Today@Dal

See below for a sample of dates to observe, reflect, celebrate or promote throughout the university community. The full calendar is available on the HRES website www.dal.ca/hres​

Wednesday, August 15: National Acadian Day- This day recognizes Acadians who, in view of their origin, history, and development, constitute the first permanent settlement from France in Canada and now reside in most of the provinces and territories of Canada.  It also celebrates the contributions of the Acadian people, for nearly 400 years, to the economic, cultural, and social vitality of Canada and allows Acadians to share their rich historical and cultural heritage with the rest of Canadians allowing them to become more familiar with all its aspects, both traditional and contemporary of the Acadian tradition.​

​Friday, August 17: ZARATHUSHTI -Fravardeghan Days end (Shenshai)
Fravardeghan Days, also known as Muktad (memorializing ancestors), are ten days (August 8 - 17) in preparation for Nowruz (the start of the New Year), observed by Zoroastrians who follow the Shenshai calendar. This ten-day period is a time for reflection, examination of conscience, and repentance for all wrongs done within the year that is coming to an end.​

Saturday, August 18: ZARATHUSHTI (ZOROASTRIANISM)-Nowruz (Shensai)
Nowruz is the start of the New Year for Zoroastrians who follow the Shenshai Calendar, and the beginning of the year 1388 AY (After Yazdegird III, the last of the Zoroastrian kings of Persia). Religious accommodation for special worship may be required for this observance/holy day.

Monday, August 20: ISLAM-Day of Hajj 
This day (also called Day at Arafat) commemorates the last revelation to the Prophet at Mount Arafat shortly before his death. Muslims on Ḥajj (pilgrimage) attend a service on the plains in front of Mount Arafat . (Observance begins at sunset of the previous day, but special worship and prayers begin August 20.)​

Thursday, August 23: Day for Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (UNESCO) is annually observed on this day to remind people of the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade. 

Sunday, August 26: BUDDHISM-Festival of Ksitigarbha. Bodhisattva is the saviour of beings who suffer in the hellish realms, as well as the guardian of children and patron of deceased children in Japanese culture. 

Sunday, August 26: HINDUISM-Raksha Bandhan (tying on protection) is a festival in which married and unmarried girls and women tie amulets on the wrists of their brothers for protection against evil.

Sunday, August 26: FULL MOON- This full moon was known by early First Nations peoples / Native American tribes as the Full Sturgeon Moon because the large sturgeon fish of the Great Lakes and other major lakes were more easily caught at this time of year. This moon has also been known as the Green Corn Moon and the Grain Moon. (Sea and Sky)