As part of our ongoing commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, we are proud to introduce our DEI Calendar. This initiative aims to highlight significant cultural events, observances, and holidays throughout the year. Each month, we feature a different cultural highlight to raise awareness and foster a deeper understanding of the diverse communities that make up our world.
The DEI Calendar is designed to celebrate the richness of cultural diversity and provide a platform for learning and engagement. While we recognise there are many important cultural events and observances, this initiative serves as an introduction to the wide array of celebrations and holidays that exist, with the goal of fostering awareness and inclusivity.
We value your input and encourage you to share any suggestions for cultural observances, holidays, or awareness days that you believe should be highlighted. By submitting your ideas through the form below, you help ensure that our DEI Calendar truly reflects the diverse and dynamic culture of our community.
January
Daily Observance Highlights
January 1: New Year’s Day
January 4: World Braille Day
January 19: World Religion Day
January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
January 24: International Day of Education
January 27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
January 29: Chinese New Year (Year of the Snake)
Photo Caption: Picture is of a Traditional Chinese Lion Dance held in Chinatown.
Happy Chinese New Year!
Source: https://chinesenewyear.net/lunar-new-year-2025-guide-year-of-the-snake/
To end the cultural highlight for the month of January, we are highlighting The Lunar New Year or as most know as Chinese New Year. (Xīn Nián Kuài Lè 新年快乐!)
The Lunar New Year is a celebration that is celebrated for 16 days and marks the start of a new zodiac cycle based on the Chinese lunar calendar. 2025 marks the year of the Snake. The Snake (the 6th animal in the zodiac cycle), symbolizing wisdom and transformation, offers opportunities for personal growth and change.
Want to know more about Chinese New Year and what your zodiac animal is? Click here for details.
Xīn Nián Kuài Lè
新年快乐!
February
Month-Long Highlights
- American Heart Month
- Black History Month
WHY WE CELEBRATE BLACK HISTORY MONTH:
Black History Month was created to focus on and celebrate the many accomplishments and contributions of African Americans to the United States. Black History Month honours all Black people from all periods throughout the history of the United States.
Visit our social media page here to learn more about the history of Black History Month.
Source: https://kids.nationalgeographic.com/history/article/black-history-month
Photo Caption: Picture is African Americans marching in Washington, D.C., to protest racial discrimination in the United States during the 1960’s.
Daily Observance Highlights
February 1: National Freedom Day
February 4: Rosa Parks Day
February 10: International Epilepsy Day
February 11: International Day of Women & Girls in Science
February 14: Ash Wednesday
February 14: Valentine’s Day
February 15: International Childhood Cancer Day
February 28: Ramadan begins (Islam)
March
Month-Long Highlights
- Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
- Ethnic Equality Month
- Gender Equality Month
- Greek-American Heritage Month
- Irish-American Heritage Month
- National Women’s History Month
Daily Observance Highlights
March 4: Mardi Gras
March 7: Employee Appreciation Day
March 8: International Women’s Day
March 14: Holi (Hindu)
March 17: St. Patrick’s Day
March 21: World Down Syndrome Day
March 25: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility
April
Month-Long Highlights
- Arab-American Heritage Month
- Autism Awareness Month
- Celebrate Diversity Month
- Earth Month
Daily Observance Highlights
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day
April 11: National Day of Silence (LGBTQ+)
April 13: Palm Sunday (Christian)
April 18: Good Friday – Christian
April 20: Easter (Christian)
April 20: Passover ends
May
Month-Long Highlights
- ALS Awareness Month
- Haitian Heritage Month
- Indian Heritage Month
- Jewish-American Heritage Month
- Mental Health Awareness Month
- National Asian American and South Pacific Islander Heritage Month
- Older Americans Month
- South Asian American Heritage Month
Daily Observance Highlights
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
June
July
August
September
Month-Long Highlights
- Hispanic Heritage Month
- Suicide Prevention Month
Daily Observance Highlights
September 1: Labor Day
September 5: International Day of Charity
September 16: Mexican Independence Day
September 21: International Day of Peace
September 21: World Gratitude Day
September 22: Rosh Hashanah begins
October
Month-Long Highlights
- 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
- Polish-American Heritage Month
- Family History Month
Daily Observance Highlights
October 1: Yom Kippur (Jewish)
October 2 : International Day of Nonviolence
October 10 : World Mental Health Day
October 11: National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+)
October 13: National Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States)
October 13 : Thanksgiving Day (Canada)
October 16 : Bosses’ Day
October 20 : Diwali (Hindu)
October 22: International Stuttering Awareness Day
November
Month-Long Highlights
- Diabetes Awareness Month
- National Native American Heritage Month
Daily Observance Highlights
November 1-2: Dia de los Muertos
November 1: All Saints’ Day (Roman Catholic)
November 1: National Stress Awareness Day
November 2: All Souls’ Day
November 9: World Freedom Day
November 9: World Adoption Day
November 11: Remembrance/Veterans Day
November 13: World Kindness Day
November 16: International Day for Tolerance
November 19: International Men’s Day
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 20: Universal Children’s Day (Human Rights, U.N.)
December
Month-Long Highlights
- HIV/AIDS Awareness Month
- Universal Human Rights Month
Daily Observance Highlights
December 1: World AIDS Day
December 3: International Day for People with Disabilities
December 5: International Volunteer Day
December 9: International Genocide Prevention Day
December 10: International Human Rights Day
December 14: Hanukkah begins at Sunset (Jewish)
December 21: Yule Winter Solstice (Pagan)
December 22: Hanukkah ends at sunset (Jewish)
December 25: Christmas (Christian)
December 26: Kwanzaa week (Celebration of African Customs & Cultures)