#muharram celebration

[townpostin]

Ranchi Police Conduct Flag March Ahead Of Muharram

Over 200 Locations Under Static Police Deployment For Religious Observance SSP Chandan Sinha urges peaceful celebrations, warns against anti-social elements. RANCHI – Ranchi police conducted a flag march on Monday to ensure peace during Muharram celebrations, led by City SP Rajkumar Mehta and Kotwali DSP Prakash Soy. "We’ve implemented robust security measures across the district," stated SSP…

[kramsingh1959]

[forgedfromlove]

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A post shared by Brown History (@brownhistory)

From Brown History on Instagram:

“Did you know that in 1884, the British colonial government in Trinidad & Tobago banned "the beating of any drum, the blowing of any horn, or the use of any other noisy instrument"?

Drumming is an integral part of celebrations for many communities on the island. However, this did not deter the people; instead, it strengthened their resolve to preserve their traditions and religious customs.

Afro-Trinidadians discovered bamboo drums, known as "tamboo bamboo," as a popular new way to sustain the rhythms essential to their culture (see video). By the late 1930s, tamboo bamboo players began turning to metal objects like kitchen utensils, pots, pans, and buckets to create music.

The discovery of oil near the island's shores, coupled with WW II, brought hundreds of thousands of American 55-gallon oil drums to Trinidad. These discarded drums eventually paved the way for steelpans, now recognized as the national instrument of Trinidad & Tobago.

The drumming ban also affected East Indians. The "tassa" drum was central to their religious practices, particularly in Muslim observances. In 1884, more regulations banned the Hosay processions, which honors the martyrdom of Hussain, the grandson of the Prophet.

In an act of civil disobedience, a group of Indian laborers defied the suppression by continuing the Muharram procession as usual, beating tassa drums and carrying tajahs. They believed the law was unjust. However, as the procession passed, police opened fire on the crowd of men, women, and children. Between 18 and 20 people were killed, and hundreds were injured. This tragedy came to be known as "The Hosay Massacre of 1884." The British, however, referred to it as "The Hosay Riots."

Despite historical tensions, the drumming traditions of East Indians and Africans became a shared cultural bond. Over time, these traditions influenced each other, with Afro-Trinidadians playing tassa drums and Indo-Trinidadians performing in steelbands. Hosay has since evolved to include the wider community, becoming a shared event.

Source: Steel Drums and Steelbands by Angela Smith”

[ninakaina]

curious about this bc while i celebrate a cultural new year, japanese new year has been adapted to the gregorian calendar so around this time i always wonder what it's like for those whose new year happens separately or even at a totally different season

if you answer something other than jan 1 or if you say jan 1 for a cool reason please mention it in the tags and id love to hear a little bit about it or your favorite new year food! i obviously didnt include every new year observance bc there are so many worldwide. i know its kind of arranged to imply northern hemisphere seasons but if its relevant please do use the seasons of the hemisphere your new year observance originates in (for example if you celebrate matariki you would say winter, or if you celebrate chinese new year in southern hemisphere diaspora you would still say end of winter)

[scotianostra]

Did you know that up until 1599 that Scotland celebrated Christmas day on December 17th.

So Happy Christmas Day folks, Old style!!

King James VI, via an act of his Privy Council, decided that Scotland should come into line with other “well governit commonwealths.” but generally well governed France, the date for New Year's Day was changed from the 25th of March and imposed as the 1st of January.

So the day after the 31st of December, 1599, became the 1st of January, 1600. Insular England didn't make the 1st of January the official start of the year until 1752. For more facts about New Year check this link out here.

Most folks, if asked, will say that New Year's Day falls on the 1st of January each year. It was not always so, either in the United Kingdom in general or in Scotland, in particular. Come to think of it, it still isn't so in many parts of the world. New Year's Day is generally accepted as being the day that marks the beginning of a new calendar year and also the day on which the year count is incremented, but neither was that always so and still isn't so in the Jewish calendar. The 1st of January is certainly the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar and it was also the first day of the year on the ancient Julian calendar as used in Rome. Despite that apparent synchronisation, January the 1st on the Julian calendar currently corresponds to January the 14th on the Gregorian calendar.

In terms of other cultures, the Hijri or Islamic New Year begins on the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. In 2011, it fell on the Gregorian 26th of November. However, the Islamic year is 11 to 12 days shorter than the Gregorian year, so there's also a perennially shifting differential between the two calendars. The Hindu New Year falls according to the time and date the Sun enters Aries on the Hindu calendar, which normally means the 13th of 14th of April, depending on the Leap year. The Jewish New Year is celebrated on Rosh Hashanah, which takes place between sunset on the evening before the first day of Tishrei and nightfall on the second day of Tishrei. Strange to say, Tishrei is the seventh, rather than the first, month of the Hebrew calendar. In terms of the Gregorian calendar, Rosh Hashanah will fall between September the 5th and October the 5th. The Chinese, on the other hand, celebrate New Year's Day as the first day of the lunar calendar, corrected every three years, for solar deviations. The date normally falls between the 20th of January and the 20th of February.

Until 1599 in Scotland, the New Year began on the 25th of March, which was in line with England. However, on the 17th of December, 1599, King James VI, via an act of his Privy Council, decided that Scotland should come into line with other “well governit commonwealths.” As a result of Jamie Saxt looking over his shoulder at the likes of 'well governed' France, the date for New Year's Day was changed from the 25th of March and imposed as the 1st of January. So the day after the 31st of December, 1599, became the 1st of January, 1600. Insular England didn't make the 1st of January the official start of the year until 1752, the year it adopted the Gregorian calendar and way after James VI became James I of England.

According to the 'Register of the Privy Council', “The Kingis majestie and Lordis of his Secreit Counsall undirstanding that in all utheris weill governit commouns welthis and cuntreyis the first day of the yeir begynis yeirlie upoun the first day of Januare, commounlie callit new yeiris day, and that this realme onlie is different fra all utheris in the compt and reckning of the yeiris ...his Majestie with the advise of the Lordis of his Secreit Counsall statutis and ordanis that in all tyme cuming the first day of the yeir sal begin yeirlie upoun the first day of Januare...”

Jamie's Privy Council was a powerful legislative and administrative body, which was very useful to him. The King had much more influence over the Privy Council than he ever did over the more independently minded Scottish Parliament. The Privy Council act of the 17th December, 1599, went on to command royal officials, clerks, judges, notaries, &c., “in all tyme heireftir” to date all “thair decreittis infeftmentis charteris seasings letteris and writtis quhatsumeuir according to this p[rese]nt ordinance.” They also seemed to have had a shortage of commas in those days.

Scotland has had a chequered past regarding Christmas, perhaps that is why New Year has always been a wee bit mair special to us than the Yuletide season. Why was this? Well you can trace it back to an act of the Scottish Parliament in 1640 that made the celebration of Yule illegal.

Things had started going sour when those spoilsport Calvinist began to get a foothold, the earliest origins of the church falling out with Santa was actually some years previous, when in 1583, Glasgow Kirk at St Mungo’s Cathedral threatened those those who celebrated Yule with excommunication, this was serious in those god fearing days and would have condemned your eternal soul to hell, a fate worse than the death that would precede this!

Why was this? Well there are no celebrations of Christmas, after the Nativity itself recorded in the Bible. Therefore there should be none in Scotland, even singing a Christmas carol was considered a serious crime. After almost 60 years of build-up they eventually passed it into law. They also looked to the old testament for there religion, more or less ignoring the "papist" new one, as for the Virgin Mary, what was she but a heathen goddess dressed up in Roman garb? So she was dropped, along with all the other saints to whom benighted Papists addressed their prayers.

The law was officially repealed in 1712, but it was still generally frowned upon.

Punishments for celebrating Yule were harsh, and there was no public holiday for the Scottish people on Christmas Day.

This next part might surprise many of you, after centuries of not having, what the Yanks call "The Holiday season" Scotland eventually began to shake off it's bad relationship with Christmas, when in 1958 it became an official holiday!

January 2nd has for years been our additional festive season holiday, it wasn't until 1971 that Boxing Day officially became a holiday

After centuries of social, religious and political change, Christmas in Scotland has become a very unique celebration.

And as in times long past, we treat this time of year as a holiday season, rather than a single day. Christmas flows into Hogmanay in a glow of family, friends, fun and feasts – and that’s about as traditional as you can get, so raise your glass, turn to your loved ones today and wish them a Happy Christmas.

The first pic shows a full extract from the Scottish National Archives, the third is what is thought to be the first officially printed Gregorian Calender the basis for most calendars in the Western World.

[molkolsdal]

"During the month of Muharram - the first month of the Islamic calendar - in regions of Central and South India, people dress up as tigers as part of a cultural practice that goes back centuries. They wear masks, paint tiger stripes on their bodies, and move and act like a tiger. There is even a "tiger dance." Some sources say that, within the context of Muharram, the purpose of imitating a tiger is to show that Imam Hussein’s bravery and strength can be comparable to that of a tiger. (During Muharram, Shia Muslims mourn the death and sacrifice of the grandson of Prophet Muhammad, Imam Hussein ibn Ali, in the battle of Kerbala).

This practice of imitating tigers is also seen in other rituals in different regions of India, such as in Kerala, where people are dressed as tigers to celebrate the harvest each year. It's known as Puli kali (tiger dance). In Tamil Nadu, it's known as Puliyattam. In Andhra Pradesh, it's called Pulivesham.

It is unclear where the cultural practice of imitating tigers began from and how it spread and blended into different communities around India."

[brookston]

Holidays 11.6

Holidays

All the Good Things Wrapped Up in One Day

Arbor Day (Republic of Congo, Samoa)

Bank Workers’ Day (Argentina)

Constitution Day (Dominican Republic, Tajikistan)

Electric Razor Day

Fala Day

Fill Our Staplers Day

Finnish Swedish Heritage Day

Flag Day (Chad, Finland)

Global Refill Day

Green March Day (Morocco, Western Sahara)

Gustavus Adolphus Day (Sweden)

Hydrogen Bomb First Test Day

International Day For Preventing the Exploitation of the Environment in War & Armed Conflict (UN)

International End Gossip Day

International Tracksuit Day

Legalization Day (Cannabis)

Malaria Day in the Americas

Marching Band Day

Marijuana Recreational Legalization Day (Colorado, Washington)

Marooned Without a Compass Day

Measure Up Day

National Basketball Day (a.k.a. Play Basketball Day)

National I Read Canadian Day (Canada)

National Ladies Learning Code Day (Canada)

National Michele Day

National Report Home Health Care Fraud Day

National Stacey Abrams Day

National Team Manager Day

Obama Day (Kenya)

Pine Nut Day (French Republic)

Recreational Cannabis Legalization Day (Colorado)

Saxophone Day

Scotchtoberfest (The Simpsons)

Skirret Day (French Republic)

Stranger Things Day

Tazaungdaing (Myanmar)

United Americas Day

World Cee-C Day (Nigeria)

World Lets Stop Shouting Awareness Day

World Materials Day

World Paper Free Day

Food & Drink Celebrations

Do Tater Tots Ever Grow Up? Day

Global Donut Day

National Nachos Day (a.k.a. I Love Nachos Day)

Peanut Butter Lovers Day

Independence & Related Days

Constitution Day (Tajikistan)

Cycoldia (Declared; 2018) [unrecognized]

Day of the First Shout For Independence (El Salvador)

Mexico (Independence Declared; 1813)

Polish Republic (Declared; 1918)

1st Wednesday in November

Eat Smart Day [1st Wednesday]

Hump Day [Every Wednesday]

International Pathology Day [1st Wednesday]

International Stress Awareness Day [1st Wednesday]

Men’s World Day [1st Wednesday]

National Advent Calendar Day [1st Wednesday]

National Eating Healthy Day [1st Wednesday]

National Holiday Calendar Day [1st Wednesday]

National Stress Awareness Day (UK) [1st Wednesday]

Take Our Kids to Work Day (Canada) [1st Wednesday]

Wacky Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Website Wednesday [Every Wednesday]

Wheat Beer Wednesday [1st Wednesday of Each Month]

Wilderness Wednesday [1st Wednesday of Each Month]

Wobbly Wednesday [1st Wednesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning November 6 (1st Full Week of November)

None Known

Festivals Beginning November 6, 2024

Dublin Book Festival (Dublin, Ireland) [thru 11.10]

Hawai'i Food & Wine Festival (Oahu, Hawaii) [thru 11.10]

Jazz Fest Sarajevo (Sarajevo, Bosnia and Herzegovina) [thru 11.9]

Stockholm International Film Festival (Stockholm, Sweden) [thru 11.17]

Worlds of Flavor International Conference and Festival (Napa Valley, California) [thru 11.8]

Feast Days

Adelaide of Italy (Christian; Saint)

Albert Camus (Writerism)

Alois Senefelder (Artology)

Barlaam of Khutyn (Christian; Saint)

Birth of the Bab (Baha'i) [1 Muharram]

Birth of Tiamat (Ancient Egyptian mother of gods, goddess of primeval chaos)

Burroughs Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Cosimo de Medici the Elder (Positivist; Saint)

Dabucuri uiga, (Initiation Rites of the Young Men; to Jurupari, South American Guarani/Tupi God)

Demetrian (Christian; Saint)

Dodo Grieving Day (Pastafarian)

Feast of All Saints of Ireland (Ireland)

Festival of Total Submission

Herne’s Day II: Predator (Pagan)

Illtud (a.k.a. Illtyd or Iltntus; Christian; Saint)

Illitud’s Bell (Celtic Book of Days)

Learn a New Swear Word Day (Pastafarian)

Leonard of Noblac (Christian; Saint) [Coopers] *

Los Posadas (Latin America) [until 12.24]

Lucy Jones (Muppetism)

Melaine of Rennes (Christian; Saint)

Misa de Gallo begins (Rooster’s Mass; Philippines) [until 12.24]

Stephanie Vozzo (Artology)

Tiamat the Dragon Mother Day (Everyday Wicca)

Winds of Change Day (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Winnoc (Christian; Saint)

Wish-Granting Championships (Fairies; Shamanism)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Sakimake (先負 Japan) [Bad luck in the morning, good luck in the afternoon.]

Tycho Brahe Unlucky Day (Scandinavia) [33 of 37]

Uncyclopedia Bad to Be Born Today (because it’s National Day to Lose Money on Horses.)

Unglückstage (Unlucky Day; Pennsylvania Dutch) [26 of 30]

Unlucky Day (Grafton’s Manual of 1565) [51 of 60]

Premieres

All Along the Watchtower, recorded by Bob Dylan (Song; 1967)

And Then There Were None, by Agatha Christie (Mystery Novel; 1939) [29]

Behind Blue Eyes, by The Who (Song; 1971)

The Boondocks (Animated TV Series; 2005)

Chew Chew Baby or Stick to Your Gums (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 175; 1962)

A Cowboy Needs a Horse (Disney Cartoon; 1956)

Cry Freedom (Film; 1987)

Elizabeth (Film; 1998)

The Flea Circus (Tex Avery MGM Cartoon; 1954)

Forget-Me-Net, Parts 3 & 4 (Underdog Cartoon, S2, Eps. 31 & 32; 1965)

Foxtrot, by Genesis (Album; 1972)

Go Down Mooses or The Fall Guy (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 70; 1960)

Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire (Film; 2005) [#4]

Head (Film; 1968)

Hiding Out (Film; 1987)

Hold What You’ve Got, by Joe Tex (Song; 1964)

Ickle Meets Pickle (Terrytoons Cartoon; 1942)

Jersey Boys (Broadway Musical; 2005)

John Wesley Harding, recorded by Bob Dylan (Song; 1967)

Justify My Love, by Madonna (Album; 1990)

Kitty Caddy (Phantasies Cartoon; 1947)

Less Than Zero (Film; 1987)

Little Good Beep (WB LT Cartoon; 2000)

The Little Match Girl (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Little Red Walking Hood (WB MM Cartoon; 1937)

Made in Heaven, by Queen (Album; 1995)

Meet the Press (TV Series; 1947)

The Missing Mountain or Peek-a-Boo Peak (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S2, Ep. 69; 1960)

The Moon Fell in the River, by Guy Lombardo (Song; 1940)

Paper Doll, by The Mills Brothers (Song; 1943)

Passenger 57 (Film; 1992)

Pisces, Aquarius, Capricorn & Jones Ltd., by The Monks (Album; 1967)

Precious (Film; 2009)

Rain of Terror or The Desperate Showers (Rocky & Bullwinkle Cartoon, S4, Ep. 176; 1962)

The Robot Spy (Animated TV Show;Jonny Quest #8; 1964)

Secrets of Life (Short Documentary Film; 1956)

Ski-Napper (Chilly Willy Cartoon; 1964)

Sky Trooper (Disney Cartoon; 1942)

Spectre (UK Film; 2015) [James Bond #24]

Spotlight (Film; 2015)

Symphony No. 3 in A Minor, by Sergei Rachmaninoff (Symphony; 1936)

Time Bandits (Film; 1981)

24 (TV Series; 2001)

The Universe in a Nutshell, by Stephen Hawking (Book; 2001)

The Unpopular Mechanic (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1936)

An Unsuitable Job for a Woman, by P.D. James (Novel; 1972)

When We Were Very Young, by A.A.Milne (Children’s Book; 1924)

Wintertime Dreams, recorded by Woody Herman (Song; 1936)

Woody’s Kook-Out (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1961)

Your Friend the Rat (Pixar Cartoon; 2007)

The Zoo (Oswald the Lucky Rabbit Cartoon; 1933)

Today’s Name Days

Christina, Leonhard, Rudolf (Austria)

Leonard, Melanija, Sever, Vedran (Croatia)

Liběna (Czech Republic)

Leonhardus (Denmark)

Aadi, Aado, Aadu, Ado, Adolf (Estonia)

Mimosa (Finland)

Bertille, Léonard (France)

Christine, Leonhard, Nina (Germany)

Leonardo (Greece)

Lénárd (Hungary)

Leonardo (Italy)

Leo, Leonards, Leonhards, Leons, Linards (Latvia)

Ašmantas, Leonardas, Vygaudė (Lithuania)

Lennart, Leonard (Norway)

Feliks, Leonard, Trzebowit, Ziemowit (Poland)

Pavel (Romania)

Renáta (Slovakia)

Alejandro, Leonardo, Severo (Spain)

Adolf, Gustav (Sweden)

Mac, Mack, Mackenzie, Makenzie, Mckenzie (USA)

Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 311 of 2024; 55 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 3 of Week 45 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Hagal (Hailstone) [Day 11 of 28]

Chinese: Month 10 (Yi-Hai), Day 6 (Jia-Xu)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 5 Heshvan 5785

Islamic: 4 Jumada I 1446

J Cal: 11 Wood; Foursday [11 of 30]

Julian: 24 October 2024

Moon: 24%: Waxing Crescent

Positivist: 3 Frederic (12th Month) [Guicciardini / Philippe de Comines]

Runic Half Month: Wyn (Joy) [Day 15 of 15]

Season: Autumn or Fall (Day 45 of 90)

Week: 1st Full Week of November

Zodiac: Scorpio (Day 14 of 30)

[ilmerrr]

Celebrating New years 2024?

Firstly the Muslim New Years is 1445 which has passed months ago in the month of Muharram

Secondly, as Muslims we do not celebrate OUR own new year, yet why do some amongst us feel the urge to celebrate the arrival of 2024?!

•••

It was narrated from Abu Sa’eed al-Khudri رضي الله عنه that the Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلّم said:

«You will certainly follow the ways of those who came before you hand span by hand span, cubit by cubit, to the extent that if they entered the hole of a lizard, you will enter it too.»

We said: “O Messenger of Allaah, (do you mean) the Jews and the Christians?”

He said: «Who else?»

[al-Bukhaaree & Muslim]

It was narrated that ‘Abd-Allaah ibn ‘Umar said: The Prophet صلى الله عليه وسلّم said:

«Whoever imitates a people is one of them»

[Narrated by Abu Dawood, classed as saheeh by al-Albaani in Irwa’ al-Ghaleel]

[my-islam-reminder]

Narrated Ibn `Abbas رضی اللہ عنہما :

When the Prophet (ﷺ) arrived at Medina, the Jews were observing the fast on 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram) and they said, "This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh," On that, the Prophet (ﷺ) said to his companions, "You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses' victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day."

Narrated by Sahih Bukhari in his bookImam Bukhari

Hadith (Sahih)

[brookstonalmanac]

Holidays 7.16

Holidays

Accountant and Auditor Day (Ukraine)

Artificial Intelligence Appreciation Day

Assata Shakur Day

Atomic Bomb Day

Catcher in the Rye Day

Closet Space Appreciation Day

DC Day

Dixie Cup Day

Elderly Women Day (Kiribati)

Engineer’s Day (Honduras)

Festival of Convivial Tools

Fiesta de La Tirana (Tarapacá Region, Chile)

Guinea Pig Appreciation Day

Harela (Uttarakhand, India)

Holocaust Memorial Day (France)

International Disability Awareness Day

International Drag Day

International Juggling Day

Islamic Calendar Day

Lady of Carmen Day (Chile)

La Paz Day (Bolivia)

National Atomic Veterans Day

National Change Your Font Day

National D.R.E.S.S. Syndrome Day

National Emily Day

National Geordie Day (UK)

National Jerry Day

National Peace Day (Dia de la Paz; Bolivia)

National Stick Shift Day

National Take the Stairs Day

National Wedding Invitation Day

No Kissing Day

Order of the Arrow Day (BSA)

Parking Meter Day

Parks Day (Canada)

Reading Together Day (UK)

Rural Transit Day

716 Day

Talk to a Telemarketer Day

Tare Day (French Republic)

Trinity Test Day

Urs Shah-I-Hamdan Sahib (Kashmir, India)

Val d’hie Roundup Anniversary Day

World PR Day

World Snake Day

World Wizkid Day (Nigeria)

Food & Drink Celebrations

Fresh Spinach Day

Hot Coal Chicken Day (Peru)

Hot Dog Night

Ice Cream Cone Day

National Cherry Day (UK)

National Corn Fritter Day

National Funnel Cake Day

National Personal Chef Day [also 2.26]

Independence & Related Days

Custosia (Declared; 2017) [unrecognized]

La Paz Day (Bolivia)

Manu’s Cession Day (American Samoa)

Ozamiz City Charter Day (Philippines)

3rd Tuesday in July

National Children’s Book Day (Philippines) [3rd Tuesday]

Taco Tuesday [Every Tuesday]

Weekly Holidays beginning July 16 (3rd Week of July)

Prime Days (Amazon) [thru 7.17]

Festivals Beginning July 16, 2024

Beanpole Days (Pequot Lakes, Minnesota) [thru 7.17]

Fiesta Topeka (Topeka, Kansas) [thru 7.20]

Les Escales du Cargo (Arles, France) [thru 7.21]

Feast Days

Andrea del Sarto (Artology)

Asalha Puja Day (Buddhist Lent begins)

Athenogenes (Christian; Martyr)

Bobby Henderson Day (Pastafarian; Saint)

Charles Sheeler (Artology)

Day of Erzulie Dantor (Starza Pagan Book of Days)

Dr. Doom Day (Church of the SubGenius; Saint)

Display of the Embarrassing Swimsuits (Church of the SubGenius)

Elembiuos (a.k.a. Clam-time; Celtic Book of Days)

Eustathius of Antioch (Christian; Saint)

Feast of the Commemoration of Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Carmelite Order; Christian)

First Sermon of Lord Buddha (Bhutan)

Flight of Muhammad (the Hegira; 622)

Fulrad (Christian; Saint)

Gergetoba (Day of Spiritual Love; Georgia)

Gondulphus of Tongeren (Christian; Saint)

Great Schism Anniversary Day (1054)

Harela (Day of Green; Hinduism)

Hejira (First Day of Islamic Calendar; 622) [original date]

Helier (a.k.a. Elier; Christian; Saint)

Immolation Day (Ancient Greece)

Jean-Baptiste-Camille Corot (Artology)

Joshua Reynolds (Artology)

Mary Magdalen Postel (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Our Lady of Mount Carmel (Christian)

Petal-Hopping for Non-Starters (Shamanism)

Phoebe Cates Day (Humanism)

Reineldis (Christian; Saint & Virgin)

Robert Sheckley (Writerism)

Rotary Doozer (Muppetism)

Saut d’Eau Waterfall Pilgrimage (Voodoo; Haiti; Everyday Wicca)

Skip This Day Day (Pastafarian)

Solstitium XI (Pagan)

Tony Kushner (Writerism)

The Troubadours (Positivist; Saint)

Vardavar (Pagan Prank Day; Armenia) [14 Weeks after Easter]

Zoot (Muppetism)

Islamic Lunar Holidays

Ashura (Islamic) [Begins at Sundown; Muharram 9-10] (a.k.a. ... 

Achoura (Algeria)

Ashorra (Parts of India)

Ashoura (Lebanon)

Ashura Holiday (Afghanistan, Bahrain, Iraq, Pakistan, Somalia)

Muharram (Parts of India)

Remembrance of Muharram

Tamkharit (Senegal)

Tamxarit (Gambia)

Tasoua Hosseini (Iran)

Tasu’a

Yaum-e-Ashur (Pakistan)

Yawmul Ashura (Gambia)

Lucky & Unlucky Days

Butsumetsu (仏滅 Japan) [Unlucky all day.]

Prime Number Day: 197 [45 of 72]

Premieres

Ain’t No Mountain High Enough, by Diana Ross (Song; 1970)

Alice’s Restaurant Massacree, by Arlo Guthrie (Song; 1976)

Akira (Anime Film; 1988)

Ant-Man (Film; 2015)

Barney Bear and the Uninvited Pest (MGM Cartoon; 1943)

The Big Bite (Woody Woodpecker Cartoon; 1966)

The Blair Witch Project (Film; 1999)

The Catcher in the Rye, by J.D. Salinger (Novel; 1951)

Die Entführung aus dem Serail (The Abduction from the Seraglio), by Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart (Opera; 1782)

Dragon Around (Disney Cartoon; 1954)

Drop Dead Gorgeous (Film; 1999)

Eyes Wide Shut (Film; 1999)

False Hare (WB LT Cartoon; 1964)

Free Willy (Film; 1993)

From Up on Poppy Hill (Studio Ghibli Animated Film; 2011)

George of the Jungle (Film; 1997)

The Half-Blood Prince, by J.K. Rowling (Novel; 2005) [Harry Potter #6]

Happy Birthdaze (Fleischer/Famous Popeye Cartoon; 1943)

Hocus Pocus (Film; 1993)

Inception (Film; 2010)

Indian Serenade (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1937)

Lost and Foundry (Fleischer Popeye Cartoon; 1937)

The Moonstone, by Wilkie Collins (Novel; 1868)

Mouse and Garden (WB LT Cartoon; 1960)

The Office Boy (Ub Iwerks Cartoon; 1932)

Once A Day, by Connie Smith (Song; 1964)

Piano Sonata, by Béla Bartók (Piano Sonata; 1927)

Poison Ivy, recorded by The Coasters (Song; 1959)

Pom Poko (Studio Ghibli Animated Film; 1994)

Punch (UK Weekly Satire Magazine; 1842)

Schmigadoon! (TV Series; 2021)

Sex & Drugs & Rock & Roll (TV Series; 2015)

Space Jam: A New Legacy (Animated Film; 2021)

Space Race (Video Game; 1973)

Stargate: Atlantis (TV Series; 2004)

The Timid Pup (Color Rhapsody Cartoon; 1940)

Topper (Film; 1937)

What a Lion (MGM Cartoon; 1938)

Today’s Name Days

Carmen, Irmgard, Maria (Austria)

Yulian, Yuliana, Yuliya (Bulgaria)

Elvira, Karmela (Croatia)

Luboš (Czech Republic)

Tychos (Denmark)

Rein, Reinhold, Reino, Reinu, Reinut, Rinaldo, Ronald (Estonia)

Reino, Rene (Finland)

Elvire (France)

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Today is Also…

Day of Year: Day 198 of 2024; 170 days remaining in the year

ISO: Day 2 of Week 29 of 2024

Celtic Tree Calendar: Tinne (Holly) [Day 10 of 28]

Chinese: Month 6 (Xin-Wei), Day 11 (Xin-Si)

Chinese Year of the: Dragon 4722 (until January 29, 2025) [Wu-Chen]

Hebrew: 10 Tammuz 5784

Islamic: 9 Muharram 1446

J Cal: 18 Red; Foursday [18 of 30]

Julian: 3 July 2024

Moon: 75%: Waxing Gibbous

Positivist: 1 Dante (8th Month) [The Troubadours]

Runic Half Month: Ur (Primal Strength) [Day 8 of 15]

Season: Summer (Day 27 of 94)

Week: 3rd Week of July

Zodiac: Cancer (Day 26 of 31)

Calendar Changes

Dante (Modern Epic Poetry) [Month 8 of 13; Positivist]

[townpostin]

Peace Committee Meeting Held in Ghatshila Ahead of Rath Yatra and Muharram

Officials Urge Residents to Celebrate Peacefully and Follow Guidelines A Peace Committee meeting was held in Ghatshila police station premises on Friday to ensure a peaceful celebration of the upcoming Rath Yatra and Muharram. JAMSHEDPUR – A meeting of the Peace Committee was held on Friday at Ghatshila police station in preparation for the upcoming Rath Yatra and Muharram. The meeting was led by…

[uma1ra]

The Islamic calendar differs from the Gregorian calendar because it follows the cycle of the moon rather than the cycle of the sun, but the two calendars have one thing in common: they both have 12 months. The 12 Islamic months each have different meanings, with four of them being sacred months during which fighting and conflict is forbidden.

There is a rich history behind each of the months which is both symbolic and deeply interesting, so if you want to learn more about the meaning of Islamic months, keep reading.

Muharram

The first month in the Islamic calendar is Muharram and it translates from Arabic to ‘forbidden’. Its name relates to the fact that it is the first of the four sacred month during which fighting is haram. It is sacred so that Muslims can return from Hajj without being attacked. There are a number of notable events that took place during Muharram, with the most significant being the Day of Ashura which occurs on the 10th day.

Safar

The second month is called Safar. The translation means ‘void’, and there are two possible reasons for this. Some believe the name comes from the fact Arab homes were empty at this time of year because everyone was out finding and gathering food. In contrast, some people believe that the meaning of the month comes from tales of Arabs looting the homes of their enemies post-battle. Several battles were fought during Safar, and in an effort to cement Islam as a peaceful religion, Allah (SWT) commanded the Muslims move to Medina during Safar to avoid any further conflict.

Rabi al-Awwal

The third month in the Islamic calendar is called Rabi al-Awwal and it is an extremely joyous month. It translates to ‘the first spring’ or ‘to graze’, as this was when cattle began grazing as the earth sprouted with new life. The most prominent event during Rabi al-Awwal is the birth of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) in 570 A.D. Many Muslims celebrate his birth, but they also grieve for him as it was also during Rabi al-Awwal that he passed away and returned to Allah (SWT) in 632 A.D.

Rabi al-Thani

Rabi al-Thani is the fourth Islamic month in the calendar and means ‘the second spring’. There are a number of different events that took place in this month, but for many Muslims, it is a time for mourning. Fatimah bint Musa, the daughter of the seventh Twelver Shia Imam, Musa al-Kadhim, and Sufi sheikh, Abdul-Qadir Gilani, both died during Rabi al-Thani.

Jumada al-Awwal

Jumada al-Awwal is the fifth month of the year and it translates to ‘the first parched land’. It’s thought that historically Jumada al-Awwal was the first month of summer pre-Islam, but some people believe it means ‘to freeze’ and relates to frozen weather causing parched land.

Jumada al-Thani

The sixth month of the Islamic calendar is Jumada al-Thani which means ‘the last parched land’. It is a significant month within the calendar, but different sects of Muslims celebrate it for different reasons. Fatimah al-Zahra, Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) and Khadijah’s youngest daughter, was born during this month, and she also died during this month. Caliph Abu Bakr passed away during Jumada al-Thani, making this a month of mourning for many.

Rajab

Rajab is the seventh month of the Islamic calendar and translates to ‘respect’ or ‘honour’. It is the second of the sacred months and therefore it is haram to fight or engage in conflict during this time. Rajab is considered Allah’s (SWT) month and is therefore a highly significant time during the year. It’s believed the Creator designated Rajab as a sacred month so that Muslims could complete the voluntary pilgrimage, Umrah, without being attacked.

Sha’ban

The eighth month of the Islamic year is called Sha’ban and is considered the month of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH). It is sometimes referred to as the neglected month because Rajab precedes it and Ramadan comes straight after it, but it is an important month nonetheless. Sha’ban means ‘scattered’ and relates to the time of the year when Arabs would historically scatter to find water. Nowadays, many Muslims use Sha’ban to prepare for Ramadan.

Ramadan

The ninth month of the Islamic calendar is one of the most prominent and is well known outside the Muslim community, too. Ramadan means ‘burning heat’ because it historically fell during a hot time of the year. Muslims observe Ramadan by fasting from dawn to dusk in order to cleanse their minds, bodies, and souls, and to be reminded of the fortune Allah (SWT) has bestowed upon them. Fasting gives Muslims an insight into what their lesser fortunate brothers and sisters go through when hungry.

Shawwal

After Ramadan comes the 10th month of Shawwal, which means ‘raised’. The meaning of the name relates to the fact that female camels are normally pregnant at this time of year. Shawwal is a celebratory month, with Eid al-Fitr taking place from the first to the third day. Lots of food, gifts, and prayers are exchanged during Shawwal, with many praying that their Ramadan is accepted by Allah (SWT).

Dhul al-Qadah

The 11th month of the Islamic calendar is Dhul al-Qadah which means ‘the month of truce’. It is the third sacred month during which Allah (SWT) forbids violence so that Muslims can make their way to Mecca to commence their Hajj safely. It is special because Allah (SWT) said so, and like the other sacred months, good and bad deeds are weighted more heavily at this time.

Dhul Hijjah

The final month of the Islamic year is the holiest and most significant of all. Dhul Hijjah means ‘pilgrimage’ and relates to the fact that Muslims carry out their religious due of Hajj during this month. There are many significant days during this month, including the Day of Arafah when Allah (SWT) finalised Islam. Other key dates include Qurbani, the Festival of Sacrifice that honours Prophet Ibrahim (AS) and his devotion to the Creator. Following Qurbani is Big Eid, also called Eid al-Adha – a time for great celebration and joy. Dhul Hijjah is the fourth and final sacred month so that Muslims can complete Hajj in safety.

[thawabuponthawab]

When the Prophet ﷺ arrived at Medina, the Jews were observing the fast on 'Ashura' (10th of Muharram) and they said, "This is the day when Moses became victorious over Pharaoh," On that, the Prophet ﷺ said to his companions, "You (Muslims) have more right to celebrate Moses' victory than they have, so observe the fast on this day."

Sahih Al Bukhari 4680

[bu1410]

Good afternoon TUMBLR - June 4th - 2024

“Mr. Plant has owed me a shoe since July 5, 1971.”

IRAQ – RUMAILAH - Sept 2014 – Mar 2016.

Part 2

The worst period was the month of Muharram - Ashura which marks the culmination of the Remembrance of Muharram, the annual commemoration of the death of Profet Husayn and his family and supporters in the Battle of Karbala on the 10th Muharram of the year 61 AH (in the Gregorian calendar the 10 October 680 AD). Popular elegies were written by poets to commemorate the Battle of Karbala during the Umayyad and Abbasid eras, and the first public mourning rituals occurred in 963 AD. during the Buyid dynasty. In Afghanistan, Algeria, Iran, Iraq, Lebanon, Bahrain, Pakistan, India, Ashoora has become a national holiday and many ethnic and religious communities participate in it. Ashoora also known as Yawm Ashura is the tenth day of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. For most Muslims - except Shia Muslims - Ashura marks the day when Moses and the Israelites were saved from Pharaoh by God creating a path in the sea. The World Sunni Movement celebrates this day as National Martyrs' Day of the Muslim nation. For Shiite and Sufi Muslims it marks the day when Husayn ibn Ali, grandson of the first Islamic Prophet Muhammad, was martyred in the Battle of Karbala. Ashura is an important holy day and occasion of pilgrimage in Shia Islam, as well as a recommended but not obligatory day of fasting in Sunni Islam.

Well, we Westerners were warned by our Security Service about the particular behaviors to adopt in this particular month. During this period, numerous temporary tents are set up by various communities along the roads leading to the Holy Places, to allow pilgrims to refresh themselves during their journeys towards the two holy cities of Kerbala and Najaf. We were instructed never to stop at the exhortations of individuals along the streets. And above all, accept and thank any offer of symbols, portraits, flags, stickers that the Iraqis ask to be placed on our vehicles, cars, offices. The Shiites, unlike the Sunnis who are forbidden to do so, have developed a series of symbolic images of the Profet Husain ibn Ali, and sometimes depict him astride a white steed, looking towards the future, in an iconography that sometimes recalls images of Jesus Christ. Failure to accept these manifestations of faith sometimes gives rise to retaliation that can take on the character of violence. As we learned with the episode that happened to an English ''Security Officer'' who worked in the Schlumberger compound, not far from ours. One Muharram morning, some Shiite flags installed on the Land Cruiser owned by this British guy for several days showed signs of tearing under the action of the wind and sun. The Officer thought it was time to change them, so he removed them from the roof and sides of the SUV. From afar a local guard watched him, and immediately shouted to draw the attention of other Iraqis to the fact that ''the infidel was removing the sacred Shiite signs from the vehicle'' without first asking permission. The British guy was soon surrounded, first pushed to the ground, insulted, a hail of kicks and punches hit him, without giving him time to explain his gesture. Someone brought sticks, and the poor Officer was beaten until all that remained of him were bloody remains. As we were told, everything happened in the early hours of dawn, so quickly in the parking lot of the vehicles, and there was no way for Security to intervene to prevent this massacre.

THE PROJECT. M091 Gathering Lines was a project aimed at connecting 4 oil production areas to the oil/gas separation units. Once completed, it guaranteed an increase in production by as much as 100,000 barrels/day. In essence, new 24-inch lines were installed, for a total of 90 km. In another context, outside of Iraq, a fairly simple job. In Iraq everything was much more complicated. Objective reasons caused wasted time and delays that affected daily progress. Furthermore, the advance of ISIS towards the South in that period made everything more difficult from a security point of view.

Colleagues As had been anticipated to me by Mrs. Pizzolitto (who at the time was in charge of the management of the On Shore SAIPEM shipyards) in Rumailah, from a human point of view, I found the best thing I have ever had the opportunity to experience in many years of SAIPEM. I don't know to what extent the place in which we found ourselves operating (with its great limitations in terms of individual freedom) influenced people's behavior in a positive way. This undoubtedly combined with the human and professional qualities of all the staff present on the base and on the various ongoing projects.

Zacchei Marco

He held the position of Iraq Country Manager, resided in Dubai but spent at least 3 days a week at the Rumailah base. Young and of great elegance and professionalism, he left SAIPEM following the example of many other talented managers in recent years.

Michele Petracca Projects Director, Apulian transplanted to Milan for years. He is also young but already has great international experience. Hired in SNAMPROGETTI after he had presented his thesis at the Polytechnic of Milan, he then moved to SAIPEM at the time of the merger by incorporation of the two companies. Great professionalism and great human energy, the best Project Director I have met. He didn't just give orders and advice, but he liked to ''get his hands dirty'' in the field, alongside those who worked. Tireless, Michele also left SAIPEM at a certain point in his career to join another competing Oil & Gas company.

Gianni Garbati Base Leader and great friend. A person with great communication skills. Organizer of ''big dinners'' in the kitchen container that we used for food gatherings at least once a week.

It was a real shame that, despite his efforts, we were unable to get together to work together again, both on the project in Thailand and on the one in Oman.

Mariotti Andrea. My predecessor on the M092 project. Young and capable, he perhaps paid for the wrong approach of the Iraqi Sub Contractor and his relative lack of experience as a Project Manager. The fact is that when I arrived, almost a year after the start of the project, the progress was only 17%. Andrea behaved in a truly professional manner (with SAIPEM elements this is never a given…) introducing me to the project in an impeccable manner during the 3 months we spent together. One day he risked a lot at an Iraqi military checkpoint. He arrived at the checkpoint while the soldiers were eating lunch, lying on the ground as usual. In this case we had to be patient and wait until some of them had finished eating. Andrea, impatient, placed his phone against the tinted glass of the Toyota Land Cruiser, thinking that from the outside they wouldn't see him taking photos. Unfortunately this wasn't the case: one of the soldiers saw that Andrea was using his mobile phone! All hell happened: at first they wanted to arrest him, then after an endless discussion they settled for confiscating the cell phone.

Victor Gomez. Deputy Construction Manager, Venezuelan. The need to have two Construction Managers (the other was Nicola Di Genova known as ''Il Muto'') arose from the fact that the rotation in Iraq was 45/15. So one of the two had to always be present on the construction site. I confess that at the beginning I was cautious with Victor: he had given me - mistakenly - the impression of a ''shrewd'' South American to watch over my shoulder. And instead Victor turned out to be, in addition to being technically valid, a great and reliable engineer. And also very polite, which doesn't hurt.

TCO staff. For TCO we intend all expatriate personnel working with us, except Italian. There were several of them, mostly from India and Pakistan. Some valid Egyptian too, and few good Algerians engineers. All of the demonstrate their capability during the project, giving all their effort to make the success of the project possible.

EXXON Staff.

Concerning EXXON people I need to make a preamble. EXXON has in place an agreement with FLUOR, the Houston based Company, to employ their staff on temporary basis. Some - but not all - of this staff is represented by retired service men (it seems US Government facilitate their reintegration in the society). Therefore those guys, most of the time, are not familiar with Oil&Gas project and Spec's. That's made sometime ''difficult'' for us to say ''understand eachother''. Luckily there were few permanent EXXON engineers with whoum we used to address the major problems. One of them, a young engineer from Houston but of Lebanon origin (he was speaking fluenty Arab) was the Project Director from Client side. I had a strong profitable relation with this guy.

Temporary absence of the Americans.

There have been a time in which ISIS threat was even closer than usual. Therefore EXXON Top Management decided to evacuate all their personnel to Dubai. It has been a difficult period for the project, since everything had to be discussed/assessed via daily video conference.

Final Departure I left Iraq in April 2016, after successfully completing the project. Particular satisfaction for me was given by the fact that the Project Manager of the EXXON Client - wanted to spend the entire last day in Iraq with me. A great sign of esteem, also considering that in Iraq the movement of all personnel, but especially of Americans, was subject to severe restrictions.

Of course there was the farewell cake, as per the unwritten rule for all colleagues who left Iraq permanently, prepared by the Italian chef Alessandro Loi: It was one of the most disgustingly sweet things I have ever tasted.

[ahlulbaytnetworks]

🍂🥀🍂 Majlis 1 🍂🥀🍂

🍂🥀 Majaalis al-Hussain (as) 🥀🍂

🥀 Surah al-Fatiha

Bismillahir Rahmanir Raheem

Today is the first night of Muharram - the start of a new Islamic year.

We do not greet it with merry-making, nor celebrate it by holding parties. Our hearts are filled with sadness and grief because we remember those martyrs who were killed in Karbala’.

For the next twelve days and nights, we hold Majaalis al-Husayn to mourn the death of Imam Husayn, his family and companions.

The word 'majaalis' means seatings where people gather and sit.

In Majaalis of Muharram, we recall the events of the martydom of Imam Husayn, his family and companions, and the hardship and suffering of those in his family who survived the tragedy of Karbala’.

The first Majlis al-Husayn was started by his sister, Bibi Zainab, as soon as they were set free by Yazid. Since then all the Imams and Shi'as have continued the Majaalis al-Husayn regularly.

Why do we hold these Majaalis?

To thank Imam Husayn, his family and companions for the great sacrifice in Karbala’ for saving us and Islam. We hold these Majaalis because we love our Imam and feel sad to hear about his hardship and suffering in Karbala’, and also to comfort and please Bibi Fatimah - Imam Husayn's mother.

Bibi Fatimah comes to Majaalis al-Husayn. Though we cannot see her, she prays for us and our families' safety. She collects our tears when we cry for Imam Husayn and his family. On the Day of Judgement she will return all those tears we have shed for her family. These tears will protect us from the Fire of Hell.

I would like you to think about what I have just said.

Examine your deeds and see if they are good enough for you to face Bibi Fatimah on the Day of Judgement. If you are not praying your wajib Salat (Prayer) regularly, how would you be able to face Bibi Fatimah on the Day of Judgement?

You have come to the Majaalis al-Husayn because you are thankful for what Husayn did to save your religion. You cry and do matam for Husayn because you love him. If you really love someone then you surely want to please him.

How can you please Husayn if you are not praying Salaat regularly?

Majaalis al-Husayn will continue till the Day of Judgement.

It is not because of us. We are the only means through which Allah (S.W.T.) keeps Husayn's great sacrifice alive. Husayn died saving Allah's religion and Allah (S.W.T.) has promised to keep alive Husayn's name and his great sacrifice, till the Day of Judgement.

Majaalis al-Husayn! Matam al-Husayn!

Enemies of Islam can never stop majaalis and matam, even if they try thousands of times to do so.

On the 1st of Muharram, Imam Husayn's caravan had reached just outside Karbala’. They pitched their tents for the night.

Husayn and his sister, Zainab, were standing talking outside Husayn's tent.

Together they both sighted the moon of 1st of Muharram.

Tears flowed from Husayn's eyes.

Zainab grew worried and asked her brother:

“My dearest brother Husayn, why are there tears in your eyes?”

“Zainab! My sister Zainab! Please pray for me that I keep my promise to Allah (S.W.T.). Pray, my sister, that I succeed in completing my mission to save Islam. Zainab! Pray for me that I do not hesitate in giving up my life for Islam.”

Husayn was not crying because he was worried about dying. Husayn did not ask his sister to pray to Allah (S.W.T.) to save his life. All he was concerned about was saving us and Islam.

Bibi Zainab's eyes were filled with tears when she heard what Husayn asked her to do.

“My beloved sister Zainab! Don't cry! You will have to perform a greater duty after my death. Be brave and patient!”

Bibi Zainab went to her tent. ‘Ali Akbar joined his father, Husayn.

“My son, ‘Ali Akbar! I saw a dream last night. I saw a group of people heading for a place where death was waiting for them. I saw them all killed, one-by-one.”

“Father! I know these people. Those people are us. But, tell me father, are we on the right path?”

“Yes, my son Akbar, yes We are on the right path.”

“Then let us not worry? Father, if we are on the right path, then let us die happily. We should continue our journey and greet our death with a smile.”

“I am proud of you, my son Akbar!”

Matam Al-Hussain (as)!

🍂🥀🍂 al-Islam.org 🍂🥀🍂

.

[ilearnedthistodaysblog]

#1184 Why does the year start on January 1st?

Why does the year start on January 1st? The year starts on January 1st because of the Romans and then Pope Gregory XIII. Although, for most of the history of civilization, the year did not start on January 1st,, and for a lot of cultures, it still doesn’t. In fact, for the 1.4 Chinese people and 1.9 billion Muslims in the world, the new year doesn’t start on January 1st. In the very early days of humans living together in groups, there was no technical concept of a year and there were no calendars. That being said, everybody knew that the seasons changed, so there might have been an idea that one cycle of seasons had passed, and another one was starting. As to which season they saw as the last one and the first one, I have no idea. Once groups became a little more sophisticated, they started counting the years by how many times the moon comes and goes, giving birth to the lunar calendar. Calendars evolved through the Bronze Age and the first idea of celebrating a new year started in Mesopotamia in about 2000 BC. The festival was held in the spring and celebrated the birth of the new year. And spring does make sense because that is when life starts after the long cold winter. In 1500 BC, China started celebrating their new year on the second new moon following the winter solstice. That is usually in later January or early February, and they still celebrate it at the same time today. The Egyptians celebrated the new year in the summer, in the middle of July, when the star Sirius appeared in the sky. Sirius is a very bright sky and can be seen on the horizon in the summer. In the Islamic calendar, the new year was taken to be the first crescent moon in the holy month of Muharram, and was the day that the Prophet Muhammad led his followers from Mecca to Medina. This falls in the months of June or July and Muslims still celebrate the new year here. So, why do we in the West celebrate it on January 1st. It started with the Romans. In the beginning of Rome, the new year was celebrated on March 1st. This is why September, October, November, and December mean 7th month, 8th month, 9th month, and 10th month, even though they are the 9th to 12th months for us. If the year starts in March, then September is the 7th month and that makes sense. However, they only had 10 months, which left them with a big chunk of days spare over the winter. In the 7th century BC, Rome’s second king, Numa Pompilius, divided the year into 12 months and invented January and February. They were in the place they are now, the winter, but they were at the end of the year because it started in March. Then, possibly in the 4th or 5th centuries BC, January and February were moved from being at the end of the year to being at the start. Nobody knows why, but it could have happened when the foundational laws of Rome, the 12 tables, were being written. However, the legal year still started in March until 53 BC when the start of the year was officially moved to January 1st. The reason for this was probably because of a war in Spain. New consuls, the people who governed Rome, were sworn in on the 1st of March for their one year of service, but because of the war, they had to spend a few months getting to Spain for the war, so they were sworn in earlier. And thus the start of the year became January 1st. From here on, we have basic calendar history. Julius Ceasar realized the calendar didn’t fit the amount of days, so he had his astronomers fix it, which became the Julian calendar. It was a good try, but it also went gradually out of sync with the seasons, so it had to be fixed again in 1570 when Pope Gregory XIII had the Gregorian calendar created. His biggest worry was that religious festivals were getting too far out of line. His calendar cut out a few days and got everything back on track. Both Ceasar and Pope Gregory used January 1st for the start of the year. The Gregorian calendar spread around the world, but England refused to use it. This was down to them disliking the pope and not wanting to be ordered around by Rome. England had split with the Roman Catholic church a few years before this calendar came out and feelings were still raw. Then, as time went on, they just became stubborn. They refused to use the calendar, and they refused to have January 1st as the start of the year. In Great Britain and her colonies, the year started on March 25th. March 25th had been common across Europe to celebrate the Christian festival of the Annunciation, but most other countries had slowly adopted the Gregorian calendar. Britain only decided to adopt the Gregorian calendar in 1752. Their calendar had gone so out of sync with the rest of the world that they had to lose 11 days from September of that year. Many documents written before 1752 in Great Britain have two dates on them to signify what they mean. If they are writing about January, February, or March (before the 25th), they would say February 10th 1658/59. This signifies that it is still 1658 on the British calendar but 1659 for the rest of the world. Once they gave up, things became easier. And that is what I learned today. Try these: - #545 When did April Fools' Day start? - #448 Why is Christmas on December 25th? - #536 How is Easter calculated? - #247 When was the expression "mayday" first used? - #423 Why are there twelve months in a year? Sources https://www.reddit.com/r/AskHistorians/comments/1f6sl1a/why_does_january_1st_start_the_new_year_and_not/ https://blog.nationalarchives.gov.uk/260-years-of-double-dating/ https://time.com/6550127/new-year-celebration-january-calendar-date-history https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/New_Years_Day https://skyandtelescope.org/astronomy-news/meet-sirius-brightest-star https://www.cultureally.com/blog/islamic-new-year https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/History_of_calendars Photo by Jonathan Petersson: https://www.pexels.com/photo/fireworks-display-wallpaper-399610/ Read the full article