July 2010

Photo by Rebecca Heller"Diversity is an experience in relating to people or cultures different from your own," said Rebecca Heller, an Associate Community Affairs Representative in Richmond, Va. "Appreciating each other for our differences is the way we truly embrace diversity."

Heller said her photo captures an experience in diversity. "The photo was taken during a mission trip to Xela, Guatemala. Many women in the village the volunteers visited were dying early of lung disorders because they cooked over open fire pits. We built stoves in their homes to ventilate the smoke. The photo depicts one student volunteer playing with the children in the village after a hard day of building cinder block stoves.

"The local people lead completely different lives than the volunteers, yet we worked together for a week as if the language and cultural barriers didn't exist."
 

Multicultural Calendar

July - August:

• Sun Dance - For many tribes of Plains Indians, the Sun Dance was a major ritual (Aboriginal) communal religious ceremony. Generally held in early summer, the four-day ceremony involves sacrifice and supplication to ensure harmony between all living beings.
• Green Corn Ceremony - Performed by some Oklahoma tribes as a time of Aboriginal renewal. The ceremony involves participation in sweatlodge ceremonies, dances, offerings and fasting.

July 1:

• Canada Day (Canada) - On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. The BNA proclaimed "one Dominion under the name of Canada," hence the original title, "Dominion Day." Dominion Day was officially renamed "Canada Day" by an act of Parliament on October 27, 1982.

July 4:

• Independence Day (USA) - On this day in 1776, the 13 U.S. colonies claimed autonomy from England. Today, the day is most commonly celebrated with picnics, barbecues and fireworks.

July 7:

• Tanabata or the Vega Star (Japan) - Celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th moon. According to festival legend, the weaver princess star, Vega, fell in love with the herdboy star, Altair. They were allowed to meet once a year when the Vega and Altair constellations drew near and the lovers met over a bridge made by a flock of birds.

July 8:

• Shab-e-Miraj (Islamic) - Commemorates the ascension of Muhammad. Continues until the next day's sunset.

July 9:

• Independence Day (Argentina) - On July 9, 1816, an Argentine congress met at Tucuman, declaring Argentine independence and adopting a constitution.

July 10:

• Independence Day (Bahamas) - On July 10, 1974, the Bahamas was recognized as an independent nation, and throughout the island there is grand celebration commemorating it.

July 12:

• Battle of Boyne Day (Ireland) - In Northern Ireland, this day commemorates the victory in 1690 of Protestant King William III over Catholic King James II, placing political control of Ireland in the hands of the Protestants.

July 14:

• Bastille Day (France) - A national holiday in France. It commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, when prisoners were set free, thus ending the French monarchy.

July 17:

• Munoz-Rivera Day (Puerto Rico) - Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Luis Munoz-Rivera, a patriot, journalist and nationalist.
• Umi no hi (Japan) - Japanese honor the importance of the sea and its role in Japanese history on this day.

July 20:

• Independence Day (Columbia) - On this day in 1819, Columbia gained independence from Spain.

July 26:

• Independence Day (Liberia) - A country settled by freed American slaves was declared a nation in 1847.
• Dharma Day (Buddhist) - Commemorates Buddha's first discourse following his enlightenment in Sarnath in northern India.
• Hurricane Supplication Day (Virgin Islands) - Islanders gather at churches and pray for a hurricane season that isn't too devasting.