Welcome to a new/another year at Duke! Join us for popsicles and yard games!

Several years ago we hosted a Nowruz gathering. An energetic group of students and spouses from Kazakhstan invited a large number of guests to taste, sing, dance, learn and laugh while sampling the cultural festival.  What fun we all had!

Since then I find myself paying a bit more attention to the first day of spring in the western calendar which coincides with Nowruz!  Though Nowruz is a largely secular celebration, it may be associated with and influenced by centuries-old religious traditions too. The festival continues to be celebrated in many countries with significant, Persian cultural influence – including people in Iran, Iraq, India, Afghanistan, and much of Central Asia.[1]

Here, the advent of spring[2] is often associated with the first blossoms in nature as well as hoped-for milder weather.  The latter depends, of course, at what latitude you live – no spring yet in Wisconsin!  Many people, though, are prompted to spring-clean their closets, e.g. get rid of old clothes; or houses, e.g. wash windows.  You may even notice an increase in “yard sales” in the spring! 

What we generally don’t pay attention to is what I find intriguing in Nowruz. Since the festival marks the new year, not simply a change in seasons, many in Central Asia engage in activities that illustrate a kind-of soul cleaning too!  Or am I reading into it an aspect that particularly connects with me personally?  But look, Nowruz is translated new day (in English).  And, some of their traditions do point to *inner renewal or cleaning*, though that theme probably gets lost with other colorful and tasty traditions.

New – new year, new day, clean inside[3] and outside – with celebration!  Bring it on!

[1] https://www.britannica.com/topic/Nowruz

[2] Let’s try one of these activities to challenge the right side of the brain: https://holidappy.com/holidays/celebrate-spring!

[3] “For if a person is in Christ she becomes a new person altogether—the past is finished and gone, everything has become fresh and new. All this is God’s doing….” (Bible, 2 Corinthians 5:17)

Today, Monday, September 7, you may hear someone wish you a Happy Labor Day. What is Labor Day and why do American’s celebrate it? Labor Day is a national holiday that pays tribute to the contributions and achievements of American workers and is traditionally observed on the first Monday in September. 

The History of Labor Day   

In the late 1800s, the average American worked 12-hour days, seven-day weeks, and barely were able to make a basic living.  In some states, children as young as 5 or 6 years old worked in mills, factories, and mines, earning disgracefully low wages. People of all ages, particularly the poor, often worked in unsafe working conditions, with insufficient access to fresh air, sanitary facilities, and breaks.

In the late 18th century, labor unions began organizing strikes in protest of the poor working conditions in the mills and factories and pressured employers to renegotiate the hours and pay for their workers. In 1882, ten thousand New York City workers took unpaid time off from their jobs to march in the first Labor Day parade in U.S. history. The idea of a “workingman’s holiday,” caught on across the country, and in 1894 Congress passed an act making Labor Day a legal holiday.

Labor Day is typically celebrated in cities and towns across America with parades, picnics, barbecues, fireworks, and other public gatherings. I hope you have a Happy Labor Day!

Author: Judith Howard, International Students Inc staff @ NC State