Category: Calendar

Holidays and Events
by Hla Min

Updated : Nov 2025

Some holidays
- have fixed date
- have relative dates
- are designated as Public holidays
- are religious
January
- Jan 1 : New Year’s Day
- Jan 4 : Independence Day in Myanmar
- Martin Luther King’s Day in US
- Occasionally : Lunar New Year
February
- Feb 12 : Union Day
- Feb 13 : Children’s Day (Bogyoke Aung San’s birthday)
- Feb 14 : Valentine’s Day
- US Presidents’ Day
- Occasionally : Lunar New Year
- Occasionally : Full Moon Day of Tabodwe — Htamane Pwe & [Buddha’s] Exhortation Day
March
- Mar 2 : Peasant’s Day was moved from Jan 1 in order to celebrate the Coup D’eat
- Phone Maw Day
- Burma’s Human Rights Day (celebrated by Berkeley)
- Mar 27 : Resistance Day was renamed as Armed Forces Day
- First Day of Spring : Persian New Year
April
- Thingyan : Three or four days of Water Festival
- Myanmar New Year
May
- May 1 : May Day in some countries
- May 5 : Cinco de Mayo
- Mother’s Day in the US
June
- Jun 6 : D Day
- Jun 6 : Ah Loke Thamar Ah Yay Ah Khinn
- Father’s Day in the US
July
- Jul 4 : Independence Day in the US
- Jul 7 : Students’ protest that was brutally crushed
- Jul 8 : Demolition of the Rangoon University Student’s Union
- Jul 19 : Arzani Nay
- Apollo 11 landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon in July 1969
- My poem “Men on the Moon” was sent to NASA via USIS. A copy was published in the Guardian.
August
- 8-8-88 : start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
- Several birthdays in my extended family
September
- Crushing the hopes of Multi-party Democracy
- Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent
October
- Occasionally : End of Burmese Buddhist Lent (Thadinkyut)
- “Deepavali” or “Diwali” celebrations are also celebrated around October. It is known as the “Festival of Lights”.
- “Halloween” occurs every year on October 31 with “Trick or
- Treat” by the children and [optional] “Halloween Costume Party” by young and old adults.
November
- Elections in the US (Local races & Resolutions every year, House of Representatives every two years, One third of Senators every two years, President every four years)
- Nov 22 : JFK assassinated (Conspiracy Theory survives)
- Thanksgiving, Black Friday and Cyber Monday in the US
December
- U Thant Ah Yay Ah Khinn : dark day in the history of Burma
- Apollo 8 orbited the Moon in December 1968
- Dec 25 : Christmas
- Dec 31 : New Year’s Eve
Grapevine says that some holy days are preceded by some “fun events”.
- Halloween (October 31) precedes “All Saints Day” (November 1).
- Similarly, “Mardi Gras” (“Fat Tuesday”) falls on the day before “Ash Wednesday” signifying the start of the Lent.
Thingyan Su Paung Ya Han Khan
November 23, 2025
November 2021
by Hla Min

Updated : Nov 2025

Daw San San Swe
- Showed her culinary skills as a Surprise Thanksgiving Present.
- Prepared Ah Htutt Ta Ya Palata, Chicken Curry and Bean Soup.
San San (2nd from Right)

Losses
- Within six weeks, Daw Thuza Aung suffered two losses : her beloved spouse U Tun Aung (Jeffery, EC68) and her elder brother U San Aung (New York).
Jeffrey

Grand parents
- U Thein Naing (Patrick) and Daw Khin Myo Aung (Mi Mi) recently became proud Grandparents.
Patrick (2nd from Left)
- U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72) is planning to welcome their fourth Grandchild.
U Aung Myaing

Donation
- In memory of David Ko (U Tin Myint, M67), Mavis Ko donated $2000 to NorCal RITAA.
Garawa
- The Class of C84 paid respect to sayas (U Min Wun, Dr. San Hla Aung …) online.
Posts
- Good News သာရေး
- News သတင်း
- Newsletter သတင်းစဉ်
- Sad News နာရေး
November 20, 2025
November (Month)
by Hla Min

Updated : Nov 2025

Background
- 9th month of the old Roman calendar. Nov means nine.
- 11th month of the Gregorian calendar.
- It has 30 days.
Events

Birthdays
- Saya U Mg Mg (George, ChE66)
- Daw Aye Aye — Spouse of Saya U Aung (C70)
- Son of Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72)
- My Daughter-in-law
November 1
- It is “All Saints Day”. It is preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).
Sunday following Halloween
- DST (Daylight Savings Time) requires resetting the clock according to “Spring forward. Fall back.” Currently, DST is set back in Fall (Autumn) on the Sunday following Halloween.
November 2
- Dr. Ye Myint (cousin nephew) and Daw San San Aye
- Daw Kaythi (cousin niece) and U Soe Min Oo
- Aung Myo Myint (cousin grand nephew) and Demo
November 8
- It is the Anniversary of my beloved parents.
My beloved parents

November 11
- Three generations chose November 11 for their Wedding or Reception
- Dr. and Mrs. Chan Taik
- Daughter Margaret Chan Taik and Dr. Myo Tint (cousin)
- Granddaughter Ma Kay and Soe Min Oo (both EC 93) — reception; the wedding was on November 2
November 22
- John F Kennedy (President of the United States) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
- Conspiracy Theory about his assassination survives.
- A few days earlier, President Kennedy gave his speech in Hoston, Texas : “Before this decade is out, we will send men on the moon and bring them safely back to earth.”
Tazaungdaing
- It often falls around November.
- Kathein robe offering often take place in early November.
  It must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut (which usually falls in October).
Veterans Day
- November 11 is celebrated as Veterans Day in the USA.
- It is celebrated as Armistice Day in the UK and France.
- A hundred years ago, Truce was called between the Allied Forces and Germany. The Truce occurred at 11 AM, marking the event with three 11s.
- WWI (First World War) ended a year later with the Versailles Treaty.
US Elections
- The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels.
- The Presidential Elections occur every four years.
- The mid-term elections occur every two years. The House of Representatives serve two year terms. One third of Senators are elected every two years.
- Local races for Elections and Resolutions are held every year.
- Senators serve six year terms.
  To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.
Commercialization of Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
- Black Friday & Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some start their Black Friday early.
- Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.
Baseball

Game 7
- Game 7 of the 2025 World Series started on November 1 and ended on November 2
- Toronto Blue Jays led in the game until Miguel Rojas (9th place in the batting order) hit a tying home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 9th inning.
- Will Smith hit the game winning home run for LA Dodgers in the 11th inning.
- The Dodgers became repeat champions in 25 years.
- Yoshi Yamamoto started Game 6 and ended Game 7. He was voted the World Series MVP.
November 8, 2025
February (Month)
by Hla Min

Updated : Nov 2025

Background
- 2nd month of Gregorian Calendar
- Shortest Month
- 28 days for Common Year
- 29 days for Leap Year
- Had 30 days. One day each was given to July (named after Julia’s Caesar) and August (named after Augustus Caesar)
My parents

Birthdays
- My mother
- My elder brother
- My grand son
- Bogyoke Aung San
- My paternal uncle
- Dr. Khin Maung U
- Dr. Thane Oke Kyaw Myint
- 69ers (Albert Kyaw Min, Maung Maung Aye, Khin Maung Tint …)
Celebrations

My poem for Pyidaungsu Nay
- Pyidaungsu Nay (Union Day)
  Signing of Pin Lon Agreement
- Kha Lay Myar Nay (Children’s Day) —Birthday of Bogyoke Aung San
Aung San
- Presidents’ Day (US)
  Georgia Washington; Abraham Lincoln …
- Valentine’s Day
- Super Bowl
  American Football Championship
- Some years
  Lunar New Year
  Htamane Pwe
  Ovada Partimauk
November 5, 2025
Month — November
by Hla Min

Updated : Nov 2025

Background
- 9th month of the old Roman calendar. Nov means nine.
- 11th month of the Gregorian calendar.
- It has 30 days.
Events

Birthdays
- Saya U Mg Mg (George, ChE66)
- Daw Aye Aye — Spouse of Saya U Aung (C70)
- Son of Saya U Aung Myaing (ChE72) and Daw Gyn Yu (ChE72)
- My Daughter-in-law
November 1
- It is “All Saints Day”. It is preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).
Sunday following Halloween
- DST (Daylight Savings Time) requires resetting the clock according to “Spring forward. Fall back.” Currently, DST is set back in Fall (Autumn) on the Sunday following Halloween.
November 2
- Dr. Ye Myint (cousin nephew) and Daw San San Aye
- Daw Kaythi (cousin niece) and U Soe Min Oo
- Aung Myo Myint (cousin grand nephew) and Demo
November 8
- It is the Anniversary of my beloved parents.
My beloved parents

November 11
- Three generations chose November 11 for their Wedding or Reception
- Dr. and Mrs. Chan Taik
- Daughter Margaret Chan Taik and Dr. Myo Tint (cousin)
- Granddaughter Ma Kay and Soe Min Oo (both EC 93) — reception; the wedding was on November 2
November 22
- John F Kennedy (President of the United States) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
- Conspiracy Theory about his assassination survives.
- A few days earlier, President Kennedy gave his speech in Hoston, Texas : “Before this decade is out, we will send men on the moon and bring them safely back to earth.”
Tazaungdaing
- It often falls around November.
- Kathein robe offering often take place in early November.
  It must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut (which usually falls in October).
Veterans Day
- November 11 is celebrated as Veterans Day in the USA.
- It is celebrated as Armistice Day in the UK and France.
- A hundred years ago, Truce was called between the Allied Forces and Germany. The Truce occurred at 11 AM, marking the event with three 11s.
- WWI (First World War) ended a year later with the Versailles Treaty.
US Elections
- The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels.
- The Presidential Elections occur every four years.
- The mid-term elections occur every two years. The House of Representatives serve two year terms. One third of Senators are elected every two years.
- Local races for Elections and Resolutions are held every year.
- Senators serve six year terms.
  To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.
Commercialization of Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
- Black Friday & Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some start their Black Friday early.
- Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.
Baseball

Game 7
- Game 7 of the 2025 World Series started on November 1 and ended on November 2
- Toronto Blue Jays led in the game until Miguel Rojas (9th place in the batting order) hit a tying home run for the Los Angeles Dodgers in the 9th inning.
- Will Smith hit the game winning home run for LA Dodgers in the 11th inning.
- The Dodgers became repeat champions in 25 years.
- Yoshi Yamamoto started Game 6 and ended Game 7. He was voted the World Series MVP.
November 2, 2025
Month — March
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Background
- 3rd month of the Gregorian Calendar and has 31 days.
- First month of the old Roman Calendar.
Events

Taw Hlan Yay Nay
- The resistance against the Fascist regime started on March 27, 1945. March 27 is celebrated as Taw Hlan Yay Nay (Resistance Day).
Coup d’etat
- The Union of Burma lost Democracy on March 2, 1962.
  The 17-man Revolutionary Council led by General Ne Win staged Coup D’etat. Many were detained. They include Mahn Win Maung, President of the Union of Burma; U Nu, Prime Minister; Shan Sawbwas / Saophalongs
Phone Maw & Soe Naing
- Ko Phone Maw (5th year RIT student and Lanzin Lu Nge) was hit by a stray bullet on March 13, 1988.
Phone Maw 1

Phone Maw 2
- Ko Soe Naing and Ko Myint Oo were also hit and hospitalized in not-so-humane conditions.
  Ko Soe Naing succumbed to the gun shot wounds. Ko Myint Oo survived.
- March 13 was declared as “Burma Human Rights Day” and “Phone Maw and Soe Naing Nay”.
- During the Pwint Linn Era, requisites were offered in memory of Ko Phone Maw and Ko Soe Naing.
Saying
- Mad as a March hare
August 25, 2025
Month — November
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Background
- 9th month of the old Roman calendar. Nov means nine.
- 11th month of the Gregorian calendar.
- It has 30 days.
Events

November 1
- It is “All Saints Day”. It is preceded by Halloween (which falls on October 31st).
Sunday following Halloween
- DST (Daylight Savings Time) requires resetting the clock according to “Spring forward. Fall back.” Currently, DST is set back in Fall (Autumn) on the Sunday following Halloween.
November 8
- It is the Anniversary of my beloved parents.
My beloved parents

November 11
- Three generations chose November 11 for their Wedding or Reception
- Dr. and Mrs. Chan Taik
- Daughter Margaret Chan Taik and Dr. Myo Tint
- Granddaughter Ma Kay and Soe Min Oo (both EC 93)
November 22
- John F Kennedy (President of the United States) was assassinated in Dallas, Texas on November 22, 1963.
- Conspiracy Theory about his assassination survives.
- A few days earlier, President Kennedy gave his speech in Hoston, Texas : “Before this decade is out, we will send men on the moon and bring them safely back to earth.”
Tazaungdaing
- It often falls around November.
- Kathein robe offering often take place in early November.
  It must be held during one month following the Full Moon Day of Thadinkyut (which usually falls in October).
Veterans Day
- November 11 is celebrated as Veterans Day in the USA.
- It is celebrated as Armistice Day in the UK and France.
- A hundred years ago, Truce was called between the Allied Forces and Germany. The Truce occurred at 11 AM, marking the event with three 11s.
- WWI (First World War) ended a year later with the Versailles Treaty.
US Elections
- The second Tuesday of November is scheduled for US Elections at the various levels.
- The Presidential Elections occur every four years.
- The mid-term elections occur every two years. The House of Representatives serve two year terms. One third of Senators are elected every two years.
- Local races for Elections and Resolutions are held every year.
- Senators serve six year terms.
  To ensure continuity in the Senate, the election of the Senators is staggered into three groups.
Commercialization of Thanksgiving
- Thanksgiving falls on the fourth Thursday of November.
- Black Friday & Cyber Monday following Thanksgiving have massive sales. Some start their Black Friday early.
- Several English words (e.g. November, Black Friday) have lost their original meaning.
August 25, 2025
Month — June
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025

Background
- Named after Goddess Juno
- 4th month in the old Roman Calendar
- 6th month in the Gregorian Calendar
- It has 30 days.
Events

June 6, 1944
- D-Day, “Longest Day”
- There are books and movies about the Allied Forces Landing in Normandy
Ah Loke Thamar Ah Yay Ah Khin (Burma)
- Workers’ protests were crushed
Father’s Day (USA)
- Third Sunday of June
Summer Solstice (Northern Hemisphere)
- It falls around June 21.
- Longest day in the Northern Hemisphere
- Shortest day in the Southern Hemisphere
Juneteenth
- Declaration of “End of Slavery” on June 19, 1865 in Texas
Name of a Girl / Woman
- June Khine : Sister of Min Oo (SPHS63)
- June Khine : Sister of U Set Khine
Anniversaries

Wedding reception on June 23, 1973

Couple

Family Gathering
- My first Job
- Our Anniversary
- Elder Brother’s Anniversary
- Elder Son’s Anniversary
Birthdays
- Elder Son’s Birthday
- Relatives
  U Thaung Lwin, …
- Friends
  U Tun Aung Gyaw
  Daw Khin Maw Maw, …
August 25, 2025
Notes — August
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025
- 6th month of the old Roman calendar had 30 days. It was renamed August in honor of Emperor Augustus Caesar and was given an extra day.
- August is the 8th month of the Gregorian Calendar. It has 31 days.
Special Days

August 8
- 8-8-88
  Start of a long struggle to restore Democracy in Myanmar
- 8-8-08
  Beijing Olympics
August 13
- Sayadaw U Silananda (Rector, IMBTU) passed away on August 13, 2005
- My father-in-law passed away five decades ago.
GBNF in August
- My spouse lost four of her family members in August.
- Her father passed away in his mid-50s.
- Her mother passed away in her late-80s.
- Her elder brother passed away in his early 50s.
- Her nephew passed away in his mid-30s.
Sayadaw U Silananda
- Rector, IMBTU
  Chief Resident Sayadaw of Dhammananda Vihara, Half Moon Bay, California
- Sayadaw passed away in his late-70s on August 13, 2005
- I was Master of Ceremonies at Sayadaw’s Memorial Service.
- I was Committee Member and Contributing Editor for “Paying Homage to Sayadaw U Silananda” Book.
- Accompanied Saya U Myat Htoo (C68, President, TBSA) carrying the box of Sayadaw’s ashes to be scattered from a yacht into the waters near Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco.
TBSA

Birthdays in August
- Several birthdays in my extended family.
- Eldest sister
- Younger sister
- Grand daughter
- Me
- Several cousins
Birthday Soon Kwyay in 2016
- In August 2016, U Maurice Chee (M75) organized a birthday soon kwyay for me at the Dhammananda Vihara in Half Moon Bay, California.
- The sayas and alumni presented me an Appreciation award.
Friends
- Daw Mu Mu Khin (spouse of Saya Allen Htay)
- U Myint Swe (EP74, NorCal RITAA)
- U Thein Naing (Patrick, La Phet Yay Waing member)
- They are August-born and also hosted Birthday Parties.
Lunch Gathering in 2018
- In August 2018, U Patrick (Thein Naing) and Daw Mie Mie hosted a lunch gathering for the August born at Moss Beach Distillery.
- They gave me a best-seller book “The Greater Journey (Americans in Paris)” as birthday present.
- Daw Mie Mie translated several short stories of Ah Myothar Pyinnya Wun U Po Kyar. She plans to publish them as a book.
Is 8 lucky or unlucky?
- 8-8-88 (August 8, 1988) and the following days mark the hope and then despair of the people longing for the end of the Adhamma Era.
- Grapevine says that the event was inspired in part by numerologists who remembered the historic event (about Mingyi Yan Naung) in 888 Burmese Era. They extrapolated the magic of No. 8 from three 8’s to four 8’s.
- Most Chinese think that the number 8 is lucky.
- For example, Beijing Olympics was opened on 8-8-08 (August 8, 2008).
At the beach following the August born Pary
August 22, 2025
Calendar Types
by Hla Min

Updated : Aug 2025
- Academic calendar: It may span two years. For example, the Class of 1958 has to attend classes in 1957 and 1958.
- Civil calendar : It is used for Civil or Administrative purposes. It is also used for general purpose by people and organizations
- Early Roman calendar : It covered only 10 months.
  September, October, November and December were 7th, 8th, 9th and 10th months.
  Note that “Sept” stands for 7, “Oct” for 8, “Nov” for 9, and “Dec” for 10.
- Fiscal calendar : Usually has four Quarters: Q1, Q2, Q3 and Q4
- Gregorian calendar : Named after Pope Gregory. It has “leap year” correction for century years. A century year is considered a leap year if it is divisible by 400. e.g. 1900 is not a leap year, but 2000 is a leap year
- Julian calendar : Named after Julius Caesar. It is a revised Roman calendar with 12 months. December is the 12th month.
- Lunar calendar : It is based on the monthly cycles of the moon. A lunar year usually has 355 days. Some lunar calendars are “pure” (e.g. Islamic calendar). Some lunar calendars are luni-solar calendars.
- Luni-solar calendar : It syncs up with the solar calendar by adding a month every three years.
- Mayan calendar : It is a “long count” calendar used by the Mayan civilization. It is made up of 260 days (13 x 20 day group). nThe great cycle used by the calendar ended in December 2012 causing doomsday proponents to raise alarm about the “end of the world”.
- Myanmar calendar : It is a luni-solar, socio-religious calendar. Many festivals are celebrated on the Full Moon day of selected months (e.g. Kason)The extra month used for synchronization is called “Second Waso”.
- Religious calendar : It is used to celebrate religious events.
  The Islamic calendar is a purely lunar calendar. Hence, the holy month of Ramadan falls in different months of the Gregorian calendar.
- Solar calendar : A solar year usually has 365 days. It takes about 365.2422 days for the earth to orbit the sun. The difference is adjusted by adding a day to February in a leap year.
August 18, 2025