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Diversity and Inclusion Calendar of Events
Nationally Recognized Heritage Months and Identity Recognitions
Interested in planning a cultural, educational, or equity celebration on campus? Join an event committee!
Month-long observances:
- Poverty in America Awareness Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| January 1 | Emancipation Proclamation (Black American) | On this day in 1863, President Lincoln declared all persons held as slaves would be free. |
| January 4 | International World Braille Day (People with Disabilities) |
French educator Louis Braille created a system of reading and writing for those who are visually impaired. His system, known worldwide as “braille,” remains largely unchanged today. |
| January 16 | Martin Luther King Jr. Day (Black American) | MLK Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist, revered as one of the great leaders of the American civil rights movement. |
| January 22 | Lunar New Year | Lunar New Year is one of the most important celebrations of the year among East and Southeast Asian cultures, including Chinese, Vietnamese and Korean communities, among others. Each culture celebrates the Lunar New Year differently with various foods and traditions that symbolize prosperity, abundance and togetherness. |
| January 27 | International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust (United Nations) | Commemorates the approximately 6 million Jewish men, women and children murdered during World War II. |
Month-long observances:
- Black History Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| February 1 | National Freedom Day | The day commemorates the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a resolution for the 13th amendment to the American Constitution, that proposed the abolishment of slavery. |
| February 15 | Nirvana Day (Buddhist) | Also known as Pari Nirvana, this annual festival remembers the death of the Buddha after he reached Nirvana. |
Month-long observances:
- Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- Ethnic Equality Month
- Gender Equality Month
- Greek-American Heritage Month
- Irish-American Heritage Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| March 8 | International Women’s Day | Celebrates the various social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. |
| March 17 | St. Patrick’s Day (Irish) | Feast of Saint Patrick, a cultural and religious celebration held around the world. |
| March 21 | World Down Syndrome Day | Celebrates people with Down syndrome and raises awareness of their abilities and accomplishments. |
| March 22 | Ramadan begins | Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection and prayer for Muslims, the followers of Islam. It is celebrated as the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. |
| March 25 | International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade | The day honors and remembers those who suffered and died as a consequence of the transatlantic slave trade, which has been called "the worst violation of human rights in history." |
| March 31 | International Transgender Day of Visibility | The day is dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice. |
Month-long observances:
- Arab-American Heritage Month
- Autism Awareness Month
- Celebrate Diversity Month
- Earth Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| April 2 | World Autism Awareness Day (People with Disabilities) | A day that seeks to improve the lives of those who suffer from autism. |
| April 14 | National Day of Silence (LGBTQIA2S+) | GLSEN's annual day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, bay, bisexual, transgender, queer and questioning (LGBTQ) students. |
| April 22 | Earth Day (International) | Celebrates the planet; observed internationally in more than 192 countries. |
| April 27 to 29 | Gathering of Nations (Native American) | More than 500 Native tribes meet and celebrate various traditions and cultures. |
Month-long observances:
- Haitian Heritage Month
- Indian Heritage Month
- Jewish-American Heritage Month
- Mental Health Month
- National Asian American and South Pacific Islander Heritage Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| May 17 | International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia |
Created in 2004 to draw the attention to the violence and discrimination experienced by LGBTQIA2S+ people. The date of May 17 was specifically chosen to commemorate the World Health Organization’s decision in 1990 to declassify homosexuality as a mental disorder. |
| May 21 | World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development | Otherwise known as Diversity Day; an opportunity to help communities understand the value of cultural diversity and learn how to live together in harmony. This day was created as a result of the destruction of the Buddha statues of Bamiyan in Afghanistan in 2001. |
| May 29 | Memorial Day | Day observed to honor the men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. |
Month-long observances:
- National Caribbean American Heritage Month
- Pride Month (LGBTQIAA+)
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| June 19 | Juneteenth (Black American) | Marks the anniversary of when African Americans first learned of the Emancipation Proclamation, more than two years after it was initially issued. |
| June 20 | World Refugee Day | An international day designated by the United Nations to honor refugees around the globe. |
Month-long observances:
- French-American Heritage Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| July 4 | Independence Day | Celebrating the passage of the U.S. Declaration of Independence by the Continental Congress on July 4, 1776. |
| July 26 | National Disability Independence Day | Commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) into law in 1990; it outlawed the discrimination against people with disabilities. |
Month-long observances:
- National Civility Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| August 9 | International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (United Nations) | Created by the UN; celebrates the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world. |
| August 26 | Women’s Equality Day | Commemorates American women gaining the right to vote. |
Month-long observances:
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Suicide Prevention Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| September 15 to October 15 | National Hispanic Heritage Month | This month honors the culture and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans. |
| September 22 | Native American Day | Native American Day is celebrated as a way of honoring those who have been a part of the American tradition even before the nation of the U.S.A. came into being. |
Month-long observances:
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- Bullying Prevention Month
- Domestic Violence Awareness Month
- Filipino-American Heritage Month
- German-American Heritage Month
- Italian-American Heritage Month
- LGBTQ History Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| October 9 | Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States) | Formerly called Columbus Day, honors the indigenous people of North America. |
| October 10 | World Mental Health Day | Promotes mental health awareness and education, and advocates against social stigma relating to mental health. |
| October 11 | National Coming Out Day (LGBTQIAA+) | Celebrating coming out and raising awareness of the LGBT community and LGBT civil rights movement. |
| October 19 | Spirit Day (LGBTQ+) | Wear purple on this day to support LGBTQ youth and speak out against bullying. |
Month-long observances:
- Movember (awareness of men’s health issues, such as prostate cancer)
- National Native American, American Indian, and Alaskan Native Heritage Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| November 11 | Veterans Day | Honoring military veterans of the United States Armed Forces. |
| November 16 | International Day for Tolerance (United Nations) | Founded by UNESCO to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance. |
| November 19 | International Men’s Day | Celebrates worldwide the positive value men bring the world, their families and communities. |
| November 20 | Transgender Day of Remembrance (LGBTQ+) | Seeks to remember those who were murdered due to transphobia. |
Month-long observances:
- HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
- Universal Human Rights Month
| Date | Event | Description |
|---|---|---|
| December 1 | World AIDS Day | Helps raise awareness of HIV/AIDS and raises money to cure it. |
| December 3 | International Day of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations) | Raises awareness for the rights and well-being of those with disabilities. |
| December 10 | International Human Rights Day (United Nations) | Adopted by the UN in 1948; celebrates the day of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. |