There are two days on which Bodhi Day is celebrated, one considered secular and the other the actual day. The reason for this is that the place where the Bodhi Tree was located, where Siddhartha found enlightenment, is in Bodhgaya, India, which follows the Lunar calendar. Thus, the days are celebrated differently from each other whether it be the Solar or Lunar Calendar. The Solar calendar date is always the 8th day of the 12 month, that being, December 8th, and that is considered for the devout, the secular version of the holiday.
Exhausted and in despair, he collapsed in agony under a tree, today known as the Bodhi Tree, and there he determined to sit until he would achieve enlightenment. The Holy texts differ in the length of time he sat, either 7 to 49 days, in meditation not peaceful but full of anguish and tumult. Then, on the 8th day of the 12th day, he awoke from his feverish focus with the Venus, the Morning star in his focus. And, with that light, came upon his light, enlightenment achieved.
All of the baggage and tricks in his mind dissolved into silence and peace, he truly saw and understood for the first time what would be the basis of the Four Noble Truths, leading him to become The Buddha.
As he sat there in this new discovery, a girl from the village came by, offering him a meal of rice and milk, which sustained him as he began his 40 days of teaching.
In any religious or spiritual practice, or even having none, finding stillness within is important for all. In this fast paced world full of its daily tumult, this importance is even more paramount. My deepist wish is that time is taken from the busyness to ponder the significance of Bodhi Day for oneself personally. My belief is that this holiday fits well with the other holidays of this month in preparation for each celebration and the beginning of the New Year.
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