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Heritage Months and Cultural Recognition 

With students, faculty, staff and guests representing over 160 countries, ������ý University values the unique and enriching cultural experiences that each community member brings to our campus. The University acknowledges or observes various heritage months and cultural/identity recognition days to celebrate the rich tapestry of the ������ý community.

Members of our campus community may request accommodations for cultural and religious observances. Find a listing of some upcoming cultural and religious holidays and for guidance on providing reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations.

Some Heritage Month Celebrations

• FEBRUARY
  Black History Month
• MARCH
  National Women's History Month
• APRIL
  Arab American Heritage Month
  Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month
• MAY
  Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month;
  Jewish American Heritage Month
• JUNE
  LGBTQ+ Pride Month
  Caribbean American Heritage Month
  Immigrant Heritage Month
• JULY
  Disability Pride Month
• SEPTEMBER
  Latin American Heritage Month
• OCTOBER
  OUTober - LGBTQ+ History Month;
  National Disability Employment Awareness Month
• NOVEMBER
  Native American Heritage Month

Some Cultural/Identity Recognition Days

Fall 2024

September

• Sept. 1 – Slovakia Constitution Day

  Slovakia Constitution Day marks the establishment of the constitution and rights in Slovakia. (Slovakia)

• Sept. 2 – Labor Day

  Observed the first Monday in September, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. (U.S.)

• Sept. 7 – Brazil Independence Day

  The date when Brazil gained independence from Portugal in 1822. (Brazil)

• Sept. 7 – Ganesh Chaturthi

  Ganesh Chaturthi is an annual 10-day Hindu celebration in praise of the Hindu deity, Ganesh. (Hindu)

• Sept. 8-14 – National Suicide Prevention Week

  National Suicide Prevention Week begins with World Suicide Prevention Day, observed each year to promote worldwide action to prevent suicides. (International)

• Sept. 11 – Patriot Day

  Patriot Day is a United States national observance that honors the memory of those who were killed in the September 11 attacks. (U.S.)

• Sept. 15 – International Day of Democracy

  International Day of Democracy provides an opportunity to review the state of democracy in the world. . (United Nations)

• Sept. 16 – Mexican Independence Day

  Mexican Independence Day is the date when Mexico declared independence from Spain 1810. (Mexico)

• Sept. 16-23 – Bisexual Awareness Week

  Bisexual Awareness Week aims to draw attention to the experiences while also celebrating the history and resilience of the bisexual community. Bisexual Awareness Week also includes Bisexual Awareness Day on Sept. 23. (International/LGBTQ+) 

• Sept. 22 – Autumnal Equinox

  Autumnal Equinox is a time for various religious observances worldwide.

October

• Oct. 2–4 – Rosh Hashanah

  Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and a time for reflecting on the past year and the year to come. (Jewish)

• Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day

  World Mental Health Day promotes mental health education and awareness, and advocacy against social stigma.

• Oct. 11 – National Coming Out Day

  National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+)

• Oct. 11 –12 – Yom Kippur

  Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. . (Jewish)

• Oct. 14 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day

  Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the indigenous peoples of North America. (U.S.)

• Oct. 19 – LGBTQ+ Spirit Day

  LGBTQ+ Spirit Day is an annual LGBTQ awareness day observed on the third Thursday in October. Spirt Day offers LGBTQ youth and their families a means of visibility and existence only made possible by providing life-saving visibility for those who need it more than ever. On Spirit Day observers wear purple to support LGBTQ youth and prevent bullying. (U.S./LGBTQ+)

• Oct. 20 – International Pronouns Day

  International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace (International/LGBTQ+)

• Oct. 23-29 – Ace Week 

  Ace Week, formerly Asexual Awareness Week, is an international campaign dedicated to raising awareness and expanding education of asexuality.

  The week gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate how far our community has come and to dream about the future we will create together.

• Oct. 26 – Intersex Awareness Day

  Intersex Awareness Day commemorates the anniversary of the first public demonstration by intersex people in the United States and seeks to highlight injustice faced by intersex communities. (U.S./LGBTQ+)

• Oct. 28 – National Immigrants Day

  National Immigrants Day celebrates the immigrants from 196 countries who live in the USA. (U.S.)

• Oct. 3 - Nov. 2 – Diwali

  Diwali is a five-day-long festival of lights, joy, prosperity and happiness. (Hindu)

• Oct. 31 – Halloween

  Halloween (International)

November

• Nov. 1 – Festival of Lights

  Part of the Diwali celebration. (Hindu)

• Nov. 4 – Black Solidarity Day

  Black Solidarity Day (U.S.)

• Nov. 5 – Election Day

  Election Day  (U.S.)

• Nov. 11 – Veterans Day

  Veterans Day (U.S.)

• Nov. 13-19 – Transgender Awareness Week

  People and organizations around the country participate in Transgender Awareness Week to help raise the visibility about transgender people and address issues members of the community face. (LGBTQ+/U.S.)

• Nov. 16 – International Day for Tolerance

  International Day for Tolerance promotes respect for diverse religions, languages, cultures, and ethnicities. (United Nations)

• Nov. 18-22 – International Education Week

  International Education Week

• Nov. 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance

  Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year. (LGBTQ+/U.S.)

• Nov. 28 – National Day of Mourning /Thanksgiving

  Thanksgiving (United States)

December

• Dec. 1 – World AIDS Day

  World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to increase education and awareness of HIV/AIDS. (International)

• Dec. 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities

  International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes the dignity, rights, and well-being of people with disabilities. (United Nations)

• Dec. 10 – Human Rights Day

  Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR). (United Nations)

• Dec. 16-24 – Las Posadas

  Las Posadas commemorates events associated with the birth of Jesus. (Mexico / Mexican Americans)

• Dec. 18 – International Migrants Day

  International Migrants Day is a day to promote safe, regular and orderly migration as an important contribution to building a world of peace, prosperity, dignity and opportunity for all. (United Nations)

• Dec. 25 – Christmas

  Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Christian messiah. (Christian)

• Dec. 25 – Jan. 2 Hanukkah / Chanukah

  Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. (Jewish)

• Dec. 26-Jan. 1 – Kwanzaa

  Kwanzaa is an African-American and pan-African holiday inspired by African harvest celebrations celebrating family, community and culture. (Black Americans)

• Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve

  New Year’s Eve (United States)

Spring 2025

January

• Jan. 1 – New Year's Day

  A day to mark the commencement of a new calendar year, celebrated primarily by the Western cultures of Europe, North America, South America and Australia. (International)

• Jan. 1 – Emancipation Proclamation

  President Abraham Lincoln issued the on Jan. 1, 1863, during the height of the Civil War. While it did not end de facto slavery in the U.S., it did add a moral imperative to a Union victory. (U.S.)

• Jan. 4 – World Braille Day

  World Braille Day helps to bring awareness to issues impacting blind and visually impaired persons. It is also the birthday of the blind pioneer Louis Braille, who invented the most widely used form of writing for the blind. (International)

• Jan. 6 – Epiphany

  A feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child is sometimes called Three King's Day. (Christian)

• Jan. 13 – Korean American Day

  Korean American Day honors and highlights our friends of Korean descent who have made immeasurable contributions. (Korean-American)

• Jan. 14 – Makar Sankranti or Magh

  A harvest festival that celebrates the arrival of longer days. (Hindu)

• Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

  Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States national holiday celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a Civil Rights and social justice leader. (U.S.)

• Jan. 26 – Indian Republic Day

  On this date in 1950, the Indian Constitution was finalized. (India)

• Jan. 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

  Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, International Holocaust Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of . This of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism. (International)

• Jan. 29-Feb. 16 – Chinese New Year

  Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting with New Year's Eve and culminating in the Lantern Festival. The celebration includes many rituals to usher in good luck for the upcoming year. 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit. (China)

• Jan. 29 – Lunar New Year

  The Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar and is derived from 12 full cycles of the moon. It is celebrated by many East Asian countries, especially those influenced by Chinese culture, including China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. (Asia/International)

February

• Feb. 1 – National Freedom Day

  In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th amendment (outlawing slavery). In 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming Feb. 1, the first National Freedom Day. (U.S.)

• Feb. 5 – Kashmir Solidarity Day

  Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed by the people in Pakistan and Kashmir who have been fighting for their freedom for more than 70 years. (Pakistan/International)

• Feb. 7 – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

  First observed in 1999, this day acknowledges how HIV disproportionately affects the Black community. (U.S.)

• Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day

  Originally a Christian feast day honoring several early Christian martyrs named Valentine. Through later folk traditions, it has become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. (Christian/International)

• Feb. 15 – Parinirvana or Nirvana Day

  Parinirvana or Nirvana Day remembers Buddha’s passing in 483 BC and his final nirvana. (Buddhist)

• Feb. 16-22 – Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week

  Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week is an international event meant to foster awareness and acceptance of aromantic spectrum identities and the issues they face. Aromantic individuals often experience little to no romantic attraction and demonstrate little interest in romantic relationships. (International/LGBTQ+)

• Feb. 17 – President’s Day

  Part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, President's Day is a federal holiday that takes place on the third Monday of February. While many states still separately acknowledge the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and George Washington (Feb. 22), President's Day is a way to honor both presidents. (U.S.)

• Feb. 26 – Shivratri

  Shivratri is a festival celebrated annually in honor of the god Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance. (Hindu)

• Feb. 28 -March 30 – Ramadan

  The ninth month of the Islamic calendar. A time of prayer and self-evaluation during which observers abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. (Islam/Muslim)

March

• March 5 – Ash Wednesday

  Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and contemplation that concludes on Easter Sunday. (Christian)

• March 5-April 17 – Lent

  Lent is the six weeks beginning Ash Wednesday leading to Easter Sunday. Through fasting or contemplation, this period marks a solemn observance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The span includes Palm Sunday and Good Friday. (Christian)

• March 8 – International Women’s Day

  A day to celebrate women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements. It's also a call to raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive gender parity. (International)

• March 10 – Harriet Tubman Day

  An American holiday honoring anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman. A former slave, Tubman helped over 70 slaves escape bondage via the Underground Railroad. Learn more about Tubman and her legacy at ������ý's Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity. (U.S.)

• March 13-14 – Purim

  Purim is the Jewish festival commemorating the saving of the Jewish people and the defeat of Haman, as recounted in the Book of Esther. On Purim, observers are enjoined to exchange gifts and make donations to the poor. (Jewish) 

• March 14 – Holi

  Holi is a joyful and colorful festival celebrated by Indian communities throughout the world. It is a celebration of spring, friendship, family and the triumph of good over evil. (Hindu)

• March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day

  St. Patrick’s Day marks the birthday of this Irish saint, who brought Christianity to the Emerald Isle. (Irish)

• March 20 – Naw-Ruz

  Naw-Ruz is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the New Year, and for Baha’is, it marks the end of the annual 19-Day Fast and coincides with the spring equinox. (Baha'i)

• March 20 – Spring Equinox

  The day on which the sun's warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern halves of the planet. (International)

• March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination

  International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (United Nations)

• March 29-30 – Eid-al-Fitr  

  Eid Al-Fitr is the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," which may be called Lesser Eid or Eid, and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. (Islam/Muslim) 

• March 30 – Ugadi

  Ugadi or Yugadi, also known as Samvatsarādi, is the New Year's Day for the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in India. (Hindu) 

• March 31 – International Transgender Day of Visibility

  International Transgender Day of Visibility (International/LGBTQ+)

April

• April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day

  World Autism Awareness Day honors and seeks to improve the lives of people on the Autism spectrum so they can lead full and meaningful lives. (People with Disabilities)

• April 6 – International Asexuality Day 

  International Asexuality Day is a worldwide event celebrating and advocating for the full asexual spectrum, including demisexual, greysexual, and other ace identities. Individuals under the ACE spectrum typically lack sexual attraction or desire for others. (International/LGBTQ+)

• April 10 – Mahavira-Jayanti

  Mahavira-Jayanti is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism, celebrating the birth of Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of the present Avasarpiṇī. (Jain/Sikh/Hindu) 

• April 11 – Day of Silence

  Day of Silence (LGBTQ+)

• April 12-20 – Passover/Pesach

  Passover/Pesach commemorates the freeing of Jewish people from Egypt. The first and last two days are observed as full holidays. Includes a ceremonial meal called the Seder comprising food of symbolic significance, traditions and prayers. (Jewish / date changes each year)

• April 18 – Good Friday

  Christians annually commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, also called "Holy Friday" or "Great Friday" by Orthodox Chrisitians, the Friday before Easter (Pascha). Orthodox Christians usually observe the Holy day by fasting and refraining from work in remembrance of Christ's great sacrifice. (Christian / date changes each year)

• April 20 – Easter

  Easter is a holy day and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion. (Christian / date changes each year)

• April 22 – Earth Day

  Earth Day – celebrated internationally in more than 192 countries (International)

• April 24-26 – Gathering of Nations

  Gathering of Nations – more than 500 Native American tribes meet to celebrate their traditions and cultures. (Native American)

• April 28-May 4 – Lesbian Visibility Week

  historically kicks off with International Lesbian Visibility Day on April 26 and is an annual observance dedicated to bringing awareness and education of lesbian women and non-binary people, fostering support and bringing into light issues faced within the community. (International/LGBTQ+) 

May

• May 1 – International Labor Day (May Day)

  International Labor Day (May Day) commemorates the working class and workers around the world.

• May 1 – National Day of Prayer

  National Day of Prayer, originally signed into law in 1952, is a day when people of all faiths are asked to pray for our nation. (U.S.)

• May 3 – Constitution Memorial Day

  Constitution Memorial Day celebrates the new constitution that was drafted and brought into legislation after Japan’s emperor, Emperor Showa, surrendered to the Allied Forces, namely the U.S., in 1945. (Japanese)

• May 5 – Cinco de Mayo

  Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s defeat of the French army, observed primarily by Mexican Americans. (Mexico)

• May 10 – Buddha’s Birth

  Buddha is the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became a spiritual leader and launched Buddhism, one of the most popular religions. (Buddhist)

• May 11 – Mother’s Day

  Mother’s Day is a national holiday honoring motherhood. (U.S.)

• May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia

  International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia raises awareness of LGBT rights, commemorated in more than 132 countries. (LGBTQ+)

• May 19 – Agender Pride Day

  Agender Pride Day is dedicated to celebrating and bringing inclusion to individuals who do not fit into the gender binary. (LGBTQ+)

• May 22 – Harvey Milk Day

  Harvey Milk Day. (U.S./LGBTQ+)

• May 24 – Pansexual Visibility Day

  Pansexual Visibility Day seeks to celebrate and advocate for the inclusion of pansexual identities. (LGBTQ+)

• May 25 – May Revolution Day

  May Revolution Day is the anniversary of the First Independent Government in Buenos Aires. (Argentina)

• May 26 – Memorial Day

  Honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. military. (U.S.)

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SUMMER 2025

June

• June 1 - 3 – Shavuot

  Shavuot is the ‘Feast of Weeks,’ which marks the giving of the Law (Torah) at Mt. Sinai and is often linked with the Confirmation of teenagers. (Jewish)

• June 6-7 – Eid al-Adha

  Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two holiest Islamic celebrations, observed by Muslims around the world (Islam/Muslim) 

• June 8 – National Puerto Rican Day Parade

  Puerto Rican Day Parade – festivities are planned across the country to celebrate Puerto Ricans’ accomplishments and contributions. (Puerto Ricans)

• June 11 – National Children’s Day

  National Children’s Day highlights how important children are in society and that some still face many problems and difficulties in different aspects of their lives (U.S.).

• June 12 – Pulse Night of Remembrance

  Pulse Night of Remembrance (LGBTQ+) 

• June 15 – Father’s Day

  Father’s Day is a national holiday that commemorates fathers and the crucial role they play in people's lives, from childhood through to adulthood. (U.S.)

• June 19 – Juneteenth

  Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the liberation of enslaved Black Americans in Texas and is celebrated nationwide. (U.S.)

• June 20 – World Refugee Day

  World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict or persecution. (United Nations)

• June 26-27 – Al-Hijra

  Al-Hijra/Al-Hijri is the first day of the month of Muharram representing the Islamic New Year. (Islam/Muslim)

• June 28 – Stonewall Riots Anniversary

  The Stonewall Riots Anniversary commemorates the Stonewall riots that began on June 28, 1969, in response to police brutality endured by the transgender, gay, and lesbian community in New York City. (LGBTQ+)

July

• July 4 – Independence Day

  Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, signed by all 13 colonies, and which marks the beginning of American Independence. (U.S.)

• July 14 – International Non-binary People's Day

  Observed each year on July 14 and is aimed at raising awareness and organizing around the issues faced by non-binary people around the world. (International/LGBTQ+)
  
  

• July 16 – International Drag Day

  International Drag Day is an annual event held to celebrate drag art and culture around the world to bring awareness and acceptance of self-expression. (International/LGBTQ+)

• July 23 – Parents’ Day

  Parents’ Day is observed in recognition of what parents do to care for their families and their contributions to society overall (U.S.).

• July 24 – Pioneer Day

  Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated in Utah. It marks the arrival of founder Brigham Young in the Salt Lake area (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/U.S.).

• July 30 – International Friendship Day

  To promote understanding, cooperation and togetherness among people across the globe. (United Nations)

August

• Aug. 2-3 – Tisha B’Av

  Tisha B’Av is an annual day of mourning and fasting, as many disasters are said to have happened to the Jewish people on this day. The two main tragedies remembered on this day are the destruction of Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem. (Jewish)

• Aug. 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People

  International Day of the World’s Indigenous People celebrates unique cultures of indigenous peoples worldwide. (United Nations)

• Aug. 12 – International Youth Day

  International Youth Day aims to raise awareness to the issues that many children and teenagers face around the world, especially those affected by poverty who can't get access to an appropriate education. (United Nations)

• Aug. 15 – Feast of the Assumption

  Feast of the Assumption celebrate the belief of the entry into heaven of the Virgin Mary. (Christian/Roman Catholic)

• Aug. 15 – Sri Krishna Janmashtami

  Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. (Hindu)

• Aug. 19 – World Humanitarian Day

  World Humanitarian Day honors humanitarian personnel and recognize their efforts as aid workers during humanitarian world crises, as well a day to remember those who lost their lives while in humanitarian missions. (United Nations)

• Aug. 26 – Women’s Equality Day

  Women’s Equality Day commemorates women gaining the right to vote. (U.S.)

• Aug. 29 – Individual Rights Day

  Individual Rights Day (United Nations)

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