October 13th, 2008

Columbus Day, observed on the second Monday in October, commemorates the historic voyage of Christopher Columbus in 1492, which opened the doors to exploration and the encounter between the Old World and the New World. It's a day to celebrate exploration, culture, and the enduring spirit of discovery. Columbus Day is celebrated differently in various parts of the Americas, with some places emphasizing the exploration and discovery aspects, while others focus on acknowledging and addressing the historical complexities and consequences of colonization.

The International Day for Disaster Risk Reduction is observed to promote a global culture of risk-awareness and disaster reduction. This day highlights the importance of reining in the risks that people face and reducing their exposure to disasters. Events on this day often include community drills, workshops, and conferences focusing on strategies for disaster risk reduction, resilience building, and raising awareness about effective actions, policies, and practices to reduce risks and disasters. The day serves as a reminder of the collective responsibility to prevent and reduce exposure to disasters, mitigate their impact, and improve our readiness for adverse events. It's a call to action to protect people, communities, and countries by planning for disasters, reducing vulnerability, and investing in resilient futures.

Sukkot, also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a joyous Jewish festival that commemorates the wandering of the Israelites in the desert for 40 years and celebrates the gathering of the harvest. The holiday lasts for seven days, during which families build and dwell in temporary structures called sukkahs. These sukkahs, often beautifully decorated with fruits, flowers, and other natural materials, symbolize the temporary shelters used by the Israelites and represent reliance on God. Sukkot is a time of hospitality and communal gathering, where meals are shared in the sukkah, and it's customary to welcome guests. The festival also includes the waving of the lulav and etrog, important agricultural symbols. Sukkot combines the celebration of nature's bounty with a reflection on gratitude and dependence on divine protection.