History of Diwali in Timeline
"Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights, celebrates the triumph of good over evil and knowledge over ignorance. Observed by various Indian religions, Diwali falls between mid-September and mid-November during the Hindu lunisolar months of Ashvin and Kartika. Festivities typically span five to six days, filled with symbolic rituals and cultural practices."
2003: First White House Diwali Celebration
The first White House Diwali celebration took place in 2003 under President George W. Bush.
2007: US Congress Recognizes Diwali
The United States Congress officially recognized the religious and historical significance of Diwali in 2007.
2009: Obama Attends White House Diwali
Barack Obama made history in 2009 by becoming the first US President to personally attend a Diwali celebration at the White House.
2009: Diwali at 10 Downing Street
Since 2009, Diwali has been celebrated annually at 10 Downing Street, the residence of the British Prime Minister, demonstrating the festival's growing recognition and acceptance in the UK.
2013: Diwali Fireworks Sales
In 2013, approximately ₹25 billion (US$300 million) worth of fireworks were sold to merchants for the Diwali season, indicating the festival's significant economic impact.
2017: Diwali Online Shopping Surge
The ASSOCHAM forecasted that online shopping during the 2017 Diwali season would exceed ₹300 billion (US$3.6 billion), highlighting the growing popularity of e-commerce during the festival.
2020: Launch of INDF ETF
The INDF ETF was launched to coincide with Diwali 2020, marking a notable event in the financial world related to the festival.
2023: New Delhi's Diwali Air Pollution
During the 2023 Diwali celebrations, New Delhi experienced severe air pollution, briefly ranking as the world's most polluted city with an air quality index of 680 on one night.
2023: Record-Breaking Oil Lamp Display
In 2023, a Diwali celebration in Ayodhya, Uttar Pradesh, India, set a new Guinness World Record for the largest display of oil lamps, with 2,223,676 lamps illuminated on Diwali eve.