President Attends White House Diwali Celebration

According to the Washington Post, on Wednesday, President Obama became the first U.S. President to attend a celebration of the Diwali holiday in the White House. While the White House Diwali celebration tradition began during the George W. Bush Administration, previously only cabinet members and White House staff attended. Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains and Buddhists, although with different traditions in each religion. The White House blog has also posted an account of the President's participation in the ceremony, along with a video greeting extending holiday wishes. At the ceremony the President lit the White House diya (earthen lamp) which is traditional for the festival. He also signed an executive order (full text)reestablishing the Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and setting up an Advisory Committee on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.