July 2012

When asked about diversity, Dominion employee Michael Lee feels that "any sex, ethnicity, religion/non-religion, able/disabled person should treat and be treated the same way." The image shows free-range eggs from a farmer's market in Richmond, Va., that were photographed in Lee's backyard. "What I'm trying to depict in my photo is that even though we were born different, we are all still the same," Lee said.

July 1:

• Canada Day (Canada) - On July 1, 1867, the British North America Act created the Canadian federal government. The BNA proclaimed "one Dominion under the name of Canada," hence the original title "Dominion Day." Dominion Day was officially renamed "Canada Day" by an act of Parliament on October 27, 1982.

July 3:

• Dharma Day (Buddhist) - Commemorates Buddha’s first discourse following his enlightenment in Sarnath in northern India.

July 4:

• Independence Day (USA) - On this day in 1776, the 13 U.S. colonies claimed autonomy from England. Today, the day is most commonly celebrated with picnics, barbecues and fireworks.

July 9:

• Independence Day (Argentina) - On July 9, 1816, an Argentine congress met at Tucuman, declaring Argentine independence and adopting a constitution.

July 10:

• Independence Day (Bahamas) - On July 10, 1974, the Bahamas was recognized as an independent nation, and throughout the island there is grand celebration commemorating it.

July 12:

• Battle of Boyne Day (Ireland) - In Northern Ireland, this day commemorates the victory in 1690 of Protestant King William III over Catholic King James II, placing political control of Ireland in the hands of the Protestants.

July 14: 

• Bastille Day (France) - A national holiday in France that commemorates the storming of the Bastille prison in 1789, when prisoners were set free, thus ending the French monarchy.

July 17:

• Munoz-Rivera Day (Puerto Rico) - Celebrates the anniversary of the birth of Luis Munoz-Rivera, a patriot, journalist and nationalist.

July 19:

• Umi no hi (Japan) - Japanese honor the importance of the sea and its role in Japanese history on this day.

July 20:

• Independence Day (Columbia) - On this day in 1819, Columbia gained independence from Spain.
• Ramadan (Islamic) - The ninth month of the Islamic year and the holiest month in Islam. The most prominent event of this month is the fasting that Muslims observe. In accordance with the fourth of the Sunni Five Pillars of Islam and one of the Shi'a Branches of Religion, observant Muslims fast every day during the month between dawn and sunset.

July 23:

• Hurricane Supplication Day (Virgin Islands) - Islanders gather at churches and pray for a hurricane season that isn’t too devastating.

July 26:

• Independence Day (Liberia) - A country settled by freed American slaves was declared a nation in 1847.

July 26-30:

• Caribana (Canada) - This cultural festival is held in Toronto and showcases Caribbean music, dance, arts and crafts, fashion and food. The highlight is a parade featuring thousands of brilliantly cotumed masqueraders and live bands.

July - August: 

• Sun Dance - For many tribes of Plains Indians, the Sun Dance was a major ritual (Aboriginal) communal religious ceremony. Generally held in early summer, the four-day ceremony involves sacrifice and supplication to ensure harmony between all living beings.
• Green Corn Ceremony - Performed by some Oklahoma tribes as a time of Aboriginal renewal. The ceremony involves participation in sweatlodge ceremonies, dances, offerings and fasting.