Hanukkah History Chanukah (Hebrew: חנוכה) is an eight day Jewish festival, also known as the festival of lights. On each day a Menorah (an eight branched candelabra) is lit with an ascending number of candles to match the day. The reason for Chanukah is based on the story of the Maccabees battle with the Greeks. …

Christmas History Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ. For modern Christians it also starts a 12-day Christmas season that begins on December 25th and ends on January 5th. Churches celebrate Christmas with services on Christmas Eve and often midnight masses. While the holiday is religious in origin, many cultures, even those without Christian ideologies, …

Kwanzaa History Kwanzaa is an African-American and Pan-African celebration of family, community and culture. Kwanzaa, a week-long cultural festival from the 26th of December to the 1st of January that climaxes in feasts and gift giving, was initially established to unite African-Americans with their African roots and heritage. Nguzo Saba, the seven principles that guide …

Last Day of Hanukkah History The last day of Hanukkah celebrates the 8th and final day of this Jewish observance. On this day, the eighth and final candle is lit on a 8 candle holder called a menorah. The candles symbolizes light at an otherwise dark time in Jewish History. Traditions include playing games of …

New Year's Day History New Year's Day marks the start of a new year on the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar was first introduced by Pope Gregory XIII in 1582 and began to be used in Britain and its colonies in 1751. It is a solar calendar which maintains synchrony with the tropical year. This …

CRSPIA Quarterly meeting at the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Visitor's Center at 1:00 pm January 8TH, 2020

Martin Luther King History Martin Luther King Day celebrates life and accomplishment of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. MLK promoted Civil Rights through nonviolent civil disobedience. He is perhaps best known for his 'I have a dream...' speech in 1963. He was assassinated in 1968. Martin Luther King, Jr. day became a federally recognized holiday …

May 13, 2020 CRSPIA Board meeting at the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Visitor's Center

Groundhog Day History Groundhog Day marks the midway point between the winter solstice and the vernal equinox. It is a derivative from the early Christian holiday of Candlemas Day. The holiday is commemorated when a famous groundhog, Punxsutawney Phil, emerges from his burrow and looks for his shadow. The tradition goes that this day, is …

February 12 2020 CRSPIA Board meeting at the Cuyamaca Rancho State Park Visitor's Center