Who created HumanLight?

HumanLight was founded by members of the New Jersey Humanist Network. The idea of a December holiday was first brought up for discussion in 1998 and initial planning for the first celebration began in 2001. The name HumanLight was chosen for its emphasis on humanity (as opposed to the supernatural) and the light of reason. HumanLight connotes the proverbial “candle in the dark,” suggesting that the hope for our future rests on human accomplishments, guided first and foremost by the unique human capacity of reason.

Shortly after the name HumanLight was selected, the symbol that is featured on all HumanLight publicity and event materials was designed. The graphic depicts the light of the sun, with the figure of a human celebrating with arms outstretched upward. The font characters composing HumanLight are of a festive, decorative nature.

Where has HumanLight been celebrated so far?

The first HumanLight celebration took place in Verona, New Jersey in 2001. The following are HumanLight celebrations since 2001 about which we have been made aware.

2002

• Little Falls, New Jersey
• Long Island, New York
• Los Angeles, California
• Oakland, California
• Daytona, Florida
• Green Bay, Wisconsin

2003

• Parsippany, New Jersey
• Amherst, New York
• New York, New York
• Long Island, New York
• Manitowoc, Wisconsin
• Independence, Ohio
• Los Angeles, California
• Oakland, California
• Asheville, North Carolina
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Orlando, Florida
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Tucson, Arizona
• Tulsa, Oklahoma

2004

• Parsippany, New Jersey
• Red Bank, New Jersey
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Los Angeles, California
• Orlando, Florida
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Fort Lauderdale, Florida
• Salem, Oregon
• Bensalem, Pennsylvania
• Phoenix, Arizona
• Long Island, New York
• Billings, Montana
• Oakland, California
• Largo, Florida
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Greer, South Carolina
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Saugerties, New York
• Asheville, North Carolina
• New York City, New York
• Plymouth, Wisconsin
• Dallas, Texas
• Racine, Wisconsin
• Fayetteville, Arkansas

2005

• Bridgewater, New Jersey
• Red Bank, New Jersey
• Scottsdale, Arizona
• Salem, Oregon
• Los Angeles, California
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Houston, Texas
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Eckert, Colorado
• Amherst, New York
• Billings, Montana
• Oakland, California
• Plano, Texas
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Mount Vernon, Washington
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Fayetteville, Arkansas

2006

• Morristown, New Jersey
• Red Bank, New Jersey
• Hatboro, Pennsylvania
• Scottsdale, Arizona
• Sacramento, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Mequon, Wisconsin
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Chicago, Illinois
• Oakland, California
• Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Greenville, South Carolina
• Saugerties, New York
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Billings, Montana
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Plano, Texas
• Denton, Texas
• Lakeland, Florida

2007

• Middletowntown, New Jersey
• Morristown, New Jersey
• Kansas City, Missouri
• Horsham, Pennsylvania
• Chester, United Kingdom
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Sacramento, California
• Oakland, California,
• Los Angeles, California
• Scottsdales, Arizona
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Denver Colorado
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Kingston, New York

2008

• Morristown, New Jersey
• Horsham, Pennsylvania
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Denver and Aurora, Colorado
• Omaha, Nebraska
• Los Angeles, California
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Sacramento, California
• Scottsdale, Arizona
• Middletown, New Jersey
• Washington, D. C.
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Chester, England
  

The enthusiasm generated thus far promises to bring HumanLight celebrations to many more locations in the United States and around the world in the coming years.