Marking the assumption of the Virgin Mary to heaven, the Dormition of Theotokos is the Orthodox Catholic and Eastern Orthodox feast day following fourteen days of fasting.

Africa

Aug

Failures Day, Ntl.: August 15*

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National Failures Day instills the importance of failure in the pursuit of success. The Case Foundation sponsors this event each year and asks parents to speak with their children about the essential role of failure in achieving success. Often, it can be the catalyst of greatness. If it weren't for failures, we wouldn't have penicillin, stainless steel, or Post-it notes! Steve Jobs, the founder and former CEO of Apple Computers, experienced success and failure as he built Apple Computer. Not everything he tried worked. Not everything that he thought was a good idea was. But, when he finally did land on an idea with potential, he changed the world. Participants are also encouraged to tweet about their failures using the hashtag #dayforfailure and celebrate the successes failure nurtured. As US President John F. Kennedy said, "Only those who dare to fail greatly can ever achieve greatly."

Africa

Aug

Feast of the Assumption of Mary (C): August 15

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The Feast of the Assumption of Mary celebrates the assumption to heaven of the Virgin Mary in countries where Catholicism is a primary religion. Celebrations include public processions where people carry a statue of the Virgin Mary adorned with colorful clothing and flowers across the city. In the evening, usually there are fireworks and different displays.

Africa

Aug

Independence Day (IN)(1947): August 15

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On August 15, 1947, the British Parliament officially declared India an independent nation no longer under its colonial rule. It would take another two years for the ratification of the Indian constitution. India fought hard to gain independence with the non-violent movement led by Mahatma Gandhi. Today is also the day Pakistan was created upon partitioning the two nations into Hindu (India) and Muslim (Pakistan). Throughout India, this day is celebrated with family gatherings, festivities, and kite flying.

Africa

Aug

Independence Day, (CG)(1960): August 15

06:20 AM | -

Independence Day in Congo marks the anniversary of August 15, 1960, the official day of independence from France. Independence Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Aug

Independence Day, (KR)(1945/1948): August 15

06:20 AM | -

Independence Day on the Korean Peninsula marks the anniversary of August 15, 1945, the official surrender of Japan, and August 15, 1948, the official proclamation of the Republic of Korea. Independence Day is a national holiday.

Africa

Aug

Leathercraft Day, Ntl.: August 15

06:20 AM | -

Leather creates various items, from belts and handbags to the sculpture pictured above (our founder purchased it from a street artist in Barcelona, Spain). National Leathercraft Day is an initiative of Tandy Leather to generate interest and awareness of the art of leathercrafting. See their website for ideas, tools, and templates.

Africa

Aug

Lemon Meringue Pie Day, Ntl.: August 15

06:20 AM | -

National Lemon Meringue Pie Day celebrates one of America's most popular pies. Originating in the 19th century, lemon meringue pie is made of shortbread based-pastry, lemon curd, and topped with meringue. The first lemon meringue pie is attributed to Swiss baker Alexander Frehse.

Africa

Aug

Relaxation Day, Ntl.: August 15

06:20 AM | -

It is the height of summer and time to kick back. National Relaxation Day allows everyone to relax and take it easy. This is an unofficial event with no sponsor; however, it’s pretty popular with life management and health groups. Take their advice and RELAX!

Africa

Aug

Taliban retake Afghanistan (AF)(2021): August 15

06:20 AM | -

In literally ten days, against the backdrop of US and NATO military withdrawal, the Taliban regained control of Afghanistan by taking over every provincial capital, including Kabul, and forcing the president to flee on August 15, 2021. The speed and efficiency with which the para-military group gained control of the entire nation shocked the world, catching Afghanis and world leaders by surprise. The action left an uneasy void, with the Afghan people specifically concerned. When the United States and its coalition invaded Afghanistan in October 2001, women had few rights. They were forced to wear burkas in public and prohibited from attending school, working, or moving freely. Music, dancing, and public mingling between the sexes were forbidden. Men were required to wear beards and dress under specific laws. All of these laws and rules were enforced by the Taliban brutally. It is unknown if the Taliban will return to its draconian measures or if it will migrate toward a more inclusive and equitable Islamic rule. Inclusive governance was the norm during the Golden Era of Islam, and even highly conservative Islamic states like Saudi Arabia and Iran have been moving. We are writing this on August 15, 2021, and we'll update it in 2022. For the sake of the people of Afghanistan and an entire generation that hasn't been barred from school and work, we hope the Taliban learned from its previous mistakes in its two decades of exile. Given the speed they were able to accomplish this, at least in fighting, they have. Inshallah, that translates to governing and diplomacy. July 13, 2022: Unfortunately, as we approach the one-year anniversary, Afghanistan is in dire straits. Women have lost most of their rights, and girls continue to be barred from school. Starvation is rampant, and earthquakes and other disasters show the Taliban's weakness. Worse, the American government has done little to correct its abandonment of Afghanistan. Nothing will get better until the Taliban is gone. They did not keep their assurances, and the end is nowhere in sight.

Africa

Aug

Tech Platform Awareness Day: August 15

06:20 AM | -

New technology platforms are released each year that change how we communicate, market, and deliver goods and services. Some are monumental, such as the release of web 2.0 in 2004, which paved the way for social media. Some are disruptive; others function as a fad and disappear. Madison Worldwide Advertising created Tech Platform Awareness Day to educate marketers and the public about new platforms that have appeared in the past year and how to use them.

Africa

Aug

Twins Day, (FR): August 15

06:20 AM | -

The Twins Day Festival occurs each August in Pleucadeuc, France. What began in 1994 as inspiration for a mayor with twin daughters is now the largest twin festival in Europe. PLEASE NOTE: Treat all televised and venue-specific events (sporting, concerts, trade shows, etc.) as estimated. Several factors can cause an event to move dates at the last minute, including weather, strikes, natural disasters, political upheaval, conflicting programming, pandemics, and current events. Because of this, always verify the event with the promotor before committing resources. LEEP often estimates dates based on the previous year's schedules, as the final dates are unknown until a few months, weeks, or days before the event. If the date is known to be estimated, you will see an (est) following the date in the title.

Africa

Aug

Obon Festival (JP): August 13-16

06:20 AM | -

THE OBON FESTIVAL:

A SPECTACLE OF LANTERNS

Japan's Obon Festival, also known as Bon Festival, is a Buddhist-Confucian tradition honoring the spirits of ancestors. It is a time for families to reunite, clean ancestral graves, and hold ceremonies to guide the spirits of the departed back to the world of the living. The festival typically takes place in mid-August (though dates vary regionally) and lasts about three days, a duration that symbolizes the journey of the spirits from the afterlife to the world of the living and back.

CELEBRATION AND SIGNIFICANCE

The primary purpose of Obon is to honor deceased ancestors and ensure their spirits find peace. Families believe that during Obon, the spirits of their ancestors return to visit their homes. To welcome the spirits of the departed, families clean and decorate graves, prepare food offerings, and participate in various ceremonies and rituals.

USE OF LANTERNS

Lanterns play a significant role in Obon celebrations. They are used in various ways:

Mukaebi (Welcoming Fires)—Lanterns and small bonfires guide the spirits back to their homes.

Toro Nagashi (Floating Lanterns)—At the end of the festival, lanterns are set afloat on rivers, lakes, or the sea to help guide the spirits back to the afterlife.

Chochin Lanterns—Decorative paper lanterns are often hung outside homes and temples to welcome the spirits.

Lanterns, the guiding light for the spirits, play a crucial role in Obon. They ensure the spirits find their way both to and from the world of the living, a solemn and awe-inspiring task.

HISTORICAL BACKGROUND

Obon has been celebrated in Japan for more than 500 years, with its origins tracing back to Buddhist and Confucian practices. The festival evolved from the Buddhist Ullambana Sutra, which tells the story of a monk, Maudgalyayana, who used offerings to save his deceased mother from suffering in the afterlife. This story emphasized filial piety and the importance of offerings to deceased ancestors, forming the basis of Obon traditions. Maudgalyayana's actions are seen as a model for the festival's participants, reinforcing the importance of honoring one's ancestors.

RELIGIOUS ASPECTS

Obon is primarily a Buddhist event but incorporates elements of Shinto and Confucian practices. The festival's rituals and ceremonies are deeply rooted in Buddhist teachings about the afterlife, karma, and the importance of filial piety. Over the centuries, Obon has also incorporated local customs and traditions, such as regional variations in food offerings and the use of different types of lanterns, making it a unique blend of religious and cultural practices that reflects Japan's rich cultural diversity.

Overall, Obon is a significant festival in Japan. It reflects the country's rich spiritual traditions and strongly emphasizes the warmth of family and the reverence for our ancestors, fostering a sense of unity and respect.

Africa

Aug

Admissions Day (US-HI)(1959): August 16

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Admissions Day is a state holiday in Hawaii, marking August 21, 1959, when the Hawaiian Islands entered the United States as its 50th state. Admissions Day is celebrated on the 3rd Friday in August.

Africa

Aug

Airborne Day, Ntl. (1940): August 16

06:20 AM | -

International Airborne Day honors the bravery and commitment of Armed Services Airborne divisions, combat troops who land by parachute. Created by President George W Bush in 2001 with Senate Resolution 235, the chosen date is the anniversary of the first US parachute jump on August 16, 1940. While the main celebration occurs at Fort Bragg, North Carolina, the headquarters of the 82nd Airborne Division, there are minor celebrations across the country. Brigadier General William Mitchell created the airborne division; he thought of putting troops in parachutes during combat. Later, Major William Lee tried and tested the methods for parachuting at Fort Benning, Georgia. By 1942, the US military had its first combat jump using a C-47 plane in North Africa.

Africa