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.
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).
8th month in the old Roman Calendar. Oct stands for 8.
10th month in the later Calendars
It has 31 days.
World Teachers’ Day
Also known as “International Teacher’s Day
October 5
Celebrated annually since 1994
Some countries may honor teachers on a different date
Saya U Ba Than’s birthday
U Ba Than
October 2
For more than a decade, Sayagyi invited his former colleagues and students to the annual Birthday Soon Kyway at Tipitaka Yaw Sayadaw’s Kyaung
The mini-gathering was put on hold due to the pandemic. There were Zoom sessions organized by his nephew.
Sayagyi received Photo Album / Book compiled by his brother U Tin Htoon (A60) and U Htaik San (Henry Kao, M81). Due the pandemic, the USPS (United States Postal Service) failed to deliver the book and returned it to the sender (U Tin Htoon). Saya U Tin Htut (M60) offered to send the book by DHL. Sayagyi was extremely happy to receive the present from his three former students. He has read the book several times.
It is named after Janus, two-faced God to symbolizetwo tasks : bid farewell to the old year and usher in the new year
It has 31 days.
Events
January 1
New Year’s Day (Start of the New Year). For most people, it is a holiday. In most parts of the world, New Year’s Eve is celebrated on 31st December.
Annual Soon Kyway at Panditarama (Shwe Taung Gone) by Ye Than (Winner Inn)
Birthday Soon Kyway by Ye Than
Peasant’s Day in the Union of Burma. It was a holiday. It was moved to 2nd March by the Revolutionary Council.
Sometimes : Lunar (Chinese) New Year
Sometimes : Sar So Daw Nay
January 4
Burma gained Independence on January 4, 1948 at 4:20AM
Grapevine : Burma was given a choice: “January 4th or January 6th”
In Lighter Vein : A British Official said, “We would have to get up early once on January 4, 1948. The Burmese will have to get up early January 4th of the following years.”
Unsolved Mystery : Who chose 4:20AM? Why?
Third Monday in USA
Martin Luther King’s Day
Birthdays
Saya U Than Lwin (Eric Lwin, my cousin uncle, GBNF) celebrated his birthday on January 1st.
Dr. Khin Kyi Nyunt (Cherry Tin Gyi, GBNF) and her elder Dr. Khin Tun (Peter Tin U, GBNF) celebrated their birthdays together on or around January 12. They offer requisites to the monks at Chan Myei Yeik Tha.
Ma Cherry’s 87th Birthday with family and friends (Jan 12, 2018)
Independence Day Regatta at Kandawgyi in 1948
U Tin U, Dr. Pe Nyun (Dick San Pe), Dr. Pe Thein (Tom San Pe) and Bobby Tin rowed for RUBC against the Burmese Laung at the Independence Day Regatta.
Fifth month in the old Roman Calendar, and it had 30 days. The month was given an extra day and renamed in honor of Julius Caesar.
Seventh month in the Gregorian Calendar.
My father’s birthday
My beloved fatherMy parents
Born on 1st July.
Passed away in his 80s.
Men on the Moon
Apollo 11 Mission
Eagle (Lunar Module) landed in Tranquility Bay on the Moon on July 20, 1969.
Neil Armstrong (Mission Commander) was the first to land on the moon.
Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin (Lunar Module Pilot) was the second to land on the moon.
Michael Collins (Command Module Pilot) circled the Moon and waited for his crew mates to return from the Moon.
I wrote a poem “Men on the Moon”. A copy was sent by Mr. Hall (Information Officer, USIA) to NASA. The poem was published in the Guardian.
Men on the Moon
US Independence
4th of July
Martyrs’ Day
July 19, 1947
Bogyoke Aung San, six ministers, a Secretary and a bodyguard were assassinated.
Translation of Invictus Aung San
Nine Arzanis were gunned down on July 19, 1947. Eight perished that day. One succumbed a day later.
Arzanis
Bogyoke Aung San passed away at the tender age of 32 Children : U Aung San Oo, Aung San Lin (GBNF), Daw Aung San Suu Kyi
Thakin Mya. : Considered as Deputy Prime Minister
Deedoke U Ba Cho : Minister, Journalist ; Grand children : Dr. Khin Hla Cho, Daw Khin Myint Cho
Mahn Ba Khaing : Transported Bogyoke (saved & brought by Marie Hla Taw) back; Daughter : Sayama Daw Myint Myint Khaing
Mong Pawn Sawbwa Sao San Htun : passed away in the hospital on July 20, 1947; has a hospital named after him; Son Sao Hso Holm
U Ba Win : Bogyoke’s elder brother; Son Dr. Sein Win
U Razak : Nominated by monks; Former Principal of National School; Sons U Tin Myint & U Hla Kyi
ICS U Ohn Maung : Dy. Secy; Was asked to report on behalf of his minister; Sons U Tin Maung Thein, Francis & Dr. Min Min
Yebaw Maung Htwe : U Razak’s bodyguard
There are books (e.g. “Who killed Aung San?”, Eliminate the Elite” by Kin Oung) and documentaries (e.g. “Who really killed Aung San?” by BBC program) about the fateful event.
Eliminate the Elite
Dark days in July 1962
According to the newspapers, 17 died on July 7, 1962.
Ko Aung Khin was stuck by a stray bullet as he was returning from RUBC to his home in Windermere Road. He was listed as the 17th victim.
Anniversary celebration of 7th July in 1963 ended with the closure of Universities with the exception of the Faculties of Medical and Engineering.
The revered Student Union was demolished on July 8, 1962.
HlaMin 