August 2012

Dominion employee Stephen Lackey defines diversity as "the acceptance and encouragement of a wide range of backgrounds, ideas, viewpoints and life experiences." Lackey took the photo on a handicap softball field in Chesterfield County, Va., while photographing an event for Sportable. "Sportable is a nonprofit organization that provides recreation and sports opportunities for individuals with physical disabilities in the Richmond area," he said. "This photo of a wheelchair softball game depicts the pitcher tossing the ball toward a batter in a wheelchair, and another wheelchair player in the background. "It might be the case that not everyone can walk, but that doesn’t mean that everyone shouldn’t have the opportunity to show athleticism through competitive sports," Lackey added. "The players of this fierce wheelchair softball game came from all different backgrounds, have unique stories to their lives, and challenges they have overcome."

Hopi Snake Dance - This dance requires two weeks of ritual preparation, and snakes are gathered and monitored by children. The dancers then take an emetic and dance with the snakes in their mouths, with an antelope priest in attendance. After the dance, the snakes are released to carry their prayers.

Native Wild Rice Harvest - Northern Cree, Ojibwa, Algonkians. Its is celebrated during the last full moon in August.

August 1:

• Emancipation Day (Jamaica, West Indies) - Commemorates the day in 1838 when enslaved West Indians were emancipated from slavery and apprenticeship. 

August 6:

• Independence Day (Jamaica) - Commemorates the raising of the Jamaican flag signifying the birth of the nation.
• Hiroshima Day (Canada, USA) - This solemn day commemorates the day the United States dropped the first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, Japan, in 1945. People unite on this day to declare their commitment to never let another nuclear bomb be used.

August 14:

• Independence Day (Pakistan) - On this day in 1947, Pakistan became an independent state.
• Laylat al-Qadr (Islamic) - The anniversary of the night in which the Qur'an was first communicated in its entirety to Muhammad. Popularly, it has been refered to as Night of Power. Muslims believe the incident occurred during the month of Ramadan but they differ as to the exact date. Sunnis often consider it to be either the 21st, 23rd, 25th, 27th or 29th of the month; whilst Shias consider it to be either the 19th, 21st or 23rd of the month.

August 15:

• Independence Day (India) - On this day in 1947, India gained independence from British rule after years of struggle.
• Korea Liberation Day (Korea) - North Korea claimed independence from Japan in 1945, and South Korea in 1948 created an independent government.

August 17:

• Independence Day (Indonesia) - On this day in 1945, Indonesia declared its independence after 300 years of Dutch occupation followed by Japanese occupation.

August 18-19:

• Eid ul-Fitr (Islamic) - Often abbreviated as simply Eid, this is an Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the month of fasting. 

August 23:

• Chinese Valentine’s Day – Also known as Qi Xi. People go to the temple of MatchMaker and pray for love.

August 24:

• Tanabata or the Vega Star (Japan) - Celebrated on the 7th day of the 7th moon. According to festival legend, the weaver princess star, Vega, fell in love with the herdboy star, Altair. They were allowed to meet once a year when the Vega and Altair constellations drew near and the lovers met over a bridge made by a flock of birds.

August 26:

• Women’s Equality Day (USA) - In 1974, this day was set aside to commemorate the 1920 ratification of the Nineteenth Amendment of the Constitution, which gave women the right to vote.
• Notting Hill Carnival (England) - Held during the last weekend in August, this is a West Indian Street carnival with floats, bands and stalls.

August 29:

• La Tomatina Festival (Spain) - Every year around 30,000 people descend on the Spanish town of Buñol (in the Valencia region of Spain) to throw more than 240,000 pounds of tomatoes at each other. 

August 31:

• Independence Day (Malaysia) - On this day in 1957, Malaysia gained independence from the United Kingdom.