The School Holidays for 2007 and 2008 have been published. To view the
school terms for 2007/2008, download the Gazette.
| Days to Remember |
|
|
| February 14 |
Valentine's Day |
|
| September 6
2006
April 25, 2007
|
Secretaries' Day |
April
24-30 is Administrative Professional’s Week. Wednesday, April 27th
is Administrative Professional’s Day, also known as Secretary's
Day |
| Second
Sunday in May |
Mother's Day |
|
| July 18 |
Madiba's Birthday |
Live
the Legacy - donate to the Madiba foundation. Visit http://www.nelsonmandela.org |
| Third
Sunday in June |
Father's
Day |
In
1909, Mrs. John B. Dodd, of Spokane Washington, first proposed the
idea of a "father's day". Mrs. Dodd wanted a special day
to honor her father, William Smart. William Smart, a Civil War
veteran, was widowed when his wife died in childbirth with their
sixth child. Mr. Smart was left to raise all his children alone on a
rural farm in eastern Washington state.
The first Father's Day was observed on June 19, 1910 in Spokane
Washington. Mrs. Dodd wanted Father's Day to be celebrated on the
first Sunday in June, her father's birthday. However, the Spokane
council couldn't get the resolution through the first reading until
the third Sunday in June. At about the same time in various towns
and cities across American other people were beginning to celebrate
a "father's day." In 1924 President Calvin Coolidge
supported the idea of a national Father's Day.
Finally in 1966 President Lyndon Johnson signed a presidential
proclamation declaring the 3rd Sunday of June as Father's Day.
The white or red rose is the official flower for Father's Day.
Mrs. Dodd suggested that people wear a white rose to honor a father
who was deceased and a red rose for a father who was living. |
| First
Sunday after a Monday in September |
Grandparents
Day |
In
the USA, celebrated as the first Sunday after Labor Day (celebrated
on the first Monday in September) |
| October
16 |
Boss's
Day |
Patricia
Haroski, a secretary from Deerfield, Ilinois, originated National
Boss Day in 1958 in honor of her white-collar father, who helped his
children with good advice throughout their careers.
In
honor of the elder Haroski's birthday - October 16 - daughter
Patricia registered the day with the U.S. Chamber of Commerce.
Four
years later, National Boss Day was backed by Illinois Governor Otto
Kerner who officially proclaimed the day in 1962. The idea quickly
gained favor across the country and is now even observed in England,
Australia and South Africa.
Today,
National Boss Day (or Bosses Day) always falls on October 16 |
| First
Sunday in August |
Friendship
Day |
Celebrating
the idea that "you can't choose your relatives...but you can
choose your friends!" :-) ...the first Sunday in August was
proclaimed National Friendship Day by the U.S. Congress in 1935,
Today,
Friendship Day remains a tradition observed in many countries and
cultures around the world |
| April
22 |
Earth
Day |
April
22 is the day when millions around the world celebrate Earth Day,
which has grown to encompass events taking place throughout April,
also known as Earth Month.
Workinfo.com suggestion - a good day to focus on Global warming,
and reducing your carbon footprint. |
| 1
April |
April
Fools Day |
Modern
April Fools Day got its start during the ancient Roman holiday of Saturnalia
(in honor of the god Saturn) when all class distinctions were
abolished and slaves and their masters switched roles - temporarily,
at least. Chaos ruled the day around the time of the spring equinox,
which also marked the first day of the New Year under the ancient
Julian calendar.
By the Middle
Ages, Europeans retained the old Roman taste for a good time. So
every spring, a Lord of Misrule, or King of Fools, was elected in
towns & cities across Europe to celebrate.
Hundreds of
years went by, and the practice was still being commemorated by
Victor Hugo's character, Quasi Modo, as the King
of Fools in Hunchback of Notre Dame.
Centuries
later, a fairly hilarious look at gags pulled in the 19th century
was April
Fools and Other Fools, published in 1881.
Workinfo.com suggestion - keep the gags, but also a good day for
managers to treat their employees, do their own typing, make coffee
for subordinates. Keep the Roman Saturnalia tradition alive. Perhaps
a chance to take that one manager with the worst employee skills and
treat them to public humiliation. |
| March
17 |
St.
Patrick's Day |
What
can we say about St Patrick's Day - "res ipsa loquitur"
- whiskey, women, song and jokes |
School Holidays for 2007 (proposed)
See the official
Government Gazette [PDF file]
|
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2007 |
GROUP 1: COASTAL PROVINCES: EASTERN CAPE,
KWAZULU-NATAL, NORTHERN CAPE AND WESTERN CAPE
|
TERM |
DURATION |
NO. OF WEEKS |
NO. OF DAYS |
NO.OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS |
ACTUAL NO. OF SCHOOL DAYS |
|
1 |
(15) 17 Jan- 30 March |
11 |
55 |
1 |
(52) 54 |
|
2 |
11 April-22 June |
11 |
53 |
2+1 |
51 |
|
3 |
16 July-21 Sept |
10 |
50 |
1+1 |
48 |
|
4 |
1 Oct-30 Nov (4 Dec) |
9(10) |
45 |
0 |
49(47) |
|
TOTAL |
|
41(42) |
203 |
6 |
196(200) |
GROUP 2: INLAND PROVINCES: FREE STATE, GAUTENG,
LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA AND NORTH WEST
|
TERM |
DURATION |
NO. OF WEEKS |
NO.OF DAYS |
NO. OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS |
ACTUAL NO.OF SCHOOL DAYS |
|
1 |
(8)10 Jan-23 March |
11 |
55 |
1 |
52(54) |
|
2 |
11 April-22 June |
11 |
53 |
2+1 |
51 |
|
3 |
16 July-21 Sept- |
10 |
50 |
1+1 |
48 |
|
4 |
1 Oct-30 Nov (4 Dec) |
9(10) |
45 |
0 |
47(49) |
|
TOTAL |
|
41(42) |
204 |
6 |
196(200) |
|
SUMMARY OF THE PROPOSED
SCHOOL CALENDAR FOR 2008 |
GROUP 1: COASTAL PROVINCES: EASTERN CAPE,
KWAZULU-NATAL, NORTHERN CAPE AND WESTERN CAPE
|
TERM |
DURATION |
NO. OF WEEKS |
NO.OF DAYS |
NO.OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS |
ACTUAL NO.OF SCHOOL DAYS |
|
1st term |
(14) 16 Jan-19 March |
10 |
48 |
0 |
46(48) |
|
2nd term |
7 April-20 June |
11 |
55 |
3+1 |
51 |
|
3rd term |
14 July-26 Sept |
12 |
55 |
2 |
54 |
|
4th term |
6 Oct-5 (9) Dec |
9(10) |
45 |
0 |
45(47) |
|
TOTAL |
|
42(43) |
203 |
6 |
198(200) |
GROUP 2: INLAND PROVINCES: FREE STATE, GAUTENG,
LIMPOPO, MPUMALANGA AND NORTH WEST
|
TERM |
DURATION |
NO. OF WEEKS |
NO. OF DAYS |
NO. OF PUBLIC HOLIDAYS |
ACTUAL NO. OF SCHOOL DAYS |
|
1st term
|
(7) 9 Jan-14 March |
10 |
50 |
0 |
(50) 48 |
|
2nd term |
9 April-27 June |
12 |
58 |
4+1 |
53 |
|
3rd term |
21 July-26 Sept |
10 |
50 |
2 |
49 |
|
4th term |
6 Oct- 5(9) Dec |
9(10) |
47 |
0 |
(47) 45 |
|
Total |
|
42(43) |
205 |
7 |
195 (199) |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Religious Holidays
We do not identify non-core authentic religions (in our view). To find
out about Wicca/Neo Pagan, Scientology, and other endless variations please
see http://www.interfaithcalendar.org
|
Christian |
Jewish |
Muslim |
Eastern |
JANUARY 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Mary, Mother of God - Catholic Christian |
|
|
Gantan-sai (New Years) - Shinto |
|
Feast of St Basil - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
|
|
|
Mahayana Buddhist New Year ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
Twelfth Night - Christian |
|
|
Guru Gobindh Singh birthday - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
Epiphany - Christian |
|
|
|
|
Feast of the Theophany - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings) - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
Feast of the Nativity - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
Baptism of the Lord Jesus - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
Maghi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
|
| 18-25 |
Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
Hijra - New Year * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
World Religion Day * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
|
|
|
Vasant Panchami ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
Conversion of St. Paul - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
Triodion begins - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
Ashura * - Islam |
|
FEBRUARY 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Candlemas - Christian |
|
|
|
|
Presentation of Christ in the Temple - Anglican Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
|
Tu B'shvat * - Jewish |
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
Nirvana Day ** - Buddhism |
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
Meatfare - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
| 14 |
St. Valentines Day - Christian |
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
Nirvana Day ** - Buddhist |
| 16 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Maha Shivaratri ** - Hindu |
| 18 |
Transfiguration Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cheesefare Sunday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
Chinese New Year - Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
Clean Monday (Lent begins) - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
Shrove Tuesday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
Ash Wednesday (Lent begins) - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
Sunday of Orthodoxy - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 26-March 1 |
|
|
|
Intercalary Days * - Baha'i |
MARCH 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
St. David of Wales - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
|
|
|
Magha Puja Day ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
|
| 4-5 |
|
Purim * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
Holi ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
Hola Maholla - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
St Patrick's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
New Year ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
|
| 19-27 |
|
|
|
Ramayana ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
Mawlid an Nabi * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
Naw Ruz (New Year) * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
Annunciation of the Blessed Virgin Mary - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
Ramanavami ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
Lazarus Saturday - Orthodox Christian |
|
Mawlid an Nabi * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APRIL 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Palm Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
Theravadin Buddhist New Year ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
Hanuman Jayanti ** - Hindu |
| 3-10 * |
|
Pesach (Passover)* - Jewish |
|
|
| 5 |
Maundy Thursday - Christian |
|
|
|
| 6 |
Good Friday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
Holy Friday - Orthodox
Christian |
|
|
|
| 8 |
Easter - Christian |
|
|
Baisakhi (Vaisakhi) - Sikh |
|
Easter/Pascha - Orthodox
Christian |
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
Yom HaShoah * - Jewish |
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
Ridvan begins * - Baha'i |
| 23 |
St George's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
| 30 |
St. James the Great Day - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
MAY 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
Buddha Day - Visakha Puja - Wesak
** - Buddhist |
| 3 |
St. Phillip and St. James the Lesser - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
Lag B'Omer * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
Ascension of Christ - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 23-24 |
|
Shavuot * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
|
|
|
Declaration of the Bab * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
Pentecost - Christian |
|
|
|
|
Trinity - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
Ascension of Baha'u'llah * - Baha'i |
JUNE 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
All Saints Day - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
Trinity Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
| 7 |
Corpus Christi- Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
| 9 |
St. Columba of Iona - Celtic Christian |
|
|
|
| 11 |
Trinity - Christian |
|
|
|
| 15 |
Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
| 16 |
|
|
|
Guru Arjan Dev martyrdom - Sikh |
| 24 |
Saint John the Baptist - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul - Christian |
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
Guru Purnima ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
Asala Puja Day ** - Buddhist |
JULY 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
Martyrdom of the Bab * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
St Benedict Day - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
Obon (Ulambana) ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
St. Vladimir Day - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
|
Tisha B'Av * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
St. James the Great Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
AUGUST 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Lammas - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
Transfiguration of The Lord - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
Lailat al Miraj * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
Dormition of the Theotokos - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
Lailat al Bara'ah * Islam |
Raksha Bandhan **- Hindu |
| 29 |
Beheading of John the Baptist - Christian |
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Church year begins - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
Krishna Janmashtami ** - Hindu |
| 8 |
Nativity of Mary - Christian |
|
|
|
| 13-14 |
|
Rosh Hashanah * - Jewish |
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
Ramadan begins * - Islam |
|
| 14 |
Elevation of the Life Giving Cross/Holy Cross Day - Christian |
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
Ganesa Chaturthi ** - Hindu |
| 22 |
|
Yom Kippur * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
27-Oct. 3 (26-27 Primary Obligation days) |
|
|
|
|
Sukkot * - Jewish |
|
|
| 29 |
Michael and All Angels - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
OCTOBER 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
| St Francis Day - Catholic Chrisian |
|
|
|
|
| Shemini Atzeret * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
| Simchat Torah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| St. Thomas Day - Ortodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Laylat el Qadr * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 12-20 |
|
|
|
|
| Navaratri ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
|
| Eid al Fitr (Ramadan ends) ** - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
| St. Luke's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| Birth of the B'ab * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Dasera ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
|
| Reformation Day - Protestant Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Milvian Bridge Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
| All Hallows Eve - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Reformation Day - Protestant Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Samhain * - Wicca/Neo Pagan northern
hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Beltane * - Wicca/Neo Pagan southern
hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
NOVEMBER 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| All Saints' Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| All Souls' Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Diwali (Deepavali) ** - Hindu,
Sikh, Jain |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
| Birth of Baha'u'llah * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
| Nativity Fast begins - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Thanksgiving - Interfaith |
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
|
|
|
|
| Guru Tegh Bahadur martyrdom - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Christ the King Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Day of Covenant * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| St. Andrew's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
DECEMBER 2007
|
|
|
|
|
| 2,9,16,23 |
|
|
|
|
| Sundays of Advent - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 5-12 |
|
|
|
|
| Hanukkah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
| Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| Immaculate Conception - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
| Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 16 |
|
|
|
|
| Posadas Navidenas begins - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
| Hajj begins * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| Eid al Adha * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Yule - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Yule * - Wicca/Neo Pagan northern hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Litha * - Wicca/Neo Pagan southern
hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| St. Thomas Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Christmas * - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Nativity ** - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra) Zoroastrian |
|
|
|
|
| St Stephen's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Holy Innocents - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Holy Family - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
| Watch Night - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JANUARY 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Mary, Mother of God - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Feast Day of St. Basil - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Gantan-sai (New Years) - Shinto |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
| Twelfth Night - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Gukru Gobindh Singh birthday - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| Epiphany - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Theophany - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day - Hispanic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Nativity - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
| Hijra - New Year * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
|
| Baptism of the Lord Jesus - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Maghi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
|
|
|
|
| Maghi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
|
|
|
|
| Blessing of the Animals - Hispanic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 18-25 |
|
|
|
|
| Week of Prayer for Christian Unity - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
| Ashura * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| World Religion Day * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Tu B'shvat * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 22-25 |
|
|
|
|
| Mahayana New Year ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Conversion of Saint Paul - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
FEBRUARY 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Candlemas - Presentation of Christ in the Temple - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Imbolc * - Wicca- Northern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Lughanssad * - Wicca- Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
|
|
|
|
| Four Chaplains Sunday - Interfaith |
|
|
|
|
| Transfiguration Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
| Shrove Tuesday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| Ash Wednesday - Lent begins - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
|
|
|
|
| Chinese New Year - Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
| Nirvana Day ** - Buddhism |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| Vasant Panchami ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
|
|
|
|
| St. Valentine's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
| Nirvana Day ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
|
|
|
|
| Triodion - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 26-March 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Intercalary Days * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
MARCH 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Saturday of Souls - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| St. David of Wales - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Four Chaplains Sunday - Christian/Jewish Interfaith |
|
|
|
|
| Meatfare Sunday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| Maha Shivaratri ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Cheesefare Sunday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
| Lent begins - Clean Monday- Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 16 |
|
|
|
|
| Palm/Passion Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Orthodox Sunday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
|
|
|
|
| St Patrick's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| Mawlid an Nabi * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| Ostara Vernal Equinox * - Wicca - Northern
Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Mabon * - Wicca - Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Maunday Thursday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Good Friday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Purim * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| Norouz (New Year) - Persian/Zoroastrian |
|
|
|
|
| Naw Ruz (New Year) * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Holi ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| Hola Mohalla - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
|
|
|
|
| Easter - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Annunciation of the Virgin Mary - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra) - Zoroastrian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
APRIL 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| New Year ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 6-14 |
|
|
|
|
| Ramayana ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
|
| Baisakhi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
|
|
|
|
| Ramanavami ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| Baisakhi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
| Lazarus Saturday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| Hanuman Jayanti ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| Palm Sunday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 20-23 |
|
|
|
|
| Theravadin New Year ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 20-21 * |
|
|
|
|
| Pesach (Passover) First two days * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Ridvan begins * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
|
|
|
|
| St. George's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 24-26 |
|
|
|
|
| Pesach (Passover) final two days * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Holy Friday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
|
| Easter/Pascha - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| St. James the Great Day - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
MAY 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Ascension of Christ - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Beltane * - Wicca Northern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Samhain * - Wicca Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Yom HaSho'ah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| Pentecost - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
| Trinity Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| Buddha Day - Visakha Puja ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Corpus Christi - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
|
|
|
|
| Declaration of the Bab * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
| Ascension of Baha'u'llah * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
JUNE 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
| Pentecost - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
| Ascension of Jesus- Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| St. Columba of Iona - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 9-10 |
|
|
|
|
| Shavuot * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| Trinity - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
| Corpus Christi- Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Pentecost - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 16 |
|
|
|
|
| Guru Arjan Dev martyrdom - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
| New Church Day - Swedenborgian Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| First Nations Day - Canadian Native People |
|
|
|
|
| Litha * - Wicca Northern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Yule * - Wicca Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| All Saints - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
|
|
|
|
| Sacred Heart of Jesus- Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
| Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul - Christian |
|
|
|
|
JULY 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Martyrdom of the Bab * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| St. Benedict Day - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 13-16 |
|
|
|
|
| Ulambana - Obon ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
| Asalha Puja Day - Dhamma Day ** - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
|
|
|
|
| Pioneer Day- Mormon Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| St. James the Great Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
AUGUST 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Lammas - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Fast in honor of Holy Mother of Lord Jesus - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Lughnassad * - Wicca Northern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Imbolc * - Wicca Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| Transfiguration of Our Lord - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
| Tisha B'Av * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
| Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Dormition of the Theotokos - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 16 |
|
|
|
|
| Raksha Bandhan ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
| Lailat al Bara'ah * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Assumption of the Virgin Mary - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Krishna Janmashtami ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
| Beheading of John the Baptist - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
| Lailat al Miraj * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions |
|
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Church year begins - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Ramadan begins * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
|
|
|
|
| Ganesa Chaturthi ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
| Nativity of Mary - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
| Hijra - New Year * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
|
|
|
|
| Holy Cross Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Mabon * - Wicca Northern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Ostara * - Wicca Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
| Michael and All Angels - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 30-Oct 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Rosh Hashanah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 30-Oct 8 |
|
|
|
|
| Navaratri ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
OCTOBER 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Eid al Fitr - Ramadan ends * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
| St Francis Day - Catholic Chrisian |
|
|
|
|
| 8-9 |
|
|
|
|
| Yom Kippur * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Dasera ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 13-19 (13-14 Primary Obligation Days) |
|
|
|
|
| Sukkot * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| Birth of the B'ab * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| Installation of Scriptures as Guru Granth - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Semini Atzeret * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Simhat Torah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
|
| Reformation Day - Protestant Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Milvian Bridge Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Diwali - Deepavali ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
| All Hallows Eve - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Reformation Day - Protestant Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
NOVEMBER 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| All Saints' Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Samhain * - Wicca Northern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Beltane * - Wicca Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| All Souls' Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
| Birth of Baha'u'llah * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
|
| Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Sahib - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
| Nativity Fast begins - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
|
|
|
|
| Christ the King - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
|
|
|
|
| Guru Tegh Bahadur Martydrom - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Day of Covenant * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
|
| Thanksgiving - Interfaith |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Baha * - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| First Sunday of Advent - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| St. Andrew's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
DECEMBER 2008
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
| Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) ** - Buddhism |
|
|
|
|
| Immaculate Conception - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Eid al Adha * - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
| Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Advent Fast begins - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 16-25 |
|
|
|
|
| Posedas Novidenas - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Yule * - Wicca Northern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Litha * - Wicca Southern Hemisphere |
|
|
|
|
| Yule - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 22-30 |
|
|
|
|
| Hanukkah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Christmas * - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Nativity ** - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra - Zoroastrian |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Holy Innocents - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Holy Family - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
Watch Night - Christian
Definitions |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JANUARY 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Mary, Mother of God - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of St Basil - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Gantan-sai (New Years) - Shinto |
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
| Twelfth Night - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| Epiphany - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Theophany - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
|
|
|
|
| Maghi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 18 |
|
|
|
|
| World Religion Day - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Chinese New Year - Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
FEBRUARY 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
| Nirvana Day - Buddhism |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Tu B'shvat * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Transfiguration Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Ash Wednesday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
MARCH 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| Four Chaplains Sunday - Christian/Jewish Interfaith |
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Mawlid an Nabi - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
| Purim * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| Holi ** - Hindu |
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
|
|
|
|
| St Patrick's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Norouz (New Year) - Persian/Zoroastrian |
|
|
|
|
| Naw Ruz (New Year) - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Khordad Sal (Birth of Prophet Zaranhushtra) Zoroastrian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
APRIL 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
|
|
|
|
| Palm Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 9-10 * |
|
|
|
|
| Pesach (Passover) first two days - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
| Good Friday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
| Easter - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
|
| Baisakhi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
|
|
|
|
| Holy Friday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
| Easter/Pascha - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Yom HaSho'ah - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 24-26 |
|
|
|
|
| Pesach (Passover) final two days - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| St. James the Great Day - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
MAY 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Buddha Day - Visakha Puja - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Ascension of Christ - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
| Ascension of Baha'u'llah - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| Shavot * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
| Pentecost - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
JUNE 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 7 |
|
|
|
|
| Trinity - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| Corpus Christi - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
| Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| First Nations Day - Canadian Native People |
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
|
|
|
|
| John the Baptist Birth - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
| Saints Peter and Paul - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
JULY 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
|
| Martyrdom of the Bab - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| St Benedict Day - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 24 |
|
|
|
|
| Pioneer Day- Mormon Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| St. James the Great Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
|
|
|
| Tisha B'Av * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
AUGUST 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| Lammas - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Lughnassad (Lammas) - Wicca/Neo Pagan |
|
|
|
|
| Fast in honor of Holy Mother of Lord Jesus - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
|
|
|
|
| Transfiguration of Our Lord - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 15 |
|
|
|
|
| Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Dormition of the Theotokos - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 22 |
|
|
|
|
| Ramadan begins - Islam |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
|
|
|
| Rosh Hashanah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
|
| Eid al Fitr - Ramadan ends - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Yom Kippur * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
OCTOBER 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 3-9 (3-4 Primary Obligation Days) |
|
|
|
|
| Sukkot * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
|
|
|
|
| St Francis Day - Catholic Chrisian |
|
|
|
|
| 10 |
|
|
|
|
| Shemini Atzeret * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
|
|
|
| Simhat Torah * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
|
| Birth of the B'ab - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
|
| Reformation Day - Protestant Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Mulvian Bridge Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
| All Hallows Eve - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
NOVEMBER 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
|
|
|
| All Saints' Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
|
|
|
| All Souls' Day - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
| Birth of Baha'u'llah - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Thanksgiving - Interfaith |
|
|
|
|
| Day of Covenant - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Eid al Adha - Islam |
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
|
| First Sunday of Advent - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
Definitions
|
|
|
|
|
DECEMBER 2009
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
|
| Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) - Buddhism |
|
|
|
|
| Immaculate Conception - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
|
| Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| Hanukkah begins * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
| 25 |
|
|
|
|
| Christmas - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
|
| Zarathosht Diso (Death of Prophet Zarathushtra Zoroastrian |
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
|
| Feast of the Holy Family - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
|
|
|
| Holy Innocents - Christian |
|
|
|
|
| 31 |
|
|
|
|
| Watch Night - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JANUARY 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Mary, Mother of God - Catholic Christian |
|
|
Gantan-sai (New Years) - Shinto |
|
Feast of St Basil - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 5 |
Twelfth Night - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 6 |
Epiphany - Christian |
|
|
|
|
Feast of the Theophany - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
|
|
|
Maghi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
|
|
|
World Religion Day - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
|
Tu B'shvat * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
FEBRUARY 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 8 |
|
|
|
Nirvana Day - Buddhism |
|
|
|
|
|
| 14 |
|
|
|
Chinese New Year - Confucian/Daoist/Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
Ash Wednesday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 28 |
|
Purim * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MARCH 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Four Chaplains Sunday - Christian/Jewish Interfaith |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 17 |
St Patrick's Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
Mawlid an Nabi - Islam |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 21 |
|
|
|
Naw Ruz (New Year) - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 30-31 * |
|
Pesach (Passover) First two days - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
APRIL 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
Good Friday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
Holy Friday - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
Easter - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4 |
Easter/Pascha - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 4-5 |
|
Pesach (Passover) final two days - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 11 |
|
Yom HaSho'ah - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
|
|
|
Baisakhi - Sikh |
|
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
St. James the Great Day - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
MAY 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 13 |
Ascension of Christ - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 19 |
|
Shavuot * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 23 |
Pentecost - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 27 |
|
|
|
Buddha Day - Visakha Puja - Buddhist |
|
|
|
|
|
| 29 |
|
|
|
Ascension of Baha'u'llah - Baha'i |
|
|
|
|
|
| 30 |
Trinity Sunday - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
JUNE 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 3 |
Corpus Christi- Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
| 11 |
Sacred Heart of Jesus - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
JULY 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
|
|
Martyrdom of the Bab - Baha'i |
| 11 |
St Benedict Day - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
Tisha B'Av * - Jewish |
|
|
| 25 |
St. James the Great Day - Christian |
|
|
|
AUGUST 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
Lammas - Christian |
|
|
|
|
Fast in honor of Holy Mother of Lord Jesus - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
| 15 |
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
Dormition of the Theotokos - Orthodox Christian |
|
|
|
SEPTEMBER 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 9 |
|
Rosh Hashanah * - Jewish |
|
|
| 18 |
|
Yom Kippur * - Jewish |
|
|
|
|
23-29 (23-24 Primary Obligation Days) |
|
|
|
|
Sukkot * - Jewish |
|
|
| 24 |
|
|
Ramadan begins - Islam |
|
| 30 |
|
Shemini Atzeret * - Jewish |
|
|
OCTOBER 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
|
Simhat Torah * - Jewish |
|
|
| 4 |
St Francis Day - Catholic Chrisian |
|
|
|
| 20 |
|
|
|
Birth of the B'ab - Baha'i |
| 24 |
|
|
Eid al Fitr - Ramadan ends - Islam |
|
| 27 |
Reformation Day - Protestant Christian |
|
|
|
| 28 |
Mulvian Bridge Day - Christian |
|
|
|
| 31 |
All Hallows Eve - Christian |
|
|
|
NOVEMBER 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 1 |
All Saints' Day - Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
All Souls' Day - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
| 12 |
|
|
|
Birth of Baha'u'llah - Baha'i |
| 17 |
|
|
Eid al Adha - Islam |
|
| 26 |
|
|
|
Day of Covenant - Baha'i |
| 28 |
First Sunday of Advent - Christian |
|
|
|
DECEMBER 2010
|
|
|
|
|
| 2 |
|
Hanukkah begins * - Jewish |
|
|
| 8 |
Immaculate Conception - Catholic Christian |
|
|
Bodhi Day (Rohatsu) - Buddhism |
| 12 |
Feast day - Our Lady of Guadalupe - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
| 25 |
Christmas - Christian |
|
|
|
| 26 |
Feast of the Holy Family - Catholic Christian |
|
|
|
| 28 |
Holy Innocents - Christian |
|
|
|
| 31 |
Watch Night - Christian |
|
|
|
Public Interest Days
| January |
|
|
| 31 January 2006 |
World Leprosy Day |
|
| February |
Reproductive Health Month |
|
| 4 February |
4 World Cancer Day |
|
| 9 – 14 February |
9-14 STI / Condom Week |
|
| 12 – 18 February |
12-18 Pregnancy Awareness Week |
|
| March |
Health and Nutrition Campaign -CANSA
|
|
| 8 March |
8 International Women’s Day |
|
| 20 March |
20 Head Injury Awareness Day |
|
| 24 March |
World TB Day |
United Nations - World TB Day, falling
on 24 March each year, builds public awareness that TB remains an
epidemic in much of the world, and leads to the deaths of 1.7 million
people each year, mostly in the developing world. World TB Day 2007
will mark the 125th anniversary of Robert Koch's discovery of the TB
bacillus, and events around the world will commemorate this day. |
| April |
Health Awareness Month
National Blood Donor Month |
|
| 7 April |
7 World Health Day |
|
| 2 – 8 April |
2-8 National Polio Eradication
Awareness Week |
|
| 17 April |
17 World Haemophilia Day |
|
| May |
International Multiple Sclerosis Month
Anti Tobacco Campaign Month - CANSA |
|
| 8 May |
8 World Red Cross Day |
|
| 10 May |
10 World Move for Health Day |
|
| 12 May |
12 Chronic Fatigue and Immune
Dysfunction Syndrome |
|
| 12 May |
12 International Nurses Day |
|
| 16 May |
16 Candlelight Memorial Day |
|
| 19 May |
29- 3/06 Child Protection Week |
|
| 28 May |
28 International Day of Action for
Women’s Health |
|
| 31 May |
31 World No Tobacco Day |
|
| June |
National Youth Month |
|
| 1 June |
1 Children’s Day |
|
| 1 June |
1 International Day of Innocent
Children - Victims of Aggression |
|
| 5 June |
5 World Environment Day |
|
| 5 – 11 June |
5-11 Stroke Awareness Week |
|
| 16 June |
16 Youth Day |
|
| 19 – 25 June |
19-25 Epilepsy Week |
|
| 19 – 26 June |
19 –26 SANCA Drug Awareness Week |
|
| 26 June |
26 International Day against Drug
Abuse and Illicit Drug Trafficking |
|
| July |
Mental Illness Awareness Month
Men’s Health - CANSA |
|
| 6 July |
6 National Multiple Sclerosis
Awareness Day |
|
| 11 July |
11 World Population Day |
|
| 16 July |
16 Hepatitis Day |
|
| August |
National Oral Health Month
National Women's Month |
|
| 1 – 7 August |
1-7 World Breastfeeding Week (www.ibfan.org
/ www.waba.org) |
|
| 6 – 12 August |
6-12 National Immunisation Awareness
Week |
|
| 6 August |
31/07-6 Cancer Prevention Week |
|
| 9 August |
9 National Women’s Day |
|
| 8 – 14 August |
08-14 Organ Donor Week |
|
| 17 August |
17 SADC Day |
|
| 24 – 30 August |
24-30 Cerebral Palsy Week |
|
| 24 – 30 August |
24-30 Deaf Awareness Week |
|
| September |
Heart Month
Cervical Health Month
Epilepsy Awareness Month
Albinism Awareness Month |
|
| 4 - 11 September |
4-11 Pharmacy Week |
|
| 9 September |
9 International Fetal Alcohol Syndrome
Day |
|
| 11 – 15 September |
11-15 National Kidney Awareness Week
|
|
| 11 – 15 September |
11-15 Back Week |
|
| 21 September |
21 International Alzheimer’s Day |
|
| 26 – 30 September |
26-30 Older Persons Awareness Week
|
|
| 24 September |
24 World Heart Day |
|
| October |
Breast Health Month
Mental Health Awareness Month |
|
| 1 October |
1 International Day for Older Persons
|
|
| 1 October |
1 National Inherited Disorders Day
|
|
| 8 October |
8 International Day for Nature
Disaster Reductions |
|
| 9 October |
9 Partnership against AIDS Anniversary
|
|
| 14 October |
14 World Sight Day |
|
| 10 October |
10 World Mental Health Day |
|
| 12 October |
12 World Arthritis Day |
|
| 9 – 13 October |
9-13 Eye Care Awareness Week |
|
| 9 – 13 October |
9-13 National Nutrition Week |
|
| 15 October |
15 National Fetal Alcohol Syndrome Day
|
|
| 16 October |
16 World Food Day (www.fao.org) |
|
| 17 October |
17 World Trauma Day |
|
| 17 October |
17 International Day for the
Eradication of Poverty |
|
| 20 October |
20 National Down Syndrome Awareness
Day |
|
| 20 October |
20 World Osteoporosis Day |
|
| 23 October |
23 National Iodine Deficiency Disorder
Day |
|
| 24 October |
24 World Polio Day |
|
| November |
Red Ribbon Month
Quality Month |
|
| 5 November |
5 National Children’s Day |
|
| 9 November |
9 World Quality Day |
|
| 12 November |
12 Malaria Day |
|
| 14 November |
14 World Diabetes Day |
|
| 16 November |
16 International Day of Tolerance |
|
| 25 November |
25 International Day of Violence
Against Women |
|
| |
25-10/12 Activism on No Violence
Against Women |
|
| December |
|
|
| 1 December |
World AIDS Day |
|
| 3 December |
International Day of Disabled Persons
|
|
| 5 December |
International Volunteers Day |
|
United Nations International Awareness Days
|
World AIDS
Day, 1 December |
World AIDS Day is a day to reflect
upon the serious consequences of the virus and to stand in solidarity
with those affected by discrimination and ignorance. |
|
International Day of Tolerance, 16 November |
The UN International Day of Tolerance
takes place on 16 November, and promotes the tolerance of others.
|
|
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty, 17 October
|
The International Day for the
Eradication of Poverty takes place on 17 October and aims to raise
public awareness of the issues surrounding poverty and to effect change
in government policy. |
|
International Day of Peace, 21 September |
The International Day of Peace on 21
September aims to raise awareness of all of the issues facing young
people in relation to peace. This activity pack provides a series of
activities that will help you to explore the issues of conflict and
peace within your unit. |
|
International Youth Day, 12 August |
International Youth Day is celebrated
every year on 12 August. The occasion focuses on the needs of young
people throughout the world. It also provides an opportunity to
recognise the important contribution young people make to society. |
|
World
Population Day, 11 July |
How many people live in the world
today? What quality of life do they have? What factors contribute to the
growth or decline of a population? Download our activity pack to find
out more. |
|
World
Refugee Day, 20 June |
World Refugee Day is a time to stop
and think about the 17 million men, women and children who have had to
flee their home to avoid persecution or death. |
|
World
Press Freedom Day, 3 May |
World Press Freedom Day is celebrated
every year on 3rd May. It serves as an occasion to raise awareness of
cases where press freedom is violated and to remind us of the important
role a free and unbiased press has in society. |
|
World
Health Day, 7 April |
World Health Day is celebrated every
year on 7 April. The theme for World Health Day is healthy mothers
and children. |
|
International Women's Day, 8 March |
International Women's Day celebrates
the economic, political and and social achievements of women. |
|
International Mother Language Day, 21 February |
The aim of the day is to promote
linguistic and cultural diversity, and multilingualism |
United
Nations Conferences and Observances
The United Nations will
observe the International Year of Deserts and Desertification in 2006, to
draw attention to the causes of desertification and land degradation, the
poverty that results, and ways of addressing the problem. It will also
mark the twentieth anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe, the world’s
worst accident at a nuclear power facility, with a special commemorative
meeting of the General Assembly in April.
Beginning in 2006, the
United Nations will observe 27 January of each year as an International Day
of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust conducted during
the Second World War by the Nazi regime. In proclaiming this
observance, the General Assembly rejected any denial of the Holocaust as an
historical event, either in full or part. This action follows on the
Assembly’s special session in January to mark the sixtieth anniversary of
the liberation of the Nazi concentration camps.
Welcoming Mongolia’s
efforts to preserve and develop nomadic culture and traditions, the Assembly
has invited the international community to participate in events organized
by that country during 2006 to mark the 800th anniversary of its statehood.
It has also invited Member States to observe the International Day
Commemorating Victims of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes, 26 April,
undertaken by the Commonwealth of Independent States.
With a view to identifying
ways of maximizing the development benefits of international migration while
minimizing its negative effects, the General Assembly will hold a High-level
Dialogue on International Migration and Development in New York, on 14 and
15 September 2006. The Assembly will also hold a number of special
meetings during the year to follow up on earlier actions it has
taken on key issues.
Five years after its 2001
special session on HIV/AIDS, the General Assembly will conduct a
comprehensive review, on 31 May and 1 June 2006, of progress achieved in
realizing the targets set out in its June 2001 “Declaration of Commitment
on HIV/AIDS”. On 2 June, it will hold a high-level meeting, aimed at
continuing the engagement of world leaders in a comprehensive, global
response to HIV/AIDS.
Following up on the 2001
United Nations Conference on the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light
Weapons in All Its Aspects and its Programme of Action, a conference from 26
June to 7 July at Headquarters will review progress made in implementing
that Programme of Action. The Assembly will also convene a high-level
meeting, on 19 and 20 September, to conduct a comprehensive global review of
the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least Developed
Countries for the Decade 2001-2010.
Also in 2006, States parties
to the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and
Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their
Destruction will hold their Sixth Review Conference in Geneva, between 20
November and 8 December.
In addition, the Assembly
has added the following new observances to the international calendar.
It has proclaimed 4 April as the International Day for Mine Awareness and
Assistance in Mine Action; the third Sunday in November as World Day of
Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims; and 20 December as International Human
Solidarity Day.
Affirming the role the
potato can play in providing food security, eradicating poverty and
achieving development goals, the Assembly has declared 2008 as the
International Year of the Potato. It has also proclaimed 2008 as the
International Year of Planet Earth, to raise awareness of important issues
relating to the Earth’s processes and resources; disaster prevention,
reduction and mitigation; and capacity-building for the sustainable
management of resources.
The Assembly has welcomed
the proposal by the Economic Commission for Europe to host the first United
Nations Global Road Safety Week, in Geneva in April 2007. It has also
welcomed Qatar’s offer to host an international conference in 2008 or 2009
on implementation of its “Monterrey Consensus”, the programme adopted at
the 2002 International Conference on Financing for Development.
Meanwhile, the international
community continues to observe the United Nations Decade for the
Eradication of Poverty (1997-2006); the Decade to Roll Back Malaria
in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa (2001-2010); the Second
International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism (2001-2010); the
International Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the
Children of the World (2001-2010); the United Nations Literacy
Decade: Education for All (2003-2012); the Second International
Decade of the World's Indigenous People (2005-2014); the United
Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development (2005-2014); and
the International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”
(2005-2015).
The following pages contain
information on United Nations conferences and special observances scheduled
for 2006 and ensuing years, listed by theme. Under each subject
heading, conferences and meetings are listed first, followed by special
decades, years, weeks and days, in that order.
AIDS
Comprehensive
review of progress achieved in realizing the targets set in the
‘Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS’
( New York
, 31 May and 1 June 2006 )
followed
by
High-level
meeting of the General Assembly on a comprehensive, global response to
HIV/AIDS
( New York
, 2 June 2006 )
In a follow-up to its 2001
special session on HIV/AIDS, the General Assembly has decided to undertake a
comprehensive review, on 31 May and 1 June 2006, of progress achieved in
realizing the targets set out in its June 2001 “Declaration of Commitment
on HIV/AIDS” (resolution 60/224 of 23 December 2005). It will be
followed, on 2 June, by a high-level meeting of the Assembly aimed at
continuing the engagement of world leaders in a comprehensive, global
response to HIV/AIDS. The Assembly has invited Member States and
observers to be represented at that meeting at the highest level.
Participating in the review
and high-level meeting will include the heads of UN bodies, including the
Global Fund to Fight AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria, the Special Envoys of
the Secretary-General on HIV/AIDS, and relevant representatives of civil
society, in particular associations of people living with HIV/AIDS and
non-governmental organizations. The private sector -- especially
pharmaceutical companies and representatives of labour -- will also be
represented. The opening meeting of the plenary will feature
statements by the President of the General Assembly, the Secretary-General,
the Executive Director of the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS),
and a representative of civil society.
World AIDS
Day
(1
December)
The General Assembly, in
1988, stated its deep concern about the pandemic proportions of the acquired
immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS). Noting that the World Health
Organization (WHO) had declared 1 December 1988 World AIDS Day, the Assembly
stressed the importance of observing that occasion (resolution 43/15).
Today, some 40 million people are living with HIV/AIDS.
CHILDREN
International
Day of Innocent Children Victims of Aggression
(4 June)
On 19 August 1982, at its
emergency special session on the question of Palestine, the General
Assembly, "appalled at the great number of innocent Palestinian and
Lebanese children victims of Israel's acts of aggression", decided to
commemorate 4 June of each year as the International Day of Innocent
Children Victims of Aggression (resolution ES-7/8).
Universal
Children's Day
(20
November)
The General Assembly
recommended in 1954 (resolution 836 (IX)) that all countries institute a
Universal Children's Day, to be observed as a day of worldwide fraternity
and understanding between children and of activity promoting the welfare of
the world's children. It suggested to Governments that the Day be
observed on the date which each considers appropriate. The date of 20
November marks the day in which the Assembly adopted the Declaration of the
Rights of the Child, in 1959, and the Convention on the Rights of the Child,
in 1989.
CULTURAL
DIVERSITY
Eight
hundredth anniversary of Mongolian statehood
(2006)
By its resolution 60/16 of
14 November 2005, the Assembly welcomed the efforts undertaken by the
Government of Mongolia to celebrate the 800th anniversary of Mongolian
statehood in 2006, inviting Member States, as well as the United Nations
system, intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations and academia,
to take part actively in the events to be organized by Mongolia. In
that context, it welcomed the efforts undertaken by the Government of
Mongolia to preserve and develop nomadic culture and traditions in modern
societies.
World Day
for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
(21 May)
Emphasizing the need to
enhance the potential of culture as a means of achieving prosperity,
sustainable development and global, peaceful coexistence, the General
Assembly, on 20 December 2002, proclaimed 21 May the World Day for Cultural
Diversity for Dialogue and Development (resolution 57/249). Acting
during the closing days of the United Nations Year for Cultural Heritage
(2002), the Assembly recognized the close link between protecting cultural
diversity and the larger framework of the dialogue among civilizations.
DECOLONIZATION
Second
International Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism
(2001-2010)
On 8 December 2000, as the
General Assembly observed the fortieth anniversary of its adoption of the
Declaration on the Granting of Independence to Colonial Countries and
Peoples, it declared 2001-2010 the Second International Decade for the
Eradication of Colonialism (resolution 55/146).
On 22 December 2004, the
Assembly urged Member States to contribute to the United Nations efforts to
usher in a world free of colonialism within the Second International Decade,
giving their full support to the Special Committee on decolonization in that
endeavour (resolution 59/134). Addressing the situation of American
Samoa, Anguilla, Bermuda, the British Virgin
Islands, the Cayman Islands, Guam, Montserrat, Pitcairn, Saint Helena, the
Turks and Caicos Islands and the United States
Virgin Islands, the Assembly reaffirmed the inalienable right of the peoples
of the Territories to self-determination in conformity with the United
Nations Charter and the General Assembly Declaration on decolonization
(resolution 1514 (XV)).
The Assembly reaffirmed that
there is no alternative to self-determination, and called on the
administering Powers, in cooperation with the territorial governments, to
facilitate political education programmes in the Territories to foster
awareness among their peoples of their right to self-determination. It
also reaffirmed the responsibility of the administering Powers to promote
the socio-economic development and preserve the cultural identity of the
Territories, and request the Territories and administering Powers to protect
the environment of the Territories under their administration against
environmental degradation.
The first International
Decade for the Eradication of Colonialism, 1990-2000, was declared in 1988
(resolution 43/47).
Week of
Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
(beginning
25 May)
The General Assembly in 1999
requested the Special Committee on decolonization to observe annually the
Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of Non-Self-Governing Territories
commencing on the week beginning 25 May 1999 (resolution 54/91 of 6
December). The Week had been proclaimed in 1972 (resolution 2911 (XXVII))
as the Week of Solidarity with the Colonial Peoples of Southern Africa and
Guinea (Bissau) and Cape Verde Fighting for Freedom, Independence and Equal
Rights, to begin on 25 May, Africa Liberation Day.
DISABLED
PERSONS
International
Day of Disabled Persons
(3
December)
In 1992, at the conclusion
of the United Nations Decade of Disabled Persons (1983-1992), the General
Assembly proclaimed 3 December as the International Day of Disabled Persons
(resolution 47/3). The Decade had been a period of raising awareness
and enacting measures to improve the situation of persons with disabilities
and to provide them with equal opportunities. Subsequently, the
Assembly appealed to Member States to highlight the observance of the Day in
order to further integrate people with disabilities into society (resolution
47/88).
DISARMAMENT
AND INTERNATIONAL SECURITY
United
Nations Conference to review progress made in implementing the Programme of
Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and
Light Weapons in All Its Aspects
( New York
, 26 June- 7 July 2006 )
A United Nations conference
to review progress made in implementing the Programme of Action to Prevent,
Combat and Eradicate the Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in
All Its Aspects will be held in New York from 26 June to 7 July 2006.
On 8 December 2005, the Assembly encouraged all initiatives aimed at
promoting the successful conclusion of the conference, to set an agenda for
tackling this problem in the coming years (resolution 60/81).
The Assembly also decided to
establish a group of governmental experts, to be appointed by the
Secretary-General, to consider further steps to enhance international
cooperation in preventing, combating and eradicating illicit brokering in
small arms and light weapons. The group will hold three sessions of
one week’s duration each, commencing after the review conference and no
later than 2007. It will report the results of its study to the
Assembly at its sixty-second session.
The Assembly set the dates
for the conference by its resolution 59/86 of 3 December 2004, and decided
that the preparatory committee for that conference will be held in New York
from 9 to 20 January 2006, with a subsequent session of up to two weeks if
necessary.
Sixth
Review Conference of the Biological Weapons Convention
( Geneva ,
between 20 November and 8 December 2006 )
On 8 December 2006, the
General Assembly noted that the Sixth Review Conference of States parties to
the Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and
Stockpiling of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their
Destruction will be held in Geneva in 2006 (resolution 60/96). The
dates of the Review Conference will be formally agreed by a preparatory
committee, open to all States parties to the Convention, which will meet in
Geneva during the week beginning 24 April 2006. Those dates are
expected to fall between 20 November and 8 December 2006.
Disarmament
Week
(24-30
October)
The annual observance of
Disarmament Week, which begins on the anniversary of the founding of the
United Nations, was called for in the Final Document of the General Assembly
1978 special session on disarmament (resolution S-10/2). States were
invited to highlight the danger of the arms race, propagate the need for its
cessation and increase public understanding of the urgent tasks of
disarmament.
In 1995, the Assembly
invited Governments, as well as non-governmental organizations, to continue
taking an active part in Disarmament Week (resolution 50/72 B of 12
December). It invited the Secretary-General to continue using the
United Nations information entities as widely as possible to promote a
better understanding among the public of disarmament problems and the aims
of the Week.
International
Day for Mine Awareness and Assistance in Mine Action
(4 April)
On 8 December 2005, the
General Assembly declared that 4 April of each year shall be officially
proclaimed and observed as International Day for Mine Awareness and
Assistance in Mine Action (resolution 60/97). It called for continued
efforts by States, with the assistance of the United Nations and relevant
organizations, to foster the establishment and development of national
mine-action capacities in countries where mines and explosive remnants of
war constitute a serious threat to the safety, health and lives of the
civilian population, or an impediment to social and economic development at
the national and local levels.
DISASTERS
AND DISASTER REDUCTION
Special
commemorative meeting of the General Assembly in observance of the twentieth
anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe
( New York
, during April 2006)
On 25 and 26 April 1986, the
world’s worst accident at a nuclear power facility occurred at Chernobyl
in the former Soviet Union, now Ukraine. On 14 November 2005, the
Assembly requested that its President convene a special commemorative
meeting of the General Assembly in April 2006 in observance of the twentieth
anniversary of that catastrophe (resolution 60/14). It also welcomed
the activities in observance of the International Day Commemorating Victims
of Radiation Accidents and Catastrophes, 26 April, undertaken by the States
participating in the Commonwealth of Independent States, and invited Member
States to observe this Day with appropriate activities.
International
Day for Natural Disaster Reduction
(second
Wednesday of October)
In 2001, the General
Assembly decided to maintain the observance of the International Day for
Natural Disaster Reduction on the second Wednesday of October (resolution
56/195 of 21 December), as a vehicle to promote a global culture of natural
disaster reduction -- including disaster prevention, mitigation and
preparedness. The Assembly had designated that Day to be observed
during the International Decade for Natural Disaster Reduction, 1990-1999
(resolution 44/236).
DRUG ABUSE
CONTROL
International
Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking
(26 June)
The General Assembly, in
1987, decided to observe 26 June as International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking as an expression of its determination to strengthen
action and cooperation to achieve the goal of an international society free
of drug abuse. It took that action on 7 December 1987 (resolution
42/112), following a recommendation of the 1987 International Conference on
Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, which, on 26 June, had adopted the
Comprehensive Multidisciplinary Outline of Future Activities in Drug Abuse
Control.
ECONOMIC
AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT
High-level
Dialogue on International Migration and Development
( New York
, 14-15 September 2006)
On 23 December 2005, the
General Assembly decided to convene a High-level Dialogue on International
Migration and Development in New York, on 14 and 15 September 2006
(resolution 60/227). The Dialogue will address the multidimensional
aspects of international migration and development, in order to identify
appropriate ways and means to maximize its development benefits and minimize
its negative impacts.
The Assembly further decided
to hold one-day informal interactive hearings in 2006 with representatives
of non-governmental organizations, civil society organizations and the
private sector, to be presided over by the President of the General
Assembly, who will prepare a summary of those hearings prior to the
High-level Dialogue in September. In addition, selected
representatives of non-governmental organization in consultative status with
the Economic and Social Council, civil society organizations and the private
sector will participate in each round table of the High-level Dialogue --
without creating a precedent for other meetings of the General Assembly.
High-level
meeting on the midterm comprehensive, global review of the implementation of
the Programme of Action for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade
2001-2010
( New York
, 19-20 September 2006)
On 23 December 2005, the
Assembly decided to convene a high-level meeting on the midterm
comprehensive global review of the implementation of the Programme of Action
for the Least Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010, to be held in
New York on 19 and 20 September 2006 (resolution 60/228). The meeting
will be chaired by the President of the Assembly.
The Assembly reaffirmed its
commitment to address the special needs of the least developed countries,
and urged all countries and relevant United Nations bodies, including the Bretton
Woods institution, to make concerted efforts and adopt speedy measures for
meeting in a timely manner the goals and targets of the Programme of Action.
It also decided to convene a three-day preparatory meeting of experts for
the midterm comprehensive review during its sixtieth session -- preferably
on 4, 5 and 6 September 2006 -- to propose appropriate measures to advance
the process of implementing the Programme of Action for the Decade.
Seventh
Global Forum on Reinventing Government
( New York
, during 2007)
On 30 November, the General
Assembly emphasized the importance of the Seventh Global Forum on
Reinventing Government, to be hosted by the United Nations in 2007, which
will highlight the importance of improving public administration in order to
achieve internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium
Development Goals (resolution 60/34).
International
Conference on Financing for Development to review implementation of the
Monterrey Consensus
( Qatar ,
during 2008 or 2009)
The Assembly continues to
focus attention on the process begun at the International Conference on
Financing for Development, held in Monterrey, Mexico, in March 2002, and its
subsequent “Monterrey Consensus”. On 22 December 2005, the
Assembly decided to hold a follow-up international conference on financing
for development to review implementation of the Monterrey Consensus, at a
date to be determined during 2008 or 2009 (resolution 60/188). It
welcomed the offer of the Government of Qatar to host the conference.
This conference will follow
on two recent, high-level meetings on the same theme: the High-level
Dialogue on Financing for Development, held in New York on 27 and 28 June
2005; and the separate meeting on financing for development held within the
framework of the High-level Plenary Meeting of the General Assembly, on 14
September 2005.
United
Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty
(1997-2006)
The General Assembly
proclaimed the United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty on 20
December 1995 to follow up on the International Year for the Eradication of
Poverty (1996), with the object of eradicating absolute poverty and
substantially reducing overall poverty worldwide (resolution 51/178 of 16
December 1996).
On 22 December 2005, the
Assembly stressed the need to translate increases in official development
assistance into real increases in resources for national development
strategies, as well as the international agreed development goals
(resolution 60/209). It also stressed the need to take account of the
need for resource predictability, including budget support mechanisms where
appropriate.
The Assembly urged countries
to direct resources freed through debt relief, particularly through debt
cancellation and reduction, towards poverty eradication activities,
sustainable economic growth, sustainable development and internationally
agreed development goals. It called on developed countries to promote
capacity-building and facilitate access to and transfer of technologies and
corresponding knowledge on favourable terms, including concessional
and preferential terms.
Decade to
Roll Back Malaria in Developing Countries,
Particularly
in Africa
(2001-2010)
On 23 December 2005, the
Assembly welcomed the increased funding for malaria interventions and for
research and development in support of the goals of the Decade to Roll Back
Malaria in Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa (resolution 60/221).
It called upon the international community to continue to support the
“Roll Back Malaria” partner organizations, including the World Health
Organization (WHO) and the United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), as
vital complementary sources of support for the efforts of malaria-endemic
countries.
The General Assembly
proclaimed the period 2001-2010 as the Decade to Roll Back Malaria in
Developing Countries, Particularly in Africa, on 7 September 2001
(resolution 55/284). In its efforts to address one of the most deadly
tropical diseases -- which causes some 1 million deaths each year in Africa
where nine out of 10 cases occur -- the Assembly called for joint
comprehensive efforts by Africa and the international community to reach
certain goals by 2005, the middle of the Decade.
These include ensuring that
at least 60 per cent of those at risk for malaria shall benefit from the
most suitable combination of personal and community protective measures,
such as insecticide-treated bed nets; that at least 60 per cent of all
pregnant women at risk for malaria shall have access to chemoprophylaxis or
presumptive intermittent treatment; and that at least 60 per cent of those
suffering from malaria shall have prompt access to correct, affordable and
appropriate treatment within 24 hours of the onset of symptoms.
United
Nations Literacy Decade: Education for All
(2003-2012)
On 19 December 2001, the
General Assembly proclaimed 2003 to 2012 as the United Nations Literacy
Decade: Education for All (resolution 56/116). It reaffirmed
that literacy for all was at the heart of the notion of basic education for
all, and that creating literate environments was essential to eradicating
poverty, achieving gender equity and ensuring sustainable development.
On 20 December 2004, the
Assembly appealed to all Governments to develop reliable literacy data and
information and to devise innovative strategies to achieve the goals of the
Decade. It appealed to all Governments and to economic and financial
organizations and institutions, both national and international, to lend
greater financial and material support to efforts to increase literacy.
The Assembly invited Member States, United Nations bodies and relevant
intergovernmental and non-governmental organizations to intensify their
efforts to implement the International Plan of Action for the Decade
(resolution 59/149).
International
Year of the Potato
(2008)
The General Assembly has
declared 2008 as the International Year of the Potato, by its resolution
60/191 of 22 December 2005. In taking this action, the Assembly
affirmed the need to focus world attention on the role that the potato can
play in providing food security and eradicating poverty, and in achieving
internationally agreed development goals, including the Millennium
Development Goals. It invited the Food and Agriculture Organization of
the United Nations (FAO) to facilitate the implementation of the Year, in
collaboration with Governments, the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP),
the Consultative Group on International Agricultural Research Centres, and
other relevant United Nations system and non-governmental organizations.
Previously, the Assembly had
declared 2004 as the International Year of Rice, noting that rice is the
staple food of more than half of the world’s population (resolution 57/162
of 16 December 2002). Then, too, it affirmed the need to heighten
awareness of the role of rice in alleviating poverty and malnutrition and
reaffirmed the need to focus world attention on the role it can play in
attaining internationally agreed development goals, including those
contained in the Millennium Declaration.
International
Day of Cooperatives
(first
Saturday of July)
In 1992, the General
Assembly proclaimed the first Saturday of July 1995 to be International Day
of Cooperatives (resolution 47/90 of 16 December). The date marked the
centenary of the International Cooperative Alliance, an umbrella group of
organizations comprising 760 million members in 100 countries.
In 1994, recognizing that
cooperatives were becoming an indispensable factor of economic and
social development, the Assembly invited Governments, international
organizations, specialized agencies and national and international
cooperative organizations to observe the Day every year (resolution 49/155
of 23 December).
International
Day for the Eradication of Poverty
(17
October)
In 1992, the General
Assembly, welcoming the fact that certain non-governmental organizations, on
the initiative of one of them (the French-based International Movement ATD
Fourth World), had, in many States, observed 17 October as World Day for
Overcoming Extreme Poverty, declared that date the International Day for the
Eradication of Poverty (resolution 47/196 of 22 December). The
observance aims to promote awareness of the need to eradicate poverty and
destitution in all countries, particularly in developing countries -- a need
that has become a development priority.
Africa
Industrialization Day
(20
November)
Within the framework of the
Second Industrial Development Decade for Africa (1991-2000), the General
Assembly proclaimed 20 November as Africa Industrialization Day (resolution
44/237 of 22 December 1989). The Day is intended to mobilize the
commitment of the international community to the industrialization of
Africa.
International
Volunteer Day for Economic and Social Development
(5
December)
The General Assembly has
invited Governments to observe the International Volunteer Day for Economic
and Social Development on 5 December each year (resolution 40/212 of 17
December 1985). It urged them to heighten awareness of the
contribution made by volunteer service, thereby stimulating people in all
walks of life to offer their services as volunteers, both at home and
abroad. In 2001, the International Year of Volunteers, the Assembly
adopted a set of recommendations on ways that Governments and the United
Nations system could support volunteering and asked that they be widely
disseminated (resolution 56/38 of 5 December 2001).
International
Human Solidarity Day
(20
December)
In connection with its
observance of first United Nations Decade for the Eradication of Poverty
(1997-2006), the General Assembly, on 22 December 2005, decided to proclaim
20 December of each year as International Human Solidarity Day (resolution
60/209). In taking that action, it recalled that the Millennium
Declaration identified solidarity as one of the fundamental and universal
values that should underlie relations between peoples in the twenty-first
century.
ENVIRONMENT
AND DEVELOPMENT
United
Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
(2005-2014)
The General Assembly, on 20
December 2002, proclaimed the 10-year period beginning on 1 January 2005 as
the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
(resolution 57/254). The Assembly designated the United Nations
Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as lead agency
for promotion of the Decade, asking it to develop a draft International
Implementation Scheme, clarifying the Decade’s relationship with such
existing educational processes as the Dakar Framework for Action adopted at
the World Education Forum in 2002 and the United Nations Literacy Decade
(2003-2012).
On 22 December 2004, the
Assembly requested that the Secretary-General call upon UNESCO to finalize
the draft Implementation Scheme as soon as possible, preferably by the
beginning of the Decade, with a view to its submission to UNESCO’s
governing bodies for its final consideration and adoption (resolution
59/237). It invited Governments to promote public awareness and wider
participation in the Decade, including cooperation with and initiatives
engaging civil society and other relevant stakeholders, especially at the
beginning of the Decade.
International
Decade for Action, ‘Water for Life’
(2005-2015)
On 23 December 2003, the
General Assembly proclaimed the period from 2005 to 2015 as the
International Decade for Action, “Water for Life”, commencing on World
Water Day, 22 March 2005 (resolution 58/217). It welcomed the decision
of the Commission on Sustainable Development to consider water, sanitation
and human settlements as the thematic cluster in the first cycle, 2004-2005,
and invites the Commission to work within existing resources to identify
possible activities and programmes in connection with the Decade within the
framework of its consideration of that cluster at its twelfth and thirteenth
sessions.
The Assembly invited the
Secretary-General to take the appropriate steps to organize the activities
of the Decade, taking into account the results of the International Year of
Freshwater and the work of the Commission on Sustainable Development at its
twelfth and thirteenth sessions. It also called upon the relevant
United Nations bodies, specialized agencies, regional commissions and other
organizations of the United Nations system to deliver a coordinated
response, utilizing existing resources and voluntary funds, to make “Water
for Life” a decade for action. By its resolution 59/228 of 22
December 2004, the Assembly called on the United Nations system to step up
efforts to make the International Decade a period for delivering on promises
through the use of existing resources and voluntary funds.
International
Year of Deserts and Desertification
(2006)
During its fifty-eighth
session, the General Assembly decided to declare 2006 as the International
Year of Deserts and Desertification (resolution 58/211 of 23 December 2003).
It invited all countries to establish national committees or focal
points and to celebrate the Year by arranging appropriate activities. It
called upon all relevant international organizations and Member States to
support the activities related to desertification, including land
degradation, to be organized by affected countries, in particular African
countries and least developed countries.
The Assembly designated the
Executive Secretary of the United Nations Convention to Combat
Desertification in Those Countries Experiencing Serious Drought and/or
Desertification, Particularly in Africa, as focal point of the Year, in
conjunction with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP), the United
Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the International Fund for
Agricultural Development (IFAD), and other relevant United Nations bodies.
On 22 December 2005, the
Assembly expressed its resolve to strengthen implementation of the
Convention, in order to address the causes of desertification and land
degradation and the poverty resulting from land degradation, through such
means as the mobilization of adequate and predictable financial resources,
the transfer of technology and capacity-building at all levels. It
welcomed the nomination of United Nations honorary spokespersons for the
International Year of Deserts and Desertification, and encouraged the
Secretary-General to nominate additional personalities in that respect, so
as to promote a successful celebration of the Year worldwide (resolution
60/200).
International
Year of Planet Earth
(2008)
On 22 December 2005, the
General Assembly declared 2008 as the International Year of Planet Earth
(resolution 60/192). In so doing, it took account of the crucial role
the Year could play in raising public awareness of the importance for
sustainable development of the Earth’s processes and resources; disaster
prevention, reduction and mitigation; and capacity-building for the
sustainable management of resources; as well as its important contribution
to the United Nations Decade of Education for Sustainable Development
(2005-2014).
The Assembly designated the
United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) as
the lead agency and focal point for the Year, to organize related activities
in collaboration with the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and
other relevant UN bodies, as well as the International Union of Geological
Sciences and other Earth science societies and groups worldwide.
World Day
for Water
(22 March)
The General Assembly has
declared 22 March as World Day for Water (resolution 47/193 of 22 December
1992). The observance aims at promoting awareness of the extent to
which water resource development contributes to economic productivity and
social well-being.
International
Day for Biological Diversity
(22 May)
On 20 December 2000, the
General Assembly proclaimed 22 May, the date of adoption of the Convention
on Biological Diversity, as the International Day for Biological Diversity
(resolution 55/201). The Day was previously observed on 29 December
(resolution 49/119 of 19 December 1994). In 2000, the Conference of
the Parties to the Convention, at its fifth meeting, had recommended that
the date be changed to give it greater visibility.
World
Environment Day
(5 June)
By resolution 2994 (XXVII))
of 15 December 1972, the General Assembly designated 5 June as World
Environment Day to deepen public awareness of the need to preserve and
enhance the environment. That date recalls the opening day of the
United Nations Conference on the Human Environment ( Stockholm, 1972), which
led to the establishment of the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP).
World Day
to Combat Desertification and Drought
(17 June)
The World Day to Combat
Desertification and Drought, 17 June, was proclaimed by the General Assembly
in 1995 (resolution 49/115), marking the adoption of the United Nations
Convention to Combat Desertification on 17 June 1994. The Assembly
invited States to use devote the World Day to promoting awareness of the
need for international cooperation to combat desertification and the effects
of drought, including implementation of the Convention to Combat
Desertification.
International
Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer
(16
September)
In 1994, the General
Assembly proclaimed 16 September the International Day for the Preservation
of the Ozone Layer, commemorating the date of the signing, in 1987, of the
Montreal Protocol on Substances That Deplete the Ozone Layer (resolution
49/114). States were invited to devote the Day to promote activities
in accordance with the objectives of the Protocol and its amendments. The
ozone layer, a fragile shield of gas, protects the Earth from the harmful
portion of the rays of the sun, thus, helping preserve life on the planet.
International
Day for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed
Conflict
(6
November)
On 5 November 2001, the
General Assembly declared 6 November of each year as the International Day
for Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
(resolution 56/4). In taking this action, it considered that damage to
the environment in times of armed conflict impairs ecosystems and natural
resources long after the period of conflict, often extending beyond the
limits of national territories and the present generation. It also
recalled the United Nations Millennium Declaration, which emphasized the
necessity of working to protect our common environment.
United
Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
(19
December)
On 23 December 2004, the
General Assembly declared 19 December of each year as the United Nations Day
for South-South Cooperation (resolution 58/220). This marks the date,
in 1978, when the General Assembly endorsed the Buenos Aires Plan of Action
for Promoting and Implementing Technical Cooperation among Developing
Countries (resolution 33/134).
HUMAN
RIGHTS
World
Refugee Day
(20 June)
On 4 December 2000, the
General Assembly noted that 2001 marked the fiftieth anniversary of the 1951
Convention relating to the Status of Refugees, and that the Organization of
African Unity (OAU) had agreed to have International Refugee Day coincide
with Africa Refugee Day on 20 June. It, therefore, decided that, as
from 2001, 20 June would be celebrated as World Refugee Day (resolution
55/76). [Note: The OAU was replaced by the African Union on 9
July 2002.]
International
Day in Support of Victims of Torture
(26 June)
The
Assembly in 1997, on the recommendation of the Economic and Social Council
(decision 1997/251), proclaimed 26 June United Nations International Day in
Support of Victims of Torture (resolution 52/149 of 12 December).
The Day aims at the eradication of torture and the effective functioning of
the 1984 Convention against Torture and Other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading
Treatment or Punishment, which entered into force on 26 June 1987.
International
Day for Tolerance
(16
November)
In 1996, the General
Assembly invited Member States to observe the International Day for
Tolerance on 16 November, with activities directed towards both educational
establishments and the wider public (resolution 51/95 of 12 December).
This action came in the wake of the United Nations Year for Tolerance,
1995, proclaimed by the Assembly in 1993 (resolution 48/126). The Year
had been declared on the initiative of the General Conference of the United
Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO); on 16
November 1995, the UNESCO member States had adopted the Declaration of
Principles on Tolerance and Follow-up Plan of Action for the Year.
International
Day for the Abolition of Slavery
(2
December)
The International Day for
the Abolition of Slavery, 2 December, recalls the date of the adoption, by
the General Assembly, of the United Nations Convention for the Suppression
of the Traffic in Persons and the Exploitation of Others (resolution 317
(IV) of 2 December 1949).
Human
Rights Day
(10
December)
All States and interested
organizations were invited by the General Assembly in 1950 to observe 10
December as Human Rights Day (resolution 423 (V)). The Day marks the
anniversary of the Assembly's adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human
Rights in 1948.
International
Migrants Day
(18
December)
As recommended by the
Economic and Social Council (decision 2000/288 of 28 July 2000), the General
Assembly has proclaimed 18 December International Migrants Day (resolution
55/93 of 4 December 2000). On that day in 1990, the International
Convention on the Protection of the Rights of All Migrant Workers and
Members of Their Families was adopted (resolution 45/158). The
Assembly has stressed the need to make further efforts to ensure respect for
the human rights and fundamental freedoms of all migrants. It is
estimated that one in every 35 persons in the world is a migrant, living and
working in a country other than his or her own. All countries have
migrants among their population.
HUMAN
SETTLEMENTS
World
Habitat Day
(first
Monday of October)
In 1985, acting on a
recommendation of the Commission on Human Settlements, the General Assembly
designated the first Monday of October as World Habitat Day (resolution
40/202 A). The first observance of the Day, in 1986, marked the tenth
anniversary of the first international conference on the issue -- Habitat:
United Nations Conference on Human Settlements (Vancouver, Canada,
1976).
HUNGER
World Food
Day
(16
October)
The aim of World Food Day,
proclaimed in 1979 by the Conference of the FAO of the United Nations, is to
heighten public awareness of the world food problem and strengthen
solidarity in the struggle against hunger, malnutrition and poverty. The
Day marks the date of the founding of the FAO in 1945. In 1980, the
General Assembly endorsed observance of the Day in consideration of the fact
that "food is a requisite for human survival and well-being and a
fundamental human necessity" (resolution 35/70 of 5 December).
INDIGENOUS
PEOPLE
Second
International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People
(2005-2014)
On 16 December 2005, the
General Assembly adopted the Programme of Action for the Second
International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People (document A/60/270,
sect. II), and adopted “Partnership for action and dignity” as its theme
(resolution 60/142). It appealed to the international community at
large to provide financial support to the Programme of Action, including
through contributions to the Voluntary Fund for the Second Decade, and urged
all Governments and indigenous organizations concerned to take action to
facilitate adoption of the draft United Nations declaration on the rights of
indigenous peoples as soon as possible.
The Assembly proclaimed the
first International Decade of the World’s Indigenous People on 21 December
1993, with the goal of strengthening international cooperation for the
solution of problems faced by indigenous people in such areas as human
rights, the environment, development, education and health (resolution
48/163). It proclaimed the Second International Decade on 20 December
2004, with the goal of further strengthening cooperation in those areas,
including economic and social development (resolution 59/174). It
asked the Secretary-General to appoint the Under-Secretary-General for
Economic and Social Affairs as the Coordinator for the Second Decade, and
invited Governments to ensure that activities and objectives for the Second
Decade are planned and implemented in full collaboration with indigenous
people.
International
Day of the World’s Indigenous People
(9 August)
On 23 December 1994, the
General Assembly decided that the International Day of the World's
Indigenous People shall be observed on 9 August every year during the
International Decade of the World's Indigenous People (resolution 49/214).
By its resolution 59/174 of 20 December 2004, in which the Assembly
proclaimed the Second International Decade of the World's Indigenous People
(2005-2014), it also decided to continue observing the International Day of
Indigenous People every year during the Second Decade, in New York, Geneva
and other offices of the United Nations. The Assembly asked the
Secretary-General to support observance of the Day from within existing
resources, and to encourage Governments to observe the Day at the national
level.
INFORMATION
World
Press Freedom Day
(3 May)
The General Assembly in 1993
declared 3 May as World Press Freedom Day (decision 48/432 of 20 December).
This action stemmed from the UNESCO General Conference, which, by a
1991 resolution on "Promotion of press freedom in the world", had
recognized that a free, pluralistic and independent press was an essential
component of any democratic society. The General Conference had
transmitted to the General Assembly the wish of UNESCO member States to have
3 May declared "International Press Freedom Day".
That date commemorates the
Windhoek Declaration on Promoting an Independent and Pluralistic African
Press, adopted on 3 May 1991 by the Seminar on Promoting an Independent and
Pluralistic African Press, organized by UNESCO and the United Nations in
Windhoek, Namibia.
World
Development Information Day
(24
October)
The General Assembly in 1972
instituted World Development Information Day to draw the attention of world
public opinion to development problems and the need to strengthen
international cooperation to solve them (resolution 3038 (XXVII)). The
Assembly decided that the date for the Day should coincide in principle with
United Nations Day, 24 October, which was also the date of the adoption, in
1970, of the International Development Strategy for the Second United
Nations Development Decade. The Assembly felt that improving the
dissemination of information and the mobilization of public opinion,
particularly among young people, would lead to greater awareness of the
problems of development, thus, promoting efforts in the sphere of
international cooperation for development.
World
Television Day
(21
November)
In 1996, the General
Assembly proclaimed 21 November as World Television Day, commemorating the
date on which, in 1996, the first World Television Forum was held at the
United Nations. States were invited to observe the Day by encouraging
global exchanges of television programmes focusing on issues such as peace,
security, economic and social development, and the enhancement of cultural
exchanges (resolution 51/205 of 17 December).
OLDER
PERSONS
International
Day of Older Persons
(1
October)
The General Assembly
designated 1 October the International Day of Older Persons by resolution
45/106 of 14 December 1990, following up on United Nations initiatives such
as the Vienna International Plan of Action on Ageing, adopted by the 1982
World Assembly on Ageing and endorsed later that year by the General
Assembly.
OUTER
SPACE
World
Space Week
(4-10
October)
By resolution 54/68 of 6
December 1999, the General Assembly proclaimed World Space Week, to be
observed between 4 and 10 October, to celebrate the contributions of space
science and technology to the betterment of the human condition. The
dates recall the launch, on 4 October 1957, of the first artificial
satellite, Sputnik I, and the entry into force, on 10 October 1967, of the
Treaty on Principles Governing the Activities of States in the Exploration
and Use of Outer Space.
PALESTINE
QUESTION
International
Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People
(29
November)
In 1977, the General
Assembly called for the annual observance of 29 November as the
International Day of Solidarity with the Palestinian People (resolution
32/40 B). On that day, in 1947, the Assembly had adopted the
resolution on the partition of Palestine (resolution 181 (II)).
On 1 December 2005, by its
resolution 60/37, the Assembly encouraged Member States to continue to give
the widest support and publicity to the observance of the Day of Solidarity.
The Assembly requested that the Committee on the Exercise of the Inalienable
Rights of the Palestinian People and the Division for Palestinian Rights of
the Secretariat, as part of that observance, continue to organize an annual
exhibit on Palestinian rights or a cultural event in cooperation with the
Permanent Observer Mission of Palestine to the United Nations.
PEACE
International
Decade for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence
for
the Children of the World
(2001-2010)
On 20 October 2005, the
General Assembly again stated that the objective of the International Decade
for a Culture of Peace and Non-violence for the Children of the World is to
further strengthen the global movement for a culture of peace (resolution
60/3). It invited States to continue to expand their activities
promoting such a culture and encouraged UNESCO, as lead agency for the
Decade, to further strengthen its activities to promote a culture of peace.
The Assembly proclaimed the
International Decade in 1998, following the observance of the International
Year for the Culture of Peace in 2000 (resolution 53/25 of 10 November).
It invited non-governmental organizations, religious bodies and groups,
educational institutions, artists and the media to support the Decade for
the benefit of every child of the world.
International
Day of United Nations Peacekeepers
(29 May)
The Assembly has designated
29 May of each year as the International Day of United Nations Peacekeepers,
to pay tribute to all the men and women who have served in United Nations
peacekeeping operations for their high level of professionalism, dedication
and courage, and to honour the memory of those who have lost their lives in
the cause of peace (resolution 57/129, 11 December 2002). The Assembly
invited all Member States, organizations of the United Nations system,
non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe the Day in an
appropriate manner.
International
Day of Peace
(21
September)
In 1981, the General
Assembly declared that the opening day of its regular session in September
“shall be officially dedicated and observed as the International Day of
Peace and shall be devoted to commemorating and strengthening the ideals of
peace both within and among all nations and peoples" (resolution
36/67). In 1998, the Assembly reaffirmed that the Day should continue
to be observed on the opening day of its annual regular session (resolution
52/232 of 4 June).
On 7 September 2001, the
Assembly decided that, beginning in 2002, the International Day of Peace
shall be observed on 21 September each year, with this date to be brought to
the attention of all people for the celebration and observance of peace
(resolution 55/282). It declared that the Day shall, henceforth, be
observed as a day of global ceasefire and non-violence, an invitation to all
nations and people to honour a cessation of hostilities throughout the Day.
It also invited Member States, United Nations bodies, regional and
non-governmental organizations to commemorate the Day and to cooperate with
the United Nations in establishing the global ceasefire.
RACISM AND
RACIAL DISCRIMINATION
Week of
Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial
Discrimination
(beginning
21 March)
As part of its programme for
the first Decade for Action to Combat Racism and Racial Discrimination, the
General Assembly in 1979 called for the observance by all States of a Week
of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling against Racism and Racial
Discrimination, beginning on 21 March (resolution 34/24).
International
Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
(21 March)
The International Day for
the Elimination of Racial Discrimination is observed annually on 21 March.
On that day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a
peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid
"pass laws". Proclaiming the Day in 1966, the General
Assembly called on the international community to redouble its efforts to
eliminate all forms of racial discrimination (resolution 2142 (XXI)).
SECOND
WORLD WAR
International
Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust
(27
January)
On 1 November 2005, the
General Assembly designated 27 January as an annual International Day of
Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust conducted during the
Second World War by the Nazi regime (resolution 60/7). In doing so,
the Assembly rejected any denial of the Holocaust as an historical event,
either in full or part.
By other terms of that text,
the Assembly urged Member States to develop educational programmes to
inculcate future generations with the lessons of the Holocaust, in order to
help prevent future acts of genocide. It commended those States which
have actively engaged in preserving those sites that served as Nazi death
camps, concentration camps, forced labour camps and prisons during the
Holocaust. It requested that the Secretary-General establish a
programme of outreach on the subject of “the Holocaust and the United
Nations”, as well as measures to mobilize civil society for Holocaust
remembrance and education.
Time of
Remembrance and Reconciliation for Those Who Lost Their Lives during the
Second World War
(8 and 9
May)
By its resolution 59/26 of
22 November 2004, the General Assembly declared 8 and 9 May as a time of
remembrance and reconciliation, and invited Member States, United Nations
bodies, non-governmental organizations and individuals to observe annually
either one or both of those days in an appropriate manner, to pay tribute to
all those who lost their lives in the Second World War.
WOMEN
United
Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace
(8 March)
In 1977 (resolution 32/142),
the General Assembly invited States to proclaim, in accordance with their
historical and national traditions and customs, any day of the year as
United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace. States
were called upon to contribute to creating conditions for the elimination of
discrimination against women and for their full and equal participation in
social development. That action came on the wake of the International
Women's Year (1975) and the United Nations Decade for Women (1976-1985),
both proclaimed by the Assembly. The United Nations began observing
International Women's Day, 8 March, in 1975 -- the International Women's
Year.
International
Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
(25
November)
The General Assembly has
designated 25 November as the International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women, and has invited Governments, international
organizations and non-governmental organizations to organize on that day
activities to raise public awareness on the problem (resolution 54/134 of 17
December 1999). Women's activists have marked 25 November as a day
against violence since 1981. The date came from the brutal 1961
assassination of the three Mirabal sisters,
political activists in the Dominican Republic, on orders of Dominican ruler
Rafael Trujillo.
YOUTH
International
Youth Day
(12
August)
The General Assembly, on 17
December 1999 (resolution 54/120 I), endorsed the recommendation made by the
World Conference of Ministers Responsible for Youth (Lisbon, 8-12 August
1998) that 12 August be declared International Youth Day. It
recommended that public information activities be organized to support the
Day as a way to promote better awareness of the World Programme of Action
for Youth to the Year 2000 and Beyond, adopted by the Assembly in 1995
(resolution 50/81).
OTHER
OBSERVANCES
United
Nations Global Road Safety Week
(in
April 2007)
On 26 October 2005, the
General Assembly welcomed the proposal of the Economic Commission for Europe
to host the first United Nations Global Road Safety Week, in Geneva, in
April 2007, targeted at young road users, including young drivers
(resolution 60/5). It also invited the WHO to organize jointly a
second road safety stakeholders’ forum in Geneva as part of Global Road
Safety Week, to continue work begun at the first forum held at United
Nations Headquarters in 2004.
International
Day of Families
(15 May)
In 1993, the General
Assembly decided that 15 May of every year should be observed as the
International Day of Families (resolution 47/237 of 20 September). In
1989, by resolution 44/82, the Assembly had proclaimed 1994 the
International Year of the Family, to increase awareness of family issues and
improve the capability of nations to tackle family-related problems with
comprehensive policies.
United
Nations Public Service Day
(23 June)
On 30 November 2005, the
Assembly stressed the importance of making more effective use of United
Nations Public Service Day and the United Nations Public Service Awards in
the process of revitalizing public administration by building a culture of
innovation, partnership and responsibleness
(resolution 60/34).
The Assembly designated 23
June of each year as United Nations Public Service Day on 20 December 2002
(resolution 57/277). It encouraged Member States to organize special
events on that Day to highlight the contribution of public service in the
development process.
World
Population Day
(11 July)
In 1989, the Governing
Council of the UNDP recommended that 11 July be observed as World Population
Day. An outgrowth of the Day of Five Billion, celebrated on 11 July
1987, the Day seeks to focus attention on the urgency and importance of
population issues, particularly in the context of overall development plans
and programmes, and the need to find solutions for these issues. According
to the Population Division of the United Nations, world population totalled
6.5 billion in 2005, and was growing by some 76 million a year. The
United Nations estimates that there will be between 7.7 billion and 10.6
billion people in 2050, with 9.1 billion the most likely projection.
United
Nations Day
(24
October)
The anniversary of the entry
into force of the United Nations Charter on 24 October 1945 has been
celebrated as United Nations Day since 1948. It has traditionally been
marked throughout the world by meetings, discussions and exhibits on the
achievements and goals of the Organization. In 1971, the General
Assembly recommended that Member States observe it as a public holiday
(resolution 2782 (XXVI)).
World Day
of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims
(third
Sunday of November, annually)
On 26 October 2005, the
General Assembly invited Member States and the international community to
recognize the third Sunday in November of every year as the World Day of
Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims, as appropriate acknowledgement for
victims of road traffic crashes and their families (resolution 60/5).
International
Civil Aviation Day
(7
December)
In 1996, the General
Assembly proclaimed 7 December as International Civil Aviation Day, and
urged Governments, as well as national, regional, international and
intergovernmental organizations, to take steps to observe it (resolution
51/33 of 6 December). The Day had been declared in 1992 by the
Assembly of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO), a United
Nations specialized agency, to highlight and advance the benefits of
international civil aviation. Observation of the Day started on 7
December 1994 -- the fiftieth anniversary of the signing of the Convention
on International Civil Aviation, which established ICAO.
Other
International Days
Other international days
observed throughout the United Nations system include: International
Mother Language Day (21 February); World Meteorological Day (23 March);
World Health Day (7 April); World Book and Copyright Day (23 April); World
Telecommunication Day (17 May); World No-Tobacco Day (31 May); International
Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and Its Abolition (23 August);
International Literacy Day (8 September); World Maritime Day (during last
week of September); World Teachers' Day (5 October); World Post Day (9
October); World Mental Health Day (10 October); and International Mountain
Day (11 December).
Conferences,
Events and Special Meetings
Special commemorative meeting of the General Assembly
in observance of the twentieth anniversary of the Chernobyl catastrophe (
New York, during April 2006)
Comprehensive review of progress achieved in realizing
the targets set in the “Declaration of Commitment on HIV/AIDS” (New
York, 31 May and 1 June 2006) -- to be followed by -- High-level meeting of
the General Assembly on a comprehensive, global response to HIV/AIDS (New
York, 2 June 2006)
United Nations conference to review progress made in
implementing the Programme of Action to Prevent, Combat and Eradicate the
Illicit Trade in Small Arms and Light Weapons in All Its Aspects ( New York,
26 June - 7 July 2006
High-level Dialogue on International Migration and
Development ( New York, 14-15 September 2006)
High-level meeting on the midterm comprehensive, global
review of the implementation of the Programme of Action for the Least
Developed Countries for the Decade 2001-2010 (New York, 19-20 September 2006
Sixth Review Conference of the States Parties to the
Convention on the Prohibition of the Development, Production and Stockpiling
of Bacteriological (Biological) and Toxin Weapons and on Their Destruction
(Biological Weapons Convention) ( Geneva, between 20 November and 8 December
2006)
Seventh Global Forum on Reinventing Government ( New
York, during 2007)
International Conference on Financing for Development
to review implementation of the Monterrey Consensus ( Qatar, during 2008 or
2009)
International
Decades and Years
|
1997-2006
|
United Nations Decade for the Eradication of
Poverty
|
|
|
|
2001-2010
|
Decade to Roll Back Malaria in Developing
Countries, Particularly in Africa
|
|
|
|
2001-2010
|
Second International Decade for the Eradication
of Colonialism
|
|
|
|
2001-2010
|
International Decade for a Culture of Peace and
Non-violence for the Children of the World
|
|
|
|
2003-2012
|
United Nations Literacy Decade: Education for
All
|
|
|
|
2005-2014
|
Second International Decade of the World’s
Indigenous People
|
|
|
|
2005-2014
|
United Nations Decade of Education for
Sustainable Development
|
|
|
|
2005–2015
|
International Decade for Action, “Water for
Life” (from 22 March 2005)
|
|
|
|
2006
|
International Year of Deserts and
Desertification
|
|
|
|
2006
|
Eight hundredth anniversary of Mongolian
statehood
|
|
|
|
2008
|
International Year of the Potato
|
|
|
|
2008
|
International Year of Planet Earth
|
Annual
Days and Weeks
|
27 January
|
International Day of Commemoration in memory of
the victims of the Holocaust
|
|
|
|
21 February
|
International Mother Language Day
|
|
|
|
8 March
|
United Nations Day for Women's Rights and
International Peace (International Women’s Day)
|
|
|
|
21 March
|
International Day for the Elimination of Racial
Discrimination
|
|
|
|
Beginning
21 March
|
Week of Solidarity with the Peoples Struggling
against Racism and Racial Discrimination
|
|
|
|
22 March
|
World Day for Water
|
|
|
|
23 March
|
World Meteorological Day
|
|
|
|
In April 2007
|
United Nations Global Road Safety Week
|
|
|
|
4 April
|
International Day for Mine Awareness and
Assistance in Mine Action
|
|
|
|
7 April
|
World Health Day
|
|
|
|
23 April
|
World Book and Copyright Day
|
|
|
|
3 May
|
World Press Freedom Day
|
|
|
|
8 and 9 May
|
Time of Remembrance and Reconciliation for
Those Who Lost Their Lives during the Second World War
|
|
|
|
15 May
|
International Day of Families
|
|
|
|
17 May
|
World Telecommunication Day
|
|
|
|
21 May
|
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue
and Development
|
|
|
|
22 May
|
International Day for Biological Diversity
|
|
|
|
Beginning
25 May
|
Week of Solidarity with the Peoples of
Non-Self-Governing Territories
|
|
|
|
29 May
|
International Day of United Nations
Peacekeepers
|
|
|
|
31 May
|
World No-Tobacco Day
|
|
|
|
4 June
|
International Day of Innocent Children Victims
of Aggression
|
|
|
|
5 June
|
World Environment Day
|
|
|
|
17 June
|
World Day to Combat Desertification and Drought
|
|
|
|
20 June
|
World Refugee Day
|
|
|
|
23 June
|
United Nations Public Service Day
|
|
|
|
26 June
|
International Day against Drug Abuse and
Illicit Trafficking
|
|
|
|
26 June
|
International Day in Support of Victims of
Torture
|
|
|
|
1 July
|
International Day of Cooperatives (first
Saturday of July)
|
|
|
|
11 July
|
World Population Day
|
|
|
|
9 August (through
9 August 2014)
|
International Day of the World’s Indigenous
People
|
|
|
|
12 August
|
International Youth Day
|
|
|
|
23 August
|
International Day for the Remembrance of the
Slave Trade and Its Abolition
|
|
|
|
8 September
|
International Literacy Day
|
|
|
|
16 September
|
International Day for the Preservation of the
Ozone Layer
|
|
|
|
21 September
|
International Day of Peace
|
|
|
|
September
|
World Maritime Day (during last week of
September)
|
|
|
|
1 October
|
International Day of Older Persons
|
|
|
|
2 October
|
World Habitat Day (first Monday of October)
|
|
|
|
4-10 October
|
World Space Week
|
|
|
|
5 October
|
World Teachers’ Day
|
|
|
|
9 October
|
World Post Day
|
|
|
|
10 October
|
World Mental Health Day
|
|
|
|
11 October
|
International Day for Natural Disaster
Reduction (second Wednesday of October)
|
|
|
|
16 October
|
World Food Day
|
|
|
|
17 October
|
International Day for the Eradication of
Poverty
|
|
|
|
24 October
|
United Nations Day
|
|
|
|
24 October
|
World Development Information Day
|
|
|
|
24-30 October
|
Disarmament Week
|
|
|
|
6 November
|
International Day for Preventing the
Exploitation of the Environment in War and Armed Conflict
|
|
|
|
16 November
|
International Day for Tolerance
|
|
|
|
19 November
|
World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic
Victims (third Sunday of November, annually)
|
|
|
|
20 November
|
Africa Industrialization Day
|
|
|
|
20 November
|
Universal Children's Day
|
|
|
|
21 November
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World Television Day
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25 November
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International Day for the Elimination of
Violence against Women
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29 November
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International Day of Solidarity with the
Palestinian People
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1 December
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World AIDS Day
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2 December
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International Day for the Abolition of Slavery
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3 December
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International Day of Disabled Persons
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5 December
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International Volunteer Day for Economic and
Social Development
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7 December
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International Civil Aviation Day
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10 December
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Human Rights Day
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11 December
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International Mountain Day
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18 December
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International Migrants Day
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19 December
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United Nations Day for South-South Cooperation
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20 December
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International Human Solidarity Day
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Since the early days of the United Nations system, the UN
has established a set of Days and Weeks (as listed below), Years
and Decades
to help focus the world on the issues in which the UN has an interest and
commitment. The UN calls on Member States and other organizations to mark
these days in ways which reflect their priorities.
Sometimes the promotion of a specific day is led by a
specific UN agency or programme, for example the World Health Organization
(WHO) leads World Health Day and World No-Tobacco Day, UN Educational
Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) leads World Water Day and
International Literacy Day, UN Environment Programme (UNEP) leads World
Environment Day etc.
Some UN agencies also have their own international days
(e.g. WHO's World TB Day and UNESCO's World Philosophy Day), established and
promoted by the agency but not designated by the UN General Assembly for the
full UN system. While equivalent in purpose, the following list does not
include agency-specified days.
Eclipses during 2007
Two solar and two lunar eclipses occur in 2007 as folows:
03-03-2007 Lunar Eclipse (Total) Begins 20:18:11 UT (GMT)
19-03-2007 Solar Eclipse (Partial) Begins 00:38:26 UT
28-08-2007 Lunar Eclipse Total) Begins 08:51:16 UT
11-09-2007 Solar Eclipse (Partial) Begins 10-:25:46 UT
To find current time in all countries and all major cities, click below
http://www.timeanddate.com/worldclock/
http://www.worldtimeserver.com/
03-03-2007 Lunar Eclipse (Total)
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 20:18:11 UT
Partial Eclipse Begins: 21:30:22 UT
Partial Eclipse Ends: 01:11:28 UT
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 02:23:44 UT
The entire eclipse will be visible from Europe, Africa and western Asia
19-03-2007 Solar Eclipse (Partial)
Partial Eclipse Begins: 00:38:26 UT
Partial Eclipse Ends: 04:25:00 UT
The Partial eclipse will be visible from
Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Cambodia, China, India, Iran, Kazakhstan, Korea,
Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Myanmar, Pakistan, Russia, Sri Lanka, Taiwan,
Tajikistan, Thailand, Uzbekistan, Vietnam
28-08-2007 Lunar Eclipse (Total)
Penumbral Eclipse Begins: 07:53:39 UT
Partial Eclipse Begins: 08:51:16 UT
Total Eclipse Begins: 09:52:22 UT
Total Eclipse Ends: 11:22:24 UT
Partial Eclipse Ends: 12:23:30 UT
Penumbral Eclipse Ends: 13:21:01 UT
Visible from
west of the Rockies (including Alaska), islands of the Pacific Ocean, New
Zealand and eastern Australia.
Partly visible from North America, eastern Asia.
No eclipse is visible from Europe, Africa and western Asia.
11-09-2007 Solar Eclipse (Partial)
Partial Eclipse Begins: 10:25:46 UT
Partial Eclipse Ends: 14:36:33 UT
Visible from Antarctica, Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Paraguay,
Peru, Uruguay
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