6 Interesting Holidays You Haven’t Heard About

Holidays can commemorate historical events, important figures in history, or religious traditions. We all know about the big holidays like Christmas, Easter, Thanksgiving, but there are plenty of others that many people don’t know about. Besides giving you a reason to celebrate, looking into these holidays can help you learn about important events or even just give you an insight into certain cultural values.

1. Jubilee Day (June 19th)

Jubilee Day, or Juneteenth National Independence Day as it is officially called, commemorated the emancipation of slaves in Texas by Union Army General Gordon Granger on June 19th, 1865. The word jubilee means ‘liberty,’ which is appropriate considering the holiday was a celebration of emancipation.

Since the holiday has only been established as recently as June 17, 2021. there still aren’t that many traditions when it comes to how to mark the occasion. Celebrating this important event on June 19th includes having gatherings with family and friends, reflecting on the holiday’s meaning, and taking a moment to appreciate what freedom truly means. It’s a time to rejoice in the strides society has made as a whole.

Not only does learning about the holiday help you appreciate what people went through, but it can also move you to do your part in making the world better today.

2. American Family Day (First Sunday In August)

This holiday encourages all Americans to spend the day with their families. It is a holiday that can trace its roots back to the mid-1970s. This was when it was signed into law as an official holiday by Governor Raul Castro as an official holiday in Arizona on August 7, 1977.

It began as a one-year vow but had been gaining momentum over time, with more people embracing it. American Family Day is a great way to spend time with your family and friends across America. It’s a time to appreciate what you have and recognizing that people of all walks of life should be able to spend time enjoying their families.

Celebrating it can mean doing whatever you normally do with your family. You can have a barbecue, go out to eat, or just stay in and watch movies together. The point is that you’re spending quality time doing something you all enjoy.

3. National WIldlife Day (September 4th)

National Wildlife Day was created by Colleen Paige, a self-styled Pet Lifestyle Expert, in honor of the wildlife conservationist Steve Irwin.

As the name suggests, National Wildlife Day is dedicated to celebrating our planet’s wilderness and species diversity. It encourages us to take some time out of our day to appreciate the beauty of nature that still exists on this planet and be more mindful about what we can do to help protect endangered species and nature in general. It is a great day to teach the young people in your life about how to take care of this planet and why it is so important.

Celebrating it can be as simple as spending time outside. If you want to do more, you can always contact an organization dedicated to conservationism and see how you can help them.

4. National Good Samaritan Day (March 13th)

National Good Samaritan Day is a day dedicated to doing something unselfishly for someone else. Celebrated on March 13th every year, it originated after the death of Catherine Genovese near her home in New York City on March 13, 1964. The person who killed her was interrupted two times, but no one stepped forward to help which left her vulnerable. Eventually, someone did call, but it was too late for her.

In order to honor her and other victims of similar crimes, as well as to have a reminder that every one of us is responsible for the society we live in, people are encouraged to do a nice thing for someone on this day, no matter how small or big it is.

5. National Girls And Women In Sports Day (First Thursday In February)

National Girls And Women In Sports Day is celebrated on the first Thursday in February and is a day on which people can recognize the influence of sports participation for both women and girls and acknowledge the accomplishments of female athletes. It’s also a day on which people can honor and help advance the struggle for women’s equality in sports. This holiday was first created by Proclamation 5506 by President Ronald Reagan on February 3, 1987.

6. National Religious Freedom Day (January 16th)

Thomas Jefferson’s Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, which established a framework for protecting religious freedom in the state of Virginia, was passed by the General Assembly on January 16, 1786. This was considered a crucial part in creating the basis for the First Amendment’s guarantee clause. Since the early 1990s, every President of the United States has celebrated this day by marking it in some form or fashion.

No matter who you are or what you do, it’s important to learn about holidays that aren’t as popular. Having this knowledge makes you more culturally aware, which is important in today’s interconnected society. Not only that but you’ll also feel closer to your fellow citizens because you are celebrating something they are too! Sharing information is the first step to creating change, so don’t forget these holidays next time you have some free time. Happy Holidays!