Calendar of Special Days and Festivals 2008

September 2009
Monday	Tuesday	Wednesday	Thursday	Friday	Saturday	Sunday
	1	2	3	4 Full Moon	5	6 First free public library opened in 1852 Braemar Gathering & Highland Games, Scottish highlandsThe Braemar Gathering and Highland Games is possibly the most famous of its kind in the world. Each year thousands of visitors descend on the samll village on the first Saturday in September to watch one of the more colourful Scottish traditions. It has been regularly attended by members of the Royal Family since Queen Victoria first attended in 1848.
7 Queen Elizabeth I bornThe last Tudor monarch and daughter of Henry VIII	8 International Literacy DayInternational Literacy Day, observed annually on September 8, focuses attention on worldwide literacy needs. More than 780 million of the world’s adults (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) do not know how to read or write, and between 94 and 115 million children lack access to education.	9	10	11 Heritage Open DaysFree entry is offered at many National Trust properties across the UK from 11 - 14 September	12	13 Last Night of the PromsA Prom means a Promenade Concert, or a concert where part of the audience stands in a "promenade" area of the hall. The BBC Proms is an annual music festival running from mid-July to mid-September and comprising over seventy Prom concerts. Roald Dahl Day13th September is officially Roald Dahl Day across the world! ... Thames Festival, London13 and 14th September. Two days of free music and entertainment on the south bank of the Thames, between Westminster Bridge and Blackfriars Bridge. The event starts at 12 noon and ends at about 10pm on each day. The Great River Race, LondonOver 200 different rowing boats race along the River Thames, from Ham House (Richmond) to Island Gardens (Isle of Dogs).
14	15 Battle of Britain DayOn the 15th September more than 1,000 enemy aircraft carried out a day and night attack on London - it was a day of very heavy fighting and later became commemorated as Battle of Britain day.	16 Laylat ul-QadraThe 27th day of Ramadan.	17	18 New Moon	19 Navaratri and Durgapuja begins Rosh HashanahJewish New Years Day International Talk Like A Pirate Day	20 Beach WatchThe MCS Beachwatch litter survey and clean-up is a national event that has taken place on the third weekend of September every year since 1993. Great North Run, NewcastleThe world's biggest and most prestigious half-marathon Newcastle, Sunday, 20 September 2009 ... Eid-Ul FitrThis festival marks the end of Ramadan and begins with the sighting of the new moon. It is a joyful festival, people rise early to bathe, put on new clothes and attend the mosques to pray and give alms. Later, meals are shared and gifts distributed.
21 World Peace Day	22 Autumn BeginsThis day is known as the autumnal equinox. On 22 or 23 September, the sun shines directly on the equator and the length of day and night are nearly equal in all parts of the world.	23	24	25	26 European Day of LanguagesThe European Day of Languages (EDL), a Council of Europe initiative, is held annually on the 26 September to celebrate language and cultural diversity. The Day was first celebrated in 2001, the European Year of Languages and involves more people every year.	27
28 Dasera (Dassehra)People act out the story of Rama's victory over demon Ravana. Yom KippurThis is the final day of the Ten Days of Penitence, which began in the New Year (Rosh Hashanah). It is also called the Day of Atonement when Jews ask for forgiveness and look to the future. It is the holiest day of the year in the Jewish calendar.	29 St Michaelmas DayTraditionally the last day of the Harvest season	30