What makes the Festival of Ridvan, celebrated April 21 to May 2, the holiest of days for Baha'is? It commemorates the anniversary of Baha’u’llah’s declaration in 1863 that He was the Promised One of all earlier religions, thus establishing the Baha'i Faith.

For Baha’is, the New Year comes at a perfect time -- March 21 -- the vernal equinox, which marks the first day of spring and the end of the Baha'i Faith’s annual Nineteen Day Fast.

During the past Thanksgiving and Christmas holidays, when the local newspaper became filled with stories of people losing their jobs and homes, particularly at a time when prices for essentials such as food and clothing continue to climb, the Food Bank came to the mind of Deb Rodgers, a Baha’i in Casa Grande, Ariz.

From March 2-20, Baha'is worldwide observe the annual fasting period by refraining from eating or drinking from sunrise to sunset.

From sunset Feb. 25 to sunset March 1, Baha’is will be exchanging gifts, getting together with friends and family, and engaging in acts of charity – activities that characterize the festival of Ayyam-i-Ha.

Baha’is will commemorate the Day of the Covenant on Nov. 26, and the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha on Nov. 28.  The Day of the Covenant commemorates Baha’u’llah’s appointment of His eldest son, Abdu’l-Baha, as the protector of the Covenant of Baha’u’llah, which was established to ensure the unity of the Baha'i Faith. The Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha marks the anniversary of his death in 1921.

At this season we reflect on the spiritual significance of thanksgiving with the following words of Abdu’l-Baha, son of Baha’u’llah, Founder of the Baha'i Faith. Abdu'l-Baha shared these thoughts when he visited the United States in 1912

On November 12, Baha'is around the globe will celebrate the anniversary of the birth of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Baha'i Faith.

The Bab (1819-1850) was the Prophet-Herald of the Baha'i Faith, whose mission was to proclaim the imminent arrival of "Him Whom God shall make manifest," namely Baha'u'llah (1817-1892), the Founder of the Baha'i Faith. (The title Bab means "the Gate" in Arabic.)

On July 9, members of the Baha'i Faith commemorate the anniversary of the Martyrdom of the Bab ("the gate" in Arabic), one of nine holy days on which members of the Faith suspend work and school.