Ashura: Tenth Day (Islamic)
This Shia Muslim holiday commemorates the death of Muhammad’s grandson, killed during the Battle of Karbala. Celebrated on the 10th of Islamic month of Muharram, Ashura is a day of fasting, reflection and meditation.

Ashura: Tenth Day (Islamic – begins tonight @ sundown)
This Shia Muslim holiday commemorates the death of Muhammad’s grandson, killed during the Battle of Karbala. Celebrated on the 10th of Islamic month of Muharram, Ashura is a day of fasting, reflection and meditation.

Asarah B’Tevet (Jewish – begins @ sundown)
The 10th day of the Hebrew month of Tevet is a minor Jewish fast day commemorating the siege of Jerusalem led by the Babylonian king, Nebuchadnezzar, in 588 BCE. Three years later, the Babylonian broke through the city walls and, three weeks later, destroyed the Holy Temple. Those who observe the fast refrain from eating and drinking from sunrise to sunset.

Did You Know?
Facts, Figures &
Folklore about Kwanzaa
Dec 26 : First Day of Kwanzaa

Did you know today is the first day of Kwanzaa?

On the first day of Kwanzaa the black candle is lit in the Kinara. The black candle represents the first principle – Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity. The person who lights the candle might make a statement about the first principle and its meaning. Sometimes a passage or poem is read relating to what the principle means and how it relates to their life.

Then the Umoja (Unity Cup) might be filled with fruit juice and shared among those gathered. Each takes a drink and passes to the next. Some families prefer to use a Unity cup for each member, or the cup can just be left in the center of the Kwanzaa table. After the sharing of the Unity cup the candles are extinguished till the next day.

Kwanzaa is a 7 day festival celebrating the African American people, their culture and their history. It is a time of celebration, community gathering, and reflection. A time of endings and beginnings. Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)

Kwanzaa
Today marks the start of the seven-day Kwanzaa festival, a holiday observed by many African-American families in recognition of their African heritage. Kwanzaa, which means first fruit in Swahili, begins with a special harvest feast, known as karamu, held on the first day.

Kwanzaa begins on December 26th and continues until New Years Day, January 1st.

On the first day of Kwanzaa the center black candle is lit, representing the first principle of Kwanzaa – Umoja (oo-MOH-jah): Unity.

For more info please visit our celebration: Kwanzaa on the Net

Did You Know?
December 25

It’s Christmas Day!

Thanks for joining us as we counted down to Christmas.

Happy Christmas,
Louie and the Holiday Elves

Signup for our Did You Know? Holiday Countdown emails or follow us on Twitter – twitter.com/holidaysnet (@holidaysnet)