I’m a girl who never leaves her planner at home. Whether it’s my French homework, an upcoming column deadline or a midweek birthday dinner in Chapel Hill, I always write it down.
So why am I talking about my organizational quirks? The reason I even mention my planner is because my 5-by-8 inch black-and-red “Bible” has proved to be dual-functioning. Not only does it give me adequate space to jot down the minutiae of my days, it also enlightens me about the many obscure holidays celebrated in the greater English-speaking world that week. An organizer and a mini-textbook all in one!
And man, I thought my April sans holidays was going to be busy. With spring formals, final deadlines, preparations for beach week and an assortment of pre-graduation get-togethers, my schedule is fully loaded. Eh, not compared to the official holidays celebrated by the British, the Irish, the Aussies and the Canadians. According to my planner, these English-speaking non-natives have got a lot going on during the next few weeks. Toss in the handful of upcoming American holidays, and we’ve got ourselves a pretty wild month.
Who knew?
I didn’t. So, I thought I’d share the more interesting celebrations that will ensue in the upcoming month. I mean, I’m always looking for a reason to celebrate and, in the spirit of cultural awareness, diversity and limitless festivities during my final weeks of college, why not?
Last Sunday, April 3, the people of The United Kingdom and Ireland observed Mothering Sunday. Some believe the day started as a Roman holiday, but Mothering Sunday became associated with the liturgical calendar as a way to honor the Virgin Mary and a day when worshipers from different parishes returned to a central or “mother” church. Seems to me, however, that today, it’s just a glorified Euro-Mother’s Day with Simnel cake. I once petitioned for a Daughter’s Day, but my parents didn’t exactly go for that one.
If Mothering Sunday didn’t strike your fancy, April 3 was also National Find a Rainbow Day. Not exactly an “official” Irish holiday, but who can celebrate rainbows without imagining a pesky little leprechaun guarding his pot of gold? We could have brought the green food coloring back out and kicked it St. Patty’s Day style.
Admittedly, next week doesn’t provide the material for nearly as interesting celebrations. With Tax Day usually falling on April 15 (although this year the deadline has been extended to April 18) for us good ole Americans and Palm Sunday that weekend, we should probably take a rest, reflect and count our pennies. But the week after that, I think we have some potentially fine reasons to celebrate.
Once Passover begins on Monday, April 18. There’s probably no need for me to encourage celebrating two days later on Wednesday, April 20, more commonly known as 4/20, so, I won’t. Earth Day, Good Friday, Orthodox Good Friday (my planner distinguishes between these because they don’t usually fall on the same day) and Girl Scout Leader Appreciation Day are all observed on Friday, April 22 this year. I could find time to plant a tree or use any excuse to finish off a sleeve of frozen Thin Mints.
If trees and cookies aren’t your style, Saturday, April 23 is St. George’s Day, a holiday to commemorate this Roman soldier who was venerated as a Christian martyr. April 23 marks the 1708th anniversary of his death in 303 CE and is celebrated in The United Kingdom and many other countries. How does one celebrate St. George’s Day? My research indicated just one thing: Feast. Perhaps you’ll still have the munchies? Or some leftover Thin Mints?
The Sunday after St. George’s Day is of course Easter (and Orthodox Easter this year), but it is also National Pigs in a Blanket Day! This holiday celebrates the mini-wiener in a crescent roll that we all know and love. Both the United Kingdom and Canada boast renditions of this modern delicacy, so I extend this celebration to all my friends just up north and across the pond.
We’ve now arrived to the last week in April and thus a fated ending to this month’s celebrations. Monday, April 25 is a bank holiday in honor of Easter in Canada, Australia and parts of Great Britain and Tuesday, April 26 marks the end of Passover. But Wednesday, April 27—other than being Administrative Professionals Day—is also our last day of classes.
When the stresses of the end of the semester start to bog you down and you just want to throw your planner out the window and scream, read its fine print and remember, there’s always some excuse to celebrate before LDOC.
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