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https://nmaahc.si.edu/explore/initiatives/black-history-month-2024/digital-toolkit

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Special Display

February 1-28

Black Resistance

This small, curated display explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression-in many forms-from America's earliest days into the 21st century. Items featured are from the Rare Book and Special Collections, Manuscript, and Prints and Photographs Divisions.

(Library of Congress)

Documentary Film and Discussion

February 8

Through the African American Lens: Afrofuturism: The Origin Story - A Smithsonian Channel Documentary

In support of NMAAHC's newest exhibition, Afrofuturism - A History of Black Futures, the public programs department will present the Afrofuturism: The Origin Story documentary produced by the Smithsonian Channel. This film features insights from renowned scholar and artist Ytasha Womack with Kevin Strait, NMAAHC curator of the Afrofuturism exhibition, and contributor to its companion collection of essays.

(National Museum of African American History and Culture)

Online Research Seminar

February 8

African Americans in Business: Doing Historical Company Research

Explore historical company research through the 2023 Black History Month theme of "Resistance," featuring historic Black barbers who resisted the status quo by supporting black education and civil rights movements. Led by Business Reference and Research Specialists, we plan on covering print and electronic sources - both free and subscription - as well as giving a few tips and tricks picked up over the years. This event will take place over Zoom. Online registration is free at the link above.

(Library of Congress)

Online Book Discussion

February 9

Art AfterWords: A Book Discussion

The National Portrait Gallery and the DC Public Library would like to invite you to a robust conversation about gender, social movements, and protest music. Join us as we analyze a portrait of human rights activist and musical artist Odetta and discuss the related Smithsonian Folkways Recording, "Voices of the Civil Rights Movement: Black American Freedom Songs 1960-1966" by various artists.

(National Portrait Gallery)

Online Event

February 23

Live! At the Library: African American Folk Music with Jake Blount

A powerfully gifted musician and a scholar of Black American music, Jake Blount speaks ardently about the African roots of the banjo and the subtle, yet profound ways African Americans have shaped and defined the categories of roots music and Americana. This event is free, but tickets are required. They are available via the link above.

(Library of Congress)

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February 1-28 Black Resistance This small, curated display explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression-in many forms-from America's earliest days into the 21st century. Items featured are from the Rare Book and Special Collections, Manuscript, and Prints and Photographs Divisions.

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It's February - American Heart Month - a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans.

President Lyndon B. Johnson, among the millions of people in the country who'd had heart attacks, issued the first proclamation in 1964. Since then, U.S. presidents have annually declared February American Heart Month.

Throughout the month, the American Heart Association's "Heart to Heart: Why Losing One Woman Is Too Many" campaign will raise awareness about how 1 in 3 women are diagnosed with heart disease annually.

The first Friday of American Heart Month, Feb. 5, is also National Wear Red Day as part of the AHA's Go Red for Women initiative. Coast to coast, landmarks, news anchors and neighborhoods go red to raise awareness and support for the fight against heart disease. For more information on the event and other activities during the month, visit goredforwomen.org.

This year, the federally designated event is even more important due to the impact of the coronavirus on the public's heart health, including potential harmful effects on the heart and vascular system, according to recent research.

Also, during the COVID-19 pandemic, many people have delayed or avoided going to hospitals for heart attacks and strokes - netting poorer outcomes and prompting the AHA to create "Don't Die of Doubt," a national awareness campaign that reminds people that hospitals are the safest place to go when you have symptoms.

And while in lockdown, more people have engaged in unhealthy lifestyle behaviors, such as eating poorly, drinking more alcohol and limiting physical activity, that can contribute to heart disease.

Meanwhile, heart disease continues to be the greatest health threat to Americans and is still the leading cause of death worldwide, according to the AHA's Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics - 2021 Update.

The update, published in the association's flagship journal Circulation, reports that nearly 18.6 million people across the globe died of cardiovascular disease in 2019, the latest year for which worldwide statistics are calculated. That's a 17.1% increase over the past decade. And 523.2 million cases of cardiovascular disease were reported in 2019, a 26.6% increase over 2010.

During American Heart Month, the AHA and other organizations reinforce the importance of heart health, the need for more research and efforts to ensure that millions of people live longer and healthier.

In most cases, heart disease is preventable when people adopt a healthy lifestyle, which includes not smoking, maintaining a healthy weight, controlling blood sugar and cholesterol, treating high blood pressure, getting at least 150 minutes of moderate-intensity physical activity a week and getting regular checkups.

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U.S. commemorates 57th consecutive American Heart Month in February

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It's February - American Heart Month - a time when the nation spotlights heart disease, the No. 1 killer of Americans.

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Today marks National Freedom Day, a day that commemorates President Abraham Lincoln's signing of the joint resolution that established the Constitution's 13th Amendment abolishing slavery in the United States. It is a day when, thanks to the decades-long push of Richard R. Wright and his fellow civil rights advocates, we commemorate our dedication to the ideal of freedom for all.

National Freedom Day also marks the culmination of National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month. More than 150 years after President Lincoln's promise of freedom, an estimated 24.9 million individuals around the world are exploited by human traffickers. Our nation struggles to overcome the consequences of both the trans-Atlantic slave trade and the ensuing campaigns of oppression against newly freed people and their descendants.

As we reflect on the work ahead of us to combat human trafficking and the entrenched disparities in laws and public policies, the Department of State will do everything in its power to revitalize its commitments and strengthen efforts to address these issues globally.

On this day, the Department renews its commitment to work with our global and multilateral partners - including governments, civil society organizations, the private sector, and survivor leaders - as well as the U.S. Congress and federal agencies to address the vast scale and complexity of human trafficking. We look forward to working together to better integrate anti-trafficking measures into other key policy areas like trade, migration, humanitarian response, and the environment. The Department's annual Trafficking in Persons Report allows us to anticipate emerging trafficking trends including due to the COVID-19 pandemic, engage our partners, and lend our assistance to ensure progress around the world.

The Department will ensure its anti-trafficking policies and programs address all forms of human trafficking and are intentional about acknowledging and addressing systemic disparities that marginalize certain communities and embolden traffickers. To this end, the Department is launching a new project through the Human Trafficking Expert Consultant Network, comprised of survivor leaders and other subject matter experts, to learn more about the ways institutional racism relates to human trafficking and determine how to integrate an equity-based approach into our work.

In the two decades since Congress passed the Trafficking Victims Protection Act, the first federal law to tackle human trafficking comprehensively, the Department has elevated the fight against human trafficking as a policy priority in the United States and around the world. On this day, we pause to recognize the heroes who have fought against injustice to ensure freedom for all. Looking forward, we must intensify our efforts and revitalize our role as a leader in the global fight to end human trafficking, reaffirming our pledge to engage meaningfully with survivors and combat human trafficking in all its forms.

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National Freedom Day: Deepening Our Resolve To Fight Human Trafficking - United States Department of State

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On this day, the U.S. renews its commitment to work with our global and multilateral partners as well as the U.S. Congress and federal agencies to address the vast scale and complexity of human trafficking.

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International Day of Women and Girls in Science

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International Day of Women and Girls in Science

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Every year on February 11th, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science seeks to promote full and equal access for women and girls to participate in science. It's also a day to recognize the role that women and girls play in science and technology.

Only 35 percent of all students enrolled in fields pertaining to Science, Technology, Engineering, and Math (STEM) are women. Recent studies also show that women in these fields are usually paid less than men. Even though there may not be as many women in science and technology, their discoveries and research is just as important. Take a look at the following women who have rocked the STEM world:

Tiera Guinn - this young scientist from MIT is an aerospace major who is helping to build a rocket for NASA.

Marie Curie - this physicist and chemist was the head of the physics lab at a European University who went on to win the Nobel Prize in 1903 with her husband.

Elizabeth Blackwell - in 1849, she was the first woman to graduate from medical school in the United States.

Mae C. Jemison - She was a medical doctor and astronaut, who in 1992, became the first African American woman in space.

Gertrude Elion - Born in 1918, she was a Nobel winner who developed drugs to treat leukemia and prevent kidney transplant rejection.

HOW TO OBSERVE #InternationalDayOfWomenAndGirlsInScience

Many organizations around the world take part in this day. Some of these organizations include the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), the United Nations Entity for Gender Equality and the Empowerment of Women (UNWomen), and the Organization for Women in Science for the Developing World (OWSD).

To Participate:

Learn more about the barriers women and girls face when it comes to science and technology training and education.

Research other famous women in science and technology.

Ask girls that you know if they would consider pursuing a career in science and technology.

Think about what the world would be like if there were more women in this field.

Share the day on social media with #WomenInScience

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE HISTORY

In March of 2011, the UN's Commission on the Status of Women concluded that women and girls around the world needed more access to education and training in science and technology. Women and girls also needed equal access to gaining employment in these fields. On December 20, 2013, the UN General Assembly adopted a resolution that recognized these findings. On December 22, 2015, the UN proclaimed February 11th as the International Day of Women and Girls in Science.

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INTERNATIONAL DAY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS IN SCIENCE - February 11

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Every year on February 11th, the International Day of Women and Girls in Science seeks to promote full and equal access for women and girls to participate in science. It's also a day to recognize the role that women and girls play in science and technology.

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International Epilepsy Day 2024 - Awareness Days Events Calendar 2024

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International Epilepsy Day is a global event dedicated to raising awareness about epilepsy, a neurological disorder that affects millions of people worldwide.

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February is for love. Valentine's Day and Galentine's Day, which fall smack dab in the center of the month, make it a time particularly primed for sappiness. And why not? It's rare that we get a marked occasion to shower our loved ones (romantic and platonic alike) with drug-store candy and poorly written poetry.

The latter of the holidays is relatively new, but not to be brushed aside. Finding its origin in a popular sitcom, Galentine's Day is a special way to tell your pals and gals that you appreciate them.

Here's how to celebrate the holiday, and what day it falls on in 2023.

When is Galentine's Day 2023?

Galentine's Day 2023 will be Monday Feb. 13, 2023.
When is Valentine's Day 2023? Get ready for V-Day: 15 Valentine's Day Beauty Gifts for 2023 And why do we celebrate it?
What is Galentine's Day?

Galentine's Day traces its origins back to an episode of the popular workplace comedy "Parks & Recreation."

Leaving your boyfriends and husbands at home

Kicking it breakfast style (i.e. go grab some waffles or pancakes at a local spot)

Ladies celebrating ladies

Galentine's gifts: Love (or hate) Valentine's Day?:We can all celebrate with 60 hilarious Valentine's Day memes The 40 best gift ideas for your lady friends
Season 2, episode 16 of the series, entitled 'Galentine's Day' sees the show's lead Leslie Knope celebrating the holiday with a group of her girlfriends at a local diner. "What's Galentine's day? Oh it's only the best day of the year," Knope tells cameras.
Just curious?:We're here to help answer life's everyday questions
The pillars of the holiday according to Knope?

What is the meaning of Galentine's Day?

Galentine's Day is meant to embody the spirit of Valentine's Day day - all the mushiness and affection - except rather than doling it out to your lover, you dole it out to your friends.

Shower your pals (gals or not) with love and sappiness. Buy them a box of candy hearts. Write them a poem. Give them a smooch. It's all in the spirit of the holiday!

Contrary to popular belief, you do not have to be single to participate in Galentine's Day. It's not a holiday meant to reflect on loneliness or bash the couples who will celebrate the following day, it's a celebration of close (often female) friendship and of love in all its non-romantic forms.

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Happy Galentine's Day. Here's how to bring the love and celebrate the February 13 holiday

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Need some new ideas to celebrate your girlfriends this year? Here's everything you should know about Galentine's Day 2023.

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Whether you love Valentine's Day or hate it, one thing's clear: Valentine's Day history goes way back. And while Valentine's Day is now known for kissing, Valentine's Day gifts, and hard-to-get dinner reservations, the origins of the holiday are far less romantic. Here, the Valentine's Day history that wouldn't make it into a rom-com, featuring a saint, a massacre, and even the sinful nuns of Valentine's Day (seriously!).

When is Valentine's Day?

First, a quick refresher: Valentine's Day always falls on February 14. Valentine's Day 2024 will be Wednesday, February 14.

At the end of the 5th century, Pope Gelasius declared February 14 St. Valentine's Day, and since then, February 14th has been a day of celebration-though it was generally more religious than romantic.

How did Valentine's Day start?

Valentine's Day is a fixed day on the calendar that got lumped into a mid-February holiday on the ancient Roman calendar called Lupercalia-which some historians believe is what led to Valentine's Day being all about love. Lupercalia celebrated fertility, and may have included a ritual in which men and women were paired off by choosing names from a jar. In Ancient Greece, people observed a mid-winter celebration for the marriage of the god Zeus and the goddess Hera.

Why is Valentine's Day celebrated on February 14th?

In general, early Christians often opted to celebrate holidays on days that coincide with existing festivals and celebrations (like Christmas and winter solstice), so they placed Valentine's Day on February 14th, while Lupercalia was celebrated on February 15th.

Who was Saint Valentine? (And what does he have to do with chocolate hearts?)

Not much, it turns out. St. Valentine's Day was a feast day in the Catholic religion, added to the liturgical calendar around 500 AD. The day was commemorated for martyred saints named-you guessed it-Valentine. Differing legends celebrate three different saints called Valentine or Valentinus, but since very little was known about these men and there were conflicting reports of the St. Valentine Day story, the feast day was removed from the Roman Catholic liturgical calendar in 1969.

But even though not much is known about the real history of the Saint Valentines on whom the holiday is based, the legend of Saint Valentine has several tellings. One legend says that Saint Valentine refused to convert to paganism and was executed by Roman Emperor Claudius II. Prior to his execution, he was able to miraculously heal the daughter of his jailer, who then converted to Christianity along with his family. Another legend says a bishop called Saint Valentine of Terni is the true namesake of the holiday; this Saint Valentine was also executed.

But according to others-and this is how Saint Valentine became affiliated with a love-focused holiday-Saint Valentine was a Roman priest who performed weddings for soldiers forbidden to marry, because of a Roman emperor's edict decreeing married soldiers did not make good warriors and thus young men could not marry. This Saint Valentine wore a ring with a Cupid on it-a symbol of love-that helped soldiers recognize him. And, in a precursor to greeting cards, he handed out paper hearts to remind Christians of their love for God.

Because of this legend, Saint Valentine became known as the patron saint of love. The Saint Valentine prayer asks Saint Valentine to connect lovers together, so that two become one, and the couple remembers their devotion to God.

While the Saint Valentine story set the groundwork for establishing the day as a holiday for romantic love, what truly solidified the connection between Saint Valentine and love was a poem by medieval author Geoffrey Chaucer in 1375, which historians consider the origin of the "modern" celebration of Valentine's Day, where we celebrate our romantic partnership with one other person.

Why do we celebrate Valentine's Day?

Chaucer lived in the Middle Ages, the era of courtly love, when broad, romantic statements of devotion-poems, songs, paintings-celebrated partnership. By the end of the 15th century, the word "valentine" was being used to describe a lover in poems and songs of the day, and in the 18th century, a book called The Young Man's Valentine Writer was published in England. By the mid-19th century, mass-produced paper Valentine's Cards were being created (though DIY Valentine card ideas are still worth trying), and Valentine's Day as we know it was born.

The truth about Valentine's Day history is that the romantic holiday isn't immune to tragedy. During Prohibition in Chicago, seven men were killed by a gang organized by Al Capone on Feb. 14, 1929. The Valentine's Day Massacre became a flashpoint in Prohibition history, with police and lawmakers going after the gangs and mobs that had formed in cities to control then-illegal substances like alcohol.

What is Galentine's Day, and how is it related to Valentine's Day?

A modern (and fun!) take on Valentine's Day, Galentine's Day seems to have been popularized by Amy Poehler's character Leslie Knope on Parks and Recreation. It's a day to celebrate the friends that you love. It's celebrated on February 13 (leaving you plenty of time to celebrate your mate on official Valentine's Day the following day). Galentine's Day gifts have become a nice way to celebrate the people who mean so much to you.

Is Valentine's Day a holiday?

While many people celebrate Valentine's Day in all kinds of different ways, it's no longer an official Catholic holiday-and unfortunately for all the romantics out there, it's not an official bank holiday or day off (though you can always take the day off for a special day with your significant other!).

What is the meaning of Valentine's Day?

Over the years (and centuries), Valentine's Day has been a religious celebration, an ancient ritual day, and a commercial holiday. All that change means the meaning of Valentine's Day is truly whatever you want it to be: You can skip the celebrations completely, buy yourself some chocolate or flowers, or express your love and appreciation for the people in your life, whether they're co-workers, romantic partners, friends, or family members.

What are some fun things to do for Valentine's Day?

You can celebrate the day of love however you want-even if it's just through self-love. Some ideas that could inspire you:

* Plan a nice dinner out

* Watch a romantic movie (at the theater or cozy at home)

* Cook up a fancy romantic meal at home (or just a great Valentine's Day dessert)

* Host a Valentine's Day party

* Do some fun Valentine's crafts with your family

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Valentine's Day History, Origin, Why We Celebrate, and More

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Valentine's Day has quite the history and origin story. Learn about why we celebrate Valentine's Day, the meaning of the holiday, when Valentine's Day is this year, why Valentine's Day is February 14th, and more.

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Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation

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On February 15, 2023 many Mahayana Buddhists celebrate the Paranirvana of Buddha - not his death, but release from karma and the cycle of suffering. It is a day celebrated around the world with light, festival and important readings from the Maha-parinibbana Sutta. [Excerpts of the Sutta below.]

Why is this day important? It not only celebrates the Buddha conquering Samsara, but the Mahayana promise that all beings can ultimately attain Buddhahood and their own Nirvana.
Note: Since the Tibetan lunar calendar is based on a different system, this may be celebrated on a different days by Tibetan Buddhists. For more about lunar calendars and special events in 2022, see>>

Nirvana Day Celebrations

The most important activities on Nirvana day include

Reading Sutra - aloud is auspicious and meritorious. [May we recommend reading the Maha-parinibbana Sutta (excerpted below.)

Visiting temples to make offerings, especially to the monastic community.

Some local traditions include gift- exchange and food sharing.

Lowering and raising the lights: in some traditions, the temple (or people in their homes) lower their light, chanting in lowered light, then raising the lights again. This is symbolic of Buddha's Dharma continuing undiminished.

Extra recitations of sutras, mantras, or Sadhanas - merit is multiplied infinitely on Holy Days.

Lantern Festivals: in some areas, magnificent lantern festivals are celebrated.

Related Features

Nirvana Day Facts

Nirvana Day in 2023 falls on On February 15, 2023 many Mahayana Buddhists celebrate the Paranirvana of Buddha - not his death, but release from karma and the cycle of suffering. It is a day celebrated around the world with light, festival and important readings from the Maha-parinibbana Sutta., in many lunar calendars (15th of the lunar month).

Ananda begs the Blessed One to stay

On this day, Shakyamuni Buddha, the Blessed One, loyal Venerable Ananda begged the Lord to remain:

"May the Blessed One remain, O Lord! May the Happy One remain, O Lord, throughout the world-period, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men!"

And the Blessed One answered, saying: "Enough, Ananda. Do not entreat the Tathagata, for the time is past, Ananda, for such an entreaty."

But for a second and a third time, the Venerable Ananda said to the Blessed One: "May the Blessed One remain, O Lord! May the Happy One remain, O Lord, throughout the world-period, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men!"

Then the Blessed One said: "Do you have faith, Ananda, in the Enlightenment of the Tathagata?" And the Venerable Ananda replied: "Yes, O Lord, I do."

"Then how, Ananda, can you persist against the Tathagata even up to the third time?"

Last Admonition and Teaching

Then, in his "Last Admonition" to his followers, Buddha gives his last advice:

"Thereupon the Blessed One entered the hall of audience, and taking the seat prepared for him, he exhorted the bhikkhus, saying: "Now, O bhikkhus, I say to you that these teachings of which I have direct knowledge and which I have made known to you - these you should thoroughly learn, cultivate, develop, and frequently practice, that the life of purity may be established and may long endure, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men.

"And what, bhikkhus, are these teachings? They are the four foundations of mindfulness, the four right efforts, the four constituents of psychic power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven factors of enlightenment, and the Noble Eightfold Path. These, bhikkhus, are the teachings of which I have direct knowledge, which I have made known to you, and which you should thoroughly learn, cultivate, develop, and frequently practice, that the life of purity may be established and may long endure, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men."

After beautiful last teaching, Buddha says, to his followers:

"My years are now full ripe, the life span left is short. Departing, I go hence from you, relying on myself alone. Be earnest, then, O bhikkhus, be mindful and of virtue pure! With firm resolve, guard your own mind! Whoso untiringly pursues the Dhamma and the Discipline Shall go beyond the round of births and make an end of suffering."

Celebrating Paranirvana Day

The celebration of Buddha' Paranirvana, in many Mahayana traditions, falls on February 15. On this day, we celebrate but also contemplate the profundity of Buddha' Paranirvana and what it means. In the most precious Maha-parinibbana Sutta, Buddha's last teachings on Buddha Nature and Impermanence are beautifully expounded. Reading from the Sutta is one of the most important activities for the day - a day that teachers say has "multiplied merit" for any positive Dharma activities.

With this in mind, here is a wonderful and precious excerpt of the Maha-parinibbana Sutta - only a small excerpt, focused on Buddha's Paranirvana. [Cited here, with permission Note 1].

Excerpt Maha-parinibbana Sutta: Relinquishing the Will to Live

1. Then the Blessed One, getting ready in the forenoon, took bowl and robe and went into Vesali for alms. After the alms round and meal, on his return, he spoke to the Venerable Ananda, saying: "Take up a mat, Ananda, and let us spend the day at the Capala shrine."

"So be it, Lord." And the Venerable Ananda took up a mat and followed behind the Blessed One, step by step.

2. And the Blessed One went to the Capala shrine and sat down on the seat prepared for him. And when the Venerable Ananda had seated himself at one side after he had respectfully saluted the Blessed One, the Lord said to him: "Pleasant, Ananda, is Vesali; pleasant are the shrines of Udena, Gotamaka, Sattambaka, Bahuputta, Sarandada, and Capala."

3. And the Blessed One said: "Whosoever, Ananda, has developed, practiced, employed, strengthened, maintained, scrutinized, and brought to perfection the four constituents of psychic power could, if he so desired, remain throughout a world-period or until the end of it. [21] The Tathagata, Ananda, has done so. Therefore the Tathagata could, if he so desired, remain throughout a world-period or until the end of it."

4. But the Venerable Ananda was unable to grasp the plain suggestion, the significant prompting, given by the Blessed One. As though his mind was influenced by Mara, [22] he did not beseech the Blessed One: "May the Blessed One remain, O Lord!. May the Happy One remain, O Lord, throughout the world-period, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men!"

5. And when for a second and a third time the Blessed One repeated his words, the Venerable Ananda remained silent.

6. Then the Blessed One said to the Venerable Ananda: "Go now, Ananda, and do as seems fit to you."

"Even so, O Lord." And the Venerable Ananda, rising from his seat, respectfully saluted the Blessed One, and keeping his right side towards him, took his seat under a tree some distance away.
Mara's Appeal

7. And when the Venerable Ananda had gone away, Mara, the Evil One, approached the Blessed One. And standing at one side he spoke to the Blessed One, saying: "Now, O Lord, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away; let the Happy One utterly pass away! The time has come for the Parinibbana of the Lord.

"For the Blessed One, O Lord, spoke these words to me: 'I shall not come to my final passing away, Evil One, until my bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen, have come to be true disciples - wise, well disciplined, apt and learned, preservers of the Dhamma, living according to the Dhamma, abiding by the appropriate conduct, and having learned the Master's word, are able to expound it, preach it, proclaim it, establish it, reveal it, explain it in detail, and make it clear; until, when adverse opinions arise, they shall be able to refute them thoroughly and well, and to preach this convincing and liberating Dhamma.' [23]

8. "And now, O Lord, bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen, have become the Blessed One's disciples in just this way. So, O Lord, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away! The time has come for the Parinibbana of the Lord.

"For the Blessed One, O Lord, spoke these words to me: 'I shall not come to my final passing away, Evil One, until this holy life taught by me has become successful, prosperous, far-renowned, popular, and widespread, until it is well proclaimed among gods and men.' And this too has come to pass in just this way. So, O Lord, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away, let the Happy One utterly pass away! The time has come for the Parinibbana of the Lord."
The Blessed One Relinquishes His Will to Live

9. When this was said, the Blessed One spoke to Mara, the Evil One, saying: "Do not trouble yourself, Evil One. Before long the Parinibbana of the Tathagata will come about. Three months hence the Tathagata will utterly pass away."

10. And at the Capala shrine the Blessed One thus mindfully and clearly comprehending renounced his will to live on. And upon the Lord's renouncing his will to live on, there came a tremendous earthquake, dreadful and astonishing, and thunder rolled across the heavens. And the Blessed One beheld it with understanding, and made this solemn utterance:

What causes life, unbounded or confined [24] -
His process of becoming [25] - this the Sage
Renounces. With inward calm and joy he breaks,
As though a coat of mail, his own life's cause. [26]

11. Then it came to the mind of the Venerable Ananda: "Marvellous it is indeed, and most wonderful! The earth shakes mightily, tremendously! Dreadful and astonishing it is, how the thunders roll across the heavens! What could be the reason, what the cause, that so mighty an earthquake should arise?"
Eight Causes of Earthquakes

12. And the Venerable Ananda approached the Blessed One, and respectfully greeting him, sat down at one side. Then he spoke to the Blessed One, saying: "Marvellous it is indeed, and most wonderful! The earth shakes mightily, tremendously! Dreadful and astonishing it is how the thunders roll across the heavens! What could be the reason, what the cause, that so mighty an earthquake should arise?"

13. Then the Blessed One said: "There are eight reasons, Ananda, eight causes for a mighty earthquake to arise. What are those eight?

14. "This great earth, Ananda, is established upon liquid, the liquid upon the atmosphere, and the atmosphere upon space. And when, Ananda, mighty atmospheric disturbances take place, the liquid is agitated. And with the agitation of the liquid, tremors of the earth arise. This is the first reason, the first cause for the arising of mighty earthquakes.

15. "Again, Ananda, when an ascetic or holy man of great power, one who has gained mastery of his mind, or a deity who is mighty and potent, develops intense concentration on the delimited aspect of the earth element, and to a boundless degree on the liquid element, he, too, causes the earth to tremble, quiver, and shake. This is the second reason, the second cause for the arising of mighty earthquakes.

16-21. "Again, Ananda, when the Bodhisatta departs from the Tusita realm and descends into his mother's womb, mindfully and clearly comprehending; and when the Bodhisatta comes out from his mother's womb, mindfully and clearly comprehending; and when the Tathagata becomes fully enlightened in unsurpassed, supreme Enlightenment; when the Tathagata sets rolling the excellent Wheel of the Dhamma; when the Tathagata renounces his will to live on; and when the Tathagata comes to pass away into the state of Nibbana in which no element of clinging remains - then, too, Ananda, this great earth trembles, quivers, and shakes.

"These, Ananda, are the eight reasons, the eight causes for a great earthquake to arise. [27]
Eight Assemblies

22. "Now there are eight kinds of assemblies, Ananda, that is to say, assemblies of nobles, brahmans, householders, ascetics, of the Four Great Kings, of the Thirty-three gods, of Maras, and of Brahmas.

23. "And I recall, Ananda, how I have attended each of these eight kinds of assemblies, amounting to hundreds. [28] And before seating myself and starting the conversation or the discussion, I made my appearance resemble theirs, my voice resemble theirs. And so I taught them the Dhamma, and roused, edified, and gladdened them. Yet while I was speaking to them thus, they did not know me, and they would enquire of one another, asking: 'Who is he that speaks to us? Is it a man or a god?'

"Then having taught them the Dhamma, and roused, edified, and gladdened them, I would straightaway vanish. And when I had vanished, too, they did not know me, and they would enquire of one another, asking: 'Who is he that has vanished? Is it a man or a god?'

"And such, Ananda, are the eight kinds of assemblies.
Eight Fields of Mastery

24. "Now there are eight fields of mastery, [29] Ananda. What are those eight?

25. "When one, perceiving forms subjectively, [30] sees small forms, beautiful or ugly, external to himself, [31] and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the first field of mastery.

26. "When one, perceiving forms subjectively, sees large forms, beautiful or ugly, external to himself, and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the second field of mastery.

27. "When one, not perceiving forms subjectively, [32] sees small forms, beautiful or ugly, external to himself, and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the third field of mastery.

28. "When one, not perceiving forms subjectively, sees large forms, beautiful or ugly, external to himself, and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the fourth field of mastery.

29. "When one, not perceiving forms subjectively, sees forms external to himself that are blue, blue in color, of a blue luster like the blossoms of flax, or like fine Benares muslin which, burnished on both sides, is blue, blue in color, of a blue luster - when such a one sees forms external to himself that are blue, and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the fifth field of mastery.

30. "When one, not perceiving forms subjectively, sees forms external to himself that are yellow, yellow in color, of a yellow luster like the Kanikara blossom, or like fine Benares muslin which, burnished on both sides, is yellow, yellow in color, of a yellow luster - when such a one sees forms external to himself that are yellow, and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the sixth field of mastery.

31. "When one, not perceiving forms subjectively, sees forms external to himself that are red, red in color, of a red luster like the Bandhujivaka blossom, or like fine Benares muslin which, burnished on both sides, is red, red in color, of a red luster - when such a one sees forms external to himself that are red, and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the seventh field of mastery.

32. "When one, not perceiving forms subjectively, sees forms external to himself that are white, white in color, of a white luster like the morning star, or like fine Benares muslin which, burnished on both sides, is white, white in color, of a white luster - when such a one sees forms external to himself that are white, and mastering them, is aware that he perceives and knows them as they are - this is the eighth field of mastery.

"These, Ananda, are the eight fields of mastery.
Eight Liberations

33. "Now there are eight liberations, Ananda. What are those eight? [33]

34. "Oneself having form, [34] one perceives forms; this is the first liberation.

35. "Being unaware of one's own form, one perceives forms external to oneself; this is the second liberation.

36. "Experiencing loveliness, one is intent upon it; [35] this is the third liberation.

37. "By utterly transcending the perceptions of matter, by the disappearance of the perceptions of sense-reaction, and by giving no attention to diversity-perceptions, one becomes aware of, attains to, and abides in the sphere of infinite space; this is the fourth liberation.

38. "By utterly transcending the sphere of infinite space, one becomes aware of, attains to, and abides in the sphere of infinite consciousness; this is the fifth liberation.

39. "By utterly transcending the sphere of infinite consciousness, one becomes aware of, attains to, and abides in the sphere of nothingness; this is the sixth liberation.

40. "By utterly transcending the sphere of nothingness, one attains to and abides in the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception; this is the seventh liberation.

41. "By utterly transcending the sphere of neither-perception-nor-non-perception, one attains to and abides in the cessation of perception and sensation; this is the eighth liberation.

"These, Ananda, are the eight liberations.
Mara's Former Temptation

42. "There was a time, Ananda, when I dwelt at Uruvela, on the bank of the Nerañjara River, at the foot of the goatherds' banyan-tree, soon after my supreme Enlightenment. And Mara, the Evil One, approached me, saying: 'Now, O Lord, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away! Let the Happy One utterly pass away! The time has come for the Parinibbana of the Lord.'

43. "Then, Ananda, I answered Mara, the Evil One, saying: 'I shall not come to my final passing away, Evil One, until my bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen, have come to be true disciples - wise, well disciplined, apt and learned, preservers of the Dhamma, living according to the Dhamma, abiding by appropriate conduct and, having learned the Master's word, are able to expound it, preach it, proclaim it, establish it, reveal it, explain it in detail, and make it clear; until, when adverse opinions arise, they shall be able to refute them thoroughly and well, and to preach this convincing and liberating Dhamma.

44. "'I shall not come to my final passing away, Evil One, until this holy life taught by me has become successful, prosperous, far-renowned, popular, and widespread, until it is well proclaimed among gods and men.'

45. "And again today, Ananda, at the Capala shrine, Mara, the Evil One, approached me, saying: 'Now, O Lord, bhikkhus and bhikkhunis, laymen and laywomen, have come to be true disciples of the Blessed One - wise, well disciplined, apt and learned, preservers of the Dhamma, living according to the Dhamma, abiding in the appropriate conduct, and having learned the Master's word, are able to expound it, preach it, proclaim it, establish it, reveal it, explain it in detail, and make it clear; and when adverse opinions arise, they are now able to refute them thoroughly and well, and to preach this convincing and liberating Dhamma.

"'And now, O Lord, this holy life taught by the Blessed One has become successful, prosperous, far-renowned, popular and widespread, and it is well proclaimed among gods and men. Therefore, O Lord, let the Blessed One come to his final passing away! Let the Happy One utterly pass away! The time has come for the Parinibbana of the Lord.'

46. "And then, Ananda, I answered Mara, the Evil One, saying: 'Do not trouble yourself, Evil One. Before long the Parinibbana of the Tathagata will come about. Three months hence the Tathagata will utterly pass away.'

47. "And in this way, Ananda, today at the Capala shrine the Tathagata has renounced his will to live on."
Ananda's Appeal

48. At these words the Venerable Ananda spoke to the Blessed One, saying: "May the Blessed One remain, O Lord! May the Happy One remain, O Lord, throughout the world-period, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men!"

49. And the Blessed One answered, saying: "Enough, Ananda. Do not entreat the Tathagata, for the time is past, Ananda, for such an entreaty."

50-51. But for a second and a third time, the Venerable Ananda said to the Blessed One: "May the Blessed One remain, O Lord! May the Happy One remain, O Lord, throughout the world-period, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men!"

52. Then the Blessed One said: "Do you have faith, Ananda, in the Enlightenment of the Tathagata?" And the Venerable Ananda replied: "Yes, O Lord, I do."

"Then how, Ananda, can you persist against the Tathagata even up to the third time?"

53. Then the Venerable Ananda said: "This, O Lord, I have heard and learned from the Blessed One himself when the Blessed One said to me: 'Whosoever, Ananda, has developed, practiced, employed, strengthened, maintained, scrutinized, and brought to perfection the four constituents of psychic power could, if he so desired, remain throughout a world-period or until the end of it. The Tathagata, Ananda, has done so. Therefore the Tathagata could, if he so desired, remain throughout a world-period or until the end of it.'"

54. "And did you believe it, Ananda?"

"Yes, O Lord, I did."

"Then, Ananda, the fault is yours. Herein have you failed, inasmuch as you were unable to grasp the plain suggestion, the significant prompting given by the Tathagata, and you did not then entreat the Tathagata to remain. For if you had done so, Ananda, twice the Tathagata might have declined, but the third time he would have consented. Therefore, Ananda, the fault is yours; herein have you failed.

55. "At Rajagaha, Ananda, when dwelling at Vultures' Peak, I spoke to you, saying: 'Pleasant, Ananda, is Rajagaha; pleasant is Vultures' Peak. Whosoever, Ananda, has developed... Therefore the Tathagata could, if he so desired, remain throughout a world-period or until the end of it.'

56. "So also at the Banyan Grove, at Robbers' Cliff, at the Sattapanni Cave on the Vebhara Mountain, at the Black Rock of Isigili, at the Serpents' Pool in the Cool Forest, at the Tapoda Grove, at the Bamboo Grove in the Squirrels' Feeding-ground, at Jivaka's Mango Grove, and at Small Nook in the Deer Park I spoke to you in the same words, saying: 'Pleasant, Ananda, is Rajagaha, pleasant are these places. Whosoever, Ananda, has developed... Therefore the Tathagata could, if he so desired, remain throughout a world-period or until the end of it.'

"But you, Ananda, were unable to grasp the plain suggestion, the significant prompting given you by the Tathagata, and you did not entreat the Tathagata to remain. For if you had done so, Ananda, twice the Tathagata might have declined, but the third time he would have consented. Therefore, Ananda, the fault is yours; herein you have failed.

57. "So also at Vesali, Ananda, at different times the Tathagata has spoken to you, saying: 'Pleasant, Ananda, is Vesali; pleasant are the shrines of Udena, Gotamaka, Sattambaka, Bahuputta, Sarandada, and Capala. Whosoever, Ananda, has developed... Therefore the Tathagata could, if he so desired, remain throughout a world-period or until the end of it.'

"But you, Ananda, were unable to grasp the plain suggestion, the significant prompting, given you by the Tathagata, and you did not entreat the Tathagata to remain. For if you had done so, Ananda, twice the Tathagata might have declined, but the third time he would have consented. Therefore, Ananda, the fault is yours; herein you have failed.

58. "Yet, Ananda, have I not taught from the very beginning that with all that is dear and beloved there must be change, separation, and severance? Of that which is born, come into being, is compounded and subject to decay, how can one say: 'May it not come to dissolution!' There can be no such state of things. And of that, Ananda, which the Tathagata has finished with, that which he has relinquished, given up, abandoned, and rejected - his will to live on - the Tathagata's word has been spoken once for all: 'Before long the Parinibbana of the Tathagata will come about. Three months hence the Tathagata will utterly pass away.' And that the Tathagata should withdraw his words for the sake of living on - this is an impossibility.
The Last Admonition

59. "So, then, Ananda, let us go to the hall of the Gabled House, in the Great Forest." And the Venerable Ananda replied: "So be it, Lord."

60. Then the Blessed One, with the Venerable Ananda, went to the hall of the Gabled House, in the Great Forest. And there he spoke to the Venerable Ananda, saying: "Go now, Ananda, and assemble in the hall of audience all the bhikkhus who dwell in the neighborhood of Vesali."

"So be it, Lord." And the Venerable Ananda gathered all the bhikkhus who dwelt in the neighborhood of Vesali, and assembled them in the hall of audience. And then, respectfully saluting the Blessed One, and standing at one side, he said: "The community of bhikkhus is assembled, Lord. Now let the Blessed One do as he wishes."

61. Thereupon the Blessed One entered the hall of audience, and taking the seat prepared for him, he exhorted the bhikkhus, saying: "Now, O bhikkhus, I say to you that these teachings of which I have direct knowledge and which I have made known to you - these you should thoroughly learn, cultivate, develop, and frequently practice, that the life of purity may be established and may long endure, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men.

62. "And what, bhikkhus, are these teachings? They are the four foundations of mindfulness, the four right efforts, the four constituents of psychic power, the five faculties, the five powers, the seven factors of enlightenment, and the Noble Eightfold Path. These, bhikkhus, are the teachings of which I have direct knowledge, which I have made known to you, and which you should thoroughly learn, cultivate, develop, and frequently practice, that the life of purity may be established and may long endure, for the welfare and happiness of the multitude, out of compassion for the world, for the benefit, well being, and happiness of gods and men."

63. Then the Blessed One said to the bhikkhus: "So, bhikkhus, I exhort you: All compounded things are subject to vanish. Strive with earnestness. The time of the Tathagata's Parinibbana is near. Three months hence the Tathagata will utterly pass away."

64. And having spoken these words, the Happy One, the Master, spoke again, saying:

My years are now full ripe, the life span left is short.
Departing, I go hence from you, relying on myself alone.
Be earnest, then, O bhikkhus, be mindful and of virtue pure!

With firm resolve, guard your own mind!
Whoso untiringly pursues the Dhamma and the Discipline
Shall go beyond the round of births and make an end of suffering.

NOTE
[1] "Maha-parinibbana Sutta: Last Days of the Buddha" (DN 16), translated from the Pali by Sister Vajira & Francis Story. Access to Insight (BCBS Edition), 30 November 2013, https://www.accesstoinsight.org/tipitaka/dn/dn.16.1-6.vaji.html .

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Buddha's Nirvana Day: Celebrations for Paranirvana day; quoting the last admonition of Buddha: Mahaparinibban Sutta - Buddha Weekly: Buddhist Practices, Mindfulness, Meditation

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The most important activities on Nirvana day include

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History of International Childhood Cancer Day

Childhood Cancer International, a network of parent organizations that spans continents, instituted International Childhood Cancer Day to ensure that children with cancer get the best possible care. The day is set aside to raise awareness about childhood cancers and the treatments available for these diseases. Every year, more than 400,000 children, teenagers, and young adults under the age of 20 are diagnosed with cancer. While cancer is one of the leading causes of death from disease among children, the actual number of children who die because of cancer has reduced over the years.

Most cancers have effective treatments and management methods that have increased the survival rate significantly. Childhood cancers require specialized treatment plans developed by pediatric oncologists, and this day helps to publicize the existence of such treatments. International Childhood Cancer Day was also instituted to improve treatment rates and reduce the pain and suffering caused by cancer among children around the globe. While the chances of full recovery for children with cancer can reach 80% in countries that have a high G.D.P., in the middle and lower-income countries, the chances can slip down to 20%.

The I.C.C.D. focuses on the importance of equitable access to treatment for cancer among children who are suffering or are survivors of cancer. It works to ensure that all over the world, children have access to the best possible care, and can overcome the difficulties cancer poses to them and their quality of life. The initiative aims to make childhood cancer a priority in the world. It works in line with the WHO Global Initiative on Childhood Cancer towards a 60% survival rate for children with cancer.

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We honor the children and families of children suffering from cancer this International Childhood Cancer Day.

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Washington's Birthday

The story of Presidents' Day date begins in 1800. Following the death of George Washington in 1799, his February 22 birthday became a perennial day of remembrance.

At the time, Washington was venerated as the most important figure in American history, and events like the 1832 centennial of his birth and the start of construction of the Washington Monument in 1848 were cause for national celebration.

While Washington's Birthday was an unofficial observance for most of the 1800s, it was not until the late 1870s that it became a federal holiday. Senator Stephen Wallace Dorsey of Arkansas was the first to propose the measure, and in 1879 President Rutherford B. Hayes signed it into law.

The holiday initially only applied to the District of Columbia, but in 1885 it was expanded to the whole country. At the time, Washington's Birthday joined four other nationally recognized federal bank holidays- Christmas Day, New Year's Day, the Fourth of July and Thanksgiving-and was the first to celebrate the life of an individual American. Martin Luther King Jr. Day, signed into law in 1983, was the second.

Uniform Monday Holiday Act

The shift from Washington's Birthday to Presidents' Day began in the late 1960s, when Congress proposed a measure known as the Uniform Monday Holiday Act. Championed by Senator Robert McClory of Illinois, this law sought to shift the celebration of several federal holidays from specific dates to a series of predetermined Mondays.

The proposed change was seen by many as a novel way to create more three-day weekends for the nation's workers, and it was believed that ensuring holidays always fell on the same weekday would reduce employee absenteeism. While some argued that shifting holidays from their original dates would cheapen their meaning, the bill also had widespread support from both the private sector and labor unions and was seen as a surefire way to bolster retail sales.

The Uniform Monday Holiday Act also included a provision to combine the celebration of Washington's birthday with that of Abraham Lincoln, which fell on February 12. Lincoln's Birthday had long been a state holiday in places like Illinois, and many supported joining the two days as a way of giving equal recognition to two of America's most famous statesmen.

McClory was among the measure's major proponents, and he even floated the idea of renaming the holiday Presidents' Day. This proved to be a point of contention for lawmakers from George Washington's home state of Virginia, and the proposal was eventually dropped.

Nevertheless, the main piece of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act passed in 1968 and officially took effect in 1971 following an executive order from President Richard M. Nixon. Washington's Birthday was then shifted from the fixed date of February 22 to the third Monday of February. Columbus Day, Memorial Day and Veterans Day were also moved from their traditionally designated dates. (As a result of widespread criticism, in 1978 Veterans Day was returned to its original November 11 date.)

Did you know? Presidents' Day never falls on the actual birthday of any American president. Four chief executives-George Washington, William Henry Harrison, Abraham Lincoln and Ronald Reagan-were born in February, but their birthdays all come either too early or late to coincide with Presidents' Day, which is always celebrated on the third Monday of the month.

What Presidents Do We Celebrate on Presidents' Day?

While Nixon's order plainly called the newly placed holiday Washington's Birthday, it was not long before the shift to Presidents' Day began.

The move away from February 22 led many to believe that the new date was intended to honor both Washington and Lincoln, as it now fell between their two birthdays. Marketers soon jumped at the opportunity to play up the three-day weekend with sales, and "Presidents' Day" bargains were advertised at stores around the country.

By the mid-1980s, Washington's Birthday was known to many Americans as Presidents' Day. This shift had solidified in the early 2000s, by which time as many as half the 50 states had changed the holiday's name to Presidents' Day on their calendars.

Some states have even chosen to customize the holiday by adding new figures to the celebration. Arkansas, for instance, celebrates Washington as well as civil rights activist Daisy Gatson Bates. Alabama, meanwhile, uses Presidents' Day to commemorate Washington and Thomas Jefferson (who was born in April).

Washington and Lincoln still remain the two most recognized leaders, but Presidents' Day is now popularly seen as a day to recognize the lives and achievements of all of America's chief executives. Some lawmakers have objected to this view, arguing that grouping George Washington and Abraham Lincoln together with less successful presidents minimizes their legacies.

Congressional measures to restore Washington and Lincoln's individual birthdays were proposed during the early 2000s, but all failed to gain much attention. For its part, the federal government has held fast to the original incarnation of the holiday as a celebration of the country's first president. The third Monday in February is still listed on official calendars as Washington's Birthday.

What Is Closed On Presidents' Day?

As a federal holiday, many banks and schools are closed in observance of Presidents' Day. The New York Stock Exchange and NASDAQ are closed for trading on Presidents' Day. The post office is not open and non-essential federal workers have the day off.

Presidents' Day Celebrations and Traditions

Like Independence Day, Presidents' Day is traditionally viewed as a time of patriotic celebration and remembrance. In its original incarnation as Washington's Birthday, the holiday gained special meaning during the difficulties of the Great Depression, when portraits of George Washington often graced the front pages of newspapers and magazines every February 22.

In 1932, the date was used to reinstate the Purple Heart, a military decoration originally created by George Washington to honor soldiers killed or wounded while serving in the armed forces. Patriotic groups and the Boy Scouts of America also held celebrations on the day, and in 1938 some 5,000 people attended mass at Saint Patrick's Cathedral in New York City in honor of Washington.

In its modern form, Presidents' Day is used by many patriotic and historical groups as a date for staging celebrations, reenactments and other events. A number of states also require that their public schools spend the days leading up to Presidents' Day teaching students about the accomplishments of the presidents.

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Presidents' Day 2024 - Date & Holiday | HISTORY

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Presidents' Day is an American holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents' Day and is now viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents.

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https://isha.sadhguru.org/mahashivratri/significance-of-mahashivratri/

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Official Website of Sadhguru, Isha Foundation | India

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Why Mahashivratri is Celebrated and the Significance of Mahashivratri Mahashivratri is of great significance for all those who aspire for the Ultimate. May this night become an exuberant awakening for you.-Sadhguru

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https://socialimpactguide.com/journal/social-justice-day-activities/

https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day

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February 20th is a day to recognize the importance of social justice. It happens every year and presents a great opportunity to learn more about the world's most pressing social justice issues and how to address them. Many organizations and schools have resources and special curriculum, but what are some activities that anyone can do? Here are five ideas:

Research specific issues and organizations that interest you

Major social justice issues include poverty, discrimination, gender equality, and more. Every World Day of Social Justice has its own theme, but they're broad, so you can investigate how certain populations are specifically affected. You are also free to research any social justice issue that resonates with you. There are countless resources available online and if you want a more in-depth look, there are also books.

As you learn, you can also research organizations that are working on the issues. CharityNavigator.org is a great place to start as it lists organizations by category (i.e. human rights, environment, etc) and provides info like a breakdown of expenses and accountability metrics. Learning what makes an org trustworthy helps you become an informed donor.

Write a letter, make a phone call, and/or sign a petition

Writing letters (including emails) is a great way to get your voice on things that matter to you. There are always political bills or issues that deserve attention. Not sure how to get started? Countless activists put in work to provide information like email addresses, letter templates, and more online for free. You can also find contact info on public officials' websites. These days, it's easier than ever to get involved. You can also see if any of the organizations you've researched are doing letter-writing campaigns.

If you're concerned that your email may be lost in a sea of messages, you can also try making a phone call. Many political activists say that phone calls to public officials are the most effective way to get heard. Staff members have to answer the phone, listen, and keep track of how many calls an issue is receiving. This forces the official to take the issue seriously. If you're short on time or not confident in your writing or speaking skills, you can also sign petitions.

Help a young person get involved in social justice

One of the most powerful things you can do in the fight for social justice is to encourage a young person. When supported and empowered, kids and teens can do incredible things. If you know any young people interested in social justice, but they aren't sure how to get started, tell them about the nonprofit DoSomething. Their website has a long list of campaigns, activism projects, and educational resources that kids can participate in. Submitting proof of a completed campaign or project makes them eligible for prizes, like scholarships. US or Canadian citizens who are 25 years or younger are eligible.

Try an educational project like the Two-Dollar Challenge

What would life be like if you lived on $2 a day? This challenge is based on the UN's definition of "extreme poverty," which is living on less than $1.90 a day. There are a detailed set of rules and code of conduct, so this project shouldn't be undertaken without a good deal of thought. The challenge organizers also ask that you participate in at least two group discussions. The "Beginner" level is 3 days and 2 nights.

If the Two-Dollar Challenge feels too intimidating, you can also try a grocery budgeting exercise. Give each person in your family just $9-$10 to buy food for one day to see how challenging it is. Consider questions like "Should I prioritize pricier healthy food or less healthy food that's cheaper?" This is a good exercise to do with a group, so you can discuss the results. Educational projects like this should always be done with a recognition of your privilege. Even after it's over, remember that you are not suddenly an expert on the issue.

Create an action plan for long-term engagement with social justice

The World Day of Social Justice is just one day, but fighting for social justice is a lifelong pursuit. If you want to make more of an impact, use the day to create a longer-term action plan. This could include compiling a list of books and educational resources you want to study; setting up a monthly donation to an organization; and researching local community groups centered on social justice. There are many things you can add to your routines to raise awareness of issues and help with solutions. You don't have to rearrange your life and change your career to become a social justice advocate.

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Activities for World Day of Social Justice

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February 20th is a day to recognize the importance of social justice. It happens every year and presents a great opportunity to learn more about the world's most pressing social justice issues and how to address them. Many organizations and schools have resources and special curriculum, but what are some activities that anyone can do?

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Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. Also known as Carnival or Carnaval, it's celebrated in many countries around the world-mainly those with large Roman Catholic populations-on the day before the religious season of Lent begins. Brazil, Venice and New Orleans play host to some of the holiday's most famous public festivities, drawing thousands of tourists and revelers every year.

When Is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is traditionally celebrated on "Fat Tuesday," the Tuesday before Ash Wednesday and the start of Lent. In many areas, however, Mardi Gras has evolved into a week-long festival.

Mardi Gras 2024 will fall on Tuesday, February 13.

What Is Mardi Gras?

Mardi Gras is a tradition that dates back thousands of years to pagan celebrations of spring and fertility, including the raucous Roman festivals of Saturnalia and Lupercalia.

When Christianity arrived in Rome, religious leaders decided to incorporate these popular local traditions into the new faith, an easier task than abolishing them altogether. As a result, the excess and debauchery of the Mardi Gras season became a prelude to Lent, the 40 days of fasting and penance between Ash Wednesday and Easter Sunday.

Along with Christianity, Mardi Gras spread from Rome to other European countries, including France, Germany, Spain and England.

What Does Mardi Gras Mean?

Mardi is the French word for Tuesday, and gras means "fat." In France, the day before Ash Wednesday came to be known as Mardi Gras, or "Fat Tuesday."

Traditionally, in the days leading up to Lent, merrymakers would binge on all the rich, fatty foods-meat, eggs, milk, lard and cheese-that remained in their homes, in anticipation of several weeks of eating only fish and different types of fasting.

The word carnival, another common name for the pre-Lenten festivities, also derives from this feasting tradition: in Medieval Latin, carnelevarium means to take away or remove meat, from the Latin carnem for meat.

New Orleans Mardi Gras

The first American Mardi Gras took place on March 3, 1699, when French explorers Pierre Le Moyne d'Iberville and Sieur de Bienville landed near present-day New Orleans, Louisiana. They held a small celebration and dubbed their landing spot Point du Mardi Gras.

In the decades that followed, New Orleans and other French settlements began marking the holiday with street parties, masked balls and lavish dinners. When the Spanish took control of New Orleans, however, they abolished these rowdy rituals, and the bans remained in force until Louisiana became a U.S. state in 1812.

On Mardi Gras in 1827, a group of students donned colorful costumes and danced through the streets of New Orleans, emulating the revelry they'd observed while visiting Paris. Ten years later, the first recorded New Orleans Mardi Gras parade took place, a tradition that continues to this day.

In 1857, a secret society of New Orleans businessmen called the Mistick Krewe of Comus organized a torch-lit Mardi Gras procession with marching bands and rolling floats, setting the tone for future public celebrations in the city.

Since then, krewes have remained a fixture of the Carnival scene throughout Louisiana. Other lasting customs include throwing beads and other trinkets, wearing masks, decorating floats and eating King Cake.

Did you know? Rex, one of the oldest Mardi Gras krewes, has been participating in parades since 1872 and established purple, gold and green as the iconic Mardi Gras colors.

Louisiana is the only state in which Mardi Gras is a legal holiday. However, elaborate carnival festivities draw crowds in other parts of the United States during the Mardi Gras season as well, including Alabama and Mississippi. Each region has its own events and traditions.

Mardi Gras Around the World

Across the globe, pre-Lenten festivals continue to take place in many countries with significant Roman Catholic populations.

Brazil's weeklong Carnival festivities feature a vibrant amalgam of European, African and native traditions. In Canada, Quebec City hosts the giant Quebec Winter Carnival. In Italy, tourists flock to Venice's Carnevale, which dates back to the 13th century and is famous for its masquerade balls.

Known as Karneval, Fastnacht or Fasching, the German celebration includes parades, costume balls and a tradition that empowers women to cut off men's ties. For Denmark's Fastevlan, children dress up and gather candy in a similar manner to Halloween -although the parallel ends when they ritually flog their parents on Easter Sunday morning.

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Mardi Gras - Meaning, Origin & Traditions

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Mardi Gras is a Christian holiday and popular cultural phenomenon that dates back thousands of years to pagan spring and fertility rites. It's most famously celebrated with parades in New Orleans, Louisiana.

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Download FREE teacher-made resources covering 'Ash Wednesday'

Teaching Wiki Contents

All About Ash Wednesday - Information for Kids

Let's learn facts about Ash Wednesday, including what it is, when it takes place, and what happens during the event itself.

Ash Wednesday is a holy day that marks the start of the season of for the majority of the world's Christians. Lent is a 40-day period that represents the Temptation of Christ, and Christians honour it by fasting, praying and taking part in daily devotional activity. Lots of people, including non-Christians, will choose to give up a bad habit or a vice for the period of Lent in much the same way as many people choose to set resolutions for the New Year.

Many Christians will go to church on Ash Wednesday and have the sign of the cross marked in ash on their foreheads. It is the day on which most people begin their Lenten observances. This is not true for all Christians as, for example, many Eastern Christians begin to observe Lent on Clean Monday, which is the sixth Monday before Palm Sunday.

Ash Wednesday means a lot to people who follow the Christian faith, as it is seen as a day of repentance. The sermons given during Ash Wednesday are often very solemn in nature, and they offer Christians the chance to think about their sins and ask God for forgiveness.

The Meaning of Lent and Ash Wednesday

If you're wondering about the meaning of Lent and Ash Wednesday, then we've already answered half of your query! Ash Wednesday is strongly tied to Lent because the former marks the beginning of the latter.

Lent is a period of abstinence that Christians participate in to appreciate Christ's struggles. Traditionally, people will stay away from eating meat and will fast. Nowadays, it's common for people to give up chocolate or other foods that they like.

Ash Wednesday is something known as a 'moveable feast'. This means that the date that Ash Wednesday is observed changes every year. It is, however, always 46 days before Easter Sunday.

Easter Sunday is also a moveable feast, marked by the first full moon on or after the March equinox . In the Gregorian calendar (which is used by most of the world), this equinox falls around March 21st.

But when is Ash Wednesday in 2024?

In 2024, Ash Wednesday will take place on the 14th of February.

On Ash Wednesday, Christians will attend mass or a worship service where a sermon will be given. During these sermons, there are long periods of silence, and worshippers have the opportunity to reflect on and confess their sins.

After the sermon, the priest (or other person taking the service) will take ashes, sometimes mixed with olive oil, and make the sign of the cross on the individual's forehead. The person who has been 'ashed' can then choose whether to wipe the ashes off immediately or to keep them on their forehead throughout the day. Some choose to wear them as an outward sign of their Christian faith as they go about their day.

As Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent, it marks the first day when Christian people will make self-sacrifices or give things up until the beginning of Easter. Traditions vary between denominations, though it is also a personal choice how each person decides to participate in the Lenten period.

Traditionally, many Christian people would give up meat and dairy products. This could be either on specific days or throughout the whole of Lent. However, people observing Ash Wednesday and Lent may give up a personal vice or habit. Some non-Christian people may also choose to give something up for Lent, such as eating chocolate or drinking caffeine.

History of Ash Wednesday for Students

How Christians celebrate or observe Ash Wednesday has changed and evolved over time, though many traditions have survived to the present day.

Origins of Ash Wednesday

The true beginnings of Ash Wednesday are unknown. Many Christians believe that it has been observed since the 4 th century. But why is it called Ash Wednesday?

The oldest and most traditional part of Ash Wednesday is the 'Imposition of Ashes'. This ceremony involves churchgoers receiving ashes drawn in the shape of a crucifix on their forehead. A pastor, priest or other leader of a church congregation will typically be the person to paint the ashes on each worshipper's forehead. The ashes used are often the burned palm leaves saved from the previous year's Palm Sunday celebration.

As they draw the sign of the cross, the priest or person responsible for giving the sermon may say, "Repent, and believe in the Gospel'' or "Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return''. This second quotation is taken from Genesis 3:19, and it refers to God ejecting Adam and Eve from the Garden of Eden. The ash symbolises death and repentance for our sins.

Ash Wednesday in the Present Day

While long-standing traditions like the Imposition of Ashes and fasting remain a big part of Ash Wednesday in the present day, there are also some newer traditions that people participate in on this holy day.

In the Republic of Ireland, Ash Wednesday is also National No Smoking Day. This date was picked to combine the idea of giving up smoking with the motivation to give up a vice or bad habit for Lent. There is also the connection between ash and smoking, though Ash Wednesday's ash is made from burnt palm fronds.

This tradition began in 1984 in both the United Kingdom and the Republic of Ireland, though the UK has since fixed National No Smoking Day as the second Wednesday in March. The Republic of Ireland continues to hold National No Smoking Day and Ash Wednesday on the same date, regardless of Ash Wednesday's status as a moveable feast.

Another Lenten tradition is that of a daily devotional activity. This is a task or other kind of activity that a person commits to doing throughout Lent. It is meant to be beneficial to the individual and others too. This might include daily prayer, volunteer work or donating to charity.

Ash Wednesday Traditions Around the World

Alongside the more traditional observances relating to ashes, worship, fasting, prayer and charity, there are other events or traditions that take place on Ash Wednesday around the globe.

United Kingdom

In the UK, the town of Ashbourne in Derbyshire hosts an event called the Royal Shrovetide Football Match. This football match isn't a normal football match, however! This is 'medieval football' or 'hugball'.

This game is played between rival teams called the 'Up'ards' and the 'Down'ards'. The 'goals' (millstones) for this game are three miles apart, and more often than not, the ball is passed not by kicking but via 'hugs', which are like big rugby scrums. The balls used are special balls filled with cork to help the ball float if it falls into a river or other body of water.

The game is played over Shrove Tuesday and Ash Wednesday between 2pm and 10pm each day. Hundreds of players get involved every year.

Iceland

The first day of Lent in Iceland is called Öskudagur or 'Ashes Day'. Children wear costumes and visit shops and other places of business singing songs. They are rewarded with sweets and other tasty treats.

There is also a tradition of hanging small bags of ashes on people. Churchgoers would take home small bags of ashes to bless their homes with, but this developed into the mischievous hanging of 'ash bags' on unsuspecting people following the Ash Wednesday church service.

Germany

In Munich, Germany, the mayor and other citizens wash empty wallets in the water of the Fischbrunnen, which is the fountain at the centre of the city. This wallet washing dates back to the 15 th century, when people belonging to the poorer classes would wash their wallets in the hopes that they would be filled again over the next year. In Germany, Ash Wednesday marks the end of Carnival season, during which many Germans will spend lots of money enjoying themselves at the festivities, leaving them with empty or near-empty wallets.

It wasn't until the 1950s that the mayor at the time, Lord Mayor Thomas Wimmer, decided to apply this tradition to the city's wallet by washing a symbolic empty wallet in the fountain each year.

Cross of Ashes

The cross of ashes is the symbol most associated with Ash Wednesday.

These ashes are usually painted onto the foreheads of Christians during their Ash Wednesday church service. Some people will keep this crucifix on their heads all day.

The ashes are made by burning the palm branches or palm crosses that were blessed on the previous year's Palm Sunday. Some churches will make their own ashes by setting fire to the palm leaves in a metal bucket. Others will purchase ashes from specialist retailers. The ashes will often be mixed with holy water to bless them. This can also help the ashes stick to the skin, though typically more water or olive oil will be added to help with this. Other churches may just sprinkle dry ashes over the heads of their congregation instead of painting on the crucifix shape.

Palm Leaves

Palm leaves or fronds are significant as they were laid down on the road in front of Jesus as he arrived in Jerusalem on the back of a donkey. Jesus' followers also waved palm branches to welcome him into the city.

Palm leaves are frequently fashioned into crosses. They can be handmade, though they may also be bought in bulk. These crosses are displayed around Holy Week and Easter as a reminder of Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem. These crosses are considered to be sacramentals, which are objects blessed by a priest in order to incite reverence during worship. This means that many Christians will only dispose of the crosses by burying or burning them.

Teaching Video about Ash Wednesday

Teaching Resources on Ash Wednesday

Are you thinking of teaching children about Ash Wednesday? Twinkl has a fantastic range of resources about both Ash Wednesday and Lent to assist your teaching about these events. Our resources are designed by qualified and experienced teachers for use by all educators, so you know you're getting a great resource every time. Check out these examples below:

EYFS All About Ash Wednesday PowerPoint

This PowerPoint is specifically designed to help you explain what Ash Wednesday is in a way that EYFS learners will understand. There are lots of colourful illustrations to keep your pupils engaged with their learning.

KS1 Ash Wednesday Differentiated Reading Comprehension Activity

This reading comprehension activity is a lovely independent reading activity to enjoy with your pupils. The download pack includes three difficulty levels, with a fact sheet, a question sheet and an answer sheet for each. You can find even more KS1 Ash Wednesday primary resources .

KS2 Ash Wednesday Assembly Pack

This wonderful assembly pack is perfect for introducing Ash Wednesday to your KS2 pupils. Inside this pack, you'll find a beautifully illustrated PowerPoint with information all about Ash Wednesday and what it means. With our handy assembly script to guide you, you'll be able to deliver an interesting and engaging assembly with ease! You can find a similar KS1-appropriate assembly PowerPoint .

LKS2 Lent Question Activity Pack

As Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, why not encourage children to reflect on what this important period means to Christians? Inside this activity pack, there are four questions which invite children to think about what they would be willing to give up, how they might help other people and more. These questions should help to give your young learners a greater understanding of Lent!

Thinking About Lent Activity

If you're looking for another resource about Ash Wednesday for your KS2 pupils, why not take a look at this handy 'Thinking About Lent' worksheet?

This activity sheet features a variety of prompt questions that encourage children to think about and engage with Lenten traditions. There are also handy boxes where children can write down their answers to the prompts.

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What is Ash Wednesday? | Meaning of Lent and Ash Wednesday | Twinkl

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Are you teaching your pupils about the meaning of Lent and Ash Wednesday? Read on to find out all about the history, related symbols and traditions, and more.