Easter is a Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. In the New Testament of the Bible, the event is said to have occurred three days after Jesus was crucified by the Romans and died in roughly 30 A.D. The holiday concludes the “Passion of Christ,” a series of events and holidays that begins with Lent—a 40-day period of fasting, prayer and sacrifice—and ends with Holy Week, which includes Holy Thursday (the celebration of Jesus’ Last Supper with his 12 Apostles, also known as “Maundy Thursday”), Good Friday (on which Jesus’ crucifixion is observed) and Easter Sunday. Although a holiday of high religious significance in the Christian faith, many traditions associated with Easter date back to pre-Christian, pagan times.
holiday
Celebrating Women’s History in Henrico

Did you know last fiscal year Henrico County employed 1,988 women? That is just under half of our population. In honor of Women’s History Month this month, we encourage you to take a moment to admire the achievements of women in history, the County, and your life.
If you want to learn more about women in history, Henrico County Public Library employees have shared a list of women who inspire them. You can read their stories, join book discussions, or attend library events.
To learn about the women in our workforce, Public Relations and the office of Multicultural Community Engagement highlighted three female employees and their remarkable achievements. Watch their stories to learn more.
Henrico Happenings – Episode 31 – Sheriff Alisa Gregory
Henrico County Police SWAT Sniper N.C. Elliot
Henrico County Police Officer Heidi Rojas
The Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Division of the Human Resources Department also offers resources to learn about Women’s History Month on their Holidays, Heritages, and Celebrations page on SharePoint.
Regardless of how you decide to observe the month, we encourage you to start your own conversations and learn more.
International Women’s Day
Imagine a gender equal world. A world free of bias, stereotypes, and discrimination. A world that’s diverse, equitable, and inclusive. A world where difference is valued and celebrated. Together we can forge women’s equality. Collectively we can all #EmbraceEquity.
Celebrate women’s achievement. Raise awareness about discrimination. Take action to drive gender parity.
IWD belongs to everyone, everywhere. Inclusion means all IWD action is valid.
Presidents’ Day [CLOSED]
Presidents’ Day is a federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday in February; Presidents’ Day 2023 will occur on Monday, February 20. Originally established in 1885 in recognition of President George Washington, the holiday became popularly known as Presidents’ Day after it was moved as part of 1971’s Uniform Monday Holiday Act, an attempt to create more three-day weekends for the nation’s workers. While several states still have individual holidays honoring the birthdays of Washington, Abraham Lincoln and other figures, Presidents’ Day is now popularly viewed as a day to celebrate all U.S. presidents, past and present.
Valentine’s Day
Valentine’s Day occurs every February 14. Across the United States and in other places around the world, candy, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St. Valentine. But who is this mysterious saint and where did these traditions come from? Find out about the meaning and history of Valentine’s Day, from the ancient Roman ritual of Lupercalia that welcomed spring to the card-giving customs of Victorian England.
Chinese Lantern Festival (or Yuan Xiao Jie or Yuanxiao Festival)
An important traditional festival, the Chinese Lantern Festival (Yuan Xiao Jie), is the first significant feast after the Chinese New Year. The lantern festival marks the first full moon of the new lunar year and end of the Chinese New Year. Participants enjoy colorful lanterns illuminating the sky, traditional cuisines, and dance celebrations to commemorate this special event.
History
Chinese Lantern Festival 2023: Feb. 5, Traditions, Food, Events (chinahighlights.com)
Lantern Festival History and Traditions | China’s Yuanxiao Holiday (studycli.org)
Celebrate
Lunar New Year 2023: An illustrated guide to celebrating the Year of the Rabbit | CNN Travel
Chinese Lantern Festival 2023: Traditional Celebrations, Food, Yuan Xiao Jie (chinatravel.com)
How to Celebrate the Lantern Festival (2022) | Chinese American Family
Explore/Resources
Chinese American Museum in Washington, DC
VA Asian Chamber of Commerce – Asian American Business Advocates (aabac.org)
MLK Day [CLOSED]
The County Courts and Government Buildings are closed in observance of the holiday.
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a federal holiday that commemorates the birth, legacy and achievements of the late civil rights activist who was assassinated in 1968.
History
The Origins and Practices of Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Boston Public Library (bpl.org)
History & Culture – Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)
Celebrate/Participate
MLK Day of Service (nationalservice.gov)
5 Ways to Celebrate Martin Luther King Jr. Day (historynet.com)
Resources
An Excerpt From Martin Luther King Jr.’s ‘Letter From Birmingham Jail’ : NPR
Pioneers of Thirteen | Documenting Martin Luther King, Jr. | THIRTEEN
50 Years on Martin Luther King Jr.
Events
Epiphany Day (Three Kings Day)
Epiphany, also known as Three Kings Day, is a Christian feast holiday observed by Eastern and Western Christians to commemorate the visitation of the three wise men to the infant Jesus in Bethlehem.
History
Three Kings Day 2022: History, 10 Facts About Epiphany And It’s Traditions
9 Things You Need to Know About Epiphany| National Catholic Register (ncregister.com)
Celebrate/Participate
8 Wonderful International Ways to Celebrate the Epiphany (coraevans.com)
How to Prepare a Traditional Three Kings Day Meal | eHow
Resources
Quebec’s Epiphany: A Nostalgic Cake Fit For Both Kings And Family : The Salt : NPR
In Russia, Epiphany Comes With A Shockingly Cold Swim : Parallels : NPR
We invite you to explore some of the holidays, heritages and celebrations observed throughout the month of January. As you explore, we encourage you to find unique ways to recognize the rich histories, cultures, and traditions behind these occasions while honoring your own. For a full listing of holidays and celebrations, please visit the Holidays and Celebrations page on the OLTD LEarning HUB.
Best Practices for Creating an Inclusive Workplace During the Holiday Season

December is rich with diverse traditions, holidays, heritages, and religious observances celebrated in various cultures across the U.S. and abroad. The county has a diverse workforce, and we each bring unique backgrounds, lived experiences, and cultures that influence how we celebrate and connect with others. As we prepare for the holiday season, it is crucial to create an inclusive and welcoming atmosphere for all employees to foster respect and belonging in the workplace. Below are best practices to create an inclusive workplace to support all employees during the holiday season and throughout the calendar year:
- Invite feedback and input from all employees. To identify ways to be inclusive when hosting events throughout the year, ask employees from various backgrounds, identities, cultures, and who hold different religious beliefs for feedback on how they wish to celebrate the holidays. Allow teams to guide the planning and encourage employees to think inclusively about essential details such as holiday decorations, food, activities, and music selections to ensure that no one feels excluded and that events are culturally appropriate for the workplace.
- Make participation in holiday functions optional. The holiday season can be stressful for employees who are not religious or hold religious beliefs that fall outside of traditional holidays observed in the United States. Some employees may not celebrate anything at all. In addition, employees who have experienced loss may find it challenging to navigate the holidays or participate in activities that remind them of loved ones. To model inclusion for all employees, make participation in workplace holiday functions optional so that employees do not feel obligated to partake if they choose not to. Consider scheduling functions during times of the year that do not overlap with specific holidays or cause scheduling conflicts for team members.
- Acknowledge and show appreciation for different cultures and beliefs.Encourage your team members to share how they celebrate the holiday seasons, especially those whose cultural backgrounds may differ from yours. Be open and curious to learn by inviting questions about their native cuisines, traditions, and customs to expand your knowledge and learn something new.
- Explore different cultures, traditions, and religions. The world is diverse and filled with opportunities to learn about other cultures, practices, and holiday celebrations. Encourage employees to research holidays that differ from their own or participate in community events to gain a deeper understanding of the rich cultures and communities in Henrico County and the Richmond region. For Henrico County employees, you can start your inclusion journey by exploring the county’s DEI resource page or the Multicultural Community Engagement page for year-round community events and celebrations.
This year, we are highlighting the following holidays in December:
- Las Posadas: December 16 – 24
- Hanukkah (Chanukah): December 18-26
- Kwanzaa: December 26-January 1
A complete list of December 2022 Holidays, Celebrations, Heritages, and Observances can be found on the DEI Resource Page.
- Be open and flexible. The holiday season can be a challenging time for employees to navigate, especially as we close out year-end responsibilities and plan for time away from the office. Extend grace to your team members during the holiday season, and be open to differing thoughts, perspectives, and feedback about whatever may be coming up for them. Be open and listen to understand how you can create a positive experience where employees feel included, valued, and heard.
If you have ideas for inclusive ways that Henrico can highlight different holidays and cultures, please contact our DEI Division at 501-4425 or HR-DEI@henrico.us.