Montgomery County, MD - Special Days of Commemoration

Text Version

Home | Help | Site Map

    News
    County Executive
    County Council
    Judiciary
    Departments

I Want To ...
    Services & Info.
    Online Services
    County Cable 6
    Education
    Volunteers
    Careers
    Contact Us

Days of Commemoration

photo of diverse crowd of people

In recognition of Montgomery County’s religious, ethnic and cultural diversity and in respect for the diversity of its own workforce, on March 28, 2006, the County Council passed legislation (Bill No. 1-06: Special Days of Commemoration) to designate certain days of commemoration relating to the religious, ethnic and cultural heritage of County residents. On July 7, 2006, the County Executive signed the legislation into law.

For regulations governing leave and alternate work schedules for religious observance, County government employees can refer to the Personnel Regulations located on HR Resource Library. Also see Office of Community Outreach August 11, 2006 memorandum to County government employees.

Designated Days of Commemoration Also see Holiday Schedule 2007 \| 2008
2007 Designated Days
REMAINDER OF FOURTH QUARTER
Hanukkah (Chanukah)	Begins at sundown December 4, 2007
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is celebrated by Jewish people around the world to commemorate their victory in the Maccabean War of 162 B.C. After the war, the Temple was cleansed and rededicated and the Menorah (perpetual lamp) was relit. Hanukkah means "dedication" in Hebrew. The celebration of Hanukkah is also known as the "Feast of Lights" because one of the stories told is that the oil for the lamps was sufficient only for one day but burned miraculously for eight days. Today, Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a special Menorah with eight candles plus a ninth shammash candle (server used to light the others). The dates of the Holiday usually fall November or December, starting on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar each year.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception	December 8, 2007
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated in some Christian churches on 8 December. A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern (Catholic) Church in the seventh century. It spread to the West in the eighth century. In the eleventh century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the eighteenth century it became a feast of the Roman Catholic Church.
Eid-Ul-Adha : Feast of the Sacrifice	December 20-22, 2007
Religious festival celebrated by Muslims, commemorating Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience to God. It marks the end of the Haji (pilgrimage to Mecca.) Observed with prayer, sacrificing a goat or sheep and feasting with family and friends. U.S. date may vary; begins at sunset the preceeding day. January 10 to January 12, 2006; December 31 to January 2, 2007.
Christmas Day Orthodox Christmas Day	December 25, 2007 January 7, 2008
Christmas is a Christian holiday held on December 25 which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Eastern Orthodox Churches, which use the Julian Calendar to determine feast days, celebrate on January 7 by the Gregorian Calendar.
Kwanzaa	December 26, 2007
Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) meaning “first fruits” in Swahili, is a week-long secular holiday honoring African-American heritage, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year, by African-Americans in the United States of America. Kwanzaa consists of seven days of celebration, featuring activities such as candle-lighting, singing, and culminating in a thanksgiving feast and gift-giving. It was founded by Ron "Maulana" Karenga, and first celebrated from December 26, 1966, to January 1, 1967. Karenga calls Kwanzaa the African American branch of "first fruits" celebrations of classical African cultures.
2008 Designated Days
FIRST QUARTER
Three Kings Day	January 6, 2008
Three Kings Days (also called Dia de los Reyes, Epiphany, Feast of Kings, Twelfth Day, Twelfthtide, Day of the Three Wise Men). This major festival of the Christian Church is observed in many parts of the world with gifts, feasting, last lighting of the Christmas lights and burning of Christmas greens. It is the Twelfth and last day of the Feast of the Nativity. It commemorates the visit of the Three Wise Men (Kings of Magi) to Bethlehem. It is one of the oldest Christian feasts, originating in the Eastern Church in the second century, and predates the Western feast of Christmas. It was adopted by the Western Church during the same period in which the Eastern Church accepted Christmas.
Martin Luther King Day	January 15, 2008
The Birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., often called Martin Luther King Day, is a United States holiday honoring the Reverend Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., black civil rights leader, minister, advocate of nonviolence and recipient of Nobel Peace Prize (1964). It is observed on the third Monday of January each year, around the time of Dr. King's birthday, January 15.
Ash Wednesday	February 6, 2008
In the Western Christian calendar, Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent. It occurs forty-six days before Easter, but Lent is nevertheless considered forty days long, because Sundays in this period are not counted among the days of Lent. It falls on different dates from year to year, according to the date of Easter; it can occur as early as February 4 or as late as March 10. Worshippers are blessed by a priest or minister with ashes placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross. Ash Wednesday is observed by fasting and repentance.
Asian Lunar New Year	February 7, 2008
Asian Lunar New Year is typically observed between January 21 and February 19; it is a public holiday in a number of countries and areas where a sizeable Asian population resides. It is the principal holiday in Asian calendars and falls on different dates on the Gregorian calendar every year on different days of the week. New Year season begins with the first new moon after the sun enters Aquarius and lasts for fifteen days. The first week is the most important and most often celebrated with visits to friends and family as well as greetings of good luck. The highlight of the season is the Dragon Parade which is thought to dispel evil spirits.
Norouz	March 20, 2008
Norouz - Marking the first day of spring and the beginning of the new year that is celebrated in Iran, Azerbaijan, Afghanistan, India, Turkey, Zanzibar, Albania, various countries of Central Asia like Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Tajikistan, Uzbekistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Kazakhstan, Xinjiang as well as among the Kurds. It is also the beginning of the Bahá'í year. It is celebrated by some communities on March 21st and by others on the day of the astronomical vernal equinox (start of spring), which may occur on March 20th, 21st or 22nd. Norouz which means “a new day” occurs after a complete rotation of the Earth around the Sun (365 days) which happens at different times around the world, about March 20 or 21. This holiday is generally considered the most important holiday of the year and is celebrated beginning about March 21 and lasts for 13 days. It is marked by family visits and the exchange of gifts, as well as special feasts. It is also commemorated by setting tables with foods and special items beginning with the letter S; this is known as the Haft Sin. The 13th day of the New Year festival is called “Sizdah Bedar” and is spent out of doors at picnics and parks.
Purim	March 20-21, 2008
Purim is a Jewish holiday that commemorates the deliverance of Persian Jews from the plot of Haman to exterminate them, as recorded in the biblical Book of Esther. Purim begins at sundown on March 20.
SECOND QUARTER
Holy (Maundy) Thursday Orthodox Holy Thursday	March 20, 2008 April 24, 2008
In the Christian calendar, Holy Thursday or Great Thursday, called in England and in a few other English-speaking countries Maundy Thursday, is the feast or holy day on the Thursday before Easter that commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus Christ with the Apostles.
Good Friday Orthodox Holy Friday	March 21, 2008 April 25, 2008
Good Friday is a holy day celebrated by most Christians on the Friday before Easter or Pascha. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary.
Easter Orthodox Easter	March 23, 2008 April 27, 2008
Easter, also known as the Feast of the Resurrection, "the Sunday of the Resurrection", or "Resurrection Day", is the most important religious festival of the Christian liturgical year. The date of Easter, a moveable feast, is derived from the lunar calendar: the first Sunday following the first ecclesiastical full moon on or after March 21-always between March 22 and April 25. It celebrates the resurrection of Jesus, which occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 27-33). In the Catholic Church Easter is actually an eight-day feast called the Octave of Easter.
Passover	April 20, 2008
Passover is an eight-day Jewish holiday which is celebrated in the spring. It begins on the 15th day of Nisan (on the Hebrew calendar), which falls between March 15-April 30. Passover commemorates the Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from ancient Egypt. Passover begins at sunset on April 19.
Festival of Ridvan	April 21, 2008
Festival of Ridvan - Meaning ("paradise") is a Baha'i celebration commemorating the 12-day period in 1863 that Baha'u'llah (Baha'i founder) spent in the Garden of Ridvan, just outside Bagdad. During this period, Baha'u'llah began his prophethood and became God's messenger for this age. Baha'u'llah was in the Garden of Ridvan from April 21 to May 2, 1863,and this period is considered the most holy festival of the Baha'i faith and is called "Most Great Festival." The Festival of Ridvan is observed according to the Baha'i calendar and begins on April 21 and continues through May 2 each year.
Ascension Thursday	May 1, 2008 (Western) June 5, 2008 (Orthodox)
Religious observance by many Christians, affirming the ascension of Jesus, celebrated on the Thursday in the sixth week following Easter Sunday.
Shavuot	June 9, 2008
Shavuot is the Jewish holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah (the law) to Moses on Mount Sinai. Shavuot begins at sundown on June 8.
Juneteenth	June 19, 2008
Ethnic, historical holiday observed by residents of the United States, especially by African Americans, commemorating the end of slavery. The holiday originated in Galveston, Texas; for more than a century, the state of Texas was the primary home of Juneteenth celebrations. More recently, however, its observance has spread across the nation.
THIRD QUARTER
Feast of the Assumption	August 15, 2008
The Feast of the Assumption is celebrated on August 15. The Eastern Orthodox Feast celebrates the Dormition of the Theotokos with a 14-day fast prior to the Feast of the Assumption. The Dormition is the period of Mary's time among the dead before her Assumption. Eastern Orthodox Christians believe that Mary died and was later resurrected from the dead, before being assumed into Heaven. Many Catholics also believe this, but many others believe she never died and was assumed into Heaven while alive. Eastern (Roman) Catholics also observe the Dormition as well as the Assumption.
Ramadan: The Islamic Month of Fasting	September 2-30, 2008
Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, is holy because it was during this month that the Holy Qur ?an (Koran) was revealed. Adults fast from dawn until sunset to achieve spiritual and physical purification and self-discipline, abstaining from food, drink and intimate relations. It is a time for feeling a common bond with the poor and needy, and is a time of piety and prayer. It begins on the Islamic lunar calendar date Ramadan 1, 1429. Began at sunset the preceding day.
Rosh Hashanah	September 30-October 1, 2008
Rosh Hashanah is a religious holiday celebrating the Jewish New Year. It literally means “Head of the Year”. It is commemorated with ten days of repentance and spiritual renewal. Rosh Hashanah begins at sundown on September 29.
FOURTH QUARTER
Eid-ul-Fitr	October 1, 2008
Eid ul-Fitr, or abbreviated simply as Eid, is a principal Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. In Arabic, Fitr means "to break" and therefore symbolizes the breaking of the fasting period and of all evil habits. The holiday follows the month of Ramadan (usually October in the Gregorian calendar), falling on the first day of Shawwal (the tenth month in the Islamic calendar). As with all months in the Islamic calendar, it begins with the sighting of the new moon. For this reason there may be regional differences in the exact date of Eid, with some Muslims fasting for 29 days and some for 30 days.
Yom Kippur	October 9, 2008
Yom Kippur is the holiest and most solemn day in the Jewish calendar. It is a day of fasting repentance and seeking forgiveness. Yom Kippur begins at sundown on October 8.
Sukkot	October 14-20, 2008
Sukkot begins a nine-day festival in commemoration of the Jewish people’s 40 years of wandering in the desert as well as thanksgiving for the fall harvest. Sukkot begins at sundown on October 13.
Shemini Atzeret	October 21, 2008
Jewish holiday, the eighth day of Solemn Assembly, part of the Sukkot Festival, is observed with memorial services and cycle of Biblical readings. Shemini Atzeret begins at sundown on October 20.
Simchat Torah	October 22, 2008
Simchat Torah, means “Rejoicing in the Torah.” This Jewish holiday marks the completion of the annual cycle of weekly Torah readings and the beginning of the new cycle of Torah readings. This is the last day of the Sukkot Festival which begins at sundown on October 21.
Diwali	October 28, 2008
Diwali, a holiday observed by Hindus, as well as Sikhs, Jains, and other peoples of India; it occurs in either October or November each year and signifies the beginning of the new year as well as the triumph of good over evil. The name of the festival comes from the Sanskrit word dipavali, meaning row of lights. Diwali is known as the 'festival of lights' because houses, shops, and public places are decorated with small clay oil lamps called Diyas. These lamps, which are traditionally lit by mustard oil, are placed in decorative arrangements in windows, doors and outside buildings.
Feast of All Saints (All Saints Day)	November 1, 2008
A Christian, primarily Roman Catholic holiday, falls on November 1, followed by All Souls Day on November 2, which commemorates the faithful departed. The Eastern Orthodox Church's All Saints is the first Sunday after Pentecost and as such marks the close of the Easter season.
Feast of the Immaculate Conception	December 8, 2008
The feast of the Immaculate Conception is celebrated in some Christian churches on 8 December. A feast called the Conception of Mary arose in the Eastern (Catholic) Church in the seventh century. It spread to the West in the eighth century. In the eleventh century it received its present name, the Immaculate Conception. In the eighteenth century it became a feast of the Roman Catholic Church.
Eid-Ul-Adha : Feast of the Sacrifice	December 8, 2008
Religious festival celebrated by Muslims, commemorating Abraham’s (Ibrahim’s) willingness to sacrifice his son Ishmael in obedience to God. It marks the end of the Haji (pilgrimage to Mecca.) Observed with prayer, sacrificing a goat or sheep and feasting with family and friends. U.S. date may vary; begins at sunset the preceeding day. January 10 to January 12, 2006; December 31 to January 2, 2007.
Hanukkah (Chanukah)	December 21-29, 2008
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is celebrated by Jewish people around the world to commemorate their victory in the Maccabean War of 162 B.C. After the war, the Temple was cleansed and rededicated and the Menorah (perpetual lamp) was relit. Hanukkah means "dedication" in Hebrew. The celebration of Hanukkah is also known as the "Feast of Lights" because one of the stories told is that the oil for the lamps was sufficient only for one day but burned miraculously for eight days. Today, Jewish families celebrate Hanukkah by lighting a special Menorah with eight candles plus a ninth shammash candle (server used to light the others). The dates of the Holiday usually fall November or December, starting on the 25th day of Kislev in the Hebrew calendar each year. Begins at sundown December 21.
Christmas Day Orthodox Christmas Day	December 25, 2008 January 7, 2009
Christmas is a Christian holiday held on December 25 which celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. Eastern Orthodox Churches, which use the Julian Calendar to determine feast days, celebrate on January 7 by the Gregorian Calendar.
Kwanzaa	December 26, 2008
Kwanzaa (or Kwaanza) meaning “first fruits” in Swahili, is a week-long secular holiday honoring African-American heritage, observed from December 26 to January 1 each year, by African-Americans in the United States of America. Kwanzaa consists of seven days of celebration, featuring activities such as candle-lighting, singing, and culminating in a thanksgiving feast and gift-giving. It was founded by Ron "Maulana" Karenga, and first celebrated from December 26, 1966, to January 1, 1967. Karenga calls Kwanzaa the African American branch of "first fruits" celebrations of classical African cultures.
References: Chase’s Calendar of Events 2006. McGraw-Hill.2006. The Folklore of American Holidays 2nd. Edition. Gale Research 1991. Holidays , Festivals, and Celebrations of the World Dictionary. Omnigraphics.2005. Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved October 26, 2006 We wish to thank the Montgomery County Public Libraries’ Ask-A-Librarian Reference Services for providing the background and research on the definitions for each of the Special Days of Commemoration.

Last edited: 6/24/2008