Observances & Holidays 🎉

On September 18, 2008, National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day was launched by The AIDS Institute in an effort to raise awareness due to the alarming increase in the number of HIV diagnoses among older adults and individuals over 50 living and aging with HIV.

Each year our nation observes National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day (NHAAD) on September 18th and the national campaign highlights the complex issues related to HIV prevention, care, and treatment for older adults. NHAAD is further recognized by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, and www.hiv.gov.

In an effort to continually expand awareness about HIV/AIDS among the aging population, organizations and community members are invited to develop, implement and participate in awareness activities and events on or around September 18th.

The 2024 NHAAD theme is Protect our aging populations: meeting new challenges to live longer and improve lives of people living and aging with HIV.

Our goals are to emphasize the need for prevention, research, and data focused on the aging community and increase medical understanding of the impact of HIV on the natural aging process. Through action, we hope to increase the quality of life for people living with HIV (PWH). Through awareness, we hope to reduce stigma surrounding HIV.

To honor the timeless principles enshrined in our Constitution, the Congress has, by joint resolution of February 29, 1952 (36 U.S.C. 106), designated September 17 as “Constitution Day and Citizenship Day” and authorized the President to issue a proclamation calling on United States officials to display the flag of the United States on all Government buildings on that day. By joint resolution of August 2, 1956 (36 U.S.C. 108), the Congress further requested that the President proclaim the week beginning September 17 and ending September 23 of each year as “Constitution Week.” NOW, THEREFORE, I, JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR., President of the United States of America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim September 17, 2024, as Constitution Day and Citizenship Day, and September 17 through September 23 as Constitution Week. On this day and during this week, we celebrate our Constitution and the rights of citizenship that we enjoy together as the proud people of this Nation.

Another independence day, this time from Spain

The Cry of Dolores (Spanish: Grito de Dolores) occurred in Dolores, Mexico, on 16 September 1810, when Roman Catholic priest Miguel Hidalgo y Costilla rang his church bell and gave the call to arms that triggered the Mexican War of Independence. The Cry of Dolores is most commonly known by the locals as "El Grito de Independencia" (The Independence Cry).

Every year on the eve of Independence Day, the President of Mexico re-enacts the cry from the balcony of the National Palace in Mexico City, while ringing the same bell Hidalgo used in 1810. During the patriotic speech, the president calls out the names of the fallen heroes who died during the War of Independence and he ends the speech by shouting "Viva Mexico!" three times followed by the Mexican National Anthem.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cry_of_Dolores

Here's the bell, with some cute little cherubs breaking their backs holding it up:

https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Detalle_de_Fachada_V.jpg

Celebrates his birthday on September 13, 1916

One of the rare ones not about independence from Britain. Portugal this time.

On this day in 1968, they decided they didn't like those weird tealovers anymore. Shown using their older name of Swaziland in this meme:

https://www.un.org/en/observances/charity-day

https://www.batimes.com.ar/news/opinion-and-analysis/bhavna-sharma-diversity-makes-us-stronger.phtml

Everyone should take a moment and celebrate the Treaty between the United States of America and New Zealand on the Delimitation of the Maritime Boundary between Tokelau and the United States of America, which came into effect on this day in 1983.

They're also the first country to go 100% renewable with solar power.

Happy Tibetan Democracy Day

Happy Labor Day!