Black History Month (All Month):  – Originating from the efforts of historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926 as a week-long celebration, this week expanded into a month-long celebration in 1976. Aims to highlight and celebrate the contributions, legacy, and achievements of Black individuals throughout history, as well as acknowledge ongoing struggles for racial equality and justice.

National Freedom Day (February 1): Commemorates the signing of the 13^th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1865, which abolished slavery.  

Black Women Physician’s Day (February 8): Dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the contributions of Black Women in the field of medicine, with goals of raising awareness of their essential role in medicine and promoting greater diversity, equity, and inclusion in healthcare.

Ramadan (Feb 28 – March 30): A month of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community observed by people of Muslim faith, considered the holiest month. Participating Muslims fast between dawn and sunset. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr, a major festival.

National Women’s History Month (All Month):  A month-long observance highlights the impact of women in various fields such as politics, science, the arts, and social justice, and aims to bring attention to the often overlooked or underrepresented roles women have played in shaping history.

International Women’s Day (March 8): A global day recognizing the social, economic, cultural, and political achievements of women. Has grown into a worldwide celebration with a specific theme each year, choses to highlight particular goals related to gender equality and women’s empowerment.

Holi (March 14): The Festival of Colors, is a vibrant and joyous Hindu festival celebrated primarily in India and Nepal, but observed in various countries.

Ramadan (Feb 28 – March 30): A month of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community observed by people of Muslim faith, considered the holiest month. Participating Muslims fast between dawn and sunset. The end of Ramadan is marked by Eid al-Fitr, a major festival.

St. Patrick’s Day (March 17): Saint Patrick’s Day, or the Feast of Saint Patrick, is a cultural and religious to commemorate the traditional death date of Saint Patrick, the foremost patron saint of Ireland. A celebration of Irish culture and heritage.

Eastern Orthodox Lent (March 3 – April 20): Also known as Great Lent or the Great Fast, this period is the most important fasting season of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and lasts for 40 days before the feast of Pascha (Easter).

Nowruz (March 20): The Persian or Iranian New Year, celebrated at this time to mark the coming of spring in the northern hemisphere. Represents a time of renewal, joy, and community.

Ash Wednesday (March 25): Marks the beginning of Lent in the Christian liturgical calendar. Signifies the start of a 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection leading up to Easter.

Lent (March 25 – April 20): A 40-day period of fasting, prayer, and reflection observed by many Christians in preparation for Easter. Concludes with Holy Week.

Eid al-Fitr (Mar 29-30): “A Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan, celebrated with presents, new clothes, prayer, and community events.

Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31): An awareness day dedicated to celebrating the accomplishments of transgender, non-binary and gender nonconforming people while raising awareness of the work that still needs to be done to achieve trans justice and counteract stigma and discrimination.

April (All Month): Celebrate Diversity Month: Dedicated to recognizing and appreciating the rich diversity of cultures, identities, and experiences that make up our communities.

World Autism Awareness Day (April 2): Established by the United Nations in 2007 to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and to promote acceptance and understanding.

Day of Silence (April 11): A student-led national event where people take a vow of silence to highlight the silencing and erasure of LGBTQ+ people at school. Intended to bring awareness to the bullying and harassment faced by LGBTQ+ students.

Palm Sunday (April 13): A Christian feast falling on the Sunday before Easter that commemorates Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Marks the beginning of Holy Week.

Good Friday (April 18): A Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion and death of Jesus, observed the Friday before Easter Sunday. 

Easter (April 20): A major Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ three days after his burial and crucifixion.

Earth Day (April 22): First celebrated in 1970, an observance promoting a healthy environment and show support for environmental protection and awareness for current environmental concerns.

Passover (April 12-20): A major Jewish festival commemorating the Exodus of the Israelite people from slavery in Egypt. Passover lasts for right days (seven in Israel) and is traditionally held with a dinner called a Seder on the first night.

Mental Health Awareness Month (All Month): Provides opportunity to raise awareness for individuals, organizations, and communities to focus on the importance of mental health and the need for accessible resources and services.

National Military Appreciation Month (All Month): dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions, sacrifices, and service of members of the U.S. military and their families. It is a time to express gratitude and support for the armed forces.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (All Month): Recognition of the contributions, history, and cultures of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The month also aims to raise awareness about the diverse experiences and challenges faced by the various communities.

Eastern Orthodox Easter (May 5): Also known as Pascha, many Greek, Russian, and other Orthodox churches will observe Easter on this date, as determined based on the Julian calendar.

Cinco de Mayo (May 5): A celebration originally held to commemorate the victory of Mexico over French forces at the Battle of Puebla in 1862. This has evolved to a celebration of Mexican American culture observed in the United States.

Memorial Day (May 27) – A U.S. federal holiday held to honor and mourn military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated after the Civil War.

LGBTQ+ Pride Month (All Month): dedicated to recognizing and celebrating the LGBTQ+ community, advocating for equal rights, and raising awareness about LGBTQ+ issues and advocacy.

Shavuot (June 11-13): A Jewish celebration of Moses’ descent from Mount Sinai with the ten commandments, occurring 50 days after Passover. Plants and flowers are used in decorations.

Loving Day (June 12): Commemorates the landmark Supreme Court decision in 1967, Loving vs Virginia, which struck down laws banning interracial marriages in the United Sates. Named in honor of Richard and Mildred Loving.

Eid al-Adha (June 16-17):  “Festival of Sacrifice,” a major holiday celebrated in Islam that honors the willingness of the Prophet Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God’s command.

Juneteenth (June 19): A U.S. holiday that commemorates the end of slavery in the United States. Marks the anniversary of the announcement of General Granger on June 19, 1865, in Galveston, Texas. This announcement came over two years after the issuance of the Emancipation Proclamation. This day has evolved to a celebration of freedom, as well as a reminder of the ongoing journey toward racial equality.

Independence Day (July 4): A federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776, which declared the American colonies’ independence from Great Britain.

Islamic New Year (July 7): Also called the Hijri New Year or Arabic New Year, marks the beginning of a new Islamic lunar calendar year.

National Disability Independence Day (July 26): This holiday commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) in 1990. The ADA is a landmark civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against individuals with disabilities and ensures their equal access and participation in various aspects of daily, public life.

International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (August 9): Dedicated to recognizing and honoring the contributions, cultures, and rights of Indigenous peoples around the world. It also serves as an opportunity to raise awareness about the issues and challenges faced by Indigenous communities.

Women’s Equality Day (August 26): Since 1974, commemorates the anniversary of the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which was adopted on August 26, 1920, and granted women the right to vote.

Labor Day (September 2): A federal holiday celebrated on the first Monday of September to honor the American workers and the labor movement. Often considered the unofficial end of summer.

Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15): National Hispanic Heritage Month celebrates the cultures and contributions of Hispanic and Latinx Americans from all of Latin America.

Mawlid (September 15-16): An Islamic celebration of the birth of the Prophet Muhammad, starting the evening of September 15 and lasting until the following sunset.

National Latino Physicians Days (October 1): Serves as an opportunity to acknowledge and celebrate the valuable contributions of Latino physicians, to advocate for greater diversity and equity in healthcare, and to inspire future generations of medical professionals. It underscores the importance of representation and the impact that Latino physicians have on improving health outcomes and addressing healthcare disparities.

Rosh Hashanah (October 2-4): Often referred to as the Jewish New Year, traditionally celebrated with attending synagogue, personal reflection, and community connection.

Yom Kippur (October 11-12) A Jewish day of atonement and repentance for one’s personal sins and to many Jews the most important holiday of their faith. Jews traditionally observe Yom Kippur with fasting, attending synagogue, resting, and atonement.

Indigenous People’s Day (October 14): A holiday celebrating and honoring the Indigenous people of North America as well as their culture and contributions to society.

Sukkot (October 16-23): Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, this is a seven-day Jewish holiday of thanks for the fall harvest.

Native American Heritage Month (entire month): Officially designated in 1990, serves as an opportunity to educate the general public about Native nations, raise awareness about the challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which Indigenous citizens have worked to conquer these challenges.

All Saints’ Day (November 1): An important occasion for Christians to honor the memory of saints and reflect on their faith by highlighting the communal aspect of sainthood.

Día de los Muertos (November 1-2): A Mexican holiday associated with All Saints’ Day, celebrated by praying for and remembering departed friends and family members.

Diwali (November 1): The Hindu festival of lights, which typically lasts five days and is celebrated during the Hindu lunar month Kartika. Symbolizes the spiritual “victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.”

Veterans Day (November 11): A federal holiday observed annually on November 11, honoring and remembering all those who have served in the United States Armed Forces.

Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20): This annual observance honors the memory of transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence.

Thanksgiving (November 28): A federally observed day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.

Human Rights Day (December 10): This day commemorates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, by the United Nations General Assembly in Paris on December 10, 1948. Recognizes that all human beings in all nations have inherent rights and dignity.

Christmas (December 25): A Christian holiday commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.

Hanukkah (December 25-January 2): Also known as the “Festival of Lights.” An eight-day Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century A.D. It is often celebrated with the lighting of menorah candles, as well as traditional foods, games, and gifts.

Kwanzaa (December 26-January 1): Created in 1966, an African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture.  Each day of Kwanzaa celebrates a different life and community virtue through seven principles.

New Year’s Eve (December 31): The final night of the year, often celebrated by welcoming the next calendar year at midnight.