Month by Month Calendar of events, celebrations and other special days

April 2009
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
		1 April Fool's DayA day to play tricks on your friends	2 Hans Christian AndersenHans Christian Andersen was born in 1805	3 Rama Navami (Hindu)Hindu celebration of the birth of Lord Rama, hero of the religious epic poem, The Ramayana. The day involves telling of stories and going to the temple.	4 The Grand NationalA famous horse race (a "steeplechase", which involves jumping over fences) . Thurs 2 Apri - Saturday 4 April 2009 Location: Aintree, near Liverpool	5 National Pet MonthNational Pet Month, supported by Iams, is run by a charitable trust, unique in bringing together animal welfare charities and professional bodies with the common goal of improving the welfare of pets. Palm Sunday (Christian)The first day of Holy Week i.e. the week which recalls the last week of Jesus' earthly human life. Christians remember his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, where later he would be arrested and crucified.
6 Edinburgh International Science FestivalThe 2009 Edinburgh International Science Festival will be held from 6th to 18th April.	7 World Health DayOn this day around the globe, thousands of events mark the importance of health for productive and happy lives.	8 Hanamatsuri (Buddhist)Japanese flower festival honouring the Buddha's birth.	9 Maundy Thursday (Christian)Christians reflect on The Last Supper, when Jesus celebrated the Passover meal with his disciples. Full Moon Hanuman Jayanti (Hindu)Hindus celebrate the birth of Hanuman, the monkey-warrior. Passover or Pesach (Jewish)9 - 16 April 2009 ...Passover begins at sundown and is the eight-day feast commemorating the exodus of the people of Israel from slavery in Egypt.	10 Bank HolidayNo school or work for most people Good Friday (Christian)On this day, Christians remember the day when Jesus was crucified on a cross.	11 Holy Saturday (Christian)A day of vigil culminating in the feast of the resurrection.	12 Easter Sunday (Christian)This is the most important festival of the Christian year, as it is when Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus.
13 Bank HolidayNo school or work for most people Sikh New Year (Sikh)Vaisakhi The Sikh calendar is called the Nanakshahi Calendar and takes its name from Guru Nanak, who founded Sikhism. Harness Horse Parade, SussexAn annual parade of horses, ponies and donkeys and their carriages.	14 Highway CodeThe Highway Code first issued in 1931 Baisakhi / Vaisakhi (Sikh)Harvest Festival Baisakhi (also called Vaisakhi) is an ancient harvest festival of great significance to Sikhs and many Hindus. Celebrated mostly in the Punjab region of north India, it is a time when farmers harvest their crops.	15	16	17 Syria National DayA country in Southwest Asia	18	19
20 Global Campaign for Education Action WeekThe Global Campaign for Education has chosen “Youth and Adult Literacy and Lifelong Learning” as the theme for the 7th Education for All (EFA) Global Action Week (GAW) 20-26 April 2009.	21 Yom HaShoah (Jewish)Holocaust Remembrance Day. The day has been established to remember the six million Jews killed by the Nazis in 1933-45. It is observed by many non-Jews as well. Queen Elizabeth II BirthdayThe Queen's real birthday is on 21 April (she also has an "official" birthday in June which is marked by the Trooping the Colour. She was born in 1926. It is traditional for soldiers to fire cannons to celebrate royal birthdays or other national events.	22 Earth DayEarth Day is a name used for two different observances, both held annually during spring in the northern hemisphere, and autumn in the southern hemisphere. These are intended to inspire awareness of and appreciation for the Earth's environment. The United Nations celebrates Earth Day each year on the March equinox, while a global observance in many countries is held each year on April 22.	23 Shakespeare's Birthday23 April is the day on which the birthday of William Shakespeare (England's most famous writer) is celebrated. Shakespeare's birthday is celebrated in Stratford-upon-Avon, the town where he was born. There is a street procession and other entertainment with a Shakesperean theme. New Moon St Georges Day (England's national day) ... World book and copyright day	24	25 Anzac DayThe name ANZAC is an abbreviation for the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps. Anzac Day is commemorated by Australia and New Zealand on 25 April every year to honour members of the Australian and New Zealand Army Corps (ANZAC) who fought at Gallipoli in Turkey during World War I.	26 The London MarathonThe London Marathon has been taking place each year since 1981. Tanzania National Day
27 Samuel MorseSamuel Morse, inventor of Morse code was born in 1791 RSPCA WeekA major fundraising and profile raising opportunity for the Society's branches located throughout England and Wales. RSPCA Week will run from 27 April to 3 May 2009 South Africa National Day	28	29 International Noise Awareness DayThe League for the Hard of Hearing is once again spearheading a special effort to inform the public of the necessity of creating a quiet home, school and recreational environment.	30 Netherlands' National DayThe Netherlands is a constitutional monarchy, located in Western Europe.