In most parts of the world, December 31st is celebrated as New Year’s Eve. In the Times Square in New York, many tourists wait for the count down to the New Year.
January 1st is celebrated as the start of the New Year. For many, it is a holiday.
Peasants’ Day
In the early days, Burma celebrated January 1st as Peasants’ Day. It was a holiday.
The Revolutionary Council staged a Coup D’etat on March 2, 1962. The BSPP government moved Peasants’ Day to March 2nd.
Birthdays
Saya U Than Lwin (Eric Lwin, my cousin uncle, GBNF) celebrated his birthday on January 1st.
Ye Than
For several years, U Ye Than (Winner Inn, son of my cousin brother Sayagyi U Ba Than) has celebrated his birthday on January 1st with a Soon Kyway.
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
November1
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.
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
November1
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.
9th month of the old Roman calendar. Nov means nine.
11th month of the Gregorian calendar.
It has 30 days.
Events
November1
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.
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).
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 1Phone 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.
A day consists of 12 hours for AM, and 12 hours for PM.
Some missed schedules (e.g. flights) due to the AM/PM confusion.
Military time uses the 24 hour notation.
Daylight Savings Time (DST)
Some countries implement DST.
In the US, some states do not implement DST.
“Spring Forward. Fall Back” has some advantages in the early days.
Legislation changes have moved the start and end dates for DST.
Some say that DST does not save energy, and the laws should be repealed.
Clocks in ancient times
The ancient Burmese Kingdom once employed the 60-hour day using the “water” clock. Day time can range from 24 to 32 hours. Ditto for Evening & Night time.
Some early civilizations use the Sun Dial.
General
The use of atomic clocks has to be supplemented by smart algorithms for idiosyncrasies introduced by DST, Leap second (to name a few).
Depending on the culture, the Day of Week may start on a Sunday or a Monday.
There are numerous software libraries dealing with Calendars, Dates, Times and Holidays.
U Khin Maung Zaw (EC76) wrote :
DST in US, especially at the Spring time when the clock moves an hour ahead (Spring Forward), always have some good stories. Some years back we used to have a large group of people playing soccer on Sunday early mornings, as is called pickup games. It never failed to see people showed up late, forgot to reset the clock, every year. Thank God! The change was on Sundays, or else there would be more interesting work-related stories.
Microsoft Windows have those dates usually baked into the system, as a result when the DST was extended 2008, they had to release a patch to fix the issue.
A bill (a law) to make “DST/Daylight Saving Time” permanent so as not to readjust the clocks twice a year, was approved by the US Congress’s upper chamber, the Senate in March this year. https://www.reuters.com/…/us-senate-approves-bill-that…/.
Unfortunately, Congress’s lower chamber, the House of Representatives, so far fails to pick it up for vote. As a result, the law is in limbo now.
It will only become law only after the President of the US of A sign it after the House of Representatives approve it.
HlaMin 