China Calendar for Year 2010

China Internet Information Center

September 2010

Holidays and Observances:

8: International Literacy Day, focuses attention on worldwide literacy issues and needs. It is estimated that 860 million of the world's adults do not know how to read or write (nearly two-thirds of whom are women) and that more than 100 million children lack access to education. International Literacy Day coincides with the beginning of a new school year in many countries; classroom teachers use this special day to recognize the importance of literacy in the lives of children and adults.

10: Teacher's Day. It is celebrated annually in China as a special day for the appreciation of teachers.

16: International Day for the Preservation of the Ozone Layer, commemorates the day in 1987 when the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed – September 16. Recent research by NASA shows that the overall rate of stratospheric ozone depletion is slowing, indicating the possibility of the recovery of the ozone layer. It is anticipated that without the Montreal Protocol, by the year 2050 ozone depletion would be about 10 times worse than current levels.

20: National Tooth-care Day.

21: International Day of Peace. In 2001, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Resolution 55/282 declaring September 21 of each year as the International Day of Peace. The resolution calls on all nations to observe a day of global cease-fire and non-violence and invites all people everywhere in the world to honor a cessation of hostilities throughout the day. The UN has invited its member states, United Nations bodies, regional and non-governmental organizations to commemorate the day and to cooperate with the United Nations in establishing the global cease-fire.

21-23: Tasting New Rice Festival, observed by many ethnic minorities in southwest China in the eighth or ninth month, depending upon the harvest. The Va people celebrate it from the 14th to 16th day of the 8th lunar month with song and dance performances and gatherings to taste the newly harvested rice.

22: Mid-Autumn Festival (15th of the 8th lunar month). A traditional time of family reunion, celebrated by eating mooncakes and enjoying the full moon. (1 day off)

26: World Deaf Day, observed annually on the fourth Sunday in September.

27: World Tourism Day.

28: Confucius' Birthday.

28: China.org.cn adds its French, German, Spanish, Japanese, Arabic, Esperanto, and traditional Chinese sites.

Notes:

1. In the traditional calendar, the new moon indicates the first day of a lunar month; the full moon marks the 15th day.

2. Dates in red are official holidays. To give workers longer holidays during the year, the Saturday and Sunday immediately preceding or following the extended holiday are official workdays. In 2010, there are eight official work weekends respectively on February 20 and 21; June 12 and 13; September 19, 25, and 26 and October 9.

3. The 24 Seasonal Division Points:

	Order & Name of Seasonal Division Point	Sun's Position at Ecliptic	Gregorian Calendar Date
Spring	1.Beginning of Spring 2.Rain Water 3.Waking of Insects 4.Vernal Equinox 5.Pure Brightness 6.Grain Rain	315° 330° 345° 0° 15° 30°	4 or 5 February 19 or 20 February 5 or 6 March 20 or 21 March 4 or 5 April 20 or 21 April
Summer	7.Beginning of Summer 8.Grain Budding 9.Grain in Ear 10.Summer Solstice 11.Slight Heat 12.Great Heat	45° 60° 75° 90° 105° 120°	5 or 6 May 21 or 22 May 5 or 6 June 21 or 22 June 7 or 8 July 22 or 23 July
Autumn	13.Beginning of Autumn 14.Limit of Heat 15.White Dew 16.Autumnal Equinox 17.Cold Dew 18.Frost's Descent	135° 150° 165° 180° 195° 210°	7 or 8 August 23 or 24 August 7 or 8 September 22 or 23 September 8 or 9 October 23 or 24 October
Winter	19.Beginning of Winter 20.Slight Snow 21.Great Snow 22.Winter Solstice 23.Slight Cold 24.Great Cold	225° 240° 255° 270° 285° 300°	7 or 8 November 22 or 23 November 7 or 8 December 21 or 22 December 5 or 6 January 20 or 21 January