Yom Kippur Date: October 7

Yom Kippur is a holy Jewish holiday.

Yom Kippur, translated into English, simply means “Day of Atonement.� Since it is one of the holiest Jewish Holidays, Yom Kippur holds supreme importance to Jews, even those Jews that are secular. Yom Kippur falls on the tenth day of Tishri and marks the ending of the Ten Days of Repentance. Yom Kippur is observed every year as a way to free the soul from all the sins that have been committed in the past year.

History of Yom Kippur

The origin of Yom Kippur is to be found in the book of Leviticus in the Bible, and it’s the only day of fasting decreed within its pages.

“You should do no work throughout that day. For it is a Day of Atonement (“Yom Kippurim”) on which expiation is made on your behalf before the Lord your God. Indeed, any person who does not practice self-denial throughout that day shall be cut off from his people…â€� says Leviticus 23:27.

It is said within the religion that on the 10th of Tishrei, Moses brought down from Sinai the second set of commandments, possibly signifying the granting of atonement by God for the sin of the Golden calf. This is offered as an explanation for why the holiday is 10 days after Rosh Hashanah, the beginning of the Ten Days of Repentence.

It is a common belief that God inscribes your deeds and your fate for a particular year in a book during Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is the last and final day of verdict. The period between the Rosh Hashanah and Yom Kippur is spent trying to behave in a better way with fellow human beings and seek forgiveness for all the wrongs done in the period of one year. The evenings of Yom Kippur are reserved for confessions and petitions. An average Jew, on this day, prays five times throughout the day as opposed to the usual three times a day.

The day of Yom Kippur is spent like a complete Sabbath, which means that absolutely no work of any sort can be performed on this particular day. Jews fast intensively for 25 hours to mark the arrival of Yom Kippur. This fasting, which does not even allow the drinking of water, begins at sunset the day before Yom Kippur and ends one hour after sunset on the holy day.

However, there is scope for exceptions as far as fasting is concerned. People with health problems can avoid the fasting ritual if it puts their life in any kind of risk. Other exceptions include children under nine years of age and pregnant women.

Yom Kippur Traditions, Customs and Activities

Almost all the day of Yom Kippur is spent in the synagogue, praying and seeking apology. The number of Jews visiting the synagogues doubles or even triples during the period of Yom Kippur. The services in the synagogues on this particular day go on for almost the entire day with a little break in the afternoon when people go home to rest before they come back for the next service that ends with the onset of nightfall. It is a custom to wear white on Yom Kippur symbolizing the process of purifying the soul.

Along with fasting profusely, an ideal Jew is expected to follow four other main prohibitions on Yom Kippur. These prohibitions include avoiding leather shoes, perfumes or lotions, baths, and indulgence in any kind of sexual activity.

In Israel, Yom Kippur is a legal holiday where the usual happenings come to a standstill. There are no radio broadcasts, no television, no businesses running, and absolutely no public transport. Even the airports are shut down on Yom Kippur. A large number of the residents of Israel fast for the holiday of Yom Kippur. Hence, local Jews are found wishing each other “Tsom Kal” which means have an easy fast.

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Sao Tome Agricultural Reform Day: September 30

Agricultural Reform Day is a Public Holiday in Sao Tome.

Sao Tome and Principe are the 2 Islands. It is the smallest country in the world. The provinces are further divided into seven districts, six on São Tomé and one on Príncipe. In 19th century, Sao Tome was the world’s largest producer of cocoa. The main economic activities are fishing and small scale industries. Sao Tome and Principe celebrate Agricultural Reform Day on September 30 every year.

Sao Tome Agricultural Reform Day History

The islands of São Tomé and Príncipe were uninhabited before the arrival of the Portuguese sometime between 1469 and 1471. The islands were discovered by Fernão do Pó and bore his name until the twentieth century. Portuguese navigators explored the islands and decided that they would be good locations for bases to trade with the mainland.

The first successful settlement of São Tomé was established in 1493 by �lvaro Caminha, who received the land as a grant from the crown. But it difficult to attract the settlers, they found suitable for agriculture is growing sugar. Sao Tome economy had changed in mid-17th century. In the early 19th century, two new cash crops, coffee and cocoa, were introduced. The rich volcanic soils proved well suited to the new cash crop industry, and soon extensive plantations (roças), owned by Portuguese companies or absentee landlords, occupied almost all of the good farmland.

By 1908, São Tomé had become the world’s largest producer of cocoa, which remains the country’s most important crop. Since the 1800s, the economy of São Tomé and Príncipe has been based on plantation agriculture. At the time of independence in July 1975 Portuguese-owned plantations occupied 90% of the cultivated area. After independence, control of these plantations passed to various state-owned agricultural enterprises, which have since been privatized. The dominant crop on São Tomé is cocoa, representing about 95% of exports. Other export crops include copra, palm kernels, and coffee.

Sao Tome Agricultural Reform Day Customs and Activities

Many events are held all across Sao Tome to mark the day of Agriculture Reform Day. Farmers make special meals and celebrate the day with friends and family. Other then that, many events are held to provide more knowledge to farmers about the new developments in the agricultural sector.

Other interesting posts:

• São Tomé Day Celebrated in São Tomé e Príncipe
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Botswana Day: September 30

Botswana Day is a Public Holiday in Botswana

Botswana Day, September 30, commemorates Botswana’s independence from the British on 30 September 1966. The Republic of Botswana is a landlocked country in Southern Africa. Citizens of Botswana are called “Batswana”, regardless of ethnicity. Formerly a British protectorate of Bechuanaland, Botswana adopted its new name after becoming independent within the Commonwealth on 30 September 1966. Botswana was one of the most impoverished countries in Africa when it became independent in 1966.

Botswana Day History

The earliest inhabitants of the region were the San, who were followed by the Tswana. About half the country today is ethnic Tswana. The term for the country’s people, Batswana, refers to national rather than ethnic origin. Encroachment by the Zulu in the 1820s and by Boers from Transvaal in the 1870s and 1880s threatened the peace of the region.

In 1885, Britain established the area as a protectorate, then known as Bechuanaland. When the Union of South Africa was formed in 1910 out of the main British colonies in the region, the Bechuanaland Protectorate, Basutoland (now Lesotho) and Swaziland (the “High Commission Territories”) were not included, but provision was made for their later incorporation. An expansion of British central authority and the evolution of tribal government resulted in the 1920 establishment of two advisory councils to represent both Africans and Europeans.

Proclamations in 1934 regularized tribal rule and powers. A European-African advisory council was formed in 1951, and the 1961 constitution established a consultative legislative council. In June 1964, Britain accepted proposals for a democratic self-government in Botswana. Self-government began in 1965, and on Sept. 30, 1966, the country became independent. Botswana is Africa’s oldest democracy. Seretse Khama, a leader in the independence movement and the legitimate claimant to the Ngwato chiefship, was elected as the first president, re-elected twice.

Botswana Day Customs and Activities

To commemorate Botswana Independence Day, which falls on September 30th, members of the Botswana Irish Community, the Social Inclusion Unit of Limerick City Council and Doras Luimni come to together and host an exhibition of Botswana Arts, Crafts and Cultures. Early in the morning people start to blow their horns in celebration of Botswana’s independence. Activities continue all day and into the night. The morning begins with many speakers, choirs and dance groups performances. At around lunch time the DJ music begin and all the kids gathers around to listen to the music. Food is also served and there are some special events such as a beauty contest to crown Miss Independence.

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Sri Lanka Bandaranaike Memorial: September 26

Bandaranaike Memorial is a public holiday in Sri Lanka.

The Sri Lanka Bandaranaike Memorial is dedicated to the assassination to the Sri Lanka Prime Minister Solomon West Ride-way dias Bandaranaike on September 26, 1959. (SWRD) died from the gun shot wounds the very next day on September 26th. As a result of his death, his wife Sirimavo Ratwatte Dias Bandaranaike became the first female Prime Minister of Sri Lanka in 1960.

Sri Lanka is an island country in the Indian ocean of southeast India with a population estimate of twenty-million . Many traders and colonists such as the Dutch, British, Portuguese, and Arab have visited this island. In 1972, Sir Lanka was declared a republic and adapted the Singhalese name of Sri Lanka. The decades since Sri Lanka became a republic many conflicts have occurred that resulted in many deaths. Without question. this small island country has seen its ups and downs without question.

History of Bandaranaike Memorial

The Bandaranaike Memorial Conference Hall in Colombo, Sir Lanka was built in 1971 to honor fallen Prime Minister Solomon West Ride-way dias Bandaranaike. The building itself is a multi-purpose conference hall that include for separate buildings. A bust of SWRD sits in the Assemble Hall in his honor.

SWRD was Sri Lanka’s prime Minister from 1956-1959. During his relatively short life SWRD was an accomplished individual who made a major impact on Sri Lanka’s development. In 1952, he founded the nationalist Sri Lanka’s Freedom Party. Before SWRD English was Sri Lanka’s national language – under SWRD it became Sinhalese.

Bandaranaike Memorial Traditions, Customs, and Activities

September 26th is the day the commemoration for former Prime Minister Solomon West Ride-way dias Bandaranaike. On September 26th there is a memorial ceremony given by important political leaders, after the ceremonies are held a dinner is served for the political leaders, the Bandaranaike family members.

With the assassination of SWRD created the opportunity for the first female Prime Minister in Sri Lanka’s long history. To this day civil unrest has been a major problem for Sri Lanka, tireless efforts have been made to restore some peace. Progress for a more peaceful country is slowly moving forward.

Other interesting posts:

• Sri Lanka Independence Day Celebration
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Syria International Tourism Day: September 27

International Tourism Day is a public holiday in Syria.

Since 1980, the United Nations World Tourism Organization has celebrated World Tourism Day on September 27. This date was chosen as on that day in 1970, the Statutes of the UNWTO were adopted. The adoption of these Statutes is considered a milestone in global tourism. Similarly, Syria marks this day as a National Holiday as the main income for the people of Syria comes through tourism. The purpose of this day is to raise awareness on the role of tourism within the international community and to demonstrate how it affects social, cultural, political and economic values worldwide.

Syria International Tourism Day History

The main purpose of World Tourism Day is to foster awareness among the international community of the importance of tourism and its social, cultural, political and economic values. At its 3rd session (Torremolinos, Spain, September 1979), that General Assembly of the World Tourism Organization (WTO) determined to organization, inauguration in the year 1980, WORLD TOURISM DAY to be renowned on 27th September every year by proper events on premises chosen by the General Assembly, on commendation of WTO’s Executive Council.

This date was selected to agree with a significant milestone in the World Tourism: anniversary of espousal of WTO Statues on the 27th September 1970. The focal intention of the World Tourism Day is to promote consciousness among the worldwide community of the significance of tourism and its cultural, political, economic and social values. The timing of the World Tourism Day is certainly particularly proper and that it approaches at the ending of high season in northern half a sphere and starting of the season in southern half a sphere, when tourism is also of current interest to hundreds of thousands of community globe from entire walks of being and to travelers and also the equipped sector in fastidious. The association invites all fascinated parties to be included on 27th September every year in particular carnivals proceeding in their individual country or vacation destination.

Syria International Tourism Day Customs and Activities

On the day of International Tourism Day, Syria highlights the importance of Tourism and globalization; the job opportunities that Tourism creates in many industries such as agriculture, manufacturing, retail trade and the important components of tourism businesses such as guide services; shopping; transport; entertainment; accommodation and photography. The National Planning Committee has come out with a comprehensive implementation program aimed at spreading the celebration of the event nationwide. Activities lined-up include a high level global forum to discuss how tourism diversifies; a communication workshop; an interface with the international/local travel writers; nongovernmental organizations and tourism practitioners to discuss how to develop a new image.

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Building of the Cross Date: September 27

Building of the Cross is a religious observance for Orthodox Coptic Christians all over the world.

The Feast of the Building of the Cross is celebrated on September 27. On the Coptic calendar it falls on the seventeenth day of the month of Tout, and it commemorates the dedication of the Church of the Holy Cross built by the mother of Emperor Constantine, Queen Helen.

History of Building of the Cross

This feast has its origins in Jerusalem and is connected with both the finding of the cross where Jesus died and the building of the Church of the Holy Cross to guard the relics of the wood of the cross. After the death of Jesus, Jerusalem was a troubled city, and all the sacred places where Jesus had passed and suffered his Passion had been desecrated by the Roman armies and the many wars that were fought over Jerusalem.

When the Roman Empire became Christian under the rule of Constantine, he ordered, under the influence of his mother Helen, that the sites where Jesus had passed should be found. Excavations began in Jerusalem and around the city. During these excavations the location of the Calvary and also the cross on which Jesus had died were discovered. A church was promptly built to keep the relic, and the mother of Constantine, Queen Helen, became a devout of the Holy Cross. The Feast of the Building of the Holy Cross was instituted and later, as with many feasts, it was passed on to all Christians in Constantinople and Rome.

Building of the Cross Traditions, Customs and Activities

During the Feast of the Building of the Holy Cross, the Coptic Orthodox Church organizes processions with the sign of the Cross in the streets of the cities that the churches serve. Chanting known as Shannon-Hosanna echoes through the streets as the faithful accompany the cross and the clergy, announcing the joy of the cross of Christ and joy of heart, the inner Jerusalem, as it receives the graces of Jesus. It isn’t one of the major feasts of the Orthodox Coptic Church, and it is the equivalent of the daily Feasts of the Saints. It is a day to be spent with family and friends as everyone gathers to join the processions and eat together after the religious celebrations.

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South Africa, Heritage Day: September 24

Heritage Day is a Public Holiday celebrated in South Africa

Heritage Day, September 24, is a public holiday in which South Africans across the spectrum are encouraged to celebrate their cultural heritage and the diversity of their beliefs and traditions, in the wider context of a nation that belongs to all its people. People of South Africa celebrate this holiday with great enthusiasm and various cultural events are held all across the country.

Heritage Day is one of South Africa’s newly created public holidays and its significance rests in recognising aspects of South African culture which are both tangible and difficult to pin down: creative expression, historical inheritance, language, the food as well as the land.

South Africa Heritage Day History

In KwaZulu-Natal, the September 24 was known as Shaka Day, in commemoration of the Zulu King, Shaka. Shaka was the legendary Zulu King that played an important role in uniting disparate Zulu clans into a cohesive nation. Contrary to western discourse Shaka was not a “chief.”

The Public Holidays Bill presented to the Parliament of South Africa at the time did not have September 24 included on the list of proposed public holidays. As a result of this exclusion, the Inkatha Freedom Party (IFP), a South African political party with a large Zulu membership, objected to the bill. Parliament and the IFP reached a compromise and the day was given its present title and seen as a day “…when South Africans celebrate the diverse cultural heritage that makes up a ‘rainbow nation’.” It is the day to celebrate the contribution of all South Africans to the building of South Africa.

In 2005, a media campaign sought to re-brand the holiday as National Braai Day, in recognition of the South African culinary tradition of holding informal backyard barbecues, or braais. On September 5, 2007, Archbishop Desmond Tutu celebrated his appointment as patron of South Africa’s Barbecue (Braai) Day, affirming it to be a unifying force in a divided country (by donning an apron and tucking into a boerewors sausage). At the end of 2007 National Braai Day changed its name to Braai4Heritage and the initiative received the endorsement of South Africa’s National Heritage Council (NHC). Organiser Jan Scannell announced that the aim is not to have a mass braai, but smaller ones with friends and family.

South Africa, Heritage Day Customs and Activities

South Africans celebrate Heritage Day by remembering the cultural heritage of the many cultures that make up the population of South Africa. Various events are staged throughout the country to commemorate this day.Former Western Cape Provincial Premier Ebrahim Rasool addressed the public at a Heritage Day celebration at the Gugulethu Heritage trail in 2007 in Gugulethu. In Hout Bay, there is an army procession and a recreation of the battle fought there.

Other interesting posts:

• South Africa Commemorates Its Day of Reconciliation
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Japan Fall Equinox Date: September 23

Japan celebrates Fall Equinox as a public holiday.
Autumnal Equinox Day is on September 23 or 24, it is a national holiday in Japan. This day not only signals the changing of seasons but also it is a day to go visit the graves of dead relatives.

Japan Fall Equinox History

Fall Equinox Day is one of the most established Japanese National Holidays. Old Japanese traditions believe that this holiday has a double origin. Some believe that this holiday originated from the agricultural society of Old Japan to celebrate the changing of the seasons. On this day, daytime and nighttime have equal lengths. Due to leap year, the actual date of the Fall Equinox Day may change from year to year, but is generally around September 23rd. Starting on this day until the winter solstice comes, the night-time will have longer hours than the day time. Autumnal Equinox Day in Japan is also called HIGAN NO CHU-NICHI. The other origin of this holiday is believed to be based on Buddhist traditions. Based on old Buddhist teachings many Japanese will visit their family graves on this day midway through the week of HIGAN in order to pay their respects to their dead ancestors. People clean their family graves and bring flowers, incense and traditional Japanese food. It is believed that their ancestors’ spirits fancy round food!

Japan Fall Equinox Traditions, Customs and Activities

Like many other cultures around the world, the Japanese set aside the period around this time to pay their respects to the graves of their ancestors. This is one of the times when families have the chance to pull out the weeds and clean up the graves. The Japanese families will be engaged in these rituals during the one-week period straddling the equinoxes (higan) of spring and autumn.

Other interesting posts:

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New Caledonia Day: September 24

New Caledonia Day is a public holiday in New Caledonia.

New Caledonia is a “sui generis collectivity” of France located in the region of Melanesia in the southwest Pacific. It comprises a main island (Grande Terre), the Loyalty Islands, and several smaller islands. Approximately half the size of Taiwan, it has a land area of 18,575.5 square kilometres (7,172 sq mi). The population was estimated in January 2009 to be 249,000. The capital and largest city of the territory is Nouméa. The currency is the CFP franc.

New Caledonia became the overseas territory of France on September 24, 1853. The Day is celebrated as a national holidays in New caledonia since then.

New Caledonia Day History

Whalers operated off New Caledonia during the nineteenth century. Sandalwood traders were welcome but as supplies of sandalwood diminished, the traders became abusive. The Europeans brought new diseases such as smallpox, measles, dysentery, influenza, syphilis, and leprosy. Many people died as a result of these diseases. Tensions developed into hostilities, and in 1849 the crew of the American ship Cutter were killed and eaten by the Pouma clan.

As trade in sandalwood declined, it was replaced by a new form of trade, “Blackbirding”. Blackbirding was a euphemism for enslaving people from New Caledonia, the Loyalty Islands, New Hebrides, New Guinea, and the Solomon Islands to work in sugar cane plantations in Fiji and Queensland. The trade ceased at the start of the twentieth century. The victims of this trade were called Kanakas, a label later shortened to Kanak and adopted by the indigenous population after the French annexation.

New Caledonia was made a French possession in late 1853, a part of an attempt by Napoleon III to rival the British colonies in Australia and New Zealand. Auguste Febvrier Despointes led the expedition that seized the island. Following the example set by the United Kingdom in parts of nearby Australia, France sent a total of 22,000 convicted felons to penal colonies along the south-west coast of New Caledonia between 1864 and 1922. This number included regular criminals as well as political prisoners such as Parisian socialists and Kabyle nationalists.

Towards the end of the penal colony era, free European settlers (including former convicts) and Asian contract workers by far outnumbered the population of forced workers. The indigenous Kanak populations declined drastically in that same period due to introduced diseases and an apartheid-like system called Code de l’Indigénat which imposed severe restrictions on their livelihood, freedom of movement and land ownership.

New Caledonia Day Customs and Activities

On the September 24 every year, a parade is held in New Caledonia to mark the day when it became as overseas Territory of France and Admiral Despointes took possession of New Caledonia for France. Other than parade, various events are held mainly in the glamorous capital of New Caledonia.

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Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day: September 24

Republic Day is a public holiday in Trinidad and Tobago.

Trinidad and Tobago became a Republic on August 1, 1976. The event is celebrated as a public holiday on September 24 because this is the date when the first Parliament met under the new Republican Constitution. The date was removed from the official calendar of holidays from 1999 to 2001 to make way for the Spiritual Baptist (Shouter) Liberation Day which is celebrated on March 30. The Republic Day holiday was reinstated in 2002.

Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day History

The Republic of Trinidad and Tobago is an archipelagic state in the southern Caribbean, lying northeast of the South American country of Venezuela and south of Grenada in the Lesser Antilles. It shares maritime boundaries with other nations including Barbados to the northeast, Guyana to the southeast, and Venezuela to the south and west. The country covers an area of 5,128 square kilometres (1,980 sq mi) and consists of two main islands, Trinidad and Tobago, and numerous smaller landforms. Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the main islands; Tobago is much smaller, comprising about 6 percent of the total area and 4 percent of the entire population which is estimated at 1.3 million (2005). The nation lies outside the hurricane belt.

In November, 1969, Ambassador of Trinidad and Tobago to the United States , Sir Ellis Clarke said that “We as a nation, have reached an age of reason where we can take our time, sit calmly and deliberate what we want. The word goind around in the country was that they shoud abandon the Monarchy and go Republic. In June 1971, His Excellency, Sir Solomon Hochoy announced the decision to appoint a commission “to consider the constitution of Trinidad and Tobago, and matters related the reto and to make recommendations for revision of the said constitution and for matters of constitution reform in Trinidad and Tobago.”

Trinidad and Tobago Republic Day Customs and Activities

People of Trinidad and Tobago celebrate Republic Day with great patriotism in their hearts. Various ceremonies are held throught the island nation to mark this day with hosting of flag to start with. As the day is a national holiday, people celebrate this day by making delicious food and sharing it with family and relatives. Students take pride in performing various patriotic events in their schools just one day prior to the public holiday.

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