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Religious and Cultural Holidays and Observances

Listed Alphabetically

MLK Jr. Day -- a United States holiday celebrated on the third Monday of January that celebrates the life and work that earned him the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize.

Chinese New Year -- Begins a fifteen Day Festival for Chinese people of all religions. Family reunions with thanksgiving and remembrance of departed relatives take place. Traditionally a religious ceremony honors Heaven and Earth.

Kwanzaa -- An African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community and culture, Kwanzaa is a secular observance with some religious participation. Seven life virtues are presented. The dates are always December 26 - January 1.

Juneteenth -- A portmanteau of "June" and "nineteenth", Juneteenth commemorates news of the Emancipation Proclamation reaching enslaved people in rural Galveston Texas over two years after the Proclamation was enacted.

Indigenous People's Day -- A United State Holiday celebrated on the Second Monday of October that recognizes the indigenous communities that have lived in the Americas for thousands of years.

Cinco de Mayo -- A Mexican holiday that celebrates the Mexican Army's victory over the French at the Battle of Puebla in 1862

Nelson Mandela International Day-- July 18th is a day recognized by the United Nations General Assembly since 2009 in recognition of  Mandela's birthday.

Earth Day-- April 22 is a day to no only appreciate planet Earth and the beauty that surrounds us but to also bring awareness to environmental issues that impact us all.

World Mental Health Day -- raises awareness of mental health issues around the world and helps great access to mental health care.

National Coming Out Day -- October 11 an annual LGBT+ awareness day observed that supports anyone that would like to come out to the world as their true self.

International Pronoun Day -- celebrated on the third Wednesday of October seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace.

Intersex Awareness Day -- observed on October 26, this day is meant to highlight the human rights issues faced my intersex individuals.

International Day of Tolerance -- observed on November 16, UNESCO declared the day a holiday in 1955 to generate public awareness of the dangers of intolerance.

Transgender Day of Remembrance -- observed on November 20, this is a day where we honor those transgender people whose lives were lost to acts anti-transgender violence.

National Day of Mourning -- is an annual protest held on the fourth Thursday of November, Thanksgiving in the Unites States, that has been organized since 1970 by Native Americans of New England. It coincides with an unrelated similar protest, Unthanksgiving Day, held on the West Coast.

International Day of People with Disabilities -- observed on December 3, this day aims to promote the rights and overall well being of people with disabilities in all spheres of society.

International Human Rights Day -- observed on December 10, this day commemorates the signing of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights by the United Nations National Assembly in 1948.

Las Posadas -- observed in Mexico and parts of the United Stated  between December 16th and 24th it commemorates of Mary and Joseph's journey to Bethlehem.

Day of (No) Silence -- observed in April this day is a student led call to action in which students can choose to remain silent in a show of solidarity against bullying and harassment of members of the LGBT+ community, the day of silence is usually ended with a rally supporting the LGBT+ community.

World Braille Day -- observed on January 4, to commemorate the use of braille. It is celebrated on that date as it is Louis Braille, the inventor of braille's, birthday.

National Freedom Day -- observed on February 1, this day commemorates the signing of President Lincoln the 13th Amendment the to US Constitution abolishing slavery.

Neurodiversity Celebration Week -- this worldwide initiative is observed in March and is meant to challenge stereotypes and common misconceptions about neurodevelopmental disorders and learning disabilities.

International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade -- observed on March 25

First Generation Day -- November 8 - observed in United States in celebration of all students, faculty, and staff who are the first in their family to pursue a 4 year degree.