Multicultural Calendar: August 2018
August 2018
1
Confederation Day (Switzerland) is a national holiday to celebrate Switzerland’s independence. The day is filled with food, fireworks and celebrations.
2
Ilinden (Macedonia) is a national Macedonian holiday that remembers Macedonians’ revolt against the Ottoman Empire.
5
Emancipation Day (Turks and Caicos Islands) is a big celebration to honour former slaves and declare their freedom.
6
Hiroshima Day (Japan) remembers the day that the United States dropped the atomic bomb on Hiroshima.
6
Independence Day (Bolivia, Jamaica) is celebrated on this day by Bolivia who is commemorating independence from Spanish control and Jamaica who is commemorating independence from British control.
9
National Day (Singapore) marks the country’s independence from Malaysia in 1965.
9
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (UN) is a day to celebrate the world’s Indigenous people and to promote their rights.
10
Independence Day (Ecuador) is in honour of Ecuador’s independence from Spain.
12
International Youth Day (UN) is in honour of the World Programme of Action for Youth, which seeks to improve the lives of youth around the world.
14
Independence Day (Pakistan) marks Pakistan’s independence from Britain in the 1940s.
15
Independence Day (Bahrain, India) marks the days the Bahrain and India gained Independence from Britain and the United Kingdom, respectively.
15
Korean Liberation Day (Korea) celebrates liberation from Japan in the 1940s.
15
Assumption (Christianity) is a holiday that commemorates the day that the Virgin Mary died and went to heaven.
17
Independence Day (Indonesia) commemorates Indonesia’s independence from the Dutch.
19
World Humanitarian Day (UN) celebrates the hardworking humanitarians who have lost their lives working for important causes.
19
Hajj (Islam) is the day when Muslims make the annual pilgrimage to the city of Mecca. The event can last until August 24.
20
Asmá’ (Bahá’í) is the beginning of the ninth month of the Bahá’í faith. In English, it means Names.
21
Eid al-Adha (Islam), which lasts until August 25, is the Feast of Sacrifice. It is the most important feast of the Muslim calendar, concluding the Pilgrimage to Mecca. Eid al-Adha lasts for three days and commemorates Ibrahim’s willingness to obey God by sacrificing his son.
23
International Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (UNESCO) exists to remind us of those who were involved in the slave trade. It supports freedom and denounces slavery.
24
Independence Day (Ukraine) marks Ukraine’s independence from the former Soviet Union.
24
Onam (Hindu), which ends on August 27, is a festival to celebrate Kerala, a state in India.
25
Independence Day (Uruguay) marks Uruguay’s independence from Brazil.
25
Raksha Bandhan (Hindu) sees Hindu women tying threads of protection on their brothers to protect them from evil. This emulates the actions that God Indra’s wife made, which allowed him to defeat his enemies.
27
Independence Day (Moldova) celebrates Moldova’s independence from the former Soviet Union.
30
Victory Day (Turkey) honours those who died in the Battle of Dumlupinar.
31
Merdeka Day (Malaysia) commemorates Malaysia’s independence from Britain.
31
Independence Day (Trinidad and Tobago) marks the day that Trinidad and Tobago officially became an independent country in 1962.