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 holiday celebration took place in Verona, New Jersey in 2001. The lists below are locations, that we know of, where public, group celebrations of HumanLight have occurred since 2001.  We do encourage groups that hold a public celebration to let us know about it, but it’s important to emphasize that we don’t know about all HumanLight celebrations.  In addition, we’ve had many reports from people who celebrate the holiday at home, but we have no idea how many families or individuals are doing so.

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

2009

• Phoenix, Arizona
• Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Fresno, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Oakland, California
• Palo Alto, California
• Sacramento, California
• San Diego, California
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Washington, DC
• Belleview, Florida
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida
• Atlanta, Georgia
• Chicago, Illinois
• Worcester, Massachusetts
• Bound Brook, New Jersey
• Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
  
• Albuquerque, New Mexico
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Lenoir, North Carolina
• Tulsa, Oklahoma
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Charlston, South Carolina
• Dallas, Texas
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Chester, England
  

2010

• Phoenix, Arizona
• Fayetteville, Arkansas
• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Berkeley, California
• Los Angeles, California
• Palo Alto, California
• Sacramento, California
• San Diego, California
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Washington, DC
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida
• Chicago, Illinois
• Baltimore, Maryland
  
• Worcester, Massachusetts
• Lincoln, Nebraska
• Lincroft, New Jersey
• Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ
  
• Somerset, New Jersey
  
• Portland, Oregon
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Charlston, South Carolina
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
  
• Dallas, Texas
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Mississauga, Ontario, Canada
• Montreal, Quebec, Canada
  
• Chester, England

2011

• Little Rock, Arkansas
• Los Angeles, California
• Palo Alto, California
• Sacramento, California
• San Diego, California
• Colorado Springs, Colorado
• Denver, Colorado
• Salida, Colorado
  
• Washington, DC
• Jacksonville, Florida
• Tampa/St. Petersburg, Florida
• Chicago, Illinois
• Lincoln, Nebraska
  
• Glassboro, New Jersey
• Morristown, New Jersey
  
• Red Bank, New Jersey
• Rutgers University, New Brunswick, New Jersey
  
• Portland, Oregon
• Allentown, Pennsylvania
  
• Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
• Charleston, South Carolina
• Murfreesboro, Tennessee
  
• Dallas, Texas
• Alexandria, Virginia
  
• Madison, Wisconsin
• Mississauga, Ontario, Canada

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.