Rizal Day, December 30, Philippines

A day of remembrance for the life and works of José Rizal as well as all others who died during the Spanish ruling of The Philippines.

It has been a national holiday since 1898 with the official act enacted in 1902.

Subsequently the day as been when the incoming president has been sworn in. Efforts have been made to move the holiday from the date of his death to that of his birth allowing school children to participate in school events but the legislative body could not finish the work before a break and has not been brought back up. As it is now the day falls between the Christmas and New Year breaks. 

Chuseok, Korea, September 19, 2013 (guest post)

Chuseok is often called the Korean Thanksgiving and does share many similarities with the American version. Chuseok began as a harvest festival and the original name, Hangawi, means “the Great Middle” referring to the middle of autumn. Popular belief holds that Chuseok’s roots stretch back to the reign of Yuri Isageum (24 AD – 57 AD), third king of the Silla Kingdom. A month-long weaving contest held between two teams would culminate on Gabae where the winners enjoyed a feast presented by the losers. Scholars also point to the influence of shamanistic traditions of giving thanks to the harvest moon and to ancestors in the development of the holiday.

A national holiday, modern Chuseok is the fifteenth day of the eighth month on the Lunar calendar thus causing it to shift on the Gregorian calendar. In 2013, Chuseok is September 19th. The celebration begins the day before and concludes on the day following. Traditional Chuseok observance includes feasting, playing games, archery, and ssireum (wrestling) contests. In recent years, in South Korea, some of the customs have given way to a more Western approach to family time. 

Koreans return to their hometowns to celebrate with their extended families. On the first evening the family will come together to make and eat Songpyeon (rice cakes, shaped like half-moons, with sweet or semi-sweet fillings) allowing family members to reconnect. The morning of Chuseok begins with preparing a feast to represent an abundant harvest. Traditional hanbok are worn and the family enjoys the feast to honor and accept the blessings of their ancestors. 

Chuseok is also the time for seongmyo (visiting family graves). During this time simple maintenance of the grave site occurs with plants trimmed and debris removed. The family leaves food and drink for their dearly departed. A grave that has not been maintained by the family is seen as disrespectful.

Korean culture is heavy on gift giving. While Chuseok is not a traditional gift-giving holiday it’s not unusual for visitors to bring small tokens. Food is the best choice and supermarkets now offer prepackaged gift sets for the holiday.

Because travel is common during Chuseok, normal modes of transport fill quickly and tickets sell out well in advance. Roadways become congested with cars. Travelers in Korea during this time are advised to avoid these modes of transport if possible. (Subways in major cities are typically empty, though.) Many businesses change their hours during the holiday and cultural centers often have activities specific to Chuseok. 

Special thanks to Keith Kim of Seoulistic (www.seoulistic.com) and Hyunwoo Sun of Talk to Me in Korean (www.talktomeinkorean.com).

Editor Note - I want to thank Darrell for writting this post, he did a great job! This is the first guest post on my blog and I very much hope not that last.

World Water Monitoring Day, International Sept 18

Today is set aside as a day for people from around the world to test their local water ways for toxins. Established in 2002 in the United States and then internationally the following year, it was designed to both educate people about the importance of their local water ways and gather data to help understand the state of them.

Originally October 18th was chosen for the day to recognize the passing of the U.S. Clean Water Act but as water ways in many parts of the world will have already frozen over by that point in the year it was moved to Sept 18th. Now the official program runs from Sept 18th to Oct 18th but they will collect data all year long. 

I would suggest anyone who may be interested in clean water help with the program and see about supporting other endeavor to protect the water ways of the world (such as http://www.waterkeeper.org/).

A simple test kit, containing enough to test 50 sites can be ordered from the website http://www.worldwatermonitoringday.org/. 

Constitution and Citizenship Day, United States September 17

Recognizing the signing of the United States Constitution on Sept 17, 1787 by Constitutional Convention this day is held as a federally recognized holiday. Educational institutions that receive federal funds are required to have instructions on the topic today. 

In addition to this day being Constitution Day it is also celebrate as Von Steuben Day. Baron Friedrich Von Steuben was a German general who offered his service to General George Washington during the American Revolutionary War. It is was mostly through his efforts that the Continental Army was able to go from a ragtag force of undisciplined man with guns to a coherent fighting force that would come to defeat the British. Von Steuben created the first manual of military drill. This day is seen as a celebration of German-Americans and there are festivals recognizing this. Normally on the third Saturday of the month. While I can not be sure this is accurate, I did read where the scene in the movie Farris Bueller's Day Off with the parade was a Steuben Day parade.

Nunavat Day - July 9th Canada

The newest territory in Canada celebrates it’s own day today. Established in 1999, the area was part of the Northwest Territories.  The majority of the people who live in the territory are native to the land with only about 15% being non-aboriginal and 84% Inuit. But with a population of a little over 31,000 people in an area of  more then 725,000 square miles, makes for a very low population density. If the area was it’s own country it would be the 15th largest on the planet.

I like to think of myself as someone who knows a little about geography and the makeup of countries around the world so I was a little disappointed in myself when I learned there was a whole territory I had never heard of till now.

The day is marked with cultural events and is the day that remembers the largest comprehensive claim settlement in Canada.  The Inuit people received many rights they had been denied for years.

I really like the idea that in some way the wrongs that have been committed to those who lived in the Americas before the Europeans settled are at least beginning to be addressed.  We still  have a long way to go but this seems like a good start.  

So Happy Nunavat Day!!

Links: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Nunavut_Day

https://www.itk.ca/media/media-release/nunavut-day-day-pride-celebration-and-joy-national-inuit-leader