Winter Quarter 2009

Date	Holiday	Religion/Country
Jan. 6	Old Christmas Day	Armenia
Jan.7	Christmas	Eastern Orthodox, Ethiopia
Jan.7	Ashura	Islam
Jan.26	Lunar New Year	China, Vietnam, Korea, Tibet
Jan.26	Solnal	Korea
Jan.27	Losar	Tibet
Mar.21	Nowrooz (Now Ruz)	Islam, Zoroastrian, Afghanistan, Iran, Baha'i

January:

6th: Old Christmas Day (Armenia) - Celebrated in the Armenian Church, the oldest Christian national church (founded 301 CE).

7th: Christmas (Eastern Orthodox, Ethiopian) - Celebrations take place in and outside of ancient churches. On the eve of this day there is prayer and chanting, and in the morning a colorful procession makes its way to a hilltop for mass. After the service the day is spent dancing, playing sports and feasting.

7th: Ashura (Islam) - The first day of the first month of the Islamic year 1425 CE commemorates the migration in 622 CE of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina, where the first Islamic community was established. Muharram lasts for 10 days. Observances of Buddhist, Hindu/Vedic and Islamic holidays are dependent on the sightings of the moon.

19th: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (USA) - Across the country, schools and offices close to celebrate the life, death and legacy of one of the most influential civil rights leaders of our time.

26th: Lunar New Year (China, Vietnam, Korea, Tibet) - Also known as the Lunar New Year or the Spring Festival, this is the most important of the traditional Chinese holidays. It also is a major holiday for Mongolians, Koreans, the Miao (Chinese Hmong) and the Vietnamese, who were influenced by Chinese culture in terms of religious and philosophical worldview, language and culture.

26th: Solnal (Korea) - This is the biggest event of the year. 15 days after Solnal on the first full moon day, Koreans eat a five-grain meal and pray for a bountiful harvest.

27th: Losar (Tibet) - The Tibetan New Year is called Losar and is celebrated for three days by visiting, feasting and relaxation of the monastic discipline.

March:

21st: Nowrooz (Islam Ismaili, Zoroastrian, Afghanistan, Iran, Baha’i) - Also spelled No Ruz, or Now Ruz, this day marks the "new year" or "new day" and is a celebration of the spring equinox. It was celebrated by all major cultures in Mesopotamia, and today is deeply rooted in Iran within the traditions of the Zoroastrian belief system. Observance of Baha’i holidays begins at sundown of the preceding day and ends at sunset of the holy days. Observances of Buddhist, Hindu/Vedic and Islamic holidays are dependent on the sightings of the moon.

: All Jewish holidays begin at sunset on the first day given and end one hour after sunset on the last day given.
: Observances of Buddhist, Hindu/Vedic and Islamic holidays are dependent on the sightings of the moon.
: Observance of Baha’i holidays begins at sundown of the preceding day and ends at sunset of the holy days.
: This symbol denotes religious holidays from various major religions from around the world.