Equality and Diversity Calendar – October  2011

In history

1^st October 1962: Mississippi race riots over the first black student.  Two people die and at least 75 are injured in rioting following the admission of James Meredith to the University of Mississippi.

2^nd October 1985: Rock Hudson’s death from AIDS greatly increased awareness of the disease.

16^th October  1978: Polish bishop is new Pope;  Cardinals at the Vatican choose the first non-Italian Pope for more than 400 years

17^th October  1968: Black athletes make silent protest; two black Americans make history at the Mexico Olympics with a silent protest against racial discrimination.

20^th October   1973: Dalai Lama makes first UK visit.

30^th October  1957: Lords to admit first women peers.

31 October  1517 : Martin Luther posts his 95 theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenberg, beginning the Protestant Reformation.

Calendar

6^th October  Dussera (Hindu ) Celebrates Lord Rama's victory over the evil demon Ravana.

8^th October Yom Kippur (Jewish ) Day of Atonement - the most solemn day of the Jewish year.

13^th October St Edward's Day (Christian ) Edward the Confessor built Westminster Abbey where there is a shrine to him.

13th October Sukkot (Jewish ) Sukkot or The Feast of Tabernacles, commemorates the years that the Jews spent in the desert on their way to the Promised Land.

26^th October Paryushana (Jain ) The most important Jain festival.

26th October  Diwali (Sikh, Jain and Hindu ) Diwali, the festival of lights, is the most popular of all the festivals from South Asia. It is an occasion for celebrations by Hindus as well as Jains and Sikhs.

31^st October Samhain (Hallowe'en) (Pagan )

31st October Hallowe'en (All Hallows' Eve) (Christian )