Holidays and Observances:

7-9: 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.

8: 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)

8: International Literacy Day, focuses attention on worldwide literacy issues and needs. 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, 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 on which the Montreal Protocol on Substances that Deplete the Ozone Layer was signed – Sept. 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, declared by the UN General Assembly in 2001. The International Day of Peace 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 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.

27: World Tourism Day.

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

28: Confucius' Birthday