By TR Robertson
After the opening weekend of September and the Labor Day Weekend holiday there are several other holidays celebrated or memorialized in the month, one very well-known and remembered and two not as well-known, and it is the beginning of a number of days for Jewish religious holidays. A well-known Mexican holiday also falls in September.
Patriot Day – Friday, September 11
Patriot Day is the day set aside from a bill passed by Congress, introduced by Congressman Vito Fossella (New York), in memory of those killed in the September 11, 2001, attacks in New York City and the Pentagon. U.S. Flags are flown at half-staff on all U.S. government buildings. Americans are encouraged to display flags at the homes and businesses. A moment of silence at 8:46 AM, East Coast time, is encouraged. This is the time when the first plane struck the North Tower of the World Trade Center on September 11, 2001. Patriot Day is not a federal holiday. Schools and businesses remain open. There are memorial ceremonies held around the country for the 2,977 victims.
Rosh Hashanah – Friday, September 11 (Begins at Sundown)
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year. The Biblical name is Yom Teruah, “Head of the Year”. It is the first of the High Holy Days and referred to as the Day of Judgement & the Day of Remembrance. This is a time for Jewish people to reflect on the past year and ask for forgiveness for anything wrong they feel they have done. It is a Fast Day including special prayers and extended synagogue services in the morning and afternoon. 10 Days of Repentance begin.
Grandparents Day – Sunday, September 13
In the United States, in 1969, Russell Caper (age 9) sent a letter to then U.S. President Richard Nixon, suggesting he set aside a special day to honor grandparents. Russell received a letter back from President Nixon’s Press Secretary telling Russell that the President liked the idea, but it would take a Congressional resolution to set-up such a day. In 1973, Senator Jennings Randolph introduced, in the Senate, a resolution to make Grandparents Day a national holiday. The resolution died in committee. Marian McQuade, considered the founder of Grandparents Day, began the process of urging each U.S. state to individually proclaim a day in their state as Grandparents Day. By 1976, she had successfully persuaded 43 states to issue proclamations naming a day as Grandparents Day. In February 1977, Senator Randolph would introduce a joint resolution, which this time passed, declaring the second Sunday in September as Grandparents Day. In the declaration is would say, “Grandparents Day is to honor grandparents and give grandparents an opportunity to show love for their children’s children.” The traditional flower for Grandparents Day is the “forget-me-not”. In Mexico, Grandparents Day is August 28th.
Independence Day – Mexico – Wednesday September 16
This day marks the beginning of the War of Independence in Mexico in 1810 when a Catholic priest named Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla issued a call to arms, “Cry of Dolores”, that began an 11-year war in Mexico against Spanish rule, independence won in 1821. This day is marked, primarily in Mexico, with festivities, music, dancing and fireworks. A popular dish called Chiles en Nogada is served featuring red, while and green, the colors of the Mexican flag.
U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day – Thursday, September 17
The United States Constitution was signed on September 17, 1787, by 39 delegates attending the Constitutional Convention in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Each year on September 17th Constitution and Citizenship Day is celebrated. This day is not a federal public holiday. This day also celebrates those who have become U.S. citizens. The day became a holiday to recognize the signing of the Constitution and citizens when Senator Robert Byrd, in 2004, sponsored a resolution for the day. U.S. Constitution and Citizenship Day encourage Americans to reflect on the rights and responsibilities of citizenship and what it means to become a U.S. citizen.
Yom Kippur – Sunday, September 20 (Begins at Sundown)
Known as the Day of Atonement, Yom Kippur is the holiest day in Judaism. It ends at nightfall on Monday, September 21st. The day centers on repentance, forgiveness, strict fasting from food, drink and physical comfort. It ends 10 Days of Repentance.
Autumn Begins – Tuesday, September 22
Special observances are held around the world. One famous occurrence is held at Chichen Itza in Mexico, at the El Castillo Pyramid, as large crowds watch the afternoon sun casting a shadow snake on the stone steps of the pyramid. Special foods for the day include apple pies and cider. This day is also National Voter Registration Day, Elephant Appreciation Day, Falls Prevention Awareness Day, Hobbit Day and American Businesswoman’s Day.
