Tag Archives: international holidays

Holidays Around the World: Mexico’s Independence Day

In the US, or at least in the parts of the US I lived before moving to San Diego—the East Coast and Midwest—most people know two Mexican holidays: Cinco de Mayo (May 5) and Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead). I didn’t realize May 5 wasn’t Mexican Independence Day until we moved toContinue reading “Holidays Around the World: Mexico’s Independence Day”

Holidays Around the World: Canada’s Independence Day

Canada observes its independence day in the same month we do in the United States. Theirs is earlier, July 1. The date is only one difference between the significance of independence days of these neighboring countries. Where in the US, we observe July 4 as the anniversary of our announcement of independence from Britain, trueContinue reading “Holidays Around the World: Canada’s Independence Day”

Holidays Around the World: International Workers Day

I wouldn’t be surprised if most readers think of May Day as either a day to leave a basket full of flowers and treats on the doorstep of someone special or as a day of military parades down the wide streets of Moscow. It is both of those things. But those military parades in countriesContinue reading “Holidays Around the World: International Workers Day”

Holidays Around the World: International Women’s Day

My first exposure to International Women’s Day (IWD), March 8, was in Romania in 1978. That was one year after the United Nations began observing it as a holiday, but Romanians had been celebrating the holiday for longer as the origins go back much further. International Women’s Day is one of two international celebrations thatContinue reading “Holidays Around the World: International Women’s Day”

Holidays Around the World: Purim

On February 25, 2021, (the Hebrew date Adar 14), Jews around the world will celebrate Purim to mark the salvation of the Jewish people in ancient Persia from planned annihilation. Purim isn’t one of the Jewish holidays I had heard of before I went to Iran for my first teaching position, in spite of havingContinue reading “Holidays Around the World: Purim”