National Chai Day By Sharon Schweitzer National Chai Day is celebrated in India on September 21st each year to celebrate the unique flavors of chai, also known as masala chai. Chai, which means “tea” in many languages, has its roots in South Asia, particularly in countries such as India, Pakistan, and Nepal. It [...]
Mid-Autumn Moon Festival By Sharon Schweitzer What has three names and celebrates the moon? Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节) in Chinese, is also called the Mooncake Festival or the Moon Festival is celebrated on the 15th day of the eighth month of the lunar calendar — or on September 17th this year. Since [...]
Hispanic Heritage Month By Sharon Schweitzer Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15th to October 15th, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under [...]
European Heritage Days By Sharon Schweitzer European Heritage Days are celebrated all over the Continent in order to mark European unity, to share stories of common values and to ensure that the past isn’t forgotten. In Berlin, these special days are celebrated in September — and the “Day of the Open Monument” opening [...]
World Coconut Day By Sharon Schweitzer The aim of celebrating this holiday is to bring coconuts into the spotlight and recognize their importance and benefits — not just health-wise but economically too. Coconuts are especially celebrated in Asian- and Pacific regions by the APCC, Asian and Pacific Coconut Community, which facilitates most of [...]
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. [...]
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 [...]
Obon Festival Tokyo, Japan - July 29, 2016 : Bon Odori Dancers at the Sugamo Bon Odori Festival in Toshima Ward, Tokyo, Japan. Bon dance, is a style of dancing performed during Obon. By Sharon Schweitzer Obon Festival is an annual Japanese ritual observed from the 13th to the 15th of [...]
World Tofu Day By Sharon Schweitzer World Tofu Day is annually observed on July 26th, in honor of tofu, a plant-based alternative to meat that is manufactured from soybeans. Tofu has seen a surge in popularity as more people switch to a plant-based diet. For vegans and vegetarians, it is particularly appreciated and [...]
National Fortune Cookie Day By Sharon Schweitzer While these nuggets of enjoyment are most often found at the end of a Chinese meal, they didn't originate in China. The distinctively folded cookie began in Japan, where elegant desserts and folding techniques are quintessentially Japanese. However, in Japan, the fortune was tucked in the fold [...]
