Multicultural Observances in February 2016

February is BLACK HISTORY MONTH USA “Black History Month” and more importantly, the study of black history month is greatly owed to Dr. Carter D. Woodson who first launched “Negro History Week” in 1926. Woodson chose February because it marks the birthdays of two men who greatly impacted the American black population Abraham Lincoln (president of the United States who freed slaves during the Civil War), and Fredrick Douglass (a black who worked to end slavery) have birthdays in February. The purpose of this month is to recognize the contributions of Black Americans and develop a better understanding of the Black experience. CANADA In December of 1995, the Parliament of Canada recognized February as Black History Month following a motion introduced by the first African Canadian woman elected to Parliament, Jean Augustine. The presence of peoples of African descent in Canada dates back farther than Samuel de Champlain’s (a French explorer and navigator in early 1600’s) first voyage down the St. Lawrence River. JANUARY – FEBRUARY Hopi Holy Cycle (Aboriginal) Buffalo dances are performed in Hopi reserves. Days vary according to community. S chedule Alert R eligious Day C ultural/National Day * Begins at Previous Sundown

February 1st C  Kitchen God Celebration (China) C  Abolition of Slavery (Mauritius) February 2nd R  Candlemas Day (Christian) R  Imbolg (Wicca) C  Groundhog Day (USA / Canada) February 3rd C  Setsubun-Sai (Japan) February 4th C  Independence Day (Sri Lanka)  World Cancer Day (UN) February 6th C  Waitangi Day (New Zealand) February 7th R  Mulk (18th month) (Bahá’í) C  Independence Day (Grenada)  Kindness Awareness Week (International) February 8th S/  Chinese New Year (China, Buddhist, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Vietnam) R  Losar (Tibet) S/C  Solnal (Korea) S/C  Boy Scout Day (Canada / USA) C February 9th R  Shrove Tuesday (Christian) C  Pancake Day (UK) C  Carnaval Parade (Brazil) February 10th R  Ash Wednesday (Lent Begins) (Christian) February 11th R  Great Prayer Festival (Tibet) C  National Foundation Day (Japan) February 12th R  Basant Panchami (Hindu) C  Lincoln’s Birthday (USA) February 14th C  Valentine’s Day (USA, Canada, UK) February 15th S/C  President’s Day (Observed) (USA) S/C  Family Day (Canada) C  Louis Riel Day (Aboriginal / Native Canadian) C  National Flag Day (Canada) C  National Day (Serbia) February 16th C  Independence Day (Lithuania) February 18th C  Independence Day (Gambia) February 22nd R  Butter Lamp Festival (Tibet C  Washington’s Birthday (USA) C  Abu Simbel Festival (Egypt) C  Independence Day (Saint Lucia) C  Girl Guides Thinking Day (Canada)  World Day of Water (UN) February 24th C  Independence Day (Estonia) February 25th C  People Power Day (Philippines) C  National Day (Kuwait) February 26th R  Intercalary Days* thru March 1st (Bahá’í) February 27th C  Independence Day (Dominican Republic) February 28th C  Kalevala Day (Finland) For a full explanation of the above events, please check the February 2016 Multicultural Calendar sent to your location and on display in the office or staff room.

Multicultural Observances. FEBRUARY 2016.doc