tents.
To recognize contributions of seniors and draw attention to the fact that the world’s population is aging.
Helps raise awareness and understanding of mental illness.
Throughout history mankind has celebrated the bountiful harvest with thanksgiving ceremonies; Thanksgiving in Canada is celebrated on the second Monday in October; observance of the day began in 1879.
This day commemorates Italian navigator Christopher Columbus' landing in the New World on October 12, 1492.
Pays tribute to ancestors, which often includes a visit to the cemetery.
The Hallowed Evening is the night before All Saints Day.
Festival of Lights; happiest festival of the Hindu calendar; at night, countless oil lamps are lit to guide Rama on his way home from his period of exile.
Honours the soldiers who were killed in World War I and II.
The purpose of World Kindness Day is to look beyond ourselves, beyond the boundaries of a country, beyond culture, race, religion; and realize we are all citizens of the world.
Religious journey to Mecca, the religious center of Islam, and to the Kaaba, (first built by Adam), which is considered to be the place of worship. God commanded Abraham and Ishmael to rebuild over four thousand years ago.
Also known as “Little Lent”; it lasts until the Feast of the Nativity, December 25.
The appreciation of diversity, the ability to enjoy one's rights and freedoms without infringing on those of others, tolerance has always been considered a moral virtue; this day was designated to be a reminder.
In remembrance of Abraham and the sacrificial offering of his son Ishmael. Meat is given to the poor.
The holiday dates back to 1621, the year after the Puritans arrived in Massachusetts; determined to practice their dissenting religion without interference. After a rough winter, in which about half of them died, they turned for help to neighboring Indians, who taught them how to plant corn and other crops. The next fall's bountiful harvest inspired the Pilgrims to give thanks by holding a feast.
Jewish Festival of Lights; the Menorah, which contains 8 candles, is lit – one candle for each night of Hannukah; commemorates an ancient miracle.
Celebrates and acknowledges the experience and capabilities of people with disabilities since 1992.
Commemorates the tragic event when on Dec. 6, 1989 a young man opened fire on a group of female engineering students, killing 14 women, in Montreal's École Polytechnique.
Known as the protector of children, he distributes gifts for children; he is the Santa Claus of these countries.
Established in 1948 to commemorate the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
Pilgrims go door-to-door asking for shelter, which commemorates Mary and Joseph’s search for a place to stay before Mary gave birth to Jesus.
Parts of the world have their Christmas dinner and gift exchange with a celebration prior to midnight.
Celebrating the birth of Christ; Eastern Orthodox celebration dates vary according to Julian and Gregorian calendar.
In the past, this was the day when churches opened their alms boxes and distributed the contents to the poor.
Fire ceremonies; torch light processions, fireball swinging and lighting of New Year fires; play an important part in the Hogmanay celebrations. Hogmanay's roots reach back to the animistic practice of sun and fire worship in the deep mid-Winter. This evolved into the ancient Saturnalia, a great Roman Winter festival, where people celebrated completely free of restraint and inhibition. The Vikings celebrated Yule, which became the twelve days of Christmas.
