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September - Paryushan

  1. Books

2. Resources

Paryushan – the celebration of spiritual awareness – is the most important annual festival of Jain religion. Pari + upshamana + upshamana means to suppress, to suppress our passions (kashayas— anger, ego, deceit and greed) from all directions.

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September - Enkutatash - Ethiopia & Eritrea

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

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September/October - Hispanic/Latinx Heritage Month

  1. Books

Hispanic Heritage Month is a period from September 15 to October 15 in the United States for recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.

2. Activities

3. Resources

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September - Chuseok - South Korea

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

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October- Yom Kippur - New Year

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

Yom Kippur, also known as the Day of Atonement, is the holiest day of the year in Judaism. Its central themes are atonement and repentance. Jews traditionally observe this holy day with a day-long fast and intensive prayer.

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October 13 - Indigenous Peoples Day

  1. Books

Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October

2. Activities

3. Resources

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October - Abilities and Belonging

  1. Books

This month celebrates the range of abilities that we see on campus and throughout our community

2. Resources

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October - Filipino American History Month

  1. Books

October marks National Filipino American History Month, along with October 25 being declared as Larry Itliong Day in California

2. Resources

3. Larry Itliong - CA Farm Labor Leader

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October 20 - Diwali - India

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

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November 1 - Dia De Los Muertos - Mexico

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

The Day of the Dead is a Mexican holiday celebrated in Mexico and elsewhere associated with ... Significance, Prayer and remembrance of friends and family members who have died.

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November - Native American Heritage Month

  1. Books

On August 3, 1990, President of the United States George H. W. Bush declared the month of November as Native American Heritage Month

2. Resources

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November- Veterans Day

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

Veterans Day (originally known as Armistice Day) is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11, for honoring military veterans, who are people who have served in the United States Armed Forces

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December - Parol Giant Lantern Festival - Philippines

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

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December - Las Posadas

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

Las Posadas, (Spanish: “The Inns”) religious festival celebrated in Mexico and some parts of the United States between December 16 and 24

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December - Celebrations around The World

  • Books

3. Resources

  • Books

2. Resources

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December - Kwanzaa

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

Kwanzaa is an annual celebration of African-American culture that is held from December 26 to January 1, culminating in a communal feast called Karamu

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December - Hanukkah

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

Hanukkah celebrates the victory for Jewish people over a tyrant king and the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem. As the story goes, a small quantity of oil to light the Temple's menorah miraculously lasted eight days.

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January/February - Pongal

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

This is the Harvest Festival of South India, with various celebrations throughout India.

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February - Lunar New Year

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

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February - Carnival

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

Carnival is Brazil’s largest festivals and it includes massive celebrations, Samba dancing, costumes, parades, and food. It is also celebrated in Louisiana as Mardi Gras, France, Nigeria, and the Caribbean.

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January- Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  • Books

A federal holiday marking the birthday of Martin Luther King Jr. It is observed on the third Monday of January each year.

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

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February - Black History Month - 1/2

  • Books

2. Activities

  • Book Lists

For Black History Month, all links contain a larger list with many resources.

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February - Black History Month 2/2

3. Resources

For Black History Month, all links contain a larger list with many resources.

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February/March- Maslenitsa - Russia

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

Maslenitsa is a traditional Russian festival for welcoming spring and the start of the Orthodox Lent season. Also known as Shrovetide

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March - Nowruz - Persian New Year

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

A period of celebration marking the start of the Iranian new year and typically lasting for thirteen days

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March - Cherry Blossom Festival - Japan

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

Hanami, a traditional Japanese custom of celebrating the beauty of flowers, especially cherry blossoms

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March - Holi - India

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

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March- Ramadan

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

Ramadan is the 9th month in the Islamic Lunar Calendar and is celebrated by observing dry fasts from sunrise to sunset everyday, introspection, and charity among Muslims families. For 30 days, starting on March 11, each night is an opportunity for community dinner, reflection to foster compassion & empathy, forgiveness, and meditative prayer.

The month long festivities will end on April 9, with the Festival of Sweets (Eid al Fitr), to celebrate the gift of Ramadan.

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March 31 & April 10 - Cesar Chavez & Dolores Huerta

  1. Books

Cesar Chavez Day is on March 31, as, proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2014. Governor Gavin Newsom today issued a proclamation declaring April 10, 2019, as the first annual "Dolores Huerta Day" in the State of California.

3. Resources

  1. Books

2. Resources

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April - Songkrum - Thailand

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

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April- Passover

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

3. Resources

Passover represents the Hebrews’ liberation from slavery in Egypt and the “passing over” of the forces of destruction

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May - Children’s Day - Japan

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

Children's Day is a Japanese national holiday which takes place annually on May 5 and is the final celebration in �Golden Week. It is a day set aside to respect children's personalities and to celebrate their happiness

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August - New Yam Festival

  • Books

2. Activities

3. Resources

  • Books

An annual cultural festival by the Igbo people held at the end of the rainy season in early August. The Iri ji festival is practiced throughout West Africa (especially in Nigeria and Ghana) symbolizing the conclusion of a harvest.