January Holiday Spotlight

 

January 18 -  Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day.  2021 marks the 26th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader's birth, achievements, and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities.

“Everybody can be great … because anybody can serve. You don’t have to have a college degree to serve. You don’t have to make your subject and verb agree to serve. You only need a heart full of grace. A soul generated by love.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.

January 14 - April 27 - Kumbh Mela is a mass pilgrimage event that takes place every twelve years. The Kumbh Mela is held at one of the four holy pilgrimage destinations, Haridwar, Nashik, Allahabad, and Ujjain, every twelve years by rotation. In 2021, Kumbh Mela will be held in Haridwar. This pilgrimage has deep religious significance to Hindus. Millions will gather on the banks of the Ganges River to perform ritual bathing between the pilgrimage dates. The belief is that in taking a dip in the holy water, devotees will be cleansed of their sins. It is known as the world's largest religious and cultural human gathering. 

Also in January:

• January 1: New Year's Day
• January 4: World Braille Day
• January 7: Christmas for Eastern Orthodox Christians
• January 14 - April 27: Kumbh Mela
• January 15: Makar Sankranti
• January 17: World Religion Day
• January 18: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
• January 20: Bodhi Day
• January 26: Republic Day (India)
• January 27: Holocaust Remembrance Day

Written by Taylor Kanemori, Director of Equity & Inclusion