Today@Dal

Each year the Dalhousie Office of Human Rights, Equity & Harassment Prevention (HREHP) develops a mosaic calendar of religious holidays and cultural dates for faculty, staff and students.

See below for a sample of April dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The complete calendar is available on the website, http://hrehp.dal.ca/Calendar/

Reminder: The Jewish/Muslim calendar date begins at sundown of the night beforehand. Thus all holiday observances begin at sundown on the secular dates listed, with the following day being the first full day of the holiday
 
Black History Month
Black History Month is a remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African Diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in the month of February, while in the UK it is held in the month of October.

As a people, with roots dating back to 1603, African-Canadians have defended, cleared, built and farmed this country; our presence is well established, but not well-known. The celebration of Black History Month is an attempt to have the achievements of Black people recognized and told.
When the contributions of people of African descent are acknowledged, when the achievements of Black people are known, when Black people are routinely included or affirmed through our curriculum, our books and the media, and treated with equality, then there will no longer be a need for Black History Month.

http://www.blackhistorysociety.ca/news.php/news/36
Read more: The History of Black History Month (Famous People, Women, Facts, Leaders, Events) — Infoplease.com http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html#ixzz1BgAlDNxk
 
February 1-7

UN World Interfaith Harmony Week
The World Interfaith Harmony Week was first proposed at the UN General Assembly on September 23, 2010 by H.M. King Abdullah II of Jordan. Just under a month later, on October 20, 2010, it was unanimously adopted by the UN and henceforth the first week of February will be observed as a World Interfaith Harmony Week.

The World Interfaith Harmony Week provides a platform—one week in a year—when all interfaith groups and other groups of goodwill can show the world what a powerful movement they are. The thousands of events organized by these groups often go unnoticed not only by the general public, but also by other groups themselves. This week will allow for these groups to become aware of each other and strengthen the movement by building ties and avoiding duplicating each other’s efforts.

In Halifax, along with a celebration event, an organizing committee is inviting several faith communities to hold their own spiritual event during the Interfaith Harmony Week to which the public would be invited.
http://wihw.touchbaseonline.ca/
 
February 1

Symphony Nova Scotia: Ashley MacIsaac
After a hugely popular sold-out concert in 2010, Ashley MacIsaac returns to Symphony Nova Scotia! This Cape Breton firebrand fiddler is one of the most celebrated Canadian roots musicians of all time, and is famed for his unbelievable precision, speed, and savage energy (Chronicle Herald). Now, hear brand-new orchestral arrangements combined with tried-and-true favourites in this night of foot-stomping Cape Breton fun.
info@symphonyns.ca
 
February 2

Groundhog Day (Canada)
As suggested by folklore, if on this day, the groundhog sees his shadow; there will be six more weeks of winter.
 
February 2-8

White Cane Week (CDN)
In 1921, a photographer named James Biggs, of Bristol, England was blinded in an accident. Released from hospital, he had the idea of painting his cane white so it could be easily seen at night. The advantages of the white cane soon became apparent as people alerted to Biggs' blindness assisted his movements with guidance and warning of obstacles. Biggs' innovation soon became an internationally accepted symbol of blindness. Today, nine provinces have legislation which restrict the use of the White Cane to those legally blind. Since 1946, the first week of February has traditionally been "White Cane Week" in Canada, due to the CCB's initiative
 
February 3

Setsunbun-sai (SH)
Popularly known as the bean-throwing festival, Setsunbun-sai marks the end of winter and the eve of the first day of spring according to the ancient East Asian solar calendar familiar to the Japanese. Beans are thrown into each room of the house, and then through the outer doors, with the shout, "Devils out, fortune in.”
 
February 4

Vasanta Panchami (HI)
This festival marks the first day of spring. Vasanta means the spring. The fields are mustard yellow with the ripening of crops. Yellow is an auspicious color - a color of spirituality
 
February 7
Munro Day –University closed
 
Mulk (Baha’i)
The 18th month of the Baha’i year.
 
February 11
DAL: James R. Johnston Chair in Black Canadian Studies approved 1991
James Robinson Johnston, 1876-1915, was the first Nova Scotian of African descent to graduate in the Law Faculty at Dalhousie University. He rose to become a prominent lawyer in the province and a leading humanitarian. The idea of establishing such a post emerged in the late 70's and after extensive local and national activity led to a proposal being approved by the Dalhousie Senate in February 1991 and by the Dalhousie Board of Governors in March 1991. It took a further five years to accumulate the 2.5 million Canadian dollars to launch the Chair.
 
February 14

Valentine’s Day
February has long been a month of romance. St. Valentine's Day, as we know it today, contains vestiges of both Christian and ancient Roman tradition. According to one legend, Valentine actually sent the first 'valentine' greeting himself. While in prison, it is believed that Valentine fell in love with a young girl -- who may have been his jailor's daughter -- who visited him during his confinement. Before his death, it is alleged that he wrote her a letter, which he signed 'From your Valentine,' an expression that is still in use today. Gradually, February 14 became the date for exchanging love messages and St. Valentine became the patron saint of lovers. The date was marked by sending poems and simple gifts such as flowers.
 
February 15

Nirvana Day (BU) (JA)
is observed primarily by Mahayana Buddhists, most commonly on February 15th. The day commemorates the death of the historical Buddha and his entry into Nirvana. Nirvana Day is a time for contemplation of the Buddha’s teachings. Some monasteries and temples hold meditation retreats.
 
National Flag of Canada Day
February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996. It marks the day in 1965 when our red and white maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and indeed, hundreds of communities across Canada. Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty George V. This is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our flag and what it stands for - a Dominion that is the envy of the world.
 
February 15

National Flag of Canada Day
February 15 was declared National Flag of Canada Day in 1996. It marks the day in 1965 when our red and white maple leaf flag was first raised over Parliament Hill in Ottawa, and indeed, hundreds of communities across Canada. Red and white were designated as Canada's official colours in 1921 by His Majesty George V. This is a perfect opportunity to celebrate our flag and what it stands for - a Dominion that is the envy of the world.
 
February 16

Symphony Nova Scotia: Two Orchestras Play Bernstein and Ravel
Symphony Nova Scotia joins forces with the Nova Scotia Youth Orchestra to create a massive orchestra of more than 100 musicians! Together, the two orchestras perform Bernstein’s On the Waterfront and Ravel’s Daphnis and Chloé, two virtuosic, rousing masterworks that pulse with drama and excitement.
mailto:info@symphonyns.ca
 
February 17-21

Study Break
 
February 17

Washington’s Birthday/President’s Day (US)
Washington's Birthday, also known as Presidents' Day, is a federal holiday held on the third Monday of February. The day honors presidents of the United States, including George Washington, the USA's first president
 
February 18 (Feb 11th in B.C.)

Family Day (some provinces in Canada)
Family Day is not a national statutory holiday, it is only observed in Alberta, Manitoba, Ontario, Saskatchewan and as of 2013 also in British Columbia, however, two other provinces have holidays in February: In PEI Islander Day (new since 2009) is celebrated on the 2nd Monday in February and in Manitoba the 3rd Monday in February is the Louis Riel Day holiday.
 
February 20

World Day for Social Justice (UN)
At its sixty-second session, in November 2007, the General Assembly of the United Nations proclaimed February 20th as World Day of Social Justice. The day was observed for the first time in 2009.
 
February 26 – March 1

Intercalary Days Ayyam-i-Ha (BA)
Four "Days of Ha" are devoted to spiritual preparation for celebrating hospitality, charity and gift giving
 
February 28       

Maha Shivratri (Great Shiva Night) (HI)
Maha Shivratri (Great Shiva Night) (HI) - According to Hindu mythology, Shivaratri or 'Shiva's Great Night' symbolizes the wedding day of Lord Shiva and Parvati. Many however, believe, Shivaratri is the night when Lord Shiva performed the Tandava Nritya - the dance of primordial creation, preservation and destruction.