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End of Year Holidays (Offices Closed), Veteran’s Day Tuesday, November 11 Thanksgiving Day Thursday, November 27 Christmas Day Thursday, December 25, Offices Operating with Limited Personnel, Day after Thanksgiving Friday, November 28 Day before Christmas Wednesday, December 24, Personal Time for 2025 and 2026, Employees have until 1/10/2026 to use 2025 personal time. Employees will be granted personal time on 1/13/2026 for calendar year 2026. Employees may begin using 2026 personal time after 1/13/2026 for the week beginning 1/11/2026.
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The Origins of Hanukkah, The holiday is named Hanukkah, which means “dedication” in Hebrew, in honor of the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after a small band of Jewish people reclaimed it from the Syrian-Greeks in second century BCE. The group had a small amount of oil to light the Temple, which they expected to last only briefly; however, the oil continued to burn for eight nights. The lighting of the…, When and How Hanukkah is Observed, Hanukkah is observed for eight nights and days, starting on the 25th day of Kislev according to the Hebrew calendar, which may occur at any time from late November to late December in the Gregorian calendar. The, Hanukkah menorah, (or hanukkiah) is a nine-branched candelabrum lit during the eight-day holiday of Hanukkah. Eight of the nine branches hold lights that symbolize the eight nights of the holiday; on each night, one more light is lit than the previous night, until on the final night all eight branches are ignited. The ninth branch holds a candle, called the shamash ("helper" or "servant"), used to light the other…, How to Wish Someone a Happy Hanukkah, There are several ways in which you can wish someone a Happy Hanukkah, including "Happy Hanukkah!" or one of the following:, Chag Sameach, (Happy Holiday): This saying is not limited to Hanukkah and can be used during any Jewish holiday;, Chag Urim Sameach, (Happy Festival of Lights); or, Hanukkah Sameach, (Happy Hanukkah).
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The winter solstice is the astronomical first day of winter in the Northern Hemisphere. It is the day with the fewest hours of sunlight in the whole year and is called the “shortest day of the year.” The solstice itself actually occurs at an exact moment, when the hemisphere is tilted as far away from the Sun as it can be., Why is the Winter Solstice important?, Winter solstice celebrations have a rich history around the world . There are many cultures that hold feasts and celebrate holidays around the winter solstice, often with fire and light. Some of the modern-day festivals celebrated around the world are: Dongzhi – a festival celebrated in China, Taiwan, Japan, Vietnam, and Korea. Families gather to celebrate the increase in positive energy with…, Learn more about Winter Solstice, Want to learn more about Winter Solstice? Check out the Almanac’s Celebrate the Winter Solstice with Facts, Folklore, and More!
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The Origins of Christmas, From a religious standpoint, Christmas commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ. In addition, Christmas has become a cultural holiday for many over the years with the evolution of St. Nicholas into Santa Claus., When Christmas is Observed, The Christmas season begins for Western Christianity and some of the Eastern Churches on December 24 with Christmas Eve followed by Christmas Day on December 25 and runs through either the Epiphany or the Baptism. The Armenian Apostolic Church, the Armenian Evangelical Church, and some Anabaptists recognize January 6 as Christmas. Most Oriental Orthodox and some of the Eastern Orthodox churches…, How Christmas is Celebrated, Christmas Day is celebrated as a major festival and public holiday in countries around the world, including many whose populations are mostly non-Christian. Popular traditions include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, sharing meals with family and friends, and waiting for Santa Claus to arrive.
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About Transgender Awareness Week, Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance is a time for the LGBTQ+ community to celebrate, uplift, and honor our trans community. Transgender Awareness Week provides the opportunity to uplift positive and insightful stories of trans people across the country. The Human Rights Campaign provides several resources that raise awareness about the transgender community, including:…, About Transgender Day of Remembrance, November 20 marks the 26th anniversary of Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) , which was originally established in 1999 to commemorate the life of Rita Hester, a transgender woman who was murdered in her Boston apartment in 1998. TDOR is now an annual day of remembrance for members of the transgender community who have been victims of anti-transgender hatred and violence ., Upcoming Transgender Day of Remembrance Events, Trans Day of Remembrance Poster Making, , Thursday, November 20, 5:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. Parker Hill Branch, 1497 Tremont St Roxbury, MA 02120 Join the Boston Public Library in honoring Trans Day of Remembrance by creating posters that uplift, remember, and advocate for the lives of transgender and gender-diverse people we've lost to anti-trans violence. , North Shore LGBTQ Network’s Transgender Day of Remembrance Vigil, Thursday, November 20, 7:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m. Peabody Essex Museum, 161 Essex Street, Salem, MA 01970 Organized and led by members of the trans community, this vigil will feature trans speakers and the traditional reading of names, followed by an open mic. Please note attendees are prohibited from taking photos during the vigil.
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About the 250th Anniversary, The U.S. Marines Corps is the premier elite fighting force in the world, and every year on November 10th, the USMC is celebrated. This November 10th marks the 250th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps. Celebrations have occurred across the country with Marine Weeks in Los Angeles, Nashville, Chicago, Boston, and Atlanta. 250th birthday celebrations will conclude in Washington, DC at the…, United States Marine Corps History, The Marine Corps has a long and wide-reaching history. On November 10, 1775, the U.S. Marine Corps was officially set up by the Second Continental Congress to raise two battalions of Continental Marines to support and strengthen U.S. naval forces in the Revolutionary War. Despite their success, the Marines were no longer needed, so when the war ended so did the Marine’s first tenure. On July 11,…
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Passover, also called Pesach is a major Jewish holiday. Passover commemorates the story of the Israelites' escape from slavery and departure from ancient Egypt. Strict dietary laws must be observed, and special prohibitions restrict work at the beginning and end of the celebration. The first night is often celebrated with a special family meal called the seder. At the seder, symbolic foods are…
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Palm Sunday is a Christian religious feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. For many Christians, Palm Sunday (also referred to as Passion Sunday) marks the beginning of Holy Week, which observes Christ’s “Passion,” or the period of his sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection as told in each of the four canonical…
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