Category: Annual Monthly or Day Observance
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National Rice Month
National Rice Month By Sharon Schweitzer We celebrate National Rice Month throughout the entire month of September. With over 40,000 kinds that grow on every continent, except in Antarctica, what a way to discover as many varieties as possible! The history of National Rice Month dates back to 1991 when President George H.W.…
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Back to School Tips
Back to School Tips By Sharon Schweitzer Going back to school after a break often brings with it a range of emotions, including feelings of excitement, stress, curiosity, and the like. Keep in mind that you are not alone in the onerous university process. Your professors are invaluable resources. Knowing how to effectively…
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National Bao Day
National Bao Day By Sharon Schweitzer National Bao Day is celebrated on August 22nd every year. It’s a day to savor the deliciousness of the famed dumpling. It’s also a day dedicated to learn more about the bao, also known as ‘baozi’ or ‘hot Asian buns,’ and the culture that surrounds them. Do…
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St. Stephen’s Day Hungary
St. Stephen’s Day Hungary By Sharon Schweitzer St. Stephen’s Day holds a long and interesting history. It begins with Stephen the Grand Prince of the Hungarians who laid the foundations of the state. Until the end of the 10th century, the Hungarians were in conflict with other European countries. In 955 A.D., Hungarian…
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South Korea on the World’s Stage
South Korea on the World’s Stage By Polina Anastassieva, Sharon Schweitzer This past July, in partnership with the World Affairs Council of Austin, St. Edward’s University, Stratfor, and Neil-Cochran Museum, an event on South Korea was held. The two speakers, Dr. Jooyoun Lee, a professor at St. Edward’s University, and Roger Baker, an…
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Obon Festival
Obon Festival By Sharon Schweitzer Obon Festival is an annual Japanese ritual observed from the 13th to the 15th of the seventh lunar month. This year, the holiday will be celebrated from August 13th to 15th. It can also be held from July 13th to 15th, depending on the calendar used. Obon is…
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National Vinyl Record Day
National Vinyl Record Day By Sharon Schweitzer Music enthusiast and founder of the first nonprofit organization dedicated to the preservation of the cultural influence of vinyl, Gary Freiberg created National Vinyl Record Day as a way to honor the art behind the music, collecting, and recording. Also known as a phonograph record, the first…
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National Book Lovers Day
National Book Lovers Day By Sharon Schweitzer A day for all those who love to read, National Book Lovers Day encourages you to find your favorite reading place, a good book (whether it be fiction or nonfiction) and read the day away. Book Lovers Day appreciates the medium that has withstood and preserved…
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Sailor Moon Day
Sailor Moon Day By Sharon Schweitzer Sailor Moon Day, celebrated on August 6th every year, celebrates one of the most popular manga and anime series, Sailor Moon. The series starts with a small, very talkative black cat and a young girl, Usagi Tsukino. Usagi received a brooch that helped transform her into the…
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Matice Slovenska Day
Matice Slovenska Day By Sharon Schweitzer Matica Slovenská Day (Deň Matice Slovenskej) is a remembrance day in Slovakia held on August 4th each year. This day commemorates the establishment of Slovakia’s primary scientific and cultural institution. It was founded in 1863, in a town named Martin, as part of the Slovak nation’s effort to…