2024

July 4

INDEPENDENCE DAY

Anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.

July 7

MUHARRAM听听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic

The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. This first day, al-Hijra, remembers the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. It also marks the beginning of the ten-day Sh墨_士ite Remembrance of Muharram, a听period of intense grief and martyrdom of Hussein, the son of Ali and grandson of听Muhammad.

July 8

MARTYRDOM OF THE B脕B听 鈥⑻� Bah谩鈥櫭�

Observance of the anniversary of the execution by a firing squad in Tabr铆z, Persia, of the 30-year-old Siyyid 鈥楢l铆-Muhammad, the B谩b, the prophet-herald of the Bah谩鈥櫭� Faith.

July 13-15

ULLAMBANA (also known as Obon)听 鈥⑻�听 Buddhist

Ullambana, a Sanskrit term that means 鈥渉anging upside down and suffering,鈥� honors the spirits of past ancestors and strives to relieve aching souls from suffering. It lasts about half of the month of August. Obon, the Japanese transliteration of Ullambana, is only three days and varies from region to region鈥擩uly in the eastern region and August in the western region.

July 16

ASHURA听听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic

A day of fasting observed on the 10th day of the month of Muharram to celebrate Moses鈥� exodus from Egypt. For Shi鈥檃 Muslims, it also marks the climax of the ten-day remembrance of Muharram, which mourns the martyrdom of Hussein at the Battle of Kerbala.

July 21

DHARMA DAY听 鈥⑻�听 Buddhist

Also known as Asalha Puja, it commemorates the historical Buddha's first discourse following his spiritual awakening.

July 22

KHORDAD SAL 听 鈥⑻�听 Zoroastrian

The Zoroastrian celebration of the birth of Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrian religion.听 The holiday is specifically celebrated in India and Iran, immediately following the Persian new year, Now谤煤锄.

July 26

AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) DAY

Commemorates the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities.

2024

August 9

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD鈥橲 INDIGENOUS PEOPLES

Celebrates the richness of indigenous cultures and recognizes the challenges indigenous peoples face today, ranging from poverty and disease to dispossession, discrimination and denial of basic human rights.

August 12

INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY

Celebrates young people and the integral role they play in helping to create a world fit for children.

August 13

TISHA B鈥橝V听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

Mourning of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE.

August 19

RAKSHA BANDHAN听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Also called Rakhi, this festival celebrates the protective relationship between brothers and their sisters.

August 21

SENIOR CITIZEN DAY

Recognizes the many contributions older adults make in communities across the United States.

August 23

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE SLAVE TRADE AND ITS ABOLITION

Memorializes the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade, coinciding with the anniversary of the uprising in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) that initiated its abolition.

August 26

WOMEN鈥橲 EQUALITY DAY

Commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote.

August 26

KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI (Also known as JAYANTI)听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Celebrates Krishna鈥檚 birthday, Vishnu鈥檚 eighth incarnation on earth.

2024

September 1

GUR-GADDI GURU GRANTH SAHIB听 鈥⑻�听 Sikh

Since 1708, Sikhs have accepted Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their eternal Guru that holds the spirit of all Ten Gurus of the Sikhs. They consider Guru Granth Sahib to be a spiritual guide not only for Sikhs but for all of mankind; it plays a central role in guiding the Sikhs' way of life.

September 2

LABOR DAY

Celebrated the first Monday in September in recognition of U.S. workers.

September 5

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY

Recognizes the role of charity in alleviating human suffering, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including the work of Mother Teresa.

September 7

GANESH CHATURTHI听听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant-deity.听

September 8

INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY

Call to action for universal literacy.

September 15

MAWLID AL-NABI (Also known as MILAD AL-NABI)听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic (Shi鈥檃)

The observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Sunni Muslims celebrate it five days earlier than Shi鈥檃 Muslims.

Sept 15 - Oct 15

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH

Celebrates the contributions, heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.

September 17

CONSTITUTION DAY AND CITIZENSHIP DAY

Commemorates the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787. Also honors all who have become U.S. citizens.

September 20

MAWLID AL-NABI (Also known as MILAD AL-NABI)听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic (Sunni)

The observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated in Rabi' al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Shi鈥檃 Muslims celebrate it five days later than Sunni Muslims.

September 22

AUTUMNAL EQUINOX

Marks the first day of the season of fall. The sun shines nearly equally on both hemispheres when it鈥檚 fall in the Northern Hemisphere and simultaneously spring in the Southern Hemisphere.

September 23

BI VISIBILITY DAY

Seeks to draw attention to public policy concerns and foster respect for bi+ individuals and communities.

2024

October
(Full Month)

NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH

A campaign to unite communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.

October
(Full Month)

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH

Recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities.

October
(Full Month)

LGBT HISTORY MONTH

Marks and celebrates the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people in the United States.

October 2

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE

Marked on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence, a U.N commemoration promoting the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance and understanding.

October 2-4

ROSH HASHANAH听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

Beginning of the Jewish New Year and first of the High Holy Days, which marks the beginning of a ten-day period of penitence and spiritual renewal.

October 3-11

NAVARATRI听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Nine-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It worships God in the form of the universal mother commonly referred to as Durga, Devi or Shakti, and marks the start of fall.

October 5

WORLD TEACHER鈥橲 DAY

Held annually to commemorate teacher organizations worldwide.

October 11

COMING OUT DAY

Encourages honesty and openness about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Commemorates October 11, 1987, when 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality.

October 12

YOM KIPPUR听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

The 鈥淒ay of Atonement鈥� marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah.

October 12

DUSSEHRA/DASSERA听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Anniversary of the day when Rama killed the evil demon Ravana. Also known as Durga Puja, which celebrates the goddess Durga.

October 14

INDIGENOUS PEOPLE鈥橲 DAY (Native American Day)

Celebrates and honors Native American history and culture.听

[The second Monday of October is also marked as a U.S. federal holiday, Columbus Day. Many people are opposed to the celebration of a man who led and committed atrocities against Indigenous people. Some states and cities in the U.S. have officially changed the day to Indigenous People鈥檚 Day. Similarly, it is celebrated as D铆a de la Raza, 鈥淒ay of the Race鈥�, in Spanish-speaking countries and communities.]

October 16-23

SUKKOT听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

The week-long 鈥淔east of Booths鈥� commemorates the 40-year wandering of the Israelites in the desert on the way to the Promised Land.

October 17

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY

Call to action for the eradication of poverty and destitution worldwide.

October 24

SHEMINI ATZERET听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

鈥淭he Eighth (Day) of Assembly鈥� is observed on the day immediately following Sukkot.

October 24

UNITED NATIONS DAY

Commemorates the founding of the world organization in 1945.

October 25

SIMCHAT TORAH听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

鈥淩ejoicing in the Torah鈥� celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Pentateuch and its beginning anew.

October 31

HALLOWEEN

The eve of All Saints鈥� Day.

October 31

REFORMATION DAY听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517.

October 31

BANDI-CHHOR DIVAS听听 鈥⑻�听 Sikh

A commemorative occasion having no fixed date which occurs in autumn and celebrates the release of the Sixth Guru Har Gobind Sahib from imprisonment and coincides with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.

2024

November
(Full Month)

NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH

Adoptees, birth families, adoptive families and adoption professionals reflect on, educate and celebrate adoption practices.

November
(Full Month)

NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH

Celebrates and honors the history and culture of Native Americans and indigenous people in the United States.

November 1

ALL SAINTS鈥� DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Western Christian

Commemorates all known and unknown Christian saints. Eastern Christianity observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.

November 1

DIWALI听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Also called Deepavali, 鈥淔estival of Lights鈥�, it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.

November 2

BIRTH OF THE B脕B听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Bah谩鈥櫭� observance of the anniversary of the birth in 1819 of Siyyid, 鈥渢he B谩b,鈥� the prophetherald of the Bah谩鈥櫭� Faith, in Sh铆r谩z, Persia.听

November 2

ALL SOULS鈥� DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Commemoration of all faithful Christians who are now dead. In Mexican tradition it is celebrated as Dia de los Muertos between October 31 and November 2, and is an occasion to remember dead ancestors and celebrate the continuity of life.

November 3

BIRTH OF BAH脕鈥橴鈥橪L脕H听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Observance of the anniversary of the birth in 1817 of Bah谩鈥檜鈥檒l谩h, prophet-founder of the Bah谩鈥櫭� Faith, in N煤r, Persia.

November 5

ELECTION DAY

A day set by U.S. law for the election of public officials.

November 9-10

KRISTALLNACHT / THE NIGHT OF BROKEN GLASS

Commemorates the 1938 pogrom against Jews throughout Germany and Vienna.听 Leaders of the Nazi Party instigated attacks against Jewish persons and property.听 Rioters destroyed hundreds of synogogues and damaged or destroyed more than 7,000 Jewish businesses.听 30,000 Jewish males were arrested and interned in concentration camps.听 Estimates of the death toll range from 91 to more than 600.

November 11

VETERANS鈥� DAY

Honors military veterans and the U.S. Armed Services.

November 15

GURU NANAK DEV JI鈥橲 BIRTHDAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Sikh

A very important holiday in the Sikh faith as Guru Nanak Dev鈥檚 was the First Guru
of the Sikhs and the Founder of Sikhism. He was born in mid-November; the
holiday is听celebrated according to the lunar date.

November 16

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE

Emphasizes the dangers of intolerance and is a call to action for the advancement of human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as a day to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures and peoples.

November 18-22

AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK

Celebrates public education and honors individuals who are making a difference in ensuring every child in the U. S. receives a quality education.

November 20

TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE

Memorializes those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.

November 24

DAY OF THE COVENANT听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Day of the Covenant is a festival observed to commemorate Bah谩鈥檜鈥檒l谩h鈥檚
appointment of His son, Abdu鈥檒-Baha, as His successor.

November 28

THANKSGIVING DAY

Following a 19th century tradition, it commemorates the Pilgrims鈥� harvest feast in the autumn of 1621. It is considered by some to be a "national day of mourning," in
recognition of the conquest of Native Americans by colonists.

2024

December 1

WORLD AIDS DAY

International day of action on HIV and AIDS.

December 1-24

ADVENT听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Advent is a season of spiritual preparation in observance of the birth of Jesus. In Western Christianity, it starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. In Eastern Christianity, the season is longer and begins in the middle of November.

December 3

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES

Raises awareness about persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity.

December 8

BODHI DAY听听 鈥⑻�听听 Buddhist

Also known as Rohatsu, commemorates the day that the Buddha, Siddharta Gautama, experienced enlightenment or spiritual awakening (bodhi). Celebrated on the eighth day either of December or the 12th month of the lunar calendar.

December 10

HUMAN RIGHTS DAY

On this day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.

December 12

OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Celebrates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (by her title, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico and the Americas) before Juan Diego, an indigenous convert to Roman Catholicism, on the Mexican hill of Tepeyac in 1531.

December 15

BILL OF RIGHTS DAY

Commemorates the signing into law of the ten original amendments of the United States Constitution in 1791.

December 21

WINTER SOLSTICE

Marks the first day of the season of winter. The length of time between sunrise and sunset is the shortest of the year with the sun shining closest to the Southern Hemisphere and the farthest from the Northern Hemisphere.

December 24

CHRISTMAS EVE听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Celebration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.

December 2

CHRISTMAS听听 鈥⑻�听 Western Christian

Commemorates the birth of Jesus.听

Dec. 26 - Jan 1

KWANZAA

A seven-day celebration honoring African American heritage and its continued vitality.
鈥淜wanzaa鈥� means 鈥渇irst fruits (of the harvest)鈥� in Swahili.

Dec. 26 - Jan 2

CHANUKAH听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

Eight-day 鈥淔estival of Lights鈥�, also known as Hanukkah, celebrating the rededication of the Temple to the service of God in 164 BCE. Commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek King, Antiochus, who sought to suppress freedom of worship.

December 29

WOUNDED KNEE DAY

On December 29, 1890 more than 200 Lakota Sioux were massacred by U.S. troops at Wounded Knee in South Dakota.

December 31

NEW YEAR鈥橲 EVE

In the Gregorian calendar, New Year's Eve, the last day of the year, is on December 31. In many countries, New Year's Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, drink. etc.

January 1

NEW YEAR鈥橲 DAY

The first day of the year in the Gregorian calendar, commonly used for civil dating purposes.

January 6

GURU GOBIND SINGH JI鈥橲 BIRTHDAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Sikh

Guru Gobind Singh was the 10th Sikh guru of Nanak and founder of the Khalsa.

January 6

CHRISTMAS听听 鈥⑻�听 Armenian Orthodox Christian

Armenian Christians celebrate the birth of Jesus on Epiphany, except for Armenians living in Israel, who celebrate Christmas on January 19th.

January 6

EPIPHANY听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Known as Theophany in Eastern Christianity, it celebrates the manifestation of Jesus as Christ. In addition, the Western Church associates Epiphany with the journey of the Magi to the infant Jesus, and the Eastern Church with the baptism of Jesus by John.

January 7

CHRISTMAS听听 鈥⑻�听 Eastern Christian

Most Orthodox churches celebrate Christmas 13 days later than other Christian churches based on their use of the Julian rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar.

January 14

MAKAR SANKRANTI听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Seasonal celebration marking turning of the sun toward the north.

January 14

MAHAYANA NEW YEAR听听 鈥⑻�听 Buddhist

In Mahayana countries the New Year starts on the first full moon day in January.

January 19

WORLD RELIGION DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Observance to proclaim the oneness of religion and the belief that world religion will unify the peoples of the earth.

January 20

DR. MARTIN LUTHER KING JR DAY

The birthday of civil rights activist Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. is on January 15_th but it is observed on the third Monday in January.

January 20-24

NO NAME-CALLING WEEK听

Annual week of educational activities aimed at ending name-calling and bullying of all kinds.听

January 27

UN HOLOCAUST MEMORIAL DAY

Annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust coinciding with the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in 1945.

January 29

LUNAR NEW YEAR听 鈥⑻�听 Confucian, Daoist and Buddhist

Also known as the Spring Festival, an important festival celebrated at the turn of the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar.

February
(Full Month)

BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Celebrates Black History and African American culture in the United States鈥�.

February 1

NATIONAL FREEDOM DAY

Commemorates the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865.

February 13

TU B鈥橲HVAT听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

New Year's Day for Trees, and traditionally the first of the year for tithing fruit of trees. Now a day for environmental awareness and action, such as tree planting.

February 13

MAGHA PUJA听听 鈥⑻�听 Buddhist

Also known as Sangha Day, it commemorates the spontaneous assembly of 1,250 disciples, completely enlightened monks, in the historical Buddha's presence.听

February 14

VALENTINE鈥橲 DAY

Celebrates the idea of romantic love.鈥�

February 14

PURIM听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

The 鈥淔east of Lots鈥� marks the salvation of the Jews of ancient Persia from extermination.

February 15

NIRVANA DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Buddhist

Celebrates the day when the historical Buddha achieved Parinirvana, or complete Nirvana, upon the death of his physical body. Sometimes celebrated on February 8.

February 15

SUSAN B. ANTHONY DAY

A commemorative holiday to celebrate the birth of Susan B. Anthony (1820鈥�1906) and women's suffrage in the United States.

February 17

PRESIDENTS鈥� DAY

Honors all past presidents of the United States of America.鈥�

February 20

WORLD DAY OF SOCIAL JUSTICE

U.N. day to recognize efforts to achieve fair outcomes for all through employment, social protection, social dialogue, and fundamental principles and rights at work.

February 25-28

AYY脕M-I-HA OR INTERCALARY DAYS听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

The Ayy谩m-i-ha, or 鈥淒ays of Ha鈥� are devoted to spiritual preparation for the fast, celebrating, hospitality, charity and gift giving. They are celebrated the four days, five in leap听year, before the last month of the Bah谩鈥櫭� year by inserting days into the calendar in order to maintain their solar calendar.

February 26

MAHA SHIVARATRI听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Also called Shiva Ratri, the Great Night of Shiva, is a festival in reverence of the god Shiva. The festival is celebrated at the 13_th night or 14_th day of the waning moon in the Hindu calendar (month of February or March of the English calendar).

Feb 28 - Mar 30

RAMADAN听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic

Observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first听revelation of the Qur'an to the Prophet Muhammad.

March
(Full Month)

NATIONAL WOMEN鈥橲 HISTORY MONTH

Honors women as significant agents of historical change.

March 1-19

NINETEEN-DAY FAST听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Baha'is between 15 and 70 years of age do not eat or drink from sunrise to sunset and set aside time for prayer and meditation.

March 3

CLEAN MONDAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Eastern Christian

The beginning of Great Lent for Eastern Christian churches, which starts 40 days before Orthodox Easter (Pascha), counting Sundays.听

March 4

SHROVE TUESDAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Western Christian

A day of penitence as well as the last chance to feast before Lent begins. Also known as听Mardi Gras, Fat Tuesday and Carnival Day as this day is observed in many ways worldwide.

March 5

ASH WEDNESDAY听 听鈥⑻�听 Western Christian

The first day of Lent for Western Christian churches, a 40-day period of spiritual preparation for Easter, not counting Sundays.听

March 8

INTERNATIONAL WOMEN鈥橲 DAY

Celebration of the economic, political and social achievements of women worldwide.鈥�

March 14

HOLI听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

A spring festival in India and Nepal dedicated to the god of pleasure, also known as the festival of colours or the festival of sharing love.

March 14-16

HOLA MOHALLA听听 鈥⑻�听 Sikh

An annual event which is a martial arts parade historically coinciding with Holi, the Hindu festival of colors. Celebrations related to Holla Mohalla may be held in various locations over several weekends preceding the actual date of the holiday.

March 17

ST. PATRICK鈥橲 DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Feast day of the patron saint of Ireland. In the U.S., a secular version is celebrated by people of all faiths through appreciation of all things Irish.

March 20

VERNAL EQUINOX

Marks the first day of the season of spring. The sun shines nearly equally on both hemispheres when it鈥檚 spring in the Northern Hemisphere and simultaneously fall in the Southern Hemisphere.

March 20

NOWR脷Z听听 鈥⑻�听 Zoroastrian

A traditional ancient Iranian festival celebrating the first day of Spring and the Iranian New Year. Also celebrated as New Year鈥檚 Day in Baha鈥檌 tradition (Naw-Ruz). (This date may vary based on region or sect.)

March 21

INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ELIMINATION OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION听

Call to action to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination worldwide.

March 25

KHORDAD SAL 听 鈥⑻�听 Zoroastrian

The Zoroastrian celebration of the birth of Zoroaster, the founder of the Zoroastrian religion.听 The holiday is specifically celebrated in India and Iran, immediately following the Persian new year, Now谤煤锄.

March 27

LAILA AL-QADR听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic

Commemorates the night that the Qur'an was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. It is known as the 鈥淣ight of Power.鈥� Often set on the 27th day of Ramadan,听Sunnis听may observe it on the 21st, 23rd, 25th or 29th and Sh墨_士ite (Shiite) observe it on the 19th, 21st or 23rd day of Ramadan.

March 31

CESAR CHAVEZ DAY

Honors Mexican American farm worker, labor leader and activist Cesar Chavez (1927鈥� 1993) who was a nationally respected voice for social justice.

March 31

EID AL-FITR听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic

The 鈥淔east of the Breaking of the Fast鈥� marks the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting from dawn until dusk.

April
(Full Month)

GENOCIDE AWARENESS MONTH

A month that marks important anniversaries for past and contemporary genocides. Throughout the month, individuals, communities and organizations join together to remember and honor victims and survivors of mass atrocities.

April
(Full Month)

NATIONAL POETRY MONTH

Introduced in 1996 by the Academy of American Poets as a way to increase awareness and appreciation of poetry in the United States.

April 6

RAMA NAVAMI听听 鈥⑻�听 Hindu

Celebrates the birthday of Rama, king of ancient India, hero of the epic Ramayana, and seventh incarnation of Vishnu.

April 11

DAY OF SILENCE

Students take a day-long vow of silence to protest the actual silencing of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and queer/questioning (LGBTQ) students and their straight allies due to bias and harassment.

April 12-20

PASSOVER/PESACH听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

The eight-day 鈥淔east of Unleavened Bread鈥� celebrates Israel鈥檚 deliverance from Egyptian bondage.

April 13

PALM SUNDAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Observed the Sunday before Easter/Pascha to commemorate the entry of Jesus into听Jerusalem.

April 13

THERAVADA NEW YEAR听听 鈥⑻�听 Buddhist

In Theravada countries the New Year is celebrated on the first full moon day in April.听

April 14

VAISAKHI (also spelled Baisakhi)听听 鈥⑻�听 Sikh

The festival which celebrates the founding of the Sikh community as the Khalsa (community of the initiated). On this day, Sikhs gather and celebrate Vaisakhi at their local Gurdwaras (Sikh house of worship) by remembering this day as the birth of the Khalsa.

April 17

HOLY THURSDAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Also known as Maundy Thursday, it is celebrated on the Thursday before Easter commemorating the Last Supper, at which Jesus and the Apostles were together for the last time before the Crucifixion.

April 18

GOOD FRIDAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Known as Holy Friday in Eastern Christianity, it commemorates the Crucifixion of Jesus on the Friday before Easter/Pascha.

April 20

EASTER听听 鈥⑻� Christian

Known as Pascha in Eastern Christianity, it celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.

Apr 20 - May 1

FESTIVAL OF RIDV脕N听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�听鈥�

Annual festival commemorating the 12 days when Bah谩鈥檜鈥檒l谩h, the prophet-founder of the Bah谩鈥櫭� Faith, resided in a garden called Ridv谩n (Paradise) and publicly proclaimed his mission as God鈥檚 messenger for this age. The first (April 20), ninth (April 28), and twelfth (May 1) days are celebrated as holy days when Baha鈥檌s suspend work.

April 23

YOM HASHOAH听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

鈥淗olocaust Remembrance Day鈥� memorializes the heroic martyrdom of six million Jews who perished in the Nazi Holocaust. 鈥�

April 24

ARMENIAN MARTYRS鈥� DAY

Memorializes the genocide of approximately 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 in Turkey.

May
(Full Month)

ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Recognizes the contributions and celebrates the culture of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States.

May
(Full Month)

JEWISH AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH

Recognizes the history of Jewish contributions to American culture, acknowledging the diverse achievements of American Jews.鈥�

May 1

INTERNATIONAL WORKER鈥橲 DAY

Also known as May Day, it celebrates the social and economic achievements of workers worldwide. The day commemorates the Haymarket Riot of 1886 in Chicago, in听which police and protesters clashed following a workers鈥� strike for an eight-hour work day.

May 3

WORLD PRESS FREEDOM DAY

Serves as an occasion to inform the public of violations of the right to freedom of expression and as a reminder that many journalists brave death or jail to bring people听 their daily news.

May 5

CINCO DE MAYO

In 1862, Mexican forces defeated French occupational forces in the Battle of Puebla.

May 11

MOTHER鈥橲 DAY

Children of all ages show appreciation for their mothers and mother figures.鈥�

May 12

VISAKHA PUJA听 鈥⑻�听 Buddhist

Also known as Vesak or Buddha Day, it marks the birth, spiritual awakening and听 death听(nirvana) of the historical Buddha. (This date may vary based on region or sect.)

May 16

LAG B鈥橭MER听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

Celebrates the end of a divine-sent plague and/or Roman occupation during Rabbi Akiva鈥檚 lifetime (died c. 135 CE).

May 21

WORLD DAY FOR CULTURAL DIVERSITY

Recognizes cultural diversity as a source of innovation, exchange and creativity, as well as the obligation to create a more peaceful and equitable society based on听mutual respect.

May 23

DECLARATION OF THE B脕B听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Commemoration of May 23, 1844, when the B谩b, the prophet-herald of the Bah谩鈥櫭� Faith, announced in Sh铆r谩z, Persia, that he was the herald of a new messenger of God.

May 26

MEMORIAL DAY

A federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country's armed forces.

May 28

ASCENSION OF BAH脕鈥橴鈥橪L脕H听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Observance of the anniversary of the death in exile of Bah谩鈥檜鈥檒l谩h, the prophet-founder of the Bah谩鈥櫭� Faith.

May 29

ASCENSION DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Also known as Holy Thursday, celebrated 40 days after Easter/Pascha, it commemorates the ascension of Jesus into Heaven.

June
(Full Month)

LGBTQ+ PRIDE MONTH

Commemorates the anniversary of the June 28, 1969 Stonewall riot in New York City, the incident that initiated the modern gay rights movement in the United States.

June 1-3

SHAVUOT听听 鈥⑻�听 Jewish

The 鈥淔east of Weeks鈥� celebrates the covenant established at Sinai between God and Israel, and the revelation of the Ten Commandments.

June 5

WORLD ENVIRONMENT DAY (WED)

The United Nations鈥� most important day for encouraging worldwide awareness and action for the protection of our environment.

June 7

EID AL-ADHA听听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic

Commemoration of Ibrahim's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience of a command from God. Marks the end of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).听

June 8

PENTECOST听听 鈥⑻�听 Christian

Also known as Whitsunday, the seventh Sunday after Easter/Pascha commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and women followers of Jesus. Marks the birth of the Christian Church.

June 8

RACE UNITY DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Bah谩鈥櫭�

Observance promoting racial harmony and understanding and the essential unity of humanity.听

June 12

ANNE FRANK DAY

Birthday of young Jewish girl whose diary describes her family鈥檚 experiences hiding from the Nazis through assistance of Gentile friends.

June 12

LOVING DAY

Observes the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia which struck down the miscegenation laws remaining in 16 states barring interracial marriage.

June 14

FLAG DAY

Anniversary of the adoption of the Unites States flag by Congress in 1777.

June 15

ALL SAINTS鈥� DAY听听 鈥⑻�听 Eastern Christian

In Orthodox churches observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost, it commemorates all known and unknown Christian saints.

June 15

FATHER鈥橲 DAY

Children of all ages show appreciation for their fathers and father figures.鈥�

June 19

JUNETEENTH

Originally commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas
in 1865, it is now celebrated throughout the U.S. to honor听African听American听
蹿谤别别诲辞尘听补苍诲听补肠丑颈别惫别尘别苍迟.听

June 20

WORLD REFUGEE DAY

Raises awareness about the plight of refugees and displaced persons.

June 20

SUMMER SOLSTICE

Marks the first day of the season of summer. The length of time between sunrise and sunset is the longest of the year with the sun shining the farthest from the Southern Hemisphere and the closest to the Northern Hemisphere.

June 26

ANNIVERSARY OF LEGALIZATION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN THE U.S.

On June 26, 2015, in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples 鈥�

June 26

MUHARRAM听听 鈥⑻�听 Islamic

The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. This first day, al-Hijra, remembers the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. It also marks the beginning of the ten-day Sh墨_士ite Remembrance of Muharram, a听period of intense grief and martyrdom of Hussein, the son of Ali and grandson of听Muhammad.