Women's International Day has been observed since over eight years ago. Women and men who advocate for the cause of women, celebrate worldwide her efforts and devotion in reaching equality, justice, peace and development. Beyond national frontiers, and ethnic differences, language barriers, as well as cultural, economic and political gaps, women for all over the world observe this day and iterate the conscious thought behind the fact that they are entitled no only to half the obligations, but also to their rights, too. Women's International Day was declared in 1910 by Clara Zetkin, a German member of the International Trade Union of Seamstresses, during the International Congress of Coppehague’s Socialist Women in Denmark. The commemoration was singled out to pay tribute to a group of women who bravely seized control of a New York City's textile factory in 1857 to demand equal wages and a 10-hour working day.The owners' reply to this demand was to set the seized factory on fire. 129 female workers died.The United Nations, as a major world forum and international arena, applauded the celebration of Women's Day in many other countries. By passing Resolution 32/142, all nations were summoned to set aside, according to their own traditions and national customs, one day of the year to observe the United Nations Day for Women's Rights and International Peace.
Christmas
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On this day, people observe the birth of Jesus of Nazareth, the Redeemer of the World, the Son of the Virgin Mary, born in Bethlehem, giving out peace and love as His most coveted gifts. During Christmas' Eve, a dinner among family members or friends takes place, where everybody hopefully waits for the December 25 Holiday. This is an ideal date to remember the teachings of this sublime Teacher of Love and Compassion, and compare this all with our way of living. Thus, we will be able to set up a standard to follow in our daily lives, in harmony with the lessons learned this way, and so make a contribution for the strengthening of human values in our society.
New Year
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It's equally celebrated in all Latin American and Caribbean nations. Some of these countries, aware of the importance of their respective people’s actions for achieving a common goal, have inserted in their own cultures the tradition of the new goals to be attained during the New Year. By and large, this usually happens in a casual meeting linked to this particular celebration (New Year's Eve dinner, or the first meeting of family members and friends on the New Year’s very first day. Tradition goes that people in that family reunion must tell one another their wishes for the New Year as a way of sharing opinions.When the clock ticks by closer and closer to midnight, some people like eating grapes over each and every toll of the bells, just for the sake of good luck. Then, right at that moment, people hug one another; lovers wait for the occasion to kiss each other the Old Year away; drivers honks their cars and fireworks light up the night everywhere. A few minutes later, some begin to dine their traditional dishes saved for that special occasion; other toast; some others dance or hit the streets to party the night away.
International Workers' Day
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It's already been 111 years since this date was first observed worldwide in due tribute to the longstanding battle of the working people for their demands.The commemoration was first held in Paris to honor the memory of the Chicago Martyrs, a bunch of workers that was dragged to the gallows, charged with demanding an 8-hour working day.In the mid 19th Century, retellers of that moment say, both in Europe and in America, in the emerging industrial factories, workers were forced to accept 12-to-14-hour working days, six days a week, even for children and women in toilsome jobs amid a poisoning and unhealthy environment. European immigrants coming to America in search of a better life, only managed to shake the dregs of the old feudal system off their backs in return for the ferocious appetite of a fledgling Capitalism that was dramatically profiting from the increase of the day’s working hours. Poor British immigrants were the first ever to spread social unrest among their brethren, and they brought to America the struggle they had started back in England for the 8-hour working day.
Jumpin' 'n' Jammin' Carnival
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Between July 25 and August 2 every year, a carnival literally called Jumpin' 'n' Jammin', takes place between the last week of July and stretches all the way to the first Monday to Tuesday of August. Jóuvert, one of the Carnival's greatest moments, kicks off the first Monday of August at 4:00 am. The blaring music of the steelbands makes the perfect companion for the Jumpin' 'n' Jammin' jaywalkers down St. John's streets. The Antigua's carnival wraps up with a street party that begins at approximately 6pm all the way until midnight.
Independence Day
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On July 10, 1973, the Bahamas became an independent nation within the framework of the British Commonwealth. That didn't bring about major changes in the people's daily life. During the week celebrating Independence Day, a huge party featuring parades and fireworks is held.
Goombay's Summer Festival
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It's a three-night popular party. Dancing, competition, fairs, disguises and parades make afternoons colorful, while mornings are saved for partaking in parties at the beach and other sports and cultural entertainment.
Emancipation Day
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Columbus Day
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As in almost all of the Americas, Columbus Day is observed in the region every October 12. The Bahamas archipelago was one of the Caribbean's few areas where the Arawacks were not displaced by the Caribe people. These American indians were probably the very first ever to “discover” the European sailors on October 12, 1492. In fact, it was maybe on the former island of Watling –now the Bahamas- where Christopher Columbus first set foot on American land, though he thought he'd come to Asia.
Junkanoo
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The island-native parties and celebrations of red-letter days add light and color to the entire archipelago. Thus, Junkanoo is a famous national festival brought on by African traditions held only twice a year: on December 26 and on New Year’s Day.Everybody puts on their own disguises and walk across downtown Nassau to the sound of bells, speakers, whistles and to the heavy beat of goat-skinned drums and other homemade musical instruments. Disguised groups vie in the parades, dancing atop chariots made of cardboard, wire and colored paper. These groups march up and down the capital’s two main avenues: Bay Street and Shirley Street. A wide variety of disguises used in recent years' parades and roadmarches are exhibited in the Junkanoo Museum, also known as the JunkanooExpo in Prince George Wharf.
