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X-WR-CALNAME:Atheist and Other Freethinkers
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X-WR-CALDESC:Events for Atheist and Other Freethinkers
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DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260319
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260322
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260310T201452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T201452Z
UID:224982-1773878400-1774137599@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Equinox (March)
DESCRIPTION:The March Equinox (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Equinox) is one of two days in the calendar year when day and night hours are nearly equal; in the northern hemisphere\, it is also the first day of Spring (Gregorian calendar). Annual seasons exist because of two planetary occurrences: 1)  a 23.5° tilt of the earth’s axis\, which makes the earth rotate like a gyroscope\, so it points continuously in a fixed direction-toward the area of space near the North Star 2)  the earth continuously revolves around the sun in an elliptical orbit-once every 365.25 of our solar days. So for half of the year the Southern Hemisphere is more exposed to the sun than the Northern Hemisphere\, and for the other half of the year the reverse is true. At noontime in the Northern Hemisphere the sun appears highest in the sky during summer and lowest in the sky during winter. The Vernal (Spring) Equinox is almost exactly halfway between the winter and summer solstices\, and in the sky the sun appears about midway between its highest and lowest points. It is one of the two times during the year when day and night are almost exactly 12 hours long\, and very close to being equal to one another. The other day is the Autumnal Equinox\, which usually falls on or near the first day of Autumn (September 22-23 northern hemisphere / March 20-21 southern) in the Gregorian calendar. The First Day of Spring has been a time of celebration throughout recorded Western history. Most ancient Mediterranean Pagan religions had some sort of festival at or around the time of the Vernal Equinox. The celebrations were a way to rejoice in the rebirth of nature and to ritually act out this seasonal change\, from the symbolic death of the earth in winter to its resurrection through the budding and blooming that came after the equinox. Many of these religions had stories of a man-god\, born of a virgin\, who was killed and reborn at this time each year\, and this day was often connected to the worship of many fertility goddesses with such names as Ostara\, Astarte\, Eostre\, Ishtar\, and Ostra. The name for the modern Christian Easter holiday originated from these spring celebrations. In every culture the Vernal Equinox signals the return of weather that favors our ability to grow agricultural crops\, and for this reason we have associated it with the “rebirth” of our ability to perpetuate ourselves. It is understandable why we have chosen to celebrate such a momentous occasion\, and why it has come to represent “rebirth” in a variety of contexts. For freethinkers the Vernal Equinox is a great time to celebrate the rebirth of Western art\, philosophy\, and culture with secular themes after centuries of religious domination. It is also a perfect day to celebrate the accomplishments of intellect\, reason\, and logic\, and a time to renew connections to our intellectual past as well as renew promises to continue striving to enlighten and improve the human condition. Another freethought holiday to celebrate around this time\, and as an alternative to Easter\, is the Excitement of Life Week (http://www.secularseasons.org/calendar/2003/april/excitement_of_life.html).
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/equinox-march/
CATEGORIES:Secular Holiday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260316
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260323
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260310T201453Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T201453Z
UID:224986-1773619200-1774223999@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Sunshine Week
DESCRIPTION:Sunshine Week (http://www.sunshineweek.org/) includes Freedom of Information Day (March 16)\, the birthday of James Madison\, and runs through that calendar week. Madison was the principal author of the US Constitution and the Bill of Rights which guarantee the rights of citizens.  Therefore Sunshine Week stands as a national initiative to open discussions about the important or open government and the freedom of information.  Sunshine Week dates back to 2002 when the Florida Society of Newspaper Editors launched Sunshine Sunday in response to efforts by some Florida legislators to create new exemptions to the state’s public records law. After Florida’s initiation on this topic\, other states followed its course. The American Society of Newspaper Editors launched Sunshine Week in March 2005. It has become an annual event.  Sunshine Week is not restricted to journalists. Anyone can be involved: students\, teachers\, bloggers\, private citizens\, public officials and non-profit groups. The only requirement is to engage in a public discussion either small or large about the importance of open government. A discussion can take many forms: a large public forum\, a classroom discussion\, an article or an editorial. The idea of participation is not about how much\, but about actually being involved.  To participate in Sunshine Week\, see https://sunshineweek.org/ (https://sunshineweek.org/) for ideas.
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/sunshine-week/
CATEGORIES:Secular Holiday
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260316
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260317
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260310T201452Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T201452Z
UID:224981-1773619200-1773705599@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Freedom of Information Day
DESCRIPTION:Freedom of Information (FOI) Day (http://www.firstamendmentcenter.org/press/information/topic.aspx?topic=FOI_Day) is an annual event on March 16\, the birthday of James Madison\, widely regarded as the Father of the Constitution and a foremost advocate for openness in government. On this day\, the American Library Association (http://www.ala.org/) presents the James Madison Award and the Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award to recognize those individuals or groups that have championed\, protected\, and promoted public access to government information and the public’s right to know.   The James Madison Award – Named for President James Madison\, the award was established in 1986 and is presented annually on the anniversary of his birth. That award is designed to celebrate an individual or group that has brought awareness to these issues at the national level.  The Eileen Cooke State & Local Madison Award – Named for Eileen Cooke\, former director of the ALA’s Washington Office\, this award honors an extraordinary leader who has built local grassroots awareness of the importance of access to information. Cooke herself was a tireless advocate for the public’s right to know and a mentor to many librarians and trustees. 
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/freedom-of-information-day/
CATEGORIES:Secular Holiday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260314
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260315
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260310T201451Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T201451Z
UID:224978-1773446400-1773532799@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Pi Day
DESCRIPTION:Pi\, Greek letter (Π)\, is of course the symbol for the ratio of the circumference of a circle to its diameter. Pi = 3.1415926535… (This is pi to just ten decimal places; it is an irrational number\, meaning the digits continue infinitely without repeating.) Math enthusiasts around the world celebrate Pi Day on March 14th\, i.e. 3/14 in the American dating convention\, since the first three digits of PI are 3.14 (March 14 also happens to be Albert Einstein’s birthday).  “Pi Moment” occurs on that day just before 3:10 pm (more precisely\, 15:9:26.5). The San Francisco Exploratorium celebrated the first Pi Day in 1988\, with staff and public marching around one of its circular spaces\, and then consuming fruit pies. Since then\, the museum has added pizza pies to its Pi Day menu. The founder of Pi Day\, the “Prince of Pi\,” is Larry Shaw\, now retired from the Exploratorium\, but still helping with the celebrations. The Massachusetts Institute of Technology often mails out its acceptance letters to be delivered to prospective students on Pi Day.  Celebrate Pi Day by doing anything to get students interested in mathematics. Teachers can organize many unique activities for students to generate interest. It is also used to inform students as well as the rest of the public about Pi\, its history and applications. Pi Day parties in math and science classes are common\, utilizing different types of pies\, all the while teaching students about Pi.
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/pi-day/
CATEGORIES:Secular Holiday
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260313T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260313T210000
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260310T201451Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T201451Z
UID:224980-1773428400-1773435600@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Movie and Discussion
DESCRIPTION:Join us for a cozy in-person Movie Night at Sacramento’s Reason Center (https://reasoncenter.org/)\, in a quiet room with cushy seating\, a huge screen\, air conditioning\, and refreshments right at hand. The movie title is a secret because of our MPLC License (https://www.mplc.org/page/the-umbrella-license) and certain legal folderol — but we can drop hints. This 2011 film starring Owen Wilson\, Rachel McAdams\, and Kathy Bates\, is a time travel fantasy made for literary junkies. While on a trip to Paris with his fiancée’s family\, a screenwriter finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight\, to meet his writer heroes. AOF and Reason Center co-sponsor the Movie Night. The team provides popcorn and other munchies — feel free to bring your own snacks as well. We also encourage a post-film discussion\, which makes this educational if you stretch the word a bit. No fee required to attend\, really\, but donations gratefully accepted. We do have to pay for the room!
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/movie-and-discussion-2/
LOCATION:Reason Center\, 1300 Ethan Way\, Suite 675\,  see map (https://goo.gl/maps/RwiUgEJ5ESHRhrPu8)
CATEGORIES:Recreation
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260310T190000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260310T200000
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260310T201450Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260310T201450Z
UID:224977-1773169200-1773172800@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Board of Directors Meeting
DESCRIPTION:It’s an AOF planning meeting\, mainly for AOF directors & officers\, but open to all of you. These happen as required and are a lot more fun than they sound.  (learn/fearless-leaders.html) Please join us\, meet the Board\, keep an eye on the shenanigans. We love visitors. We have snacks. And maybe you’ll have some good ideas\, hm? Note\, this will be an actual in-person meeting\, so be sure vaccinations are current\, or wear a mask\, or just don’t cough on us.
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/board-of-directors-meeting/
LOCATION:Reason Center\, 1300 Ethan Way\, Ste 675\, Sac.\, map (https://goo.gl/maps/S5MR1e8ZodBzb4TG8)
CATEGORIES:Planning Meeting
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260308
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260309
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260205T041013Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T071439Z
UID:224183-1772928000-1773014399@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:International Women's Day
DESCRIPTION:International Women’s Day (IWD)\, an international celebration\, honors the social\, economical\, and political achievements made by women everywhere. \nThis secular holiday dates back to the early 1900’s\, a time of turbulent growth in the industrialized world that saw growing demands for women to have the right to vote. Among other relevant historical events\, it commemorates the “Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire”\, on March 25\, 1911 in New York City\, where over 140 women lost their lives. \nBorn from the socialist and labor movements\, International Women’s Day has grown to become a global day of recognition and celebration across developed and developing countries alike. Promoted by the United Nations since 1975\, International Women’s Day is\, in the words of the UN\, “a day when women are recognized for their achievements without regard to divisions\, whether national\, ethnic\, linguistic\, cultural\, economic or political. It is an occasion for looking back on past struggles and accomplishments\, and more importantly\, for looking ahead to the untapped potential and opportunities that await future generations of women.” \nFor decades\, IWD has increased in strength annually. Women’s organizations and governments around the world have celebrated IWD annually on the 8th of March by holding large-scale events that honor women’s progress and highlight areas where women’s rights still need to be advanced. \nIWD is an occasion that can be celebrated by all community groups that believe women’s rights are human rights. \nEach year on March 8\, hundreds of International Women’s Day events occur all around the world. IWD events range from small random informal gatherings to large-scale highly organized events. All celebrate women’s advancement and highlight the need for continued vigilance and action. The day is about honoring all women and their accomplishments\, this can done by taking part in a large organized activity or by simply honoring the women in one’s life with flowers\, a small gift\, or even a thank you.
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/international-womens-day/
CATEGORIES:holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wp.aofonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/international-womens-day-1.jpg
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BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260222T160000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260222T180000
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260205T023318Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T071253Z
UID:224167-1771776000-1771783200@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:The Underground Railroad
DESCRIPTION:Sunday\, February 22\, 2026\, 02:00pm – 04:00pm\n\n\n\n\nLocation :  Reason Center\, 1300 Ethan Way\, Ste 675\, Sac.\, map \n\nPresenter Anne M. Rewell of the CSUS Renaissance Society will tell us about the Underground Railroad\, and explore the routes utilized by escaping enslaved people in the Antibellum South\, as well as those who collaborated to assist\, the secret networks\, the waystations and rest stops. The Railroad (not a literal railroad) brought together a diverse group of people in the fight against slavery and slavers. From the deep south\, the journey to Canada and sometimes to Mexico (yes Mexico abolished slavery in 1937\, and if you didn’t know\, shame on you for sleeping in Mrs. Grundy’s history class). Perilous for all involved\, it requiring courage and ingenuity\, and sometimes pretty some fast thinking. \nContact :  See the AOF Contact page (http://www.aofonline.org/contact.html)\nA free event with free parking. Open to the public. Doors open 1:45pm. Bring snacks or a beverage to share if you can. AOF provides cool\, clear water.
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/the-underground-railroad/
LOCATION:Reason Center\, 1300 Ethan Way Suite 675\, Elk Grove\, United States
CATEGORIES:aof event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wp.aofonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/underground-railroad.jpg
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DTSTART;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260213T183000
DTEND;TZID=America/Los_Angeles:20260213T213000
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260205T021410Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260212T071307Z
UID:224161-1771007400-1771018200@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Sacramento Darwin Day
DESCRIPTION:Location :  MOSAC Science Museum\, 400 Jibboom St\, Sacramento\, see map \n\nPresenting the 29th fabulous year of the Darwin Day Birthday Gala\, Sacramento’s coolest\, most singular\, most go-to event of science and humanity\, brought to you by area science advocates\, civic groups and nerds on too much coffee. An in-person event at the MOSAC Science Mujseum\, marking “Chuck” Darwin’s 217rd birthday. Open to all. But … you’ll need a ticket.\nDarwin Day is a science-rush like no other\, a celebration of scientific inquiry honoring of the life and work of the great Charles Darwin (b. 12 February 1809)\, sponsored worldwide by community and educational groups. Strictly speaking it’s not an AOF event\, but AOF helped found the local gala\, and continues to support it and commend it to all our friends in the Sacramento community of reason. Because science! And what’s science but reason in the trenches? \nThe main speaker will be Rick Grosberg of the University of California\, Davis. “Throughout my career\, my research has centered on the major evolutionary transitions in the history of life\, from DNA to genes\, from unicellular to multicellular organisms\, and from families to complex societies of multicellular organisms. I’m especially interested in the mechanisms that regulate the inevitable conflicts of interest between different levels of biological organization. I’m also fascinated and attracted by the history of ideas\, and — as a marine evolutionary biologist — to Darwin’s notoriously complicated and misunderstood relationship with the sea. Over the last few years\, my research has inescapably emphasized the impacts of climate change and other human activities on the ecological and evolutionary resilience of marine populations and ecosystems. And\, most recently\, I have explored the causes and consequences of differing patterns of biodiversity across the major realms of life.” \nFor background on this mind-growing event\, visit https://darwinday.org/\, the international website. \nHow to attend:\nPlease get a ticket. It’s not pricey\, and this is no time to grinch. Price is just $25 general\, $20 for museum members\, or $10 if you have a Student ID. Ticket link: https://visitmosac.org/darwin-day/. As a bonus you’ll get sweet\, sweet birthday cake.
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/sacramento-darwin-day/
LOCATION:MOSAC Science Museum\, 400 Jibboom St\, Sacramento
CATEGORIES:aof event
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wp.aofonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/darwinday.jpg
END:VEVENT
BEGIN:VEVENT
DTSTART;VALUE=DATE:20260212
DTEND;VALUE=DATE:20260213
DTSTAMP:20260404T100307
CREATED:20260205T020355Z
LAST-MODIFIED:20260224T044405Z
UID:224157-1770854400-1770940799@wp.aofonline.org
SUMMARY:Darwin Day
DESCRIPTION:Darwin Day celebrates the life and work of Charles Darwin\, a secular holiday widely celebrated within the global community with participation from all sectors of society. Even mainline churches have participated\, celebrating the day as Evolution Sunday or Evolution Weekend (see the Clergy Letter Project for details). \nUnder any of these names\, this day celebrates the wonder and beauty of both science and humanity\, and serve to recognize and celebrate the achievements of a man who cast a bright\, explanatory light on reality\, our self-knowledge\, and on the world of which we are part. \nCharles Darwin contributed to our understanding at the deepest level\, forever changed how we see ourselves within this vast\, impersonal universe\, and brought us a paradigm shift of seismic proportions. He symbolizes the brave\, human enterprise of science in confronting the mystery of existence. His life and work exemplify the spirit of wonder\, curiosity and adventure along with the excitement that the quest for knowledge and understanding can provide. \nThe Darwin Day Program\, an educational non-profit organization\, encourages interested groups and individuals throughout the world to participate in the annual celebration of Darwin Day by coordinating events and activities in their area on or around February 12. The program also offers a year-round educational outreach project to help in reaching the goal of improving the public’s understanding of science and foster an appreciation for our shared humanity. \nDarwin Day\, Evolution Sunday and Evolution Weekend encourage us to come together to champion science and humanity throughout our global community. They let us celebrate the astonishing engagement of our common intelligence with the wonder and excitement of life in the universe. If you agree\, visit the National Darwin Day site and sign the petition calling for national recognition of this day. Then\, visit Epic of Evolution for a great adventure.
URL:https://wp.aofonline.org/event/darwin-day/
CATEGORIES:holiday
ATTACH;FMTTYPE=image/jpeg:https://wp.aofonline.org/wp-content/uploads/2026/02/Charles_Darwin_01.jpg
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