January 2004
January 1,
New Year’s Day is celebrated on January 1 in the Gregorian calendar. It is a time of renewal and many people resolve to break bad habits and begin good ones. These resolutions require people to examine their lives over the last twelve months and plan for the coming year.
January 6,
Epiphany is one of three major Christian celebrations along with Christmas and Easter. Most Christians celebrate it on January 6 to commemorate the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Mage, or three wise men. Roman Catholics celebrate Epiphany on the Sunday, which falls between January 2 and January 8.
Epiphany is derived form t he Greek epiphaneia and means manifestation or to appear. In a religious context, the term describes the appearance of an invisible divine being in a visible form.
January 18,
World Religion Day (Baha’I)
The Baha’I Faith is the youngest of the world’s independent religions. Its founder, Baha’u’llah (1817-1892), is regarded by baha’is as the most recent in the line of Messengers of God that stretches back beyoun recorded time and that includes Abraham, Moses, Buddha, Zoroaster, Christ and Muhammad.
January 19,
Martin Luther King, Jr. birthday – Observed
In 1983, the 98th Congress passed public law 98-144 to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr. This was first celebrated as a federal legal holiday on Januraty20, 1986 and has been observed on the third Monday of January since that time. Congress intention was that the holiday “serve as a time for Americans to reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Martin Luther King, Jr.”
January 22,
Chinese Lunar New Year
A festive holiday celebrated for about two weeks. The Chinese, Korenas, and Vietnamese observe the Lunar New Year. The event takes place during the first three days of the first lunar month (late January or early February). People dress up in costumes, exchange food and gifts, visit family members, and remember ancestors. They settle all business accounts and forget all grudges.
January 22,
Tet Nguyen Dan (Vietnam)
Tet Nguyen Dan is a Vietnamese festival beginning on the first day of the first lunar month. It marks the beginning of the lunar new year and the arrival of spring. Tet is the most popular festival in Vietnam and artifacts suggest that is has been celebrated since at least 500 B.C.E. The exact origin is unknown.
The goal of the Tet celebration is to bring the year right. On the eve of the three day festival, houses and ancestral graves are thoroughly cleaned and a ceremonial meal is prepared. Customs associated with other new year celebrations including paying off debts, giving gifts, resolving conflicts in relationships and wearing new clothes are common during Tet. Other more unique activities include firecrackers (it is believed that loud sounds will drive away evil), boat races, swimming contests, and dragon dancing. The traditional dragon dance is meant to spread good health and wealth.
credit: kumc.edu/diversity
