October 2nd marks the birth anniversary of Human Rights Activist, Mahatma Gandhi.

(Vijay Dasami) celebrates the victory of good over evil: of Lord Rama over the demon Ravan, and the Goddess over a demon. It follows the nine-day celebration of Navaratri (nine nights) and Durga Puja (worship) when other Goddesses are worshiped.

This day is marked by a special synagogue service, the Hoshana Rabbah, in which seven circuits are made by the worshippers with their lulav and etrog, while the congregation recites Hoshanot. It is customary for the scrolls of the Torah to be removed from the ark during this procession. In a few communities a shofar is sounded after each circuit.

Thanksgiving, or Thanksgiving Day, is a traditional North American holiday, which is a form of harvest festival. Today, Thanksgiving is celebrated on the second Monday of October in Canada and on the fourth Thursday of November in the United States.

This day commemorates the anniversary of Christopher Columbus’s discovery of the new world.

Women’s activists have marked November 25 as a day against violence since 1981. On December 17, 1999, the United Nations General Assembly designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women. The UN invited governments, international organizations and NGOs to organize activities designated to raise public awareness of the problem on this day as an International observance

The 16 Days of Activism against Gender Violence is an international campaign originating from the first Women’s Global Leadership Institute sponsored by the Center for Women’s Global Leadership in 1991. Participants chose the dates, November 25, International Day against Violence against Women and December 10, International Human Rights Day, in order to symbolically link violence against women and human rights and to emphasize that such violence is a violation of human rights. This 16-day period also highlights other significant dates including November 29, International Women Human Rights Defenders Day, December 1, World AIDS Day, and December 6, which marks the Anniversary of the Montreal Massacre.

Celebrates the anniversary of the appointment of ‘Abdul-Baha, the son of Baha’u’llah, as the Center of the Covenant.

Celebrates the Hijra (migration) of Muharram and his followers in 622 CE, from Mecca to Medina, where they established the first Islamic community.

On 28th November, at 1 am, Baha’is around the world commemorate the moment that ‘Abdu’l-Baha passed away in 1921. It was a fairly unexpected event, though ‘Abdu’l-Baha had made some comments in the preceding month to the effect that He had completed His work and was ready to leave this life.

This is an opportunity for people worldwide to unite in the fight against HIV and AIDS. On December 1 every year, the world comes together to commemorate World AIDS Day. The theme for World AIDS Day has been determined by the World AIDS Campaign since 1997

Rosa Louise McCauley Parks - Was an African American civil rights activist whom the U.S. Congress later called ’Mother of the Modern-Day Civil Rights Movement’. On December 1, 1955 in Montgomery, Alabama, Parks refused to obey bus driver James Blake’s order that she give up her seat to make room for a white passenger. Her action was not the first of its kind: Irene Morgan, in 1946, and Sarah Louise Keys, in 1955, had won rulings before the Supreme Court and the Interstate Commerce Commission respectively in the area of interstate bus travel. But unlike these previous individual actions of civil disobedience, Parks’ action sparked the Montgomery Bus Boycott. This movement turned Parks into an international icon of resistance to racial segregation and launched boycott leader Martin Luther King, Jr., to national prominence in the civil rights movement. Parks eventually received honours ranging from the 1979 Spingarn Medal to a posthumous statue in the United States Capitol’s National Statuary Hall.

It is the most important holiday in the Zen Buddhist tradition.  It is the celebration and re-enactment of Gautama Buddha's final week of effort  under the Bodhi Tree ending with his profound awakening. It is traditional in Soto Zen practice to take part in a sesshin (intensive week long  meditation) during Rohatsu.

Advent is the beginning of the Church Year for most churches in the Western tradition. It begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas Day, which is the Sunday nearest November 30, and ends on Christmas Eve (Dec 24). If Christmas Eve is a Sunday, it is counted as the fourth Sunday of Advent, with Christmas Eve proper beginning at sundown.

The word Advent means "coming" or "arrival." The focus of the entire season is the celebration of the birth of Jesus the Christ in his First Advent, and the anticipation of the return of Christ the King in his Second Advent. Thus, Advent is far more than simply marking a 2,000 year old event in history. It is celebrating a truth about God, the revelation of God in Christ whereby all of creation might be reconciled to God.

The annual observance of the International Day of Disabled Persons, December 3rd, aims to promote an understanding of disability issues and mobilize support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities. It also seeks to increase awareness of gains to be derived from the integration of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic and cultural life. The theme of the Day is based on the goal of full and equal enjoyment of human rights and participation in society by persons with disabilities, established by the World Programme of Action concerning Disabled Persons, adopted by the General Assembly in 1982

Maunajiyaras is a day of fasting, silence and meditation on the five holy beings; monks, teachers, religious leaders, Arihants (Jinas, enlightened masters) and Siddhas (liberated souls). This day is also regarded as the anniversary of the birth of many of the Tirthankaras or Pathfinders.

Established in 1991 by the Parliament of Canada, this day marks the anniversary of the murders in 1989 of 14 young women at l’École Polytechnique de Montréal. They died because they were women. As well as commemorating the 14 young women whose lives ended in an act of gender-based violence that shocked the nation, December 6 represents an opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the phenomenon of violence against women in our society. It is also an opportunity to consider the women and girls for whom violence is a daily reality, and to remember those who have died as a result of gender-based violence. And finally, it is a day on which communities can consider concrete actions to eliminate all forms of violence against women and girls

The Halifax Explosion occurred on Thursday, December 6, 1917, when the city of Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada, was devastated by the huge detonation of a French cargo ship, fully loaded with wartime explosives that had accidentally collided with a ship set for Belgium in’ The Narrows’ section of the Halifax Harbour. Approximately 2,000 people (mostly Canadians) were killed by debris, fires, or collapsed buildings and it is estimated that over 9,000 people were injured. This is still one of the world’s largest man-made, conventional explosions to date.

Hanukkah also known as the Festival of Lights is celebrated for eight days commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt of the 2nd century BCE. Hanukkah is observed for eight nights, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar. The Maccabees, a small group of Jews fighting for religious freedom won victory over the Syrians. The legend goes that to rededicate the Temple, they found only one jar of holy oil and miraculously the candelabra remained lit for 8 days. The eighth candle menorah is lit. Special readings and songs of praise focus on liberty and freedom.

On December 10, 1948, members of the United Nations gathered in Paris to adopt the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each year since then December 10th marks International Human Rights Day, the anniversary of the day that the United Nations adopted and proclaimed the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. This unprecedented act was to ensure that the inherent dignity of every person is valued and protected.

Masa’il - the 15th month of the Baha’i Calendar begins

The Grand Ceremony of the December Solstice celebrates the joy of the ending of the yin period of the sun, when it declines in strength, and the beginning of its growing power of yang period. The sun is of central importance in Japan, expressing the presence of Amaterasu Omikami, the Kami of the Sun.

This fast begins at dawn. There are no additional constraints beyond fasting from food and water.

Christmas is an annual holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus. It refers to both the day commemorating the birth, and also the Christmastide season which that day inaugurates, concluding with the Feast of the Epiphany. The date of the celebration is traditional, and is not considered to be Jesus’ actual date of birth. Christmas festivities often combine the observation of the Nativity with various cultural customs, many of which have been influenced by earlier winter festivals. Although nominally a Christian holiday, it is also observed as a cultural holiday by many non-Christians.

The anniversary of the death of Zarathustra, the founder of Zoroastrianism, once the dominant religion of Persia, was killed just three hundred miles to the northwest in Balkh, Afghanistan.

Boxing Day is a public holiday in the United Kingdom, Canada, New Zealand and Australia, as well as many other members of the Commonwealth of Nations. It is based on the tradition of giving gifts to the less fortunate members of society. It is usually celebrated on 26 December, the day after Christmas Day, but its associated public holiday can be moved to the next weekday if 26 December is a Saturday or Sunday.

The Kwanzaa celebration is based on African harvest traditions. Kwanzaa means first fruits in Swahili. The celebration starts on December 26 and lasts for 7 days. Created by Dr. Karenga in 1966, Kwanzaa is a celebration of family, community and culture. The 7-day celebration is based on seven basic values of African culture. The 7 principles, in Swahili, are Umoja (unity), Kujichagulia (self-determination), Ujima (collective work), Ujamaa (cooperative economics), Nia (purpose), Kuumba (creativity), and Imani (faith). Although the holiday is designed for the African-American community, Kwanzaa is an American holiday for all.

The battle of Wounded Knee Massacre, also known as The Battle at Wounded Knee Creek,, was the last major armed conflict between the Oglala Lakota and the United States, subsequently described as a ’massacre’ by General Nelson A. Miles in a letter to the Commissioner of Indian Affairs.

Sharaf (Honour) the 16th month of the Baha’i Calendar begins

December 31 – January 4

Ghambar Maidyarem (ZO)

This celebrates the creation of animals. Zoroastrians are encouraged to remember their practice of the equitable sharing of food during this observance.

Temple Day (Buddhism) North American Buddhists of all schools attend a special service in the temple

Gantan-sai – (New Year’s Day) (SH) is New Year’s Day in Japan and the whole 3-day festival is called Oshogatsu. It is the most important festival of the year and the traditional belief is that whatever happens to you at this time sets the scene for the rest of the year. (Oshogatsu means Standard Month). For this reason there is a tradition whereby everyone must begin the year by laughing so there is a great deal of hilarity as the clock strikes midnight. The day before houses must be cleaned thoroughly.

This celebrates the creation of animals. Zoroastrians are encouraged to remember their practice of the equitable sharing of food during this observance (December 31 – January 4)

The 10th and final Sikh master, he created the Khalsa, the "brotherhood of the Pure," and declared the Scriptures, the Adi 'Granth, to be the Sikh’s Guru from that time on.

This fast begins at dawn. There are no additional constraints beyond fasting from food and water.

This celebrates the coming of the Magi (wise men) to Bethlehem with gifts for the infant Jesus. It is the 12th day after Christmas, and marks the end of the Christmas festivities, when decorations are put away for the year. The Magi represent the first Gentiles (non-Jews) to visit Jesus, and the festival symbolizes that non-Jews would share in the message of Jesus. The Magi brought gifts of gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and in many countries, people give gifts on Twelfth Night, the night before Epiphany. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, the festival of Epiphany is called the Theophany and marks three events in Jesus' life: the adoration of the Magi, the baptism of Jesus, and Jesus' first miracle

Thirteen days after Western Christmas, on January 7th, the Russian Orthodox Church celebrates its Christmas, in accordance with the old Julian calendar. It's a day of both solemn ritual and joyous celebration

Maghi is the occasion when Sikhs commemorate the sacrifice of forty Sikhs, who fought for Guru Gobindh Singh Ji

Marks the change from a decrease to an increase of the sun

January 15

Seijin-no-hi (Coming of Age Day)-(SH)

Is the Japanese coming-of-age ceremony. It is held annually on Coming-of-Age Day, the second Monday in January. Festivities include ceremonies held at local and prefectural offices and parties amongst family and friends to celebrate passage into adulthood

The aim of World Religion Day is to foster the establishment of interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the common denominators underlying all religions. The message of World Religion Day is that, mankind, which has stemmed from one origin, must now strive towards the reconciliation of that which has been split up. Human unity and true equality depend not on past origins, but on future goals, on what we are becoming and whither we are going.

January 21

Martin Luther King Day (USA)

Born on January 15, 1929, Martin Luther King Jr. grew to become one of the greatest Social Activists the world has ever known. At 35, he became the youngest person to win the Nobel Peace prize. He was assassinated on April 4, 1968 while making a speech from the balcony of his hotel room in Memphis, Tennessee. His birthday became a National Holiday by an act of the United Stated Congress in 1983 King was the chief spokesman of the nonviolent civil rights movement, which successfully protested racial discrimination in federal and state law. He was assassinated in 1968.

Week of Prayer for Christian Unity

Mawlid an-Nabi is a special holiday for many in the Muslim faith. It is celebrated to mark the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad, who entered the world in 570. It is celebrated on the 12th day of Rabi al-Awwal(Sunnis) 17th (Shi’as), the fifth month of the Islamic Calendar. On this day Muslims celebrate by focusing on the life and teachings of Muhammad. They sing songs and say special prayers. A special part of this remembrance is on how he forgave even his most bitter enemies. As with other holidays, Muslims also give to the poor.

Robbie Burns was a poet and a lyricist. He is widely regarded as the national poet of Scotland, and is celebrated worldwide. He is regarded as a pioneer of the Romantic Movement and after his death became a great source of inspiration to the founders of both liberalism and socialism

Tu Bishvat (or Tu B'Shevat) is a minor Jewish holiday in the Hebrew month of Shivat, usually sometime in late January or early February that marks the "New Year of the Trees") Tu Bishvat is one of four "New Year’s" mentioned in the Mishnah. Customs include planting trees and eating dried fruits and nuts, especially figs, dates, raisins, carob and almonds

The General Assembly today decided that the United Nations will designate 27 January -– the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp -- as an annual International Day of Commemoration to honour the victims of the Holocaust, and urged Member States to develop educational programmes to instill the memory of the tragedy in future generations to prevent genocide from occurring again. 

This festival marks the first day of spring. Vasanta means the spring. The fields are mustard yellow with the ripening of crops. Yellow is an auspicious color - a color of spirituality

Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in the month of February, while in the UK it is held in the month of October.

As a people, with roots dating back to 1603, African-Canadians have defended, cleared, built and farmed this country; our presence is well established, but not well-known. The celebration of Black History Month is an attempt to have the achievements of Black people recognized and told.

When the contributions of people of African descent are acknowledged, when the achievements of Black people are known, when Black people are routinely included or affirmed through our curriculum, our books and the media, and treated with equality, then there will no longer be a need for Black History Month.

Is a day, on February 2 and the preceding eve associated with fertility, celebrated as a fire festival.

As suggested by folklore, if on this day, the groundhog sees his shadow; there will be six more weeks of winter.

Popularly known as the bean-throwing festival, Setsunbun-sai marks the end of winter and the eve of the first day of spring according to the ancient East Asian solar calendar familiar to the Japanese. Beans are thrown into each room of the house, and then through the outer doors, with the shout, "Devils out, fortune in.”

In 1921, a photographer named James Biggs, of Bristol, England was blinded in an accident. Released from hospital, he had the idea of painting his cane white so it could be easily seen at night. The advantages of the white cane soon became apparent as people alerted to Biggs' blindness assisted his movements with guidance and warning of obstacles. Biggs' innovation soon became an internationally accepted symbol of blindness. Today, nine provinces have legislation which restrict the use of the White Cane to those legally blind. Since 1946, the first week of February has traditionally been "White Cane Week" in Canada, due to the CCB's initiative

The 18th month of the Baha’i year.

This is the year of the Snake. Chinese New Year is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. In China, it is known as "Spring Festival," the literal translation of the Chinese name (Pinyin: ChÅ«njié), since the spring season in Chinese calendar starts with lichun, the first solar term in a Chinese calendar year. It marks the end of the winter season, analogous to the Western Carnival. The festival begins on the first day of the first month in the traditional Chinese calendar and ends with Lantern Festival which is on the 15th day. Chinese New Year's Eve, a day where Chinese families gather for their annual reunion dinner, is known as ChúxÄ« or "Eve of the Passing Year." Because the Chinese calendar is lunisolar, the Chinese New Year is often referred to as the "Lunar New Year".

Chinese New Year is the longest and most important festivity in the Chinese calendar. The origin of Chinese New Year is celebrated in countries and territories with significant Chinese populations, such as Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Singapore, Thailand, Indonesia, Malaysia, Mauritius, Philippines, Vietnam, and also in Chinatowns elsewhere. Chinese New Year is considered a major holiday for the Chinese and has had influence on the lunar new year celebrations of its geographic neighbors

James Robinson Johnston, 1876-1915, was the first Nova Scotian of African descent to graduate in the Law Faculty at Dalhousie University. He rose to become a prominent lawyer in the province and a leading humanitarian. The idea of establishing such a post emerged in the late 70's and after extensive local and national activity led to a proposal being approved by the Dalhousie Senate in February 1991 and by the Dalhousie Board of Governors in March 1991. It took a further five years to accumulate the 2.5 million Canadian dollars to launch the Chair.

The history of Valentine's Day -- and its patron saint -- is shrouded in mystery. But we do know that February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition.  One legend contends that Valentine was a priest who served during the third century in Rome. When Emperor Claudius II decided that single men made better soldiers than those with wives and families, he outlawed marriage for young men -- his crop of potential soldiers. Valentine, realizing the injustice of the decree, defied Claudius and continued to perform marriages for young lovers in secret. When Valentine's actions were discovered, Claudius ordered that he be put to death. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers.

February 15

National Flag of Canada Day

February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996. It marks the day in 1965 when our red and white maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and indeed, hundreds of communities across Canada. Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty George V. This is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our flag and what it stands for - a Dominion that is the envy of the world.

is observed primarily by Mahayana Buddhists, most commonly on February 15th. The day commemorates the death of the historical Buddha and his entry into Nirvana. Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha’s teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats.

February 20

World Day for Social Justice

At its sixty-second session, in November 2007, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed February 20th as World Day of Social Justice. The day is to be observed for the first time in 2009

A Jewish Holiday, where work should be avoided. Commemorating the deliverance of the Jewish people in the ancient Persian Empire from destruction in the wake of a plot by Haman, a story recorded in the Biblical Book of Esther (Megillat Esther). Purim in 2012 will start on Thursday, the 8th of March and will continue for 2 days until Friday, the 9th of March.

Tu Bishvat (or Tu B'Shevat) is a minor Jewish holiday in the Hebrew month of Shivat, usually sometime in late January or early February that marks the "New Year of the Trees") Tu Bishvat is one of four "New Year’s" mentioned in the Mishnah. Customs include planting trees and eating dried fruits and nuts, especially figs, dates, raisins, carob and almonds