|
|
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
| |
|
Hispanic Holidays/Dias Feriados
|
Día de los Reyes (Latin America) - January 6th
Epiphany is one of three major Christian
celebrations along with Christmas and Easter. It is
celebrated by most Christians on January 6 to commemorate
the presentation of the infant Jesus to the Magi, or
three wise men.
More info: Epiphany
- Día de los Reyes Magos
|
Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. (U.S.A) - 3rd Monday
in January
In 1983, the 98th Congress passed Public
Law 98-144 to honor the birthday of Martin Luther King,
Jr. This was first celebrated as a Federal legal holiday
on January 20, 1986 and has been observed on the third
Monday of January since that time. Congress' intention
was that the holiday" serve as a time for Americans
to reflect on the principles of racial equality and
nonviolent social change espoused by Martin Luther King,
Jr." (36 USC, Section 169j).
More info: MKL
Day and Dr.
King's "I have a dream" speech.
|
Cinco de Mayo
(Mexico) - May 5th
Commemorates an important Mexican battle
that could be considered the beginning of the Mexican
national identity, although it is not widely celebrated
in Mexico.
More info:
Cinco de Mayo
|
Guadalupe Day (Mexico) - December 12th
Commemorates the appearance, in December
1531 on Tepeyac hill outside of Mexico, of the Virgin
Mary to Juan Diego, a humble Indian convert. During
her appearance, she asked Diego to tell the bishop to
build her a shrine there. When the bishop refused to
believe Diego's story, the Virgin reappeared to Diego,
leaving her image on his cloak as a sign. Her request
for a shrine was fully honored, and on this day thousands
of pilgrims flock to the famous Church of Guadalupe,
where the image still hangs without having deteriorated
after more than 4 centuries. The story of Juan Diego
and the Virgin is reenacted in a puppet show each year,
and relics are sold in the streets. Nuestra Señora de
Guadelupe is the patron saint of Mexico, and of all
Central and South America.
|
Posadas (Mexico) - December 16th - 24th
Nine-day Christmas religious and social
celebration commemorating Mary and Joseph's (the parents
of Jesus) journey from Nazareth to Bethlehem. The Misa
de Gallo, or Mass of the Cock (because it's held so
early in the morning), ends after midnight, and some
towns have fireworks and parades with floats of biblical
scenes. Small villages may hold candlelit processions
with images of Mary and Joseph. Reenacting their search
for shelter (posada) before Jesus was born, a group
will knock on someone's door and ask to be let in. They
may be refused at first, but are finally invited in
for a party. Children try to break piñatas (papier-mâché
animals, filled with candy, toys, and coins, which are
hung from the ceiling). This is repeated for 9 evenings,
ending on Christmas Eve.
More info: Posadas
|
Mexican Independence Day (Mexico) - dates
Mexican Independence Day is the culmination
of the Fiesta Patrias, a festival celebrating Mexico's
independence from Spain. The festival reaches a dramatic
peak on September 15 at 11:00 p.m. when the President
appears on the balcony of the National Palace to recite
the Grito de Dolores. This "cry of Dolores" recreates
the speech given by Don Miguel Hidalgo y Costillo on
September 15,1810.
Hidalgo called for Mexican self-rule and a revolt against
Spain. He was captured and executed by Spanish troops
in 1811 and Mexico did not win independence from Spain
until 1821.
Independence Day is celebrated on September 16 with
fireworks, parades, and ringing of cathedral bells.
More info: Cinco
de Mayo History | Mexican
Independence Day
|
- Web log:
- Created: 12 de diciembre
del 2003.
- Updated: septiembre del 2005.
|
|
|
|
|
