Good morning, welcome to our series sharing Unique Holidays: November 1st, 2021. Take a look at the Holidays being celebrated today and let me know which one you most want to celebrate. For my family I didn’t find a Holiday we would want to celebrate today. But I did find a lot of new Holidays Charlie can study in school.
The Christian holiday of All Saint’s Day honors and recognizes all of the Saints of the Christian church. Many of which were martyrs. The church sets this day aside to celebrate over 10,000 recognized Saints. Historically, All Saints Day was known as Hallowmas.
All Saints Day and All Souls Day was originally in May but this Holiday was moved to November 1st and November 2nd, to downplay the Pagan Holidays of Halloween (All Hollow’s Eve) and Dia De Los Muertos. Religious leaders felt these Holidays were too popular at the time to ban outright. But, if moved the Christian Holidays to this time periods, Pagan Holidays would slowly die away.
Did you know in ancient Rome, All Saints Day was called the “Feast of the Nameless Martyrs”.
Pope Gregory IV established this Holiday in 835A.D. and it is a Roman Catholic Holy day of obligation.
Dios Los Muertos, a two day celebrations on November 1 and 2
Translated to English, this is “The Day of the Dead”.Dio De Los Muertos is not one, but two days spent in honor of the dead. The first day celebrates infants and children who have died. This is a group which is believed to have a special place in Heaven, and are referred to as “Angelitos” or little Angels. The second day is in honor of adults who have passed away.
The Culture in the U.S. is to shy away from discussions of death, Mexicans embrace death. They use Dio De Los Muertos as an opportunity to celebrate the death and the life of loved ones. They knew in this world. The Holiday is a day of celebration, not a day of mourning. While not alone in the world in celebrating death, it is certainly uncommon and could make someone from the U.S. very uncomfortable. Chinese also celebrate their dead in a similar manner.
Dio De Los Muertos was celebrated in late July and early August by Aztec Indians for thousands of years. When the Spaniards conquered Mexico in the 1500’s, they looked upon this celebration as a Pagan ritual. In an effort to eliminate it, they moved it to the date of All Saints and All Souls Day in November. The effort failed, and the Aztecs along with all Mexicans continue to celebrate this Holiday.
On Dio De Los Muertos, people prepare a feast with many of the favorite dishes of lost loved ones. Pan de Muertos or “Bread of the Dead” is a traditional Bread which is baked and eaten during this celebration. Mementos are set out of favorite things of the ones who have passed away.
Visiting the Cemetery is a popular tradition. At the Cemetery, the Tomb or Burial Plot is decorated. The Cemetery visit is spent in a picnic environment. The air is filled with music from Mariachi bands while the scent of a wide variety of foods wafts through the air. Fireworks can also be used.
Today is about recognizing and celebrating American book authors. Because of them, we havemany great books to read and to be thankful for. It’s not easy to write a book. So it seems only fitting, that this Holiday exists, to allow us to show our appreciation to American book authors, past and present.
I have a question for you. Have you ever thought of writing a book? It’s not easy. There’s a plot to develop and unfold. There’s a sizeable amount of research required, to get the facts and details just right. Then, comes the writing of the book, page by page, chapter by chapter. An author often struggles to determine proper nouns, verbs, and tenses. What adjectives to use, to enhance the story? And, don’t forget punctuation. Punctuation errors the reader. Taking away from the enjoyment of the story being told. With all the elements of prose to worry and fret over, it’s no wonder, that writers struggles with writer’s block from time to time.
I hope you participate in this Holiday.
- Buy a book.
- Read a book.
- Send a thank you note to the author of your favorite book.
- If you are lucky enough to know an author personally, take him or her out to lunch or dinner.
Origin of National Author’s Day:
The idea for this Holiday, was first conceived in 1928. Nellie Verne Burt McPherson, then President of the Bement Illinois Book Club, felt there should be a Holiday to celebrate the many great American book authors. Her club endorsed a resolution for National Author’s Day in May, 1929. The General Federation of Women’s Clubs also endorsed this in 1929.
National Author’s Day was endorsed by the United States Department of Congress on November 1, 1949. The celebration has been held annually on this date ever since.
On World Vegan Day we celebrate those individuals who practice Veganism. A great opportunity to learn and appreciate the benefits of Veganism for humans, Non-human Animals, and the Environment.
Veganism is the practice of consuming a Plant Based Diet and not eating Animals. For a true Vegan this includes not eating Fish, as well as Milk, Eggs and anything made with these products. Imagine all the foods that have Milk or Eggs in them! A significant number of people who are “Vegan”, do not eat Meat, but will eat Milk or Eggs.
We celebrate the benefits of Veganism to:
- Humans – A healthier, Plant Based Diet, results in a healthier you. This diet is higher in Fiber and lower in Cholesterol. Plan Based Diets helps to lower the risk of Heart Disease, Lowers Blood Pressure and Obesity Risk.
- Animals – Animals and Animal rights groups will love you. Because a Plant Based Die means lives of many Animals will be spared.
- Environment – Plants are lower on the food chain and require much less resources to feed you than Animal Meats.
Vegan organizations celebrate this Holiday, by raising awareness of Veganism. They offer educational programs and workshops to the general public. They also sometimes hold a feast, loaded with Plant based goodies. If you are new to the world of Veganism, you can become a Vegan, if only for a day.
History and Origin of World Vegan Day:
In 1994, Louis Wallis, chair of “The Vegan Society” in the United Kingdom created this Holidayto celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Organization, founded in 1944.
World Vegan Day has been celebrated annually on November 1st ever since.
Thank you,
Glenda, Charlie and David Cates
