Sayyiduna Abdullah bin Umar (may Allah be pleased with them both) narrates from the Messenger of Allah (peace and blessings be upon him) that he (peace and blessings be upon him) said: "The day of Ashura is a day on which the people of the Days of Ignorance (Jahiliyyah) used to fast. So whoever of you likes to fast on it, let him fast, and whoever does not like it, let him leave it."
Hadith Referenceالسنن الكبرى للبيهقي / كتاب الصيام / 8418