02 September - Labor Day USA

 

Labor Day in the United States is a national holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September. It honors the contributions and achievements of American workers and marks the unofficial end of summer.

History: Labor Day was first celebrated on 05 September 1882, in New York City. The holiday was created by the labor movement in the late 19th century to recognize the hard work and dedication of the American workforce. It became a federal holiday in 1894, signed into law by President Grover Cleveland.

Significance: Labor Day serves as a tribute to the social and economic achievements of American workers. It recognizes the contributions workers have made to the strength, prosperity, and well-being of the country. The day is also a reminder of the labor movement’s efforts to secure fair wages, reasonable hours, and safer working conditions.

Traditions: Labor Day is often associated with various traditions and activities, including:

• Parades: Many cities and towns host parades featuring labor unions, workers' organizations, and community groups.
• Barbecues and Picnics: Families and friends gather for outdoor meals, often marking the holiday as the last big summer celebration.
• Sporting Events: Labor Day weekend is a significant time for sports, including college football games and the U.S. Open tennis tournament.
• Sales: Many retailers offer Labor Day sales, making it a popular time for shopping.
• Travel: The long weekend is a popular time for vacations and trips, as it represents the unofficial end of the summer season.

Labor Day is a day off for most workers, providing a break to relax and enjoy time with loved ones before the start of the fall season.

02 September - "Pola" thanksgiving festival celebrated by farmers

 

Pola is a traditional harvest festival celebrated primarily by farmers in the Indian states of Maharashtra, Chhattisgarh, and Madhya Pradesh. This festival is a way for farmers to give thanks to their bulls and oxen, which are crucial to their agricultural work.

 Pola is also known as Bail Pola in some regions. The word "Bail" means "bull" in Marathi and Hindi, highlighting the central role of bulls in the festival.

During Pola, the bulls and oxen are bathed, decorated with vibrant colors, and adorned with garlands and ornaments. Their horns are often painted and covered with brass or silver caps. The animals are then paraded around the village as part of the festivities.

The celebration includes a special procession where the bulls are worshipped, and rituals are performed to honor them. People also prepare traditional foods and sweets, and the day is marked by community gatherings and social events.

Pola usually takes place in August or September, depending on the lunar calendar. In 2024 it is celebrated on 02 September.

02 September - Democracy Day Tibet

Democracy Day in Tibet is celebrated on September 2nd each year. It marks the anniversary of the establishment of the Tibetan government-in-exile's democratic system. The day commemorates the first election of representatives to the Tibetan Parliament-in-Exile, which took place on September 2, 1960.

Following the 1959 Tibetan uprising against Chinese rule and the subsequent escape of the 14th Dalai Lama, Tenzin Gyatso, into exile in India, efforts were made to preserve and continue Tibetan culture, religion, and governance in exile. The Dalai Lama initiated a series of democratic reforms, including the establishment of a democratic system for the Tibetan community in exile.

Democracy Day is an important occasion for Tibetans in exile, reflecting their commitment to democracy and self-determination. The day is celebrated with various events, including speeches, cultural performances, and discussions on the importance of democracy and the ongoing struggle for Tibetan autonomy and human rights.

The celebration of Democracy Day also serves as a reminder of the Tibetan people's aspirations for greater freedom and their efforts to maintain their cultural identity despite the challenges of exile. It is a day that emphasizes the values of democracy, human rights, and the resilience of the Tibetan community.

02 September - Ceuta Day

 

Ceuta Day, known as "Día de Ceuta," is celebrated annually on 02 September in the Spanish autonomous city of Ceuta, located on the northern coast of Africa. This day commemorates the anniversary of the city's capture by Portuguese forces on 02 September 1415. The conquest of Ceuta marked a significant event in European history, as it was one of the first overseas territories to be captured during the age of exploration and expansion by European powers.

Ceuta Day is a public holiday in the city and is marked by various official ceremonies, cultural events, and festivities. The celebrations often include parades, concerts, and activities that highlight the city's rich history and cultural heritage. Ceuta, with its unique location at the crossroads of Europe and Africa, has a diverse population and a history influenced by various cultures, including Roman, Arab, Portuguese, and Spanish.

The day is also an occasion for the people of Ceuta to express their distinct identity and to celebrate their connection with Spain. Despite its geographic location on the African continent, Ceuta has been a part of Spain since the Portuguese ceded it to Spain in 1668, and it remains an important symbol of Spanish sovereignty.

02 September - The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance performed

 

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance is a traditional English folk dance that takes place annually on the first Monday after the first Sunday in September in the village of Abbots Bromley in Staffordshire, England. It is one of the oldest folk customs in the country and has been performed for centuries, with origins that can be traced back to medieval times.

Key features of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance include:

1. Participants: The dance involves six men known as "deer men," who carry reindeer antlers, and a musician who plays the accordion. The antlers used in the dance are believed to date back several centuries and are kept in the local church when not in use.

2. Dance Route: The dance begins in the village square and follows a specific route through the village and surrounding countryside. The dancers visit several key locations, including the village church and the local pubs.

3. Distinctive Steps and Movements: The dance is characterized by slow, rhythmic steps and movements. The deer men hold the antlers aloft and weave them together as they dance, creating intricate patterns.

4. Musical Accompaniment: The accordion player provides musical accompaniment for the dance, playing a traditional tune that has been passed down through generations.

5. Tradition and Mystery: The origins and meaning of the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance are somewhat mysterious. While it is believed to have ancient pagan roots, it has also been associated with customs related to hunting and fertility rituals. The dance has evolved over time and continues to be performed as a unique and cherished tradition.

The Abbots Bromley Horn Dance attracts both locals and tourists alike, drawing people from far and wide to witness this living piece of English folk heritage. It remains an important cultural event and a testament to the enduring power of traditional customs in contemporary society.

 In 2024, the first Sunday in September falls on September 1st. Therefore, the earliest date on which the Abbots Bromley Horn Dance can be performed in 2024 would be on the following day, which is Monday, September 2nd. The dance traditionally takes place on the first Monday after the first Sunday in September each year.

 

02 September - Hồ Chí Minh death anniversary

 

Hồ Chí Minh, born Nguyễn Sinh Cung on May 19, 1890, in Kim Liên, Vietnam, and passing away on September 2, 1969, in Hanoi, Vietnam, was a prominent Vietnamese revolutionary leader. He is celebrated as the founding father of modern Vietnam.

Hồ Chí Minh played a pivotal role in the struggle for Vietnamese independence from colonial rule. He adopted the pseudonym "Hồ Chí Minh," which means "Bringer of Light," as he became a central figure in the communist movement. His leadership led to the declaration of Vietnamese independence in 1945 and the establishment of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

As the first President of North Vietnam, Hồ Chí Minh was a key figure in the Vietnam War, which lasted from 1955 to 1975. His enduring legacy continues to influence the political and cultural landscape of Vietnam, where his embalmed body remains on display in Hanoi's mausoleum, drawing visitors from around the world. Hồ Chí Minh's dedication to Vietnamese independence and his communist principles have left an indelible mark on the nation's history.

01 September - Formation of ANZUS in 1951

 

The Australia, New Zealand and United States Security Treaty, or ANZUS Treaty, was an agreement signed in 1951 to protect the security of the Pacific. Although the agreement has not been formally abrogated, the United States and New Zealand no longer maintain the security relationship between their countries.

ANZUS was overshadowed in late 2021 by AUKUS, a trilateral security pact between Australia, the United Kingdom, and the United States. It involves cooperation in nuclear submarines that New Zealand did not support. Australia and New Zealand, "are poles apart in terms of the way they see the world....I think this alliance underlines that they’re going in very different directions,” said Geoffrey Miller, an international analyst at the Democracy Project in New Zealand.

01 September - The Liberty Bell installed in 1752

 

The bell arrived in Philadelphia on September 1, 1752, but was not hung until March 10, 1753.

The Liberty Bell, previously called the State House Bell or Old State House Bell, is an iconic symbol of American independence located in Philadelphia. Originally placed in the steeple of the Pennsylvania State House (now renamed Independence Hall), the bell today is located across the street in the Liberty Bell Center in Independence National Historical Park. The bell was commissioned in 1752 by the Pennsylvania Provincial Assembly from the London firm of Lester and Pack (known subsequently as the Whitechapel Bell Foundry), and was cast with the lettering "Proclaim LIBERTY Throughout all the Land unto all the Inhabitants Thereof", a Biblical reference from the Book of Leviticus (25:10). The bell first cracked when rung after its arrival in Philadelphia, and was twice recast by local workmen John Pass and John Stow, whose last names appear on the bell. In its early years, the bell was used to summon lawmakers to legislative sessions and to alert citizens about public meetings and proclamations.

After World War II, Philadelphia allowed the National Park Service to take custody of the bell, while retaining ownership. The bell was used as a symbol of freedom during the Cold War and was a popular site for protests in the 1960s. It was moved from its longtime home in Independence Hall to a nearby glass pavilion on Independence Mall in 1976, and then to the larger Liberty Bell Center adjacent to the pavilion in 2003. The bell has been featured on coins and stamps, and its name and image have been widely used by corporations. 

01 September - Adi Granth installed for the first time at Harimander Sahib

 

The Adi Granth (Punjabi: ਆਦਿ ਗ੍ਰੰਥ), its first rendition, was compiled by the fifth guru, Guru Arjan (1564–1606). Its compilation was completed on 29 August 1604 and first installed inside Golden Temple in Amritsar on 1 September 1604.

Shri Guru Granth Sahib, is the principal scripture of Sikhism. It was written by the Six gurus of Sikhism and is itself regarded by Sikhs as the final, sovereign, and eternal living Guru. Adi Granth, the first rendition, was compiled by the fifth Sikh Guru, Guru Arjan ji. The tenth Guru, Guru Gobind Singh ji, added one shloka, dohra mahala 9 ang, 1429 and all 115 hymns of his father, Guru Tegh Bahadur ji. This second rendition came to be known as Sri Guru Granth Sahib. After Guru Gobind Singh's martyrdom in 1708, Baba Deep Singh and Bhai Mani Singh prepared many copies of the Sri Guru Granth Sahib for distribution.

Elevation of Adi Granth to Shri Guru Granth Sahib

In 1708 Guru Gobind Singh Ji conferred the title of "Guru of the Sikhs" upon the Adi Granth. The event was recorded in a Bhatt Vahi (a bard's scroll) by an eyewitness, Narbud Singh, who was a bard at the Rajput rulers' court associated with gurus. A variety of other documents also attest to this proclamation by the tenth guru. Thus, despite some aberrations, Sikhs since then have accepted Shri Guru Granth Sahib, the sacred scripture, as their eternal-living Guru, as the embodiment of the ten Sikh Gurus.

01 September - Thomas J. Bata death anniversary

 

Thomas J. Bata was a prominent Canadian businessman and a member of the Bata shoe manufacturing family. He was born on September 17, 1914, in Zlín, Czechoslovakia (now the Czech Republic), and he passed away on September 1, 2008.

Thomas J. Bata is best known for his significant contributions to the global footwear industry and for expanding his family's shoe manufacturing business, Bata Shoes, into an international conglomerate. Under his leadership, Bata Shoes became one of the world's largest and most successful shoe companies.

Bata was not only known for his business acumen but also for his innovative approaches to management, marketing, and retail. He introduced concepts like self-service shoe stores, standard shoe sizing, and large-scale production methods, which revolutionized the footwear industry.

Throughout his life, Thomas J. Bata was involved in various philanthropic activities, supporting education, culture, and social development. He established the Bata Shoe Museum in Toronto, Canada, which houses an extensive collection of footwear artifacts from around the world.

Thomas J. Bata's legacy continues through his contributions to the business world, his innovative ideas, and his dedication to improving the lives of people through entrepreneurship and philanthropy.