April 2010

Photo by Abigail Borden "To me, diversity is a culture in which all people are very different in many ways, but accept each other's differences and view one another's individuality as a tool to achieve a common goal of harmony," said Abigail Borden, a Mechanic in Yorktown, Va.

"The photo I took of my dog, 'Deuce' and cat 'Sammy,' was on the front porch on a lazy, summer afternoon," she said.

"It shows how two very opposite animals who are typically rivals on the streets, do not see each other as the 'cat' and 'dog' — they see each other as family members.  They were not raised together, they were just introduced with me as a common interest and have always gotten along famously."

Multicultural Calendar

April 1:

• Farvardin or Sizdeh Bedar (Iran) - It is the 13th day after Nowruz. The number 13 is considered an unlucky number for the Persians and, therefore, everyone leaves home for the day to go on picnics or trips.

April 2:

• Good Friday (Christian) - A holy day celebrated by Christians on the Friday before Easter. It commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus at Calvary.

April 5:

• Qing Ming Festival (China, Taiwan) - A national holiday when family graves are visited to ask for the blessings of the departed spirits.
• Easter (Christian) - the most important religious holiday of the Christian liturgical year to celebrate the resurrection of Jesus, which Christians believe occurred after his death by crucifixion in AD 30-33.

April 6:

• Last Day of Passover (Jewish) - This is the final day of Passover that commemorates The Exodus and freedom of the Israelites from Ancient Egypt.
• Chakri Day (Thailand) - A national holiday to honor King Rama I, who founded the Chakri Dynasty in 1782; he also was the founder of Bangkok as the capital of Thailand.

April 8:

• Buddha's Birthday (International) - Although the exact date of Buddha's birthday is unknown, this date is most commonly noted around the world as his birthday. Also known as Hana Matsuri. On this day, Buddhists celebrate in various ways depending on ethnicity and region.

April 11:

• Yom Ha'Shoah (Jewish) - Also known as Holocaust Remembrance Day, this is a Jewish holiday that takes place on the 27th day of Nisan, in the Hebrew calendar. It is held every year in remembrance of the approximately six million Jews who died in the Holocaust. It is a national holiday in Israel.

April 13:

• Songkran (Buddhist) - In southeast Asia, Songkran is recognized as the New Year for Buddhists. The event lasts three days.

April 14:

• Chol Chnam Thmey (Cambodia) - Celebrates the Cambodian New Year (new lunar year) which lasts for three days, typically from April 13 - 15, although dates may be adjusted to fall on a weekend. The celebration involves many activities, such as gathering at the Buddhist Temple for food and prayers, music, classical dances and a variety of traditional games.

April 17:

• April Toonik Tyme (Aboriginal) -Traditional Inuit games such as fishing and hunting contests take place. Celebrated during the third weekend in April.

April 18:

• Sechselauten (Switzerland) - The word Sechselauten means "six o'clock chimes." When church bells ring six times, an image representing winter is burned and spring is welcomed.
• Yom Hazikaron (Israel) - Israel's memorial day honoring soldiers who died while fighting for their country.

April 22:

• Earth Day (International) - Begun in 1970, this day commemorates a worldwide effort to protect the planet, children and the future of mankind.

April 23:

• Gathering of Nations Pow Wow - Albuquerque, N.M., is the venue of more than 600 Native American tribes and nations participating in a three-day event where more than 4,000 participants share, teach and exchange traditions with each other.

April 24:

• Martyrs Day (Armenia) - This solemn day commemorates the death of 1.5 million Armenians who were massacred in 1915-1916.

April 25:

• Easter Rebellion of 1916 (Ireland) - On Easter Monday in 1916 Irish militants attempted to gain freedom from the United Kingdom, but were unsuccessful. Celebrates a day of remembrance.
• Anzac Day (Australia, New Zealand) - Commemorates the slain of their army corps in World War I.

April 27:

• Freedom Day (South Africa) - On this day the first all-race election took place and South Africans brought Nelson Mandela into political power in 1994.

April 29:

• Midori no hi (Japan) - Also known as Greenery Day, to appreciate nature.

April 30:

• Koninginnedag (Netherlands) - Celebrates the birthday of former Queen Juliana and is also National Dutch Day.
• Arbor Day (USA) - Communities across the United States plant trees in an ongoing effort to conserve American forests.

April-May:

• Iroquois Strawberry Season (Aboriginal) - Thanksgiving and Great Feather Dance. Early summer.