"His life is one of the most magnificent examples of courage which it has been the privilege of mankind to behold,” French writer A.L.M. Nicolas said of the Báb (“gate” in Arabic).

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.

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.

Marta Gomez, a Baha'i in Irmo, S.C., started out making a simple calendar to put on the refrigerator so her daughters, Alma, 9, and Maya, 5, could keep track of days in Baha'i and Gregorian time. But the project grew in scope and intricacy, and by the time she was done, Ms. Gomez had created an elaborate 30-inch-by-30-inch work of art in watercolor and ink.

When the sun rises on Sunday, March 2, Baha’is throughout the world will have taken their last bite of breakfast and their last sip of water for the day.

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. 25, and the Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha on Nov. 28.

“The face of him on whom I gazed I can never forget, though I cannot describe it. Those piercing eyes seemed to read one's very soul; power and authority sat on that ample brow.... No need to ask in whose presence I stood, as I bowed myself before one who is the object of a devotion and love which kings might envy and emperors sigh for in vain!”

On Oct. 20, Baha’is around the world celebrate the Birth of the Bab, one of 11 Holy Days in the Baha'i calendar. The Bab is often referred to as the Herald of the Baha'i Faith, because it was His mission to prepare the way for Baha’u’llah, the Founder of the Baha'i Faith.

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.