Alpha Team Magazine

ALPHA TEAM
CALENDAR
Festivities, Anniversaries, Holidays, and more.

JANUARY
New Year (January 1st) The celebration of the New Year is an age-old
tradition around the world: food, fireworks and reflection with friends and
family are common elements, but ultimately this varies according to different
calendars, religions and cultures. While the Gregorian calendar (introduced by
Western Christianity) has been the protagonist in the Western world, lunar and
solar calendars.
Three Kings Day, A Festivity with Hispanic Tradition (January 6th)There is
evidence since the 2nd century A.D. of the appearance of the figures of the Magi, who
came to adore the Baby Jesus. It is a day much awaited by children, especially in
Spanish-speaking countries such as Mexico, Venezuela or Spain, since it is when they
traditionally receive Christmas.
The El Salvador Peace Accords (January
16th)Represent a legacy both for the Salvadoran population and for Latin
America. Disqualifying the 1992 peace accords is nothing more than an
attempt to build a new political order that seeks to do away with the political
forces that built a new era after the military dictatorship. The anniversary has
taken on a different hue this year, as it has been used by Father Nayib Bukele
for a new offensive against what he considers the two-headed entity of
corruption in his country: the FMLN and ARENA, which agreed to end the
armed conflict. Days before, the Legislative Assembly, now dominated by
Bukele's New Ideas, repealed the decree that established January 16 as the
National Day of Peace and established the National Day of the Victims of the Armed Conflict.
International Education Day (January 29th)
The United Nations General Assembly proclaimed 24 January as International
Education Day, in celebration of the role that education plays in peace and
development. Without quality, inclusive and equitable education for all and
lifelong learning opportunities, countries will not achieve gender equality or
break the cycle of poverty that leaves millions of children, youth and adults
behind.

FEBRUARY
World Cancer Day (February 4th)
Each year on February 4, PAHO/WHO supports the International Union Against Cancer in
promoting ways to reduce the global burden of cancer. Cancer prevention and increasing
the quality of life of cancer patients are recurring themes.
Chinese New Year (February 12th)
Chinese New Year is the most important holiday in the Chinese calendar,
celebrated in other East Asian countries such as Singapore and South Korea. It
is also known as Spring Festival or Lunar New Year.
This celebration has an important cultural connotation as a tradition,
commemorating the ancestors in the strictest family union, as well as wishing
the best wishes, fortune, good luck and warding off evil spirits in the coming
year.
Valentine's Day (February 14th)
Every February 14, Valentine's Day is celebrated in several countries around the
world with great enthusiasm and joy. A very special day for many, where the
importance of love is highlighted and that, despite the belief of its commercial
origin, comes from long before. Specifically from the third century in Rome and
the death of Valentine, a priest sentenced for secretly celebrating marriages of
young lovers.
World Day of Social Justice
On November 26, 2007, the General Assembly declares that, as of its sixty-third
session, 20 February of each year will be celebrated as the World Day of Social
Justice (A/RES/62/10).

MARCH
National Day of the Blind (March 1st)
This March 1 commemorates the "National Day of the Blind in El Salvador", which
was instituted by legislative decree in 1992.
Blind people have formed several associations and on March 1, 1943, the first School
for the Blind in El Salvador was founded for their training. For this reason, this date
has been declared "NATIONAL DAY OF THE BLIND".
World Wildlife Day (March 3rd)
Zero Discrimination Day (March 1st)
ON ZERO DISCRIMINATION DAY
On March 1, Zero Discrimination Day, we celebrate the right of all people to live full
and productive lives with dignity. Zero Discrimination Day highlights how all people
can become informed and foster inclusion, compassion, peace and, above all, a
movement for change. This day helps create a global movement of solidarity to end all
forms of discrimination.
On this year's Zero Discrimination Day, with the theme "Eliminate laws that harm,
create laws that empower", UNAIDS wants to highlight the
imperative to take action against discriminatory laws.
In 2013, during its sixty-eighth session, the United Nations General Assembly decided to
proclaim March 3, the day of the adoption of the C
onvention on International Trade in Endangered Species of Wild Fauna and Flora (CITES), World Wildlife Day,
National Day of Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero Galdámez (March 24th)
LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY - REPUBLIC OF EL SALVADOR
LEGISLATIVE INDEX DECREE Nº 294
THE LEGISLATIVE ASSEMBLY OF THE REPUBLIC OF EL SALVADOR,
CONSIDERING:
II. That Monsignor Oscar Arnulfo Romero Galdámez, not only stood out for
his pastoral work, but also for his excellent work as Secretary of the Episcopal
Conference of El Salvador and Executive Secretary of the Episcopal Council of
Central America and Panama, which earned him several appointments among
which are mentioned: Auxiliary Bishop of San Salvador, on April 25, 1970; Bishop
of the Diocese of Santiago de María, Usulután, on October 15, 1974 and
Archbishop of San Salvador, on February 3, 1977.

APRIL
National Day for the Eradication of Sexual Violence against Children in El
Salvador. (April 4th)
April 4, National Day for the Eradication of Sexual Violence against Childr
en in El Salvador.
Earth Day or International Mother Earth Day (April 22nd)
On April 22, International Mother Earth Day is celebrated to remember that the Earth is
our home and we must take care of it to conserve its natural resources for future
generations.
National Secretary's Day (April 26th)
The "Secretary's Day" in El Salvador is celebrated on April 26,
2021. It is a commemorative day to recognize the work and
dedication shown by these professionals.
On this special date, El Salvador pays tribute to its secretaries.
International Dance Day (April 29th)
In 1982, on the initiative of the International Dance Committee,
UNESCO proclaimed April 29th as International Dance Day. The
date chosen corresponds to the birthday of dancer and choreographer
Jean-Georges Noverre.
The objective of the International Dance Day is to honor dance as a
universal and diverse art discipline, bringing together all those who
have chosen this form of expression without cultural, political and
ethical barriers.

May
Labor day (May 1st)
The origin of this day dates back to May 1, 1886, when around 200,000 workers organized in
a struggle for the vindication of labor rights such as an eight-hour workday, improved
working conditions, hygiene and health and other rights.
Day of the Cross (May 3rd)
Every May 3rd is celebrated the Day of the Cross in El Salvador. This tradition dates back
to pre-Columbian times when the conjugation of catholic and indigenous customs worked
together.
Historians believe that the tradition of the celebration of the Day of the Cross arose from
the customs of the indigenous people in offering their fruits to the gods as an offering of
gratitude for the bounty of their lands, seeing this ceremony the Catholic Church took it
back giving it another twist in which the offerings were no longer dedicated to the
indigenous gods but to the Christian God putting them at the foot of a cross the fruits
obtained by their crops in gratitute.
Mother's Day (May 10th)
Mother's Day, is that special date when we thank our mothers
for all the love and attention they give us, in El Salvador it is
celebrated every May 10th; however, this was not always so.
However, in El Salvador, Mother's Day was celebrated in the
month of February at the beginning of the last century. It was
in 1927 that the date changed to be celebrated on May 10,
something that was made official by the then Constituent
Assembly in 1983.
Day of the Soldier (May 7th)
Every year, the Salvadoran Army celebrates the day of the
soldier on May 7, anniversary of the creation of the Legion of
Liberty of General Manuel José Arce in 1824, which defended
the ideals of the first patriots and liberalism that opposed the
dictatorial pretensions of the Guatemalan conservatives.
This day remembers thousands of anonymous heroes who have
shed their blood for the highest ideals of the country, often
dying in the shadows of anonymity, without a grave and
leaving their families in poverty and ignominy.

June
Father's Day (June 17th)
The celebration of Father's Day is held nationwide, and recognizes
the effort that many fathers make in order to provide for their
children, and also for the fact of being able to offer them a much
better future.
Teacher's Day (June 22nd)
Origin: In El Salvador, Teacher's Day was
decreed in 1928 by the National Legislative
Assembly of the Republic of El Salvador. It was
stated that "there is no more sacred art, nor more
beautiful and higher mission than that of the
teacher, because he/she educates, teaches and
redeems the people".
Feast of St. John the Baptist (June 24th)
This date is recorded in the Bible with the birth of John the
Baptist. His arrival was announced by Zechariah with a great
bonfire on the night of June 23-24. Due to this fact, Christianity
adopted this event as a feast to celebrate the advent of John the
Baptist with bonfires.

July
Independence Day in the United States (July 4th)
The Fourth of July is celebrated as Independence
Day in the United States since the country's
founding fathers signed the Declaration of
Independence on July 4, 1776. To commemorate the
occasion, Americans celebrate with parades,
fireworks, concerts and other festive activities.
The Virgin of Mount Carmel is celebrated. (July 16th)
The custom originated in England in 1251. Catholics claim that on July 16
of that year the Virgin of Mount Carmel appeared to St. Simon Stock, to
whom she gave him habits and a scapular and habits, a sign of the order's
cult.
Fiestas Julias (July 17th - 26th)
The Fiestas Julias are the patron saint festivities that are
celebrated every year from July 17 to 26, in the city of Santa
Ana. These festivities are dedicated to the patron saint of the
place, Mrs. Santa Ana, and over time have become one of the
most important festivities in El Salvador.
July 21: Peace Accords
The Peace Accords were the result of a long negotiation
process between the Government and the FMLN that had
begun in the mid 1980s.
The Peace Accords signed between the government and
the guerrilla forces ended 12 years of assassinations and
disappearances, redefined the mandate of the armed
forces, reformed the judiciary and recognized the serious
human rights violations of the time.

August
Feast of the divine savior of the world (August 6th)
The origin of the Feast of the Divine Saviour of the World goes back
to the establishment of the Feast of the Transfiguration on August
6. Pope Calixtus III established it in 1457 with the purpose of
remembering the victory against the Turks obtained a year earlier,
1456, in Belgrade.
International Youth Day (August 12th)
The International Youth Day was born in 1999, after the UN
General Assembly designated August 12 as the date to
celebrate this event.
But before that, in 1979, the General Assembly designated
1985 as International Youth Year with the theme of
Participation, Development and Peace.
World Pedestrian Day (August 17th)
Every August 17 is celebrated worldwide as World Pedestrian Day, a celebration
that dates back to 1897, when the first traffic incident involving a pedestrian victim
occurred.
International Day of Commemoration and Tribute
to Victims of Terrorism (August 21st)
The United Nations General Assembly, in its resolution
72/165, decided two years ago to proclaim 21 August
as the International Day of Commemoration and
Tribute to the Victims of Terrorism, in order to honor
and support the victims and survivors of terrorism and
to promote and protect the full enjoyment of their
human rights and fundamental freedoms.

September
National Day of the Quetzal (September 5th)
Every September 5th is commemorated the National Day of the Quetzal,
patriotic symbol as established in the Decree.
Farolitos Day (September 7th)
Every September 7th is celebrated as Farolitos Day. It has more than 150 years of existence
and is originally from Ahuachapán, in which it commemorates the eve of the birth of the
Virgin Mary.
Armed Forces Day (September 9th)
Armed Forces Day is celebrated every September 9.
Independence Day (September 15th)
Every September 15, Independence Day is celebrated in the country. It is a month-long
festival, flags, typical dances and civic acts to remember and enhance its history and culture.
International Day of Peace (September 29 )
Every year, on September 29, the International Day of Peace is celebrated around the world.
The General Assembly has declared this date as the day dedicated to the strengthening of the
ideals of peace, both among all nations and peoples and among the members of each of them.
Day of the Dentist (September 29th )
Every September 29th is celebrated as the day of the dentist.

Children's Day (October 1st)
October
Although every October 1st is celebrated as Children's Day, the United Nations
Organization (UNO) decreed every October 11th as the International Day of the Girl Child
Every October 1st is celebrated as the Day of the Coffee Grower
Psychologist's Day(October 10th )
Every October 10th is celebrated the Psychologist's Day, so from Centro de Orientación
Profesional we congratulate all those who form and are being formed to be part of this
profession.
Day of the Girl Child ( October 11 )
Every October 11 is celebrated the Day of the Girl Child focusing attention on
the need to address the challenges faced by girls and adolescents.
National Sports Day (October 11 )
Every October 11 National Sports Day is celebrated as "National Day of Sports, Recreation
and Physical Education".
Día de la Raza ( October 12th)
Every October 12, Día de la Raza or Día de la Hispanidad Día de la Raza is celebrated in memory
of the struggle between the indigenous people and the Spanish colonizers in 1492.
Day against Breast Cancer ( October 19th)
Every October 19 is celebrated the Day against Breast Cancer. The WHO decreed this day to
raise awareness and promote women's access to timely treatment and diagnosis.
Halloween (October 31st)
Every October 31st is celebrated Halloween or Halloween is a holiday that is celebrated the
night of October 31st of each year (All Saints Eve) also known as Halloween is a festival of
pagan origin that is celebrated every year.

November
Day of the Dead (November 1st and 2nd)
The Day of the Dead is a Mexican tradition celebrated on November 1st and 2nd,
honoring the memory of the dead.
National Pupusas Day(November 13th )
Every November 13th is celebrated the National Pupusas Day.
(second Sunday of the month).
Day of the Musician ( November 22nd)
Every November 22 is celebrated the Day of the Musician, also known as the
International Day of Music, in honor of Saint Cecilia.

December
National Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3rd)
Every December 3rd is celebrated the National Day of Persons with Disabilities
The objective is to promote the rights and welfare of persons with disabilities in all
areas of society and development.
Day of the Salvadoran Firefighter (December 4th)
Every December 4th the Day of the Salvadoran Firefighter is celebrated.
Christmas (December 24th)
Every December 24th Christmas Eve is celebrated Christmas is a celebration in which
the party begins beforehand, during what is known as Christmas Eve, which is the
night of December 24th.
Nativity of the Lord ( December 25th)
Every December 25, another anniversary of the birth of the baby Jesus is
celebrated with the feast of Christmas, also known as the Nativity of the Lord.
Every December 28 is celebrated the Day of the Holy
Innocents, the day when Christian churches remember the
children killed by Herod as the first victims of Christianity.