September Days to Celebrate

September was the seventh month in the Roman calendar and means “seven” in Latin marking it as the seventh month.  September was named during a time when the calendar year began with March, which is why its name no longer corresponds with its placement in the Julian and Gregorian calendars.

World War II began on September 1, 1939 when Germany invaded Poland.  Hitler invaded Poland from the west; two days later, France and Britain declared war on Germany, beginning World War II. On September 17, Soviet troops invaded Poland from the east.

WWII Memorial in Washington, DC

Deck plaque commemorating where the Japanes signed the surrender document on the USS Missouri (BB-63)

Six years later, World War II ended on September 2, 1945 when Japan surrender unconditionally by signing the surrender terms on the deck of the USS Missouri (BB-63).  The USS  Missouri is currently docked at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii near the Arizona Memorial.  The United States entered WWII after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  If you are ever in Honolulu, make an effort to visit the Pearl Harbor National Memorial where you visit where WWII began and ended for the United States.

September is also National Library Card Signup Month:

a time when the American Library Association (ALA) and libraries nationwide join together to remind parents, caregivers and students that signing up for a library card is the first step towards academic achievement and lifelong learning.

September 6 is Read a Book Day.  Here are a few reasons to read a book (bibliofiles don’t need a reason.)

• It’s the best excuse for peace and quiet.
• You love sitting in your favourite chair.
• That stack of borrowed books needs a dent.
• All your friends are busy.
• You need a new favourite quotation.
• Books are on your schedule: you can pick them up and put them down at your own convenience.
• Walking to the library is good exercise.
• You saw the movie, but you heard the book is way better.

What is your favorite reason to read a book?  Mine is because it ‘s there!

National Videos Game Day is September 12. National Video Game Day is July 8.  Does anyone remember Pong from the 1970s?

Gotham hero, Batman is celebrated on September 15.  The Caped Crusader first appeared in Detective Comics #27 way back in May 1939.    Since then he has appeared in movies, a TV show, as a Lego character, and even in Walmart commercials.  The Batmobile has become an iconic standard by which other high tech cars may be measured.

National Hispanic Heritage Month is September 15-October 15 to

recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Hispanic and Latino Americans to the United States and celebrate their heritage and culture.

“Hispanic Heritage Month, whose roots go back to 1968, begins each year on September 15, the anniversary of independence of five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. Mexico, Chile and Belize also celebrate their independence days during this period and Columbus Day (Día de la Raza) is October 12.”

“The term Hispanic or Latino, refers to Puerto Rican, South or Central American, or other Spanish culture or origin regardless of race. On the 2010 Census form, people of Spanish, Hispanic and/or Latino origin could identify themselves as Mexican, Mexican American, Chicano, Puerto Rican, Cuban, or “another Hispanic, Latino, or Spanish origin.”

The Autumnal or Fall Equinox will happen at 3:50 am (EDT) on September, 23, 2019.   On the first day of Fall, there are approximately 12 hours of daylight and 12 hours of darkness.

Banned Book Week is celebrated September 22-28.

Banned Books Week is an annual event celebrating the freedom to read. Banned Books Week was launched in 1982 in response to a sudden surge in the number of challenges to books in schools, bookstores and libraries. Typically held during the last week of September, it highlights the value of free and open access to information. Banned Books Week brings together the entire book community — librarians, booksellers, publishers, journalists, teachers, and readers of all types — in shared support of the freedom to seek and to express ideas, even those some consider unorthodox or unpopular.

 The theme of this year’s event proclaims “Censorship Leaves Us in the Dark,” urging everyone to “Keep the Light On.”