Holidays

Holidays Definition & Meaning

Holidays are days or a set of days where by law and custom, schools, business operations, and other normal day-to-day activities are reduced or suspended to observe or celebrate an occasion.

Holidays are designated days by law to celebrate historical events and religious occasions.

What Is a Holiday?

A holiday is a day mandated by law that allows individuals to be free from work or school in order to participate in a yearly religious event or cultural tradition. Other individuals, depending on what job they have, are still required to report to work but will receive a holiday compensation as an incentive for working on a holiday.

Types of Holidays

New Year’s Day

New Year’s Day is the very first holiday of the Gregorian calendar in celebration of the new year that started.

Epiphany Day

Epiphany Day is a religious holiday observed by Christians in celebration of the Three King’s visit to the baby Jesus.

Orthodox Christmas

Orthodox Christmas, not to be confused with Christmas Day, celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ under the old Julian calendar.

National Pharmacist Day

National Pharmacist Day is observed every January 12 to honor the incredible work and dedication of pharmacists.

Lohri

Lohri is a holiday mostly observed in Northern India to herald the start of longer days and mark the end of the winter solstice.

Orthodox New Year

Orthodox New Year is another new year holiday celebrated every January 14 in line with the first day of the Julian calendar.

Pongal

Pongal, also called Thai Pongal, is a Hindu harvest festival that the Tamils in Sri Lanka and India celebrate.

Martin Luther King Day

Martin Luther King Day is a US federal holiday that celebrates the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. and his achievements.

National Hugging Day

National Hugging Day is a yearly event that reminds people of the importance and benefits of hugging your family and friends.

National Pie Day

National Pie Day is celebrated yearly on January 23 to appreciate pie recipes and how they’re such great dishes for sharing.

Republic Day

Republic Day is an Indian public holiday that commemorates the establishment of the Constitution of India on January 26, 1950.

Australia Day

Australia Day is a holiday observed by Australians on January 26 in commemoration of the First Fleet’s landing at Sydney Cove.

Arbor Day

Arbor Day is a yearly event that encourages everyone to plant trees and learn more about their significance.

National Spouses Day

National Spouses Day is observed on January 26 when married couples express gratitude to each other and spend time together.

National DJ Day

National DJ Day is a designated day to celebrate disc jockeys and the amazing music they produce.

National Puzzle Day

National Puzzle Day is a day to celebrate the existence of puzzles and acknowledge their benefits in exercising one’s mind and critical thinking.

Groundhog Day

Groundhog Day is a tradition in North America in celebration of groundhogs coming out of their burrows, marking the end of their long hibernation.

Chinese New Year

Chinese New Year is a festive holiday in celebration of the start of the first day of the Chinese calendar.

Valentine’s Day

Valentine’s Day is a yearly celebration where love is the core theme, especially the love between romantic couples.

Presidents Day and Washington’s Birthday

Presidents Day and Washington’s Birthday is an American holiday celebrated in honor of former Presidents Lincoln and Washington.

Mardi Grass Carnival

Mardi Grass Carnival is a festive day that marks the end of the pre-Lenten season.

Super Bowl

The Super Bowl is the biggest event in the sport of American football and is the official name of the National Football League’s championship game.

Mexico Constitution Day

Mexico Constitution Day is a Mexican holiday commemorating the establishment of the 1917 Constitution in Mexico.

Kathara Deftera

Kathara Deftera is a Greek public holiday marking the start of Great Lent.

Greek Independence Day

Greek Independence Day is Greece’s national holiday, and it serves to commemorate the start of the War of Greek Independence back in 1821.

Emperor’s Birthday

Emperor’s Birthday is a public holiday in Japan celebrating the birthday of the reigning emperor.

Purim

Purim is a festive Jewish holiday that celebrates the saving of the Jews from Persian tyranny in the 5th Century BCE under the rule of Haman.

National Freedom Day

National Freedom Day is an observance in the US commemorating the abolishment of slavery as led by Abraham Lincoln and the establishment of the 13th Amendment of the US Constitution.

World Wildlife Day

World Wildlife Day is a day to celebrate and educate people about the beauty and importance of nature’s fauna and flora.

International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day is a global celebration that honors the positive impact and achievements of women around the world.

Indigenous People’s Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is a worldwide commemoration that recognizes and celebrates the rich cultural heritage, resilience, and contributions of indigenous communities across the globe.

Daylight Saving

Daylight Saving is a yearly event where people adjust their clocks to have an extra hour of daylight at night.

Canberra Day

Canberra Day is a public holiday in Australia celebrating and commemorating the founding of the capital city of Canberra.

St. Joseph’s Day

Saint Joseph’s Day is a Catholic feast day dedicated to the celebration of St. Joseph, Jesus’ legal father, and among the most notable biblical figures.

St. George’s Day

St. George’s Day is a feast day dedicated to St. George, the patron saint of soldiers, knights, and scouts, and was considered the personification of Christian chivalry.

Freedom of Information Day

Freedom of Information Day commemorates the law that enables the general public to access the right to demand information from the government.

National Close The Gap Day Templates

National Close the Gap Day is an annual holiday celebrated in Australia that aims to raise awareness of the health and social inequalities experienced by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day is both a religious and cultural celebration observed every March 17 to honor the Irish patron saint, St. Patrick.

Red Nose Day

Red Nose Day is an annual event that aims to raise funds to help end child poverty and malnourishment.

World Poetry Day

World Poetry Day is a day to celebrate poetry as a treasured form of literary art and a mode of linguistic expression.

Earth Hour

Earth Hour is a global event that encourages everyone to turn off non-essential electric lights for an hour as a way of raising awareness of environmental issues.

Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a Christian feast that commemorates Jesus Christ’s eventful arrival in Jerusalem.

Holi

Holi is a Hindu festival with ancient roots and celebrates Radha Krishna’s eternal, divine love.

National Vaccination Day

National Vaccination Day is a day that acknowledges and commemorates the efforts and dedication of healthcare workers in vaccinating vulnerable children to protect them from deadly diseases.

National Doctors Day

National Doctors Day is a day to celebrate and honor the valiant work and contributions of doctors in the healthcare industry.

Holy Week

Holy Week is a Christian week-long observance that commemorates the days and events before the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

International Day of Happiness

International Day of Happiness is an annual event that celebrates the significance of happiness and how it should be able to improve’s one life.

April Fool’s Day

April Fool’s Day is a yearly custom observed mostly in Western countries where people do harmless pranks and share harmless hoaxes for fun.

Good Friday

Good Friday is a religious annual event observed by Christians to commemorate the crucifixion and death of Jesus Christ.

Easter

Easter is an important and festive Christian holiday celebrating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.

National Library Worker’s Day

National Library Worker’s Day is a yearly celebration acknowledging the work, skills, and expertise of library professionals.

World Health Day

World Health Day is a movement sponsored by the World Health Organization and is observed yearly on April 7 to raise health awareness.

Patriot’s Day

Patriot’s Day is a legal holiday in six US states that commemorates the battles of Concord, Menotomy, and Lexington during the American Revolutionary War.

1848 Revolution Memorial Day

1848 Revolution Memorial Day is a holiday that recognizes the events of the revolutionary year 1848, which saw a multitude of uprisings across Europe.

Cyprus National Day

Cyprus National Day is an annual event commemorating the revolution against the British who attempted to colonize Cyprus.

Nowruz

Nowruz marks the start of the new year in the Persian calendar, making this a holiday of renewal and new beginnings for Persian communities.

Earth Day

Earth Day is a yearly event celebrated on April 22 which advocates environmental protection and raises awareness about environmental threats.

National Volunteer Month

National Volunteer Month is observed for the entire month of April and aims to honor all acts of volunteerism and encourage people to try volunteering.

National Handmade Day

National Handmade Day is an annual celebration in honor of people who have a talent in handmade craftsmanship.

National Walking Day

National Walking Day is observed every first Wednesday of April which aims to promote an active lifestyle and healthy living.

National Beer Day

National Beer Day is a celebration in the US that commemorates the Cullen-Harrison Act that ended the prohibition of beer signed by former President Franklin Roosevelt.

World Health Day

World Health Day is a designated day for global health awareness and is observed yearly on April 7.

National Sibling’s Day

National Sibling’s Day is a recognized holiday in the US and Canada in celebration of the bond between siblings.

National Pet Day

National Pet Day occurs every year on April 11 and is celebrated to appreciate the pets in people’s lives.

Ugadi

Ugadi is the New Year’s Day on the Hindu calendar and is celebrated in three Indian states, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, and Karnataka.

International Dance Day

International Dance Day is a global celebration of dancing declared by the Dance Committee of the International Theatre Institute.

World Book Day

World Book Day is an annual charity event in the UK and Ireland that aims to give children free vouchers to be used to purchase books.

May Day

May Day is an ancient European festival that marks the beginning of summer.

Labor Day

Labor Day is a US federal holiday celebrated to honor the American labor movement and the contributions of laborers.

Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo is an annual celebration in Mexico commemorating the country’s victory against the Second French Empire.

National Day of Prayers

The National Day of Prayers is an observance mandated by the United States Congress encouraging people to do prayers and meditation as a way of connecting to God.

Coachella

Coachella is a popular music festival that is attended by celebrities, public figures, and the public alike.

Mother’s Day

Mother’s Day is a yearly holiday that celebrates moms and mother figures around the world.

National Nurses Day

National Nurses Day is a day to honor the hard work and dedication of registered nurses.

Ascension Day

Ascension Day marks the 40th day after Easter and is a Christian event that commemorates Jesus Christ’s ascension to heaven.

Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr is an important religious holiday among Muslims as it marks the end of Ramadan.

Armed Forces Day

Armed Forces Day is a holiday honoring the brave men and women who served in the United States military.

National Maritime Day

National Maritime Day is a US holiday established to honor and recognize the efforts of the maritime industry.

Pentecost

Pentecost is a significant holiday in the Christian calendar which marks the 50th day after Easter Sunday and commemorates the Holy Spirit’s descent upon Jesus Christ and his Apostles.

National Patriots’ Day

National Patriots’ Day is a statutory Canadian holiday observed in the province of Quebec honoring the 1837 rebellion against the British.

National Sorry Day

National Sorry Day is an annual event in Australia commemorating the wrongful removal of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people from their families.

Memorial Day

Memorial Day is a US federal holiday that aims to honor the memory of the brave men and women who died serving the US military.

Flag Day

Flag Day is celebrated every June 14 in commemoration of the adoption of the US flag on June 14, 1777.

World Environment Day

World Environment Day is a yearly event that serves as a reminder to people to take care of the environment.

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is an important US federal holiday celebrating the freedom of African-Americans from slavery.

Pride Month

Pride Month is observed for the entire month of June and celebrates LGBTQ individuals as core members of society.

Festa Junina

Festa Junina consists of multiple religious celebrations in Brazil celebrated across the month of June.

Father’s Day

Father’s Day is an annual event and is a dedicated day to celebrate dads and father figures around the world.

International Yoga Day

International Yoga Day is an annual global celebration in appreciation of Yoga and its various benefits to the body, mind, and soul.

Canada Day

Canada Day is a significant holiday in Canada as it celebrates the anniversary of the Constitution Act which made Canada a single, united nation.

Independence Day/4th of July

Independence Day or 4th of July is a popular US holiday in celebration of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.

Bastille Day

Bastille Day is a French holiday commemorating the storming of the Bastille which happened on July 14, 1789.

Nelson Mandela Day

Nelson Mandela Day is a designated day to honor the memory of Nelson Mandela and celebrate his birthday which is on July 18.

Eid al-Adha (Feast of the Sacrifice)

Eid al-Adha is an important Muslim holiday marking the end of Hajj and commemorating Ibrahim’s obedience to Allah.

Comic-Con

Comic-Con is a yearly convention celebrating comic books and comic book culture in general.

Parents’ Day

Parents’ Day is a yearly celebration that aims to celebrate parents for all their commitment and sacrifice to give their children the best possible life.

Tour de France

Tour de France is an annual grand bicycle racing event held in France participated by top professional cycling teams.

Friendship Day

Friendship Day is an event celebrated internationally to honor and appreciate friends.

Muharram

Muharram marks the first month of the Islamic calendar and is among the Muslim’s most sacred months.

Sisters’ Day

Sisters’ Day is celebrated every first Sunday of August where people show love and appreciation to their sisters or anyone with whom they have a sisterly bond.

World Photography Day

World Photography Day is an annual global event that celebrates photography as an art and craft.

Raksha Bandhan

Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival celebrating the strong and unique bond between brothers and sisters.

Onam

Onam is a Malayali harvest festival observed by people residing in the Indian state of Kerala. According to legend, it’s celebrated as a way of welcoming King Mahabali whose spirit is believed to have visited Kerala.

La Tomatina

La Tomatina is a festival where people participate in a friendly tomato-throwing fight simply for fun. This festival is held in Buñol, a Valencian town located 30 kilometers east of Spain.

Janmashtami

Janmashtami is a festival celebrated by the Hindus to commemorate the birth of Krishna, Vishnu’s eighth avatar.

National Aviation Day

National Aviation Day is an observance and holiday in the US in celebration of the development of aviation.

Ganesh Chaturthi

Ganesh Chaturthi is a festival held by the Hindus to celebrate Lord Ganesh’s arrival on Earth together with his mother the Goddess Parvati.

Senior Citizens Day

Senior Citizens Day is a yearly event established to celebrate the elderly and raise awareness about the issues that affect their daily lives.

Teachers Day

Teachers’ Day is a special day for teachers because it’s a day when students will wholeheartedly express gratitude for their academic contributions.

Patriot Day

Patriot Day is a solemn holiday in the United States honoring the memory of those who died on 9/11.

National Peanut Day

National Peanut Day is a yearly occasion celebrated to appreciate peanuts, peanut recipes, and peanut producers.

National Guacamole Day

National Guacamole Day is an annual celebration observed in appreciation of guacamole and guacamole recipes.

Hobbit Day

Hobbit Day is a day to celebrate the birthday of Bilbo Baggins and Frodo Baggins—the main characters of J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings novels.

Grandparents’ Day

Grandparents’ Day is observed as a secular holiday in some countries and is celebrated to appreciate the bond between grandchildren and grandparents.

Hoshana Rabbah

Hoshana Rabbah is a Jewish holiday that marks the seventh day of Sukkot.

World Tourism Day

World Tourism Day has been celebrated since 1980 every 27th of September. This annual event also marks the anniversary of the adoption of the Statuses of the UNWTO.

World Heart Day

World Heart Day is a campaign that occurs annually that aims to raise awareness of cardiovascular diseases and encourage people to partake in activities that improve the heart’s condition.

Columbus Day

Columbus Day is a federal holiday in the US and a national holiday in other countries. It is celebrated to commemorate the arrival of Christopher Columbus in the Americas in 1492.

Dussehra

Dussehra is a Hindu holiday in celebration of Rama’s triumph against the 10-headed demon king Ravana who abducted Sita his wife.

Milad un-Nabi/Id-e-Milad

Milad un-Nabi or Id-e-Milad is a Muslim occasion celebrating the birthday of Hazrat Mohammad Saheb, the Prophet of Islam.

Child Health Day

Child Health Day is a national observance in the United States aiming to promote and support children’s health.

Halloween

Halloween is a custom and annual event where people, especially children, wear costumes of witches, monsters, and fictional characters and attend parties or go trick or treating.

National Coming Out Day

National Coming Out Day is a yearly event in the LGBTQ community that supports and celebrates gays, lesbians, and bisexuals who’ll be “coming out of the closet.”

Durga Puja

Durga Puja is a grand Hindu festival celebrated for 10 days in honor of the goddess Durga’s triumph against Mahishasura, an evil demon king.

Gandhi Jayanti

Gandhi Jayanti is an annual Indian national holiday observed to celebrate the birthday of famous freedom fighter Mahatma Gandhi.

Boss’s Day

Boss’s Day is observed in the US around the 16th of October and is a day when employees show appreciation to their bosses.

Czech Founding Day

Czech Founding Day is a Czech Republic national holiday commemorating the foundation of the first Czechoslovak state.

Diwali/Deepavali

Diwali is a grand festival celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Buddhists. It’s known as a festival of lights and is observed during Kartika, the lunisolar month of the Hindu calendar.

Qingming Festival

The Qingming festival is an annual celebration that is otherwise known as Ancestors Day or Tomb-Sweeping Day.

Recreation Day

Recreation Day is a significant holiday in the northern regions of Tasmania. It was declared in order to offset southern Tasmania’s Regatta Day.

Govardhan Puja

Govardhan Puja is a festival celebrated by Hindu devotees in which they worship Govardhan Hill and offer vegetation food to Krishna as a way of thanks.

Veterans Day

Veterans Day is a US federal holiday honoring every individual who served in the US military.

Black Friday

Black Friday is the day after Thanksgiving and is considered the day that marks the beginning of the Christmas shopping season.

Cyber Monday

Cyber Monday is a yearly event where e-commerce companies hold promos as a way of enticing people to do their shopping online.

Hanukkah

Hanukkah is a significant Jewish holiday as it commemorates the recovery of Jerusalem and the rededication of the Second Temple.

Thanksgiving Day

Thanksgiving Day is a primary holiday observed in the US as a way of giving thanks for the blessings of the year.

All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is a religious holiday where Christians honor the memory of all the canonized saints of the church.

All Souls Day

All Souls Day is a religious holiday practiced mostly by Roman Catholics. It’s a day of prayer dedicated to the souls of the departed.

Christmas Day

Christmas Day is the most popular holiday in the world and is celebrated religiously on December 25  to commemorate the birth of Jesus Christ.

Boxing Day

Boxing Day is celebrated the day after Christmas and is popularly known as a shopping holiday.

Anzac Day

Anzac Day is among the most crucial public holidays celebrated in both Australia and New Zealand. It is celebrated to remember the brave sacrifices of the soldiers who fought in World War I.

Proclamation Day

Proclamation Day is a holiday in South Australia celebrating the region’s establishment as a British province on December 28, 1836.

Rizal Day

Rizal Day is a significant national holiday in the Philippines celebrating the life and heroism of José Rizal, the country’s national hero.

Christmas Eve

Christmas Eve is the evening when people prepare special dishes and anticipate the arrival of Christmas Day at midnight.

Kwanzaa

Kwanzaa is a celebration of African-American culture. It’s observed from December 26 to January 1.

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day

Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day is observed every December 7 to honor the memory of those who died during Japan’s attack on Pearl Harbor.

New Year’s Eve

New Year’s Eve is the night when people anticipate the arrival of the new year in the Gregorian calendar.

Winter Solstice

Winter Solstice marks the longest night of the year and some people celebrate it by singing, dancing, and feasting.

India Independence Day

India Independence Day refers to India’s annual celebration that started on August 15, 1947, when India declared its independence from British decolonization, and the country’s jurisdiction was handed over to its leaders. This event is marked by flag-raising ceremonies, drills, and the singing of India’s national anthem as well as various cultural programs.

Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival)

Mid-Autumn Festival (Moon Festival) is China’s second most important annual festival which is celebrated from September 10 to 12. During this festival, people will set their table under the moon with food such as mooncakes, various snacks and fruits, and a few sets of lighted candles while worshiping the moon and its goddess, Chang’e, whom they believe will fulfill their wishes.

Constitution Citizenship Day

Constitution Citizenship Day is a holiday when citizens across the United States commemorate the signing of the United States Constitution which occurred on September 17, 1787. It is celebrated every year by delivering educational programs about the history of the Constitution provided by publicly funded educational organizations and federal agencies.

Fall Equinox

Fall Equinox, also known as the Autumnal Equinox, refers to the time of the year when daylight and nighttime hours have the same amount and are of equal length. This event happens twice a year when the sun is above the Equator, giving about 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of nighttime.

Rosh Hashanah

Rosh Hashanah is a Jewish New Year festival celebrated on the first or second day of the Tishri and marked by the shofar’s blowing. This festival indicates the beginning of a 10-day period of peak penitence in Yom Kippur and the start of the autumnal religious festivals’ cycle, through Sukkot to Shemini Atzeret.

Oktoberfest

Oktoberfest is an annual festivity in Munich, Germany celebrated for more than two weeks and ends on the first Sunday of October. It is the world’s biggest beer festival that usually attracts more than six million visitors annually. Breweries are represented in parades that highlight beer wagons and float with natives in traditional costumes.

World Sepsis Day

World Sepsis Day is celebrated annually on the 13th of September that highlights events that raises awareness of sepsis across the globe. People organize public events for this celebration such as setting up small sepsis information booths, photo challenges, sports events, gala events or special dinners, handing out WSD materials, and more.

National Live Creative Day

National Live Creative Day celebrates people’s creativity by giving them time to invent, discover, and create art. It is celebrated on September 14 every year and urges an individual’s creativity by allowing them to paint, write poems, and take other explorations of their creativity and share them with other artists.

International Chocolate Day

International Chocolate Day is celebrated by giving away batches of chocolates as well as flowers to a person’s loved ones. This happens every year on July 7, the same day when chocolate was first presented to Europe, which was created to learn, celebrate, and enjoy every recipe that is related to chocolates.

Roald Dahl Day

Roald Dahl Day celebrates the creation of Roald Dahl’s stories, from ‘Matilda’ to ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’. People celebrate this on September 13th by reading some of Roald Dahl’s creations, throwing a story party that features Roald Dahl’s stories, watching his films, and donating to Roald Dahl’s Marvelous Children’s Charity.

Positive Thinking Day

Positive Thinking Day is dedicated to having a positive attitude during the entire time which also encourages people to positively deal with challenges they are facing in life. This happens on September 13 every year to deliver the benefits of having a positive outlook and it makes a difference in how a person perceives his life.

World Gratitude Day

World Gratitude Day was created in 1965 when Sri Chimnoy, a spiritual leader and teacher, proposed a day when the whole world can express their gratitude as one. This event is celebrated on September 21 every year in which various organizations, nationals, and individuals share their gratitude in different methods.

International Day of Democracy

International Day of Democracy is celebrated every year on September 15 to highlight the promotion and upholding of the principles of democracy. This celebration was established to encourage government agencies around the world to strengthen and consolidate their country’s democracy. This also serves as an opportunity to evaluate the state of democracy across the globe.

National Online Learning Day

National Online Learning Day is celebrated on September 15 each year to recognize the wide range of learning resources for online students, their advantages on online learning, and how students of every age level learn remotely. This celebration helps in raising awareness and support for online education while also acknowledging online and remote learning at work.

International Day of Sign Languages

International Day of Sign Languages is a holiday to raise awareness of sign language and deaf people’s rights. The UN General Assembly officially announced September 23 as the International Day of Sign Languages to celebrate and spread understanding of the development and preservation of sign languages while supporting communities for hearing-impaired individuals.

World Alzheimer’s Day

World Alzheimer’s Day is a global celebration and campaign to promote awareness of dementia. This provides an opportunity for people around the world to learn more about dementia and how they can provide assistance to those who need their support. This event takes place on the 21st of September every year during World Alzheimer’s Month.

National Family Day

National Family Day was declared by the National Center on Addiction in 2001 to encourage teens to eat meals with their families. This method is a way to prevent substance abuse among young adults and teenagers. This event is celebrated on September 26 each year and motivate people, especially teens, to spend more time with their family.

National Sports Day

National Sports Day is a national observance celebrated every year to appreciate the value and beauty of all sports and acknowledge the achievements of athletes.

Sukkot

Sukkot is among the three iconic festivals of pilgrimage in Jewish culture, the other two being the Passover and Shavuot. The festival goes in line with a command from God to Moses in the Book of Leviticus: “You shall live in booths within seven days.”

Unity Day

Unity Day is a celebration allowing individuals to freely express themselves without judgment from others, strengthening the belief that each person is unique. This holiday enables people from all walks of life to continue being themselves without fear of prejudice or bullying over racial differences, or how they view themselves.

VFW Day

VFW Day is an event and holiday in the United States that celebrates the presence of impactful individuals over the years, especially in combat and strategy during wars. The event is a way to honor and remember the different people and groups who risked everything to win the art of war through the years.

Black Poetry Day

Black Poetry Day is a day of recognition that is dedicated to both living and dead African-American poets. This lauded celebration of black heritage involves the retelling of many real-life marginalized experiences in the form of poetry.

Shemini Atzeret

Shemini Atzeret is an important holiday for members of the Jewish community because they see it as an assembly day to guard another Jewish celebration. This is the eighth day following the seven days of celebration, which is commonly called Sukot.

Czech Founding Day

Czech Founding Day is a public holiday celebrated by the people of the Czech Republic to commemorate the birth of their nation. It is among the many founding day holidays celebrated worldwide in the name of freedom and independence from oppressors and colonizers.

Hispanic Day

Hispanic Day, a significant cultural celebration, occurs annually, highlighting the rich heritage, unity, and achievements of Hispanic communities worldwide.

National Hispanic Heritage Month

National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the rich cultural diversity of the United States. Both geographically and historically, Hispanic heritage has long been interwoven into American history and culture.

Winter

Winter is the coldest season of the year and it’s the season when Christmas, New Year’s Day, and other Yuletide holidays are celebrated.

4th of July

The 4th of July or the American Independence Day is a holiday commemorating the ratification of The Declaration of Independence which occurred on July 4, 1776.

Advent  

Advent is the Christian season of preparation and time of waiting for the Nativity of Jesus Christ on Christmas.

Al Isra’ wal Miraj

Al Isra’ wal Miraj or the Isra’ and Miraj are the physical and divine journeys that the Prophet Muhammad went through in the course of a single night.

Alaska Day

Alaska Day celebrates the official acquisition of the state of Alaska by the United States from the former Russian Empire.

America Recycles Day

America Recycles Day is a celebration as well as a reminder of the importance and environmental significance of recycling.

American Indian Heritage Day

The Native American Heritage Day is a holiday celebrated on the day after Thanksgiving to spread awareness and appreciation for Native Americans.

Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday is a solemn day of prayer, fasting, and abstinence within the Christian season of Lent. It serves to remind Christians of their origin and end by painting an ash cross on one’s forehead.

Autumn  

Autumn refers to the season between summer and winter. A plethora of other celebrations and holidays like Halloween, Thanksgiving, and Diwali fall on the season of Autumn.

Black History Month

Black History Month is a month-long commemoration that originated in the United States as a way to spread awareness of the historical experiences of African-Americans.

Canadian Thanksgiving 

Canadian Thanksgiving is a harvest festival celebrated on the second Monday of October. It is an extension of the harvest festival that originated from Britain and Europe.

Constitution and Citizenship Day

Constitution and Citizenship Day celebrates the 1787 signing of the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia and individuals who have earned American citizenship.

Czech Founding Day   

The Czech founding day celebrates the historical foundation of the Czechoslovakian state when it declared independence from the Austro-Hungarian Empire.

Dhanteras 

Dhanteras is a celebration of good fortune and refers to the first day of Diwali.

Farmers Day

Farmers Day is the celebration for farmers and the spreading of the crucial and vital importance of farmers worldwide.

FIFA World Cup

The FIFA World Cup is the largest football competition among qualifying national teams from around the world. It is held only every four years.

Giving Tuesday

Giving Tuesday is endorsed as a generosity movement aimed to encourage people to give to the less fortunate.

Global Handwashing Day  

Global Handwashing Day is a global campaign day to spread hygiene education and the importance of handwashing.

Green Monday

Green Monday is a shopping day with dramatic sales and discounts on various merchandise and products.

International Artist’s Day

International Artist’s Day celebrates art, artists, and all kinds of creative people to spread greater appreciation for aesthetic and creative work.

International Dot Day

International Dot Day is an event to encourage children and young people to embrace their uniqueness and show their endearing personalities.

International Human Solidarity Day

International Human Solidarity Day is an advocacy day to remind people and governments to pursue unity and inclusivity, and to diminish prejudice and hostilities.

International Internet Day

International Internet Day celebrates the revolutionary invention of the internet. It also serves to remind users to be continually grateful for the internet.

International Music Day

International Music Day is a day for musical appreciation and recognizing music’s power for unity and inspiration.

National Card Playing Day

National Card Playing Day is dedicated to the various kinds of games one can play with just a deck of cards.

National Emergency Nurses Day

National Emergency Nurses Day is celebrated in honor of the heroic nurses who administer patients with undying dedication and unparalleled competence.

National Mentoring Day   

National Mentoring Day reminds us of the great importance of having a mentor and going through mentorship to lead a better and more insightful life.

National New Friends Day

National New Friends Day is meant to make room for new people, broaden our social circles, and take a step toward forming new bonds and creating meaningful connections with others.

National No Beard Day

National No Beard Day is an annual observance when people shave off their beards. It is celebrated every 18th of October as a playful occasion for people to enjoy a polished, clean-shaven appearance, and display their different grooming styles. 

National Paralegal Day

Paralegals are celebrated for their efforts, commitment, and contributions to the legal profession on National Paralegals Day. The day recognizes the hard work of paralegals and highlights their influence on the legal profession.

National Pumpkin Day

National Pumpkin Day is an annual observance celebrated every 26th of October to embrace the season of autumn and enjoy the diverse offerings that pumpkins have to offer.

National Short Person Day

National Short Person Day celebrates and recognizes people who are shorter in stature, acknowledges their contributions, and promote the inclusivity and diversity of others.

National Teacher Day

National Teacher Day celebrates and recognizes teachers for their contributions to education, their positive influence on students’ lives, and their diligence in shaping children’s futures. 

Navy Birthday  

Navy Birthday commemorates the founding of the US Navy. It is observed mostly by Navy personnel, veterans, and those connected to the service.

Nevada Day  

Nevada Day is a holiday honoring the state’s historic admission to statehood as the 36th state entering the Union.

Saint Nicholas Day

Saint Nicholas is the patron saint of children and sailors. Saint Nicholas Day or also called the feast day commemorates St. Nicholas’ death and his life and charitable nature.

Simchat Torah

Simchat Torah is a Jewish celebration accompanied by singing, dancing, and rejoicing that marks the end of the customary annual cycle of reading the entire Torah in the synagogue.

Sukkot 

Sukkot is a seven-day festival commanded by the Torah. Building a sukkah is the way the agricultural festival of thanksgiving is observed.

Tet Vietnam Lunar New Year

The start of the new year on the lunar calendar is the most significant holiday in Vietnam. Tet Lunar New Year is a time for family get-togethers and the opportunity to pay respect to their ancestors. 

United Nations Day

United Nations Day is celebrated annually on the 24th of October as the anniversary of the founding of the United Nations and as a symbol of global unity.

Universal Children’s Day  

The 20th of November is Universal Children’s Day, also referred to as World Children’s Day. The holiday honors and promotes child welfare developments and global child awareness.

Waitangi Day

Waitangi Day is a public holiday in New Zealand observed each year on February 6th to remember the signing of the Treaty of Waitangi, the founding document of New Zealand.

World AIDS Day

World AIDS Day is observed worldwide on the first day of December. People get together to support those who are HIV positive, spread the word about HIV/AIDS, and exhibit global solidarity.

World Food Day

World Food Day is observed annually on October 16. It commemorates the date that marks when the Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN was founded.

World Freedom Day

World Freedom Day, declared by President George W. Bush in 2001, honors the fall of the Berlin Wall every year on November 9th. The end of communism in Central and Eastern Europe was signaled by this historic event. 

World Judo Day  

World Judo Day celebrates the founding of the International Judo Federation which takes place on  October 28th, the birthdate of its founder Jigoro Kano.  The day promotes the sport and its values globally.

World Osteoporosis Day

World Osteoporosis Day is celebrated to promote global awareness of the symptoms and harm of Osteoporosis while also encouraging support for preventive research.

World Pneumonia Day

World Pneumonia Day is set to provide a platform for medical professionals and people around the world to join together in the struggle against Pneumonia.

World Psoriasis Day

World Psoriasis Day is an event for members of the Psoriatic community to spread broader awareness of Psoriasis and to help reduce stigma towards people with psoriasis. 

World Sight Day

World Sight Day is an annual event started by the SightFirstCampaign to increase global consciousness of blindness and other visual impairments.

World Teachers Day

World Teachers Day celebrates the immeasurable contributions of teachers worldwide for their unceasing commitment to the formation of young minds.

All Saints’ Day

All Saints’ Day is a solemn and prayerful celebration by Christian Tradition, primarily Catholics, to honor the blessed departed who are deemed to be in Heaven.

Qatar National Sports Day

Qatar National Sports Day is a public holiday that revolves around sports celebrations that are happily celebrated by Qatari citizens.

Parents’ Day

Parents’ Day is a yearly holiday that celebrates and commemorates mothers, fathers, and everyone acting as parents to children.

First Day of Summer

The first day of summer is the literal start of the summer season. It not only signifies the end of spring, but it also marks the end of the rainy or wet season.

Spring Break

Spring break is a highly anticipated vacation period among students in both basic education and university.

Spring

Spring is a time when leaves and flowers begin to grow and bloom again and when warmer weather comes along.

Songkran

Songkran, also referred to as the Water Splashing Festival, is a traditional Thai holiday that celebrates the Buddhist New Year.

National Dentist Day

National Dentist’s Day is an annual holiday celebrated on the 6th of March to recognize the role of dentists all around the world.

Ghana Independence Day

Ghana Independence Day symbolizes the momentous occasion when Ghana broke free from British colonial rule. This historic day serves as a poignant reminder of the countless struggles and sacrifices made by Ghanaians to secure their freedom and is celebrated with great pomp and pageantry.

Makha Bucha

Makha Bucha commemorates the fateful day when Buddha gave his famous sermon to his 1,250 disciples. The occasion took place on the full moon day of the third lunar month, known as Makha, which is where this holiday takes its name from.

National Oreo Cookie Day

National Oreo Cookie Day is a holiday celebrated annually in the United States in honor of the Oreo cookie brand.

World Kidney Day

World Kidney Day is an international holiday meant to remind individuals and groups alike to raise kidney health global awareness.

Lailatul Barat

Lailatul Barat is an important celebration for the Islamic community. It precedes the holy month of Ramadan and is observed in Muslim communities within South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Southeast Asian Muslim countries.

Bulgaria Liberation Day

Bulgaria Liberation Day is a holiday celebrated in the Republic of Bulgaria on the 3rd of March each year. This holiday marks the date in 1878 when Ottoman rule ended after the signing of the Treaty of San Stefano.

Baba Marta

Baba Marta is a Bulgarian celebration held every 1st day of March to welcome the arrival of spring. On this holiday, people wear Martenitsis, which are small handmade decorations made out of red and white threads which symbolizes both good health and fortune.

National Read Across America Day

National Read Across America Day tends to be synonymous with Dr. Seuss, the famous children’s book author, and cartoonist. However,  the holiday has since evolved past celebrating Dr. Seuss’ stories and has since embraced a far more diverse approach to reading.

Employee Appreciation Day

Employee Appreciation Day is a reminder of how each team member within an organization is someone to value, recognize, and thank, especially when as the common adage, “employees are a company’s best assets,” still holds true even today.

Zero Discrimination Day

Zero Discrimination Day is both an international and cultural observance that aims to combat discrimination of all forms. It was started by the United Nations, particularly the UNAIDS, to promote human rights, tolerance, equality, and inclusivity across all nations.

Holidays – Uses, Purpose, Importance

Everyone anticipates holidays because it marks something important in their lives, culture, religion, and social standing. So now let’s talk about the purposes of holidays.

Partake in Religious Activities

A lot of holidays celebrate religious events. As a custom and way of strengthening their faith, people need to take time off from work or school to partake in activities in their respective religions. Doing so is essential to remain loyal to their beliefs.

Commemorate Historical Events

A lot of the significant events over the past centuries were pivotal in shaping the modern world. For that reason, many holidays celebrate historical events such as the likes of the 4th of July and Juneteenth. It’s important to celebrate such milestones to keep the legacy of a nation’s forefathers alive.

Commemorate Heroes

Heroes of the past played an important role in building the kind of society we have today. That’s why many holidays celebrate the lives of heroes such as Martin Luther King Jr., Nelson Mandela, and Abraham Lincoln. Without them, the freedom, liberty, and equality that we’re privileged to have today might not have existed.

Celebrate Culture

It’s important to embrace one’s culture. That’s one of many reasons why holidays celebrating culture were declared. Their aim is to preserve a culture’s legacy and keep it alive for generations and generations to come.

Spend Time with Family and Friends

Holidays are perfect opportunities to spend time with family and friends. People take advantage of them to unwind and be away from the daily grind of work for at least a few days.

What Is in a Holiday?

Festivals

Festivals are pretty common on most holidays. People wear costumes representing their culture and perform ceremonies as required by ancient customs and traditions.

Solemn Religious Gatherings

Since a lot of holidays are centered around religion, you can expect many religious gatherings yearly with millions of people participating. A great example is an Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca called the Hajj.

Commemoration Ceremonies

For holidays that commemorate past events and the life of heroes and important figures, commemoration ceremonies take place. These ceremonies have their own unique program and flow. Most of them include sequences of government officials or well-known identities giving a speech honoring the event or hero.

Holiday Sales

Companies are aware that holidays are good for business. So when there’s an upcoming holiday, they announce holiday sales to attract customers to their latest offers, products, and services. The most common types of holiday sales are Christmas sales, Father’s Day sales, Mother’s Day sales, Valentine’s Day sales, and Thanksgiving Day sales.

Family Gatherings

During the holidays, a lot of family gatherings occur, most commonly on Christmas and Thanksgiving. Families together with close relatives either have a special dinner at home or go out on a vacation.