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Holidays & Observances
Originally called “Dominion Day,” Canada Day (French: Fête du Canada) is the national day of Canada, commemorating the unification of the three North American British colonies into one confederation: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and the Province of Canada (which was made up of parts of modern-day Ontario, Quebec, and Labrador). It's been a day of celebration since 1868, where many festivities are held across the nation. Canadians across the country and around the world show their pride in their history, culture and achievements.
Canada Day is a federal statutory holiday in Canada & is always celebrated on July 1. Public workers are given the day off. If this holiday falls on a Sunday, then July 2 is the statutory holiday. Celebratory events will often still take place on July 1. Also, if the holiday falls on a weekend, some businesses give employees Monday as a day off.
The Creation of Canada Day
July 1, 1867: The British North America Act (today known as the Constitution Act, 1867) created Canada.
June 20, 1868: Governor General Lord Monck signs a proclamation that requests all of Her Majesty Queen Victoria's subjects across Canada to celebrate July 1.
1879: A federal law makes July 1 a statutory holiday as the "anniversary of Confederation," which is later called "Dominion Day."
October 27, 1982: July 1, "Dominion Day" officially becomes Canada Day.
A quirk surrounding the holiday: In predominantly French-speaking Quebec, the holiday is celebrated alongside Moving Day, a totally inconvenient day when many leases end or begin and residents are relocating.
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The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
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On July 9th 1850, the Bab, the forerunner to Baha’u’llah, was executed in Tabriz, Persia by a firing squad of 750 men. The Bab, which means “the Gate” in Arabic, was a Messenger of God whose role was to herald the coming of the latest Manifestation of God: Baha’u’llah.
For many years after his death, the remains of the Báb were secretly transferred from place to place until they were brought to their final resting place in 1909 at the Shrine of the Báb in Haifa, Israel on the middle terrace of the Baháʼí Gardens.
The anniversary of this event is commemorated by members of the Baháʼí Faith at noon on Rahmat 16 (Sharaf of the Baháʼí calendar - i.e., July 9 or July 10). It is one of nine Holy Days when work is suspended.
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Tisha B’Av, the Fast of the Ninth of the month of Av, is a day of mourning to commemorate the many tragedies that have befallen the Jewish people, many of which coincidentally occurred on the ninth of Av. Tisha B’Av literally means “the ninth (day) of Av” in Hebrew. It usually occurs during August.
Tisha B’Av primarily commemorates the destruction of the first and second Temples, both of which were destroyed on the ninth of Av (the first by the Babylonians in 423 B.C.E.; the second by the Romans in 69 C.E.).
Although this holiday meant to commemorate the destruction of the Temple, it is appropriate to consider the many other tragedies of the Jewish people that also occurred on this day. Among them are: the crushing of the Bar-Kokhba Revolt at the hands of the Romans in 133 C.E.; the expulsion of the Jews from England in 1290 C.E.; the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492; and the beginning of World War I in 1914, which by general historical consensus led to World War II and the Holocaust.
Tisha B’Av is the culmination of a three-week period of incrementally increasing mourning. During this three-week period, weddings and other parties are not permitted, and many Jewish people refrain from cutting their hair. From the first to the ninth of Av, it is customary to refrain from eating meat or drinking wine (except on the Sabbath) and from wearing new clothing.
The restrictions on Tisha B’Av are similar to those on Yom Kippur: to refrain from eating and drinking (even water); washing, bathing, shaving or wearing cosmetics; wearing leather shoes etc. Work in the ordinary sense of the word is also restricted. People who are ill need not fast on this day. Many of the traditional mourning practices are observed: people refrain from smiles, laughter and idle conversation, and sit on low stools.
In synagogues, the Book of Lamentations is read, and mourning prayers are recited. The ark where the Torah is kept is draped in black.
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Guru Purnima (gu-ru pour-nee-maa) is a unique festival as it celebrates the teachers in one’s life. It is also called Vyasa Purnima after Maharishi Veda Vyasa who compiled and wrote a lot of Vedic literature, prominent among which is the great Indian epic, Mahabharata. It is celebrated in June-July. Guru is a Sanskrit word where Gu refers to darkness and Ru refers to removal of the darkness of ignorance (Avidyaa). Hence Guru is one who dispels the darkness of ignorance with the light of knowledge. Besides spiritual teachers, all teachers are also honored during this festival. The festival is also celebrated in other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. It is a major festival in Buddhism because it was on this day that Gautama Buddha after achieving Enlightenment gave his first teachings to his disciples. In Jainism, Mahavira taught his first disciple on this day. In Sikhism, the festival honors the ten Sikh Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book of Sikhs.
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Guru Purnima is also called Vyasa Purnima after Maharishi Veda Vyasa who wrote the Great Indian Epic, Mahabharata, the 18 Puranas and compiled the Vedas, ancient Hindu scriptures on meditation, philosophy, spiritual knowledge and rituals.
It is celebrated on the Full Moon day (Purnima) in the Ashada month of the Hindu Calendar. This occurs between June-July in the Gregorian Calendar.
Guru is a Sanskrit word derived from the words Gu and Ru. Gu refers to darkness and Ru refers to someone who removes darkness. Therefore, a Guru is someone who removes the darkness of ignorance (Avidhya) and helps one attain the ultimate transcendental Knowledge. Besides spiritual teachers, all teachers are also honored during this festival.
The Guru-Shishya (Teacher-Student) tradition is of utmost importance in the Hindu tradition where a dedicated Guru (Teacher) mentors and transmits knowledge to the devoted Shisya (Student/Seeker) after initiation.
Guru Purnima is a festival that remembers and honors the lineage of teachers (Guru-Parampara) over millenia who have shaped our thoughts. There are many legends associated with this festival. It is said that Shiva as Dakshinamurti, the ultimate Guru sat under a banyan tree and taught the Saptarishis (7 Sages) who passed on their knowledge to the rest of humanity.
It is celebrated in neighboring countries of India such as Nepal and Bhutan. In Nepal, Guru Purnima is celebrated as Teacher’s day. On this day, students offer gifts, garlands and sweets to their teachers and get their blessings.
The festival is also celebrated in other religions such as Buddhism, Jainism and Sikhism. It is a major festival in Buddhism because it was on this day that Gautama Buddha after achieving Enlightenment gave his first teachings to his disciples. In Jainism, Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara taught his first disciple on this day. In Sikhism, the festival honors the ten Sikh Gurus and the Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred book of Sikhs.
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In the United States, July 26 is recognized annually as National Disability Independence Day, commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990. The story of the ADA remains a significant chapter in U.S. history and the ongoing struggle for disability rights.
The landmark legislation has served as a de facto bill of rights for Americans with disabilities by assuring their access to economic and civic opportunities. Its passage represented an unprecedented bipartisan effort to acknowledge the centuries of discrimination suffered by the disability community, and a fundamental change to how they live their lives.
The American disability movement began in earnest in the 1960s with grassroots efforts to resist the centuries-old notion that its members were defective, lacking, and needed to be segregated from civic life. Inspired by the manifestos of the broader civil rights struggles of the time, the movement rejected these cruel and paternalistic attitudes and advocated instead for full access to opportunities in employment, education, and public life.
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