A portion of this chart appears on our Home page. Links in the
chart will lead to pages in our Holiday section, or elsewhere on
the Web.
Note on Start of Seasons
Only in the USA are the seasons said to begin on the respective solstice
or equinox; that is, spring is said to begin on March 20, 2012. Elsewhere
it is usually marked at the beginning of the month during which the solstice
or equinox occurs, which would be March for spring in the northern hemisphere,
or September in the southern hemisphere. But some countries mark it even earlier;
see this link: The Straight Dope:
Is it true summer in Ireland starts May 1?
Note on Jewish Holidays
Jewish holidays begin the preceding day at sundown. Some Jews
tack an extra day onto Passover and Rosh Hashanah.
For more information on Jewish holidays, try this link: Judaism 101:
Jewish Holidays
Note on Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas Day
Some people here in the USA celebrate St. Nicholas Day with their children,
but there is often confusion as to which day it should be observed.
Sinterklaas, or St. Nicholas Day, is observed in the Netherlands on December 5,
and presents are opened in the evening. In Belgium, Sinterklaas makes his
deliveries overnight on the 5th, and children wake up to find their
presents on the morning of the 6th.