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Thursday, October 22, 2026
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Library at a glance
259 briefs · 43 iconic · 5 categories · 54 countries
Library by month
259 briefs across the calendar - click a month to filter
Showing 48 briefs in this category.
Clear filtersChristmas - December 25, federal holiday, religious origins, and how it is observed
Christmas on December 25 is a US federal holiday and a Christian religious feast marking the birth of Jesus. One of 11 federal holidays under 5 U.S.C. 6103. Observed with religious services, family gatherings, gift exchange, and seasonal displays.
Diwali - the 5-day Hindu festival of lights, lunar date, and how it is observed across India
Diwali (Deepavali) is the 5-day Hindu festival of lights, observed on the new moon (Amavasya) of the Hindu month of Kartik. One of the largest holidays in India and a major celebration across the Hindu, Sikh, and Jain diasporas. Date moves between mid-October and mid-November.
Easter - the computus moveable feast, Christian origin, and how the US observes it
Easter is a Christian feast day observed on the first Sunday after the first ecclesiastical full moon after the spring equinox. Movable date between March 22 and April 25. Not a US federal holiday but is a major commercial and religious holiday.
Eid al-Adha - the Islamic Festival of Sacrifice, 10 Dhu al-Hijjah, and how it is observed
Eid al-Adha is the Islamic Festival of Sacrifice on 10 Dhu al-Hijjah (the 12th and final month of the Hijri calendar), coinciding with the Hajj pilgrimage to Mecca. Commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son. Public holiday in most Muslim-majority countries.
Eid al-Fitr - the Islamic Festival of Breaking the Fast on 1 Shawwal, and how it is observed worldwide
Eid al-Fitr is the Islamic Festival of Breaking the Fast on 1 Shawwal (the 10th month of the Hijri calendar), marking the end of the month of Ramadan. A 1-3 day public holiday in most Muslim-majority countries, observed with communal prayer, charity (Zakat al-Fitr), family gatherings, and special foods. Dates move each year because the Islamic calendar is lunar.
Galungan - the Balinese day of dharma's return, and the 210-day pawukon cycle
Galungan is the Balinese Hindu festival marking the return of dharma after Bhatara Guru's descent into the underworld. It always falls on a Wednesday and recurs on a 210-day pawukon cycle, so Bali sees it roughly twice a Gregorian year.
Ganesh Chaturthi - the Hindu festival of Ganesha, 10-day observance, and how it is celebrated
Ganesh Chaturthi is the Hindu festival of Lord Ganesha, observed over 10 days beginning on the 4th day of Bhadrapada (Hindu month). Public holiday in several Indian states. Best known for public pandals (elaborate temporary shrines), especially in Maharashtra.
Hanukkah - the 8-day Jewish festival of lights on 25 Kislev, and how it is observed
Hanukkah is the 8-day Jewish festival of lights on 25 Kislev in the Hebrew calendar, commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in 164 BCE and the miracle of the oil. Public holiday in Israel; widely observed across US Jewish communities.
Holi - the Hindu festival of colors, lunar date, and how India observes it
Holi is the Hindu festival of colors, observed on the full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Phalguna. Celebrates the arrival of spring, the legend of Holika and Prahlad, and the divine love of Radha and Krishna. Date moves between late February and late March.
Immaculate Conception (Immacolata Concezione / Inmaculada Concepción) - December 8, the Catholic dogma of Mary’s preservation from original sin
The Immaculate Conception on December 8 is a Catholic solemnity observing the dogma that the Virgin Mary was preserved from original sin from the moment of her conception. The day is a national public holiday in Italy, Spain, Portugal, and Austria, and the principal Marian feast of the Catholic liturgical calendar.
Makha Bucha - the full-moon day of the first lunar month, kept across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka
Makha Bucha is the full-moon day of the first lunar month, celebrated by Theravada Buddhists across Thailand, Laos, Cambodia, Myanmar and Sri Lanka. It commemorates the spontaneous gathering of 1,250 arahants before the Buddha.
Navratri and Durga Puja - the 9-night Hindu festival of the Divine Mother
Navratri is the 9-night Hindu festival of the Divine Mother, observed four times a year with the autumn (Sharad) Navratri being the most prominent. Durga Puja is the eastern Indian observance, especially in West Bengal, with elaborate pandals and idol worship.
Our Lady of Guadalupe in Mexico (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) - December 12, the 1531 apparition of the Virgin of Tepeyac
Our Lady of Guadalupe (Nuestra Señora de Guadalupe) on December 12 is the patronal feast of Mexico, commemorating the 1531 apparition of the Virgin Mary to Juan Diego on the hill of Tepeyac near Mexico City. The day is one of the most-searched religious observances in Latin America and draws an estimated 8-10 million pilgrims to the Basilica of Guadalupe each year.
Passover - the 7-day Jewish festival of Pesach, 15 Nisan, and the Seder
Passover (Pesach) is the 7-day Jewish festival on 15 Nisan (Hebrew calendar), commemorating the Exodus from Egypt. Observed with the Seder meal and the removal of chametz (leavened products). Date moves between late March and late April in the Gregorian calendar.
Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr - the Islamic month of fasting and the celebration that follows
Ramadan is the 9th month of the Islamic (Hijri) calendar, observed by approximately 1.8 billion Muslims worldwide with daily fasting from dawn to sunset. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of Ramadan on 1 Shawwal. Dates move each year because the Hijri calendar is lunar.
All Saints Day - November 1, the Christian feast of all saints, and the start of Allhallowtide
All Saints Day on November 1 is a Christian feast day honoring all saints, known and unknown. A Holy Day of Obligation in the Roman Catholic Church, a festival in the Lutheran and Anglican traditions, and a public holiday in several Catholic-majority countries.
Asarnha Bucha - the day the Buddha taught his first sermon after the rains retreat
Asarnha Bucha falls on the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month and marks the end of the three-month Vassa rains retreat, when the Buddha is said to have delivered his first sermon at Deer Park. A public holiday in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Myanmar.
Ash Wednesday - Lent begins, ashes of penitence, and the 40-day fast
Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent in Western Christianity, observed 46 days before Easter Sunday (40 fasting days, excluding Sundays). The day is marked by the imposition of ashes on the forehead, fasting and abstinence, and the beginning of the Lenten penitential season. Observed by Catholics, Anglicans, Lutherans, and other Western Christian denominations.
Buddha's Birthday in South Korea (Seokgatenil) - 8th day of the 4th lunar month
Buddha's Birthday (Seokgatenil, 석가탄신일) on the 8th day of the 4th lunar month is a South Korean national public holiday marking the birth, enlightenment, and parinirvana of the Buddha. Observed with the Lotus Lantern Festival and temple events in Seoul and nationwide.
Epiphany (Three Kings Day) - January 6, the bigger gift-giving day in Spain and Latin America
Epiphany (Día de los Reyes Magos) on January 6 commemorates the visit of the Magi to the infant Jesus. In Spain and most of Latin America it is the bigger gift-giving day, marked by the Cabalgata de Reyes parade on January 5 and the Roscón de Reyes cake.
Good Friday (Viernes Santo) - the crucifixion commemoration at the heart of Semana Santa
Good Friday (Viernes Santo) is the Friday before Easter Sunday, commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. It is a national public holiday throughout Spain, where it forms part of Semana Santa (Holy Week), and in most Catholic and Protestant countries.
Isra and Mi'raj - the Night Journey and Ascension of the Prophet Muhammad
Isra and Mi'raj (Isra Miraj) is the Islamic observance of the Prophet Muhammad's night journey from Mecca to Jerusalem and his ascension to heaven. Observed on 27 Rajab in the Hijri lunar calendar, it falls in March-April in the Gregorian calendar. Most prominently observed in Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan, and Egypt.
Kathina - the robe offering that closes the rains retreat in Theravada Buddhism
Kathina is the Theravada robe-offering festival that marks the end of the Vassa rains retreat, falling in the lunar month after Vassa. Each monastery chooses its own day within that month, so unlike most Buddhist holidays it has no single fixed date.
Laylat al-Qadr - the Night of Power, the odd nights of Ramadan, and the thousand-month reward
Laylat al-Qadr is the Night of Power in Islam, observed on one of the odd nights during the last ten days of Ramadan (most commonly the 27th). The night marks the revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad and is considered the holiest night of the Islamic calendar. Worship on this night is said to be better than a thousand months of worship.
Loy Krathong - the Thai festival of lights on the full moon of November
Loy Krathong is a Thai festival held on the full moon of the 12th lunar month, falling in November. Participants float decorated krathong (small lotus-shaped vessels) on rivers, canals, and ponds to honor the goddess of water and to symbolically release misfortune.
Maha Shivaratri - the great night of Shiva, observed by Hindus in February-March
Maha Shivaratri is the Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of Lord Shiva. Falls on the 13th night and 14th day of the dark fortnight of the Hindu month of Phalguna (Feb-March). One of the major Hindu festivals, observed with night-long vigils, fasting, and pilgrimage.
Mawlid al-Nabi - the Islamic observance of the Prophet Muhammad’s birthday, 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal
Mawlid al-Nabi on 12 Rabi’ al-Awwal (12 Rabi’ I, 1447 AH ≈ Aug 26-28, 2026) marks the birth of the Prophet Muhammad. Observed by Sunni communities as a public holiday across much of the Muslim world; not widely celebrated in Shia-majority countries. Public holiday in Egypt, Tunisia, Morocco, Indonesia, Malaysia, Pakistan.
Meskel - the Ethiopian festival of the Finding of the True Cross, lit by a bonfire of thorn bushes on September 27
Meskel is an Ethiopian Christian festival on September 27 commemorating the finding of the True Cross. A great bonfire of thorn bushes is lit at dawn, and the faithful gather barefoot with processional crosses.
Nyepi - the Balinese Day of Silence and Saka New Year
Nyepi is the Balinese Hindu Day of Silence marking the Saka New Year. Celebrated annually on the first day of the tenth month of the Saka calendar (typically March), it is observed with 24 hours of complete silence, no travel, no work, and no public entertainment. Regional public holiday in Bali; observed across Hindu Indonesia and by Hindu diaspora communities worldwide.
Pchum Ben - the Cambodian ancestor festival that ends with a fifteen-day pyre and an ox burned for humanity
Pchum Ben is a Cambodian Khmer ancestor festival held over fifteen days around the new moon of the tenth lunar month. Monks build a funeral pyre of sand and rice, and an ox effigy symbolising the primordial flood is burned as a symbolic funeral for humanity.
Pongal - the Tamil harvest festival, the four days of Pongal, and Mattu Pongal
Pongal is a four-day Tamil harvest festival celebrated in mid-January to mark the end of the winter solstice and the harvest of the rice crop. Observed primarily in Tamil Nadu, Sri Lanka, and the Tamil diaspora worldwide, the festival honours the Sun God (Surya), the rain god (Indra), and the cattle that enable the harvest.
Reformation Day - October 31 in five German states, the day Martin Luther nailed his 95 Theses to the Wittenberg church door
Reformation Day on October 31 commemorates Martin Luther's posting of his 95 Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg in 1517, the symbolic start of the Protestant Reformation. It is a public holiday in five German Länder (Brandenburg, Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, Saxony, Saxony-Anhalt, Thuringia) and in some Swiss cantons.
Rosh Hashanah - the Jewish New Year on 1 Tishrei, and how it is observed
Rosh Hashanah on 1 Tishrei (Hebrew calendar) is the Jewish New Year, observed with synagogue services, the sounding of the shofar, and apples with honey. Public holiday in Israel. Begins the High Holy Days culminating in Yom Kippur ten days later.
Setsubun - the Japanese bean-throwing festival that drives demons out before the new spring arrives
Setsubun is a Japanese festival on the day before the start of spring in the traditional calendar. Roasted soybeans are thrown out of the door or at a demon figure while chanting "demons out, luck in," then eaten for health.
Simchat Torah - the rejoicing of the Torah, the cycle completed, and the hakafot procession
Simchat Torah is the Jewish festival celebrating the completion of the annual cycle of Torah reading and the immediate beginning of the new cycle.
Sukkot - the Feast of Tabernacles, the sukkah, and the Four Species
Sukkot is the week-long Jewish Feast of Tabernacles beginning on 15 Tishrei, observed by dwelling in temporary booths (sukkot) and waving the Four Species (etrog, lulav, hadass, aravah). It is one of the three pilgrimage festivals of the Hebrew calendar, alongside Passover and Shavuot.
Tazaungdaing - the Burmese full-moon festival of Tazaungmon, when paper lanterns rise over Bagan
Tazaungdaing is a Burmese Buddhist festival held on the full moon of Tazaungmon in the eighth lunar month. Satipa, the festival of lights, fills the night sky over Bagan and Sagaing with thousands of floating paper lanterns.
Vaisakhi - the Sikh New Year, the founding of the Khalsa, and Nagar Kirtan
Vaisakhi is the Sikh New Year and the anniversary of the founding of the Khalsa by Guru Gobind Singh in 1699, observed on 13 April. The largest celebrations are in Punjab, with Nagar Kirtan processions, Gatka martial arts demonstrations, and the reading of the Guru Granth Sahib continuously for 48 hours.
Vesak - Buddha Purnima, the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha, observed across Buddhist Asia
Vesak (also Buddha Purnima or Wesak) is the most important Buddhist holiday, observed on the full moon of the Hindu month of Vaisakha (April-May) to commemorate the birth, enlightenment, and death of Siddhartha Gautama. A public holiday in Sri Lanka, Myanmar, Thailand, Cambodia, Laos, Bangladesh, Nepal, and parts of India.
Yom Kippur - the Day of Atonement on 10 Tishrei, fasting, and Jewish observance
Yom Kippur on 10 Tishrei (Hebrew calendar) is the Day of Atonement, observed with a 25-hour fast, intensive prayer, and synagogue services. Public holiday in Israel. Culminates the High Holy Days that begin with Rosh Hashanah ten days earlier.
Ascension Day - the Christian feast of the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven, 40 days after Easter
Ascension Day is a Christian feast observed on the 40th day after Easter, commemorating the ascension of Jesus Christ into heaven in the presence of his disciples, as described in Acts 1:9-11. The day is observed 40 days after Easter Sunday (always on a Thursday, marking the 6th week of Eastertide).
Ashura - the 10th of Muharram, the martyrdom of Husayn at Karbala, and the Islamic new year observance
Ashura is observed on the 10th day of the first Islamic month (Muharram), commemorating for Shia Muslims the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, the grandson of the Prophet Muhammad, at the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura is associated with the day Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh, and is marked by fasting and charitable acts.
Guru Nanak Jayanti - the birth anniversary of Sikhism's founder, observed on the full moon of Kartik
Guru Nanak Jayanti (also Gurpurab) is the birth anniversary of Guru Nanak Dev, the founder of Sikhism and the first of the ten Sikh Gurus. Observed on the full moon (Purnima) of the Hindu month of Kartik (October-November), it is one of the most important Sikh festivals. Major celebrations at the Golden Temple (Harmandir Sahib) in Amritsar.
Islamic New Year - 1 Muharram, the first day of the Hijri calendar
Islamic New Year on 1 Muharram marks the first day of the Hijri lunar calendar. Observed by Muslims worldwide; a public holiday in Indonesia, Malaysia, Saudi Arabia, UAE, and several other Muslim-majority and Muslim-minority countries. Not a public holiday in Egypt, Turkey, or Pakistan.
Mahavir Jayanti - the birthday of Mahavira, the founder of Jainism, and the Jain new year
Mahavir Jayanti is the birthday of Mahavira, the 24th Tirthankara and founder of Jainism in its present form, celebrated on the 13th day of the bright fortnight of the Hindu month of Chaitra. The festival is one of the most important holidays in the Jain calendar and is observed by the Digambara and Svetambara sects.
Purim - the Jewish festival of lots, the Book of Esther, and the survival of the Jewish people
Purim is a Jewish festival celebrated on the 14th day of the Hebrew month of Adar, commemorating the saving of the Jewish people from Haman's plot to destroy them, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The festival is marked by the public reading of the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther), the giving of food gifts to friends, charity to the poor, and a festive meal.
Shavuot - the Jewish festival of weeks, the giving of the Torah, and the first-fruits offering
Shavuot is a Jewish festival celebrated on the 6th day of the Hebrew month of Sivan, commemorating the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai and the offering of the first-fruits (bikkurim) at the Temple in Jerusalem. The festival marks the conclusion of the seven-week Omer period that begins on Passover.
Tisha B'Av - the Jewish day of mourning, the destruction of the Temples, and the day of Jewish catastrophes
Tisha B'Av is a Jewish day of mourning observed on the 9th day of the Hebrew month of Av, commemorating the destruction of the First Temple by the Babylonians in 586 BCE and the Second Temple by the Romans in 70 CE. The day is also associated with several other catastrophes in Jewish history, including the expulsion of the Jews from Spain in 1492 and the start of World War I in 1914.