September 2012

Dominion employee Cindi Wakefield defines diversity as "the beauty of the ability of a non-homogenous group of people to create unique and creative solutions for the world that are better than any one individual's contributions." She took her photo during Career Day at her daughter's elementary school while presenting to them about her job at Dominion. Wakefield said the photo "represents the beauty and potential of each individual child leveraging and thriving on their uniqueness."

September 1:

• Random Acts of Kindness Day (New Zealand) - Celebrates selfless acts performed by kind people to either help or cheer up a random stranger, for no reason other than to make people happier.

September 3:

• Labor Day (Canada, USA) - Dating back to the 1880s, this holiday is the result of efforts of the labor union movement. It commemorates the economic and social achievements of workers. 

September 9:

• Chong Yang (China) - A holiday dedicated to the older generation. Chong Yang cake is prepared, and everyone is encouraged to enjoy nature.

September 11:

• Day of Remembrance or Patriot Day - The effects of the attacks on the World Trade Center and the Pentagon impacted Americans and most other nations and has caused us to focus on the devastation terrorism has caused the world.

September 15:

• Independence Day (Central America) - Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua gained independence from Spain in 1821.
• Aloha Week (Hawaii) - Begun in 1945, Aloha Week celebrates Hawaiian traditions and costumes. It starts the third week of September on the island of Oahu, and each island celebrates the holiday on a different week until the end of October.

September 15-October 15:

• Hispanic Heritage Month - In 1988, what previously was known as Hispanic Heritage Week (September 10-16) became known as Hispanic Heritage Month as declared by President Ronald Reagan. During this month, several Latin American countries gained their independence. The word "Hispanic" is a cultural term that encompasses several different Latin countries. Hispanics come from various races and include bloodlines of Mayan, Aztec, Spanish, Mexican, and many others.

September 16:

• Dia de la Independence (Mexico) - Celebrates Mexico's independence from Spain on this day in 1820.

September 17:

• Keiro no hi (Japan) - A national holiday honoring older citizens.
• Rosh Hashanah (Jewish) - The Jewish new year for people, animals and legal contracts. Rosh Hashanah extends over the first two days of the Hebrew month of Tishrei, even in Israel where most holidays last only one day, and occurs 162 days after the first day of Pesach (Passover).

September 21:

• Independence Day (Armenia) - Gained independence from the Soviet Union in 1991.

September 22:

• Oktoberfest (Germany) - In 1810, King Joseph Maximillian of Bavaria first decided to celebrate his marriage with Princess Theresa of Saxonie in royal style. Originally it was meant to be just a simple horse race event, but the Bavarian character quickly took over and it became a happy gathering of cheerful beer drinkers. Oktoberfest now attracts approximately 7 million visitors each year.

September 23: 

• Shubun no hi (Japan) - On Autumn Equinox Day, the Japanese honor family ancestry, visiting ancestral graves and having family reunions.

September 24:

• Heritage Day (South Africa) - Celebrates the cultural diversity in South Africa and serves as a time for various heritages to bond together.

September 28:

• Confucius’ Birthday (China, Taiwan) - The birthday of Confucius is celebrated with a dawn ceremony at temples around the world. His birthday, in 551 BC, is celebrated as Teacher's Day in Taiwan.

September 30:

• San Geronimo Day (Aboriginal) - Named after St. Jerome, an Apache fighter, this day is celebrated by the Native Americans and Hispanics in the Pueblo.
• Mid-Autumn Festival (China) - A day celebrated by families getting together and eating moon cake and dishes with duck.
• Thanksgiving (Chu’sok) (Korea) - A time when Koreans gather to pay homage to their ancestors by honoring their memories and being with family.