| May
2004 |
| 5
|
Cinco
de Mayo A date of great importance in the Mexican and
Chicano communities when they celebrate Mexico’s victory
over the French army in the Battle of Puebla in 1862. It is
a symbol of Mexican unity and patriotism. Cinco de Mayo has
become more of a Chicano holiday than a Mexican one and is celebrated
on a much larger scale in the United States than in Mexico.
People of Mexican descent enjoy and participate in parades,
mariachi music, folkloric dancing, and other types of festive
activities. |
| 6 |
National
Day of Prayer is observed the first Thursday in May.
Since the first call to prayer in 1775, when the Continental
Congress asked the colonies to pray for wisdom in forming a
nation, the call to prayer has continued through our history.
For the first time in U.S. history, a bill enacting a permanent
national day of prayer passed both houses in an unusual bi-partisan
effort and was signed into law by President Reagan. This law
amends a 1952 law which required the president to proclaim a
day of his choosing each year. President Reagan urged "...the
citizens of this great nation to gather together on that day
in homes and places of worship to pray, each after his or her
own manner, for unity of hearts of all mankind." |
| 9 |
Mother's
Day Since 1914 when President Woodrow Wilson issued
the first proclamation making Mother's Day an official national
holiday, Mother's Day has been observed on the second Sunday
in May in the United States. This day grew out of the efforts
of a Philadelphia woman, Anna Jarvis, who in 1907 began a letter-writing
campaign with her friends to gain the support of influential
ministers, businessmen, and congressmen for such a day. She
felt children often neglected to appreciate their mother enough
while she was still alive. She hoped Mother's Day would increase
respect for parents and strengthen family bonds. |
| 20 |
Ascension
Day is celebrated the Thursday that is approximately
40 days after Easter to commemorate Christ's ascension into
heaven. In the Roman Catholic Church, it is a Holy Day of Obligation.
Some Protestant churches also hold services. |
| 25
|
Shavuot
(Festival of Weeks) This Jewish festival begins at
sundown on May 21 and is known as Yom Habikkurim, or "the
Day of the First Fruits" because it marks the time when
the farmers of Israel would bring their first harvest to Jerusalem
as a token of thanksgiving. It also commemorates the giving
of the law (Ten Commandments) to Moses and the Israelites
at Mt. Sinai. Shavuot means weeks, and this festival is held
exactly seven weeks after Passover. |
| 26
|
First
Day of Shavnot |
| 27
|
Second
Day of Shavnot |
| 30 |
Pentecost In the Christian church, Pentecost occurs on the Sabbath
day after a week’s worth of weeks (7 x 7) or the fiftieth
day after Easter and officially ends the Easter season. According
to the Bible’s book of Acts 2, people had gathered to
celebrate Pentecost, and the good news of Jesus was being preached.
Because the Holy Spirit descended on the crowd, many people
were able to hear the words in their own language and were converted
to follow Christ. The Christian observance of Pentecost is considered
the birthday of the Church. |
| 31 |
Memorial
Day originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance
for those who have died in our nation's service. It is a state
and federal holiday that is celebrated on the last Monday in
May. It has been observed since 1868 when flowers were placed
on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington
National Cemetery. |
