Heritage Month and Identity Recognitions

Black History Month as a week-long engagement in 1915, just 50 years after the Juneteenth Proclamation in the U.S. in 1865. During September of that year, Black History Week was conceptualized by the “father of Black history,” Harvard-educated historian Carter G. Woodson, and what is known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), also founded by Woodson.

In February 1926, Black History Week was formally implemented with the mission to raise awareness of African American contributions to U.S. civilization. This week in February was deliberately selected by Woodson and ASALH as it coincided with birthdays of both Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. This observance was met with enthusiasm and inspired educational institutions and communities nationwide to organize local celebrations.

Black History Month was first proposed by Black educations and the student organization, Black United Students, at Kent State University in 1969. The first celebration occurred one year later.

By 1976, Black History Month was celebrated across all U.S. educational institutions, Black cultural organizations, and community centers. In the same year, the Ford administration formally recognized Black History Month, and since then, every American president has designated February as Black History Month.

Women’s History Month has been observed in the U.S. since 1987 and recognizes the significant impact of women from across the spectrum of social identities and lived experiences. This month long celebration begins on March 1st, celebrating National Women of Color Day and followed by International Women’s Day on March 8th.

Generally, in the U.S. women constitute a majority of the population and earn more baccalaureate, graduate and doctoral degrees than men. Yet, women remain underrepresented in leadership positions. This representation greatly decreases for women of color. The wage gap between men and women is wide, and the widest for women from historically excluded racial and ethnic groups. Cisgender and transgender women generally experience greater rates of domestic and physical violence, and rates increase for transgender women of historically excluded communities.

Arab American Heritage Month recognizes the achievements of Arab Americans through the celebration of National Arab American Heritage.

In 2022, the Biden administration recognized the month of April as National Arab American Heritage Month. Congress, the U.S. Department of State, and 45 state governors issued proclamations commemorating the initiative. The states of Illinois, Oregon, Virginia, and Indiana have passed permanent legislation designating the month of April.

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month honors and recognizes the rich histories, cultures and accomplishments of Asian American and Pacific Islander peoples. Asian American people and Pacific Islander people represent two different panethnic groups each with their own history, development, traditions, and achievement including their significant contributions to all aspects of U.S. and international advancement. This month broadly celebrates and encompasses heritages from across all of Asia and all the Pacific Islands.

On June 28, 1969, LGBTQ+ Pride Month began as an uprising led by Black and Brown transgender and gender-variant people who acted after law enforcement raided the Stone wall Inn in New York City. A culmination of decades of discrimination and unjust treatment of the LGBTQ+ community, including preceding incidents at Compton’s Cafeteria and Black Cat Tavern in California, the Stonewall Uprising is the moment often cited as the major shift forward for LGBTQ+ rights.

Since 1969, there have been significant movement for LGBTQ+ civil rights. Including the U.S. Supreme Court decision to ratify marriage equality on June 26, 2013, and on June 15, 2020, decision that the language of the Civil Rights Act of 1964 protects LGBTQ+ employees from workplace discrimination.

National Caribbean-American Heritage Month was unanimously adopted into Congress and sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee in 2005. Congresswoman Barbara Lee recognized the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the U.S. In 2006, the U.S. senate passes this heritage month. In 2006 the Bush administration proclaimed June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month.

This movement was lead by Dr. Claire Nelson, Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Through the commemoration of this month people are reminded that greatness lies in its diversity.

Disability Pride Month marks the 1990 enactment of the Americans with Disabilities Act., a U.S. civil rights protections to persons with disabilities. The first official Disabilities Pride celebration was in 2015 to commemorate the American with Disabilities Act 25th anniversary.

During July, community members highlight their contributions to society and advocate for their legal rights.

National Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the diverse and dynamic culture of a diaspora of people with ancestry from the Caribbean, Central America, Mexico, South America, and Spain. In 1968, this heritage month was celebrated for a week and in 1988, it was enacted into law as a month-long observance.

National Hispanic Heritage Month commemorates several historic and significant events including the Independence of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala. Honduras, Nicaragua, Mexico, Chile, and Belize. Día de la Raza is celebrated in Mexico, Colombia, Ecuador, Chile, El Salvador, Honduras, Costa Rica, and Uruguay during this month on October 12. This day honors the countries, people, traditions, and cultures that were ravaged by European colonization. This day is also recognized in Spain as Hispanic Heritage Day, in Argentina as Respect to Cultural Diversity Day, and in Nicaragua as Indigenous Resistance Day.

LGBTQ+ History Month honors the history of LBGTQ+ people and the history of the gay rights movement and civil rights movements. This month was founded in 1997 by a Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson, to provide role models, community building, and civil rights. In 2022, LGBTQ+ history month was celebrated by the U.S., Australia, Canada, Cuba, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Italy, and the United Kingdom.

National Disability Employment Awareness Month provides education about disability employment issues and recognizes the many and varied contributions of people with disabilities. This heritage month was created with the passage of the American’s with Disabilities Act in 1990. Every year the U.S. Office of Disability and Employment Policy designates a theme to encourage continued advocacy.

National Native American Heritage Month recognizes the contributions of Native Americans to technology, sciences, philosophy, art, and the knowledge and deep cultural influences that have shape many peoples teaching, research, and service.

The Morrill Act of 1862 established land-grant institutions by providing each state with public and federal lands, which are traced back to the disposition of Indigenous lands. In 1890, the state of Washington received 90,081 acres of Indigenous lands designed to establish Washington State College (now Washington State University). The majority of this land was retained by WSU.

• January 1st: New Years
  • This day celebrates the start of a New Year on the Gregorian calendar.
• January 1st: End of Kwanzaa
  • The seventh Kwanzaa principle, Imani (faith), is observed – with all our hearts in our people, our families, our teachers, our leaders and the righteousness and victory of our challenges and triumphs.
• January 4th: World Braille Day
  • Observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication; celebrated on the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille.
• January 6th: Feast of the Epiphany (Día de los Reyes)
  • This day commemorates the first manifestation of Jesus to the Gentiles for Christians. It is celebrated on January 6th as it marks twelve days after Christmas when the three kings arrived in Bethlehem.
• January 7th: Coptic Orthodox Christmas
  • The date that Orthodox Christians celebrate Jesus’s birth in the Julian calendar.
• January 10th: Bodhi Day
  • This day celebrates the Buddha’s enlightenment; it is celebrated by Mahãyãna Buddhists.
• January 13th: Lohri-Maghi
  • An annual festival celebrated by Sikhs commemorating the memory of forty Sikh martyrs.
• January 14th: Orthodox New Year
  • The “Old New Year” celebrates the start of the Julian calendar.
• January 15th: Makar Sankranti
  • A major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India.
• Third Monday in January: Martin Luther King Jr. Day
  • The date observed and honored for the activism and Civil Rights Movement of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
• January 16th: World Religion Day
  • A day in the Baha’i faith that celebrates common themes for faiths across the world.
• January 20th: Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
  • The 10th Guru of the Sikhs who initiated the Sikhs as the Khalsa who is known as the Father of the Khalsa.
• January 26th: Republic Day of India
  • A day that celebrates the date on which the constitution of India came into effect in 1950, marking the transition from the British Monarchy as nominal head of the Indian Dominion to a fully sovereign republic in the Commonwealth of Nations with the president of India as the nominal head of the Indian Union.
• January 27th: International Holocaust Remembrance Day
  • A time to mourn the loss of lives, celebrate those who saved them and honor those who survived.

• February 1st: Lunar New Year
  • The beginning of a New Year based on the Lunar calendar (Lunisolar calendar).
• February 1st: National Freedom Day
  • A day celebrating the signing of the Thirteenth Amendment, which abolished enslavement in the U.S. in 1865.
• February 1st: Imbolc
  • The halfway point between the winter solstice and spring equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan calendars. This day celebrates fire, light, and the return of life.
• February 15th: Parinirvana
  • Also known as Nirvana Day in Mahãyãna Buddhism, this date marks Buddha’s death and attainment of final nirvana.
• February 17th: Tu Bishvat
  • The “New Year of Trees” in the Jewish faith.
• February 24th – March 1st: Festival of Ayyam-i-Ha
  • A multiple-day festival in the Baha’i faith that prioritizes gift-giving, hospitality, charity, and preparation for fasting ahead of the New Year.

• March 1st: Maha Shivaratri
  • A Hindu festival called “Shiva’s Night” honors this significant deity.
• March 1st: Lailat al Miraj
  • A Muslim holiday commemorating Muhammad’s journey from Mecca to Jerusalem where he ascended into heaven.
• First Wednesday of March: Ash Wednesday
  • The day in the Christian Church marks the start of Lent, the 40-day period of prayer and fasting before Easter.
• March 17th: Purim
  • The Feast of Lots in the Jewish faith honors the survival of ancient Persian Jews who were marked for death.
• March 17th-18th: Holi
  • A Hindu festival of colors that welcomes spring and a new harvest in India.
• March 18th-20th: Hola Mohalla
  • The three-day Sikh festival honors valor, skill, and defense preparedness.
• March 21st: Naw Ruz
  • The Zoroastrian New Year is celebrated at the spring equinox.
  • The New Year for the Baha’i faith marks the end of the Baha’i fast.
• March 25th: The Annunciation
  • The day in the Christian religion when the Angel Gabriel announced that Mary would become the mother of Jesus.
• March 31st, International Transgender Day of Visibility
  • A date that celebrates transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination.

• April 2nd – May 2nd: Ramadan
  • The holy month of fasting, introspection, and prayer is celebrated by Muslims.
• April 4th: Mahavir Jayanti
  • A Jain holiday celebrating the birth of Lord Mahavira, the founder of Jainism.
• April 13th: Vaisakhi
  • An ancient festival for Hindus that simultaneously celebrates the Solar New Year and spring harvest.
• Apri 15th-23rd: Passover
  • A seven-day holiday in the Jewish faith that honors the freeing of Israeli slaves.
• April 24th: Feast of Divine Mercy
  • A feast day on the second Sunday of Easter when Christians seek Christ’s forgiveness and grace.

• May 1st: Beltane
  • A fire festival celebrated by the Pagan and Wiccan religions that celebrate summer and the fertility of the upcoming year.
• May 3rd: Eid al-Fitr
  • An Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan. As it ends fasting, its primary event is a big meal.
• May 8th: Buddha’s Birthday
  • The day Buddhists celebrate Buddha’s birthday.
• May 16th: Vesak
  • The most important Theravada Buddhist festival signifies the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
• May 23rd: Declaration of the Bab
  • The day that marks the prediction of the Bab as the Messenger of God in the Baha’i faith.
• May 25th: George Floyd Day of Enlightenment & Remembrance
  • A day of enlightenment held as a catalyst to turn pain into purpose, hate into hope, and tragedy into triumph in honor of the life and memory of George Floyd.
• May 26th: Ascension Day
  • A Christian holiday that marks the 40th day following Easter when Hesus ascended into Heaven.

• June 2nd: Ascension Day
  • A day celebrated in Coptic Orthodox Christianity that marks Jesus’s ascension into heaven.
• June 4th-6th: Shavuot
  • A Jewish holiday that combines a grain harvest and the giving of the Torah on Mount Sinai.
• June 8th: Race Unity Day
  • A day that promotes racial harmony and understanding in the Baha’i faith.
• June 12th: Trinity Sunday
  • A day in the Christian faith that celebrates the three personifications of God (the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit).
• June 16th: Feast of Corpus Christi
  • The feast day that commemorates the real presence of Jesus’s body in the Eucharist in the Roman Catholic Church
• June 16th: Martydom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib
  • A day observed by Sikhs to commemorate an individual who laid down his life for their people.
• June 19th: Juneteenth
  • A date uplifting Black liberation, education, family, innovation, beauty, community, empowerment, and many more.
• June 24th: Litha
  • A Pagan and Wiccan festival that begins on the summer solstice and celebrates midsummer.
• June 24th: Feast of the Sacred Heart
  • A feast day in the Roman Catholic Church that celebrates Jesus’s physical heart as a representation of his love for all humanity.

• July 4th: Independence Day
  • A date commemorating the Declaration of Independence and establishing the United States of America.
• July 6th: Tisha B’Av
  • A Jewish holiday that remembers the destruction of the Jewish temple, once in 586 BCE and once in 70 CE in Jerusalem.
• July 7th-12th: The Hajj
  • The name for the annual pilgrimage of the Holy City of Mecca is required for all Muslims at least once.
• July 9th-10th: Eid al-Adha
  • A Muslim holiday that marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage.
• July 10th: Martyrdom of the Bab
  • The day of the execution of the co-founder of the Baha’i faith.
• July 23rd: Birthday of Haile Selassie
  • A holiday in Rastafarianism that celebrates Emperor Haile Selassie, an individual believed to be the incarnation of God.
• July 24th: Pioneer Day
  • A Utah state holiday that celebrates the settling of the Mormon Pioneers in the Great Salt Lake area where they established the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.
• July 26th: National Disability Independence Day
  • A date that celebrates the signing of the American with Disabilities Act.

• August 1st: Lughnasadh
  • A festival in the Pagan and Wiccan religions that marks the beginning of harvest season.
• August 15th: Feast of the Assumption
  • A holy day that commemorates the Virgin Marg being assumed to heaven.
• August 17th: Marcus Garvey Day
  • A day honoring Jamaican-born political activist, orator, publisher, journalist and entrepreneur. Garvey is credited with organizing the Black Nationalism movement in the U.S.
• August 23rd: International Day for the Remembrance of the Enslavement Trade and its Abolition
  • This day also recognizes the anniversary of the uprising in Santo Domingo (today Haiti & the Dominican Republic) that initiated the abolition of enslavement in the Caribbean.
• August 26th: Women’s Equality Day
  • This day commemorates the August 26, 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave women the right to vote. Congresswomen Bella Abzug first introduced a proclamation for Women’s Equality Day in 1971. Since that time, every president has published a proclamation recognizing August 26th as Women’s Equity Day.
• August 29th: Hijiri
  • Also known as “Islamic New Year”. This is the start of the Islamic lunar calendar, which begins when the crescent moon is sighted.

• First Monday of September: Labor Day
  • In the United States this day honors the contribution that laborers have made to the country.
• September 9th: Founding of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History
  • The Association for the Study of African American Life and History was founded by Carter G. Woodson, Ph.D. in 1915.
• September 10th-25th: Pitru Paksha
  • A time when Hindus pay homage to their ancestors.
• September 11th: 9/11 Remembrance
  • A day for remembrance on the attack that happened in 2001 in the United States that killed nearly 3,000 people. Two planes were flown into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York City, a third plane hit the Pentagon in Arlington, VA., and the fourth plane crashed in a field in Shanksville, PA.
• September 11th: Ethiopian New Year
  • A day celebrating the new year in Ethiopia.
• September 11th: Nayrouz
  • Also known as “Coptic New Year”. This is a feast that commemorates both martyrs and confessors in the Coptic Orthodox Christian Church.
• September 17th: Arbaeen
  • A day of observance for Muslims that concludes the forty-day mourning period after the Day of Ashura.
• September 21st: Black Women’s Equal Pay Day
  • This day aims to raise awareness about the wider-than-average pay gap between Black women and White men. Black Women are paid 58 cents for every dollar paid to White men. This day denote how far into the year Black women must work to be paid what White men are paid the previous year.
• September 23rd-29th: Mabon
  • This day marks the autumnal equinox in the Pagan and Wiccan religions.
• September 23rd: Bisexuality Day
  • This day recognizes and celebrates bisexual communities to bring attention to ongoing challenges faces by bisexual people.
• Fourth Friday in September: Native American Day
  • A day observed annually in California and Nevada. In South Dakota and Wisconsin, this day is observed on the second Monday in September.
• September 23rd-31st: Paryushana
  • A Jain festival about forgiveness that is the faith’s most important religious observance.
• September 25th-27th: Rosh Hashanah
  • The Jewish New Years beginning at sundown that encourages reflection.
• September 26th-October 4th: Navaratri
  • A Hindu festival that celebrates the Goddess Durga.
• September 30th: Orange Shirt Day
  • This day was founded to create awareness about the impact of the Native American residential school system on Indigenous communities in Canada. This impact is recognized as cultural genocide.

• October 4th: Yom Kippur
  • A Jewish day of atonement to reflect and seek forgiveness from God.
• October 5th: Dussehra
  • The tenth and final day of the Hindu festival honoring Asuj Navatras.
• October 8th: Mawlid (Eid Milad un-Nabi)
  • An Islamic holiday celebrating the birthday of the Prophet Muhammad.
• Second Monday in October: Indigenous Peoples Day
  • A day that honors and celebrates indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.
• October 8th: International Lesbian Day
  • A day to celebrate Lesbian culture, community and visibility.
• October 9th-16th: Sukkot
  • A day in the Jewish Faith that remembers when the Jews journeyed to the desert on the way to the promised land.
• October 10th: Canadian Thanksgiving
  • A day for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year.
• October 11th: National Coming Out Day
  • A date celebrating LGBTQ+ awareness to support peoples who have come out as LGBTQ+.
• October 20th: Spirit Day
  • This day encourages supporters to wear purple in solidarity with LGBTQ+ communities and youth, who are disproportionally targeted by anti-LGBTQ+ harassment and violence. The name “Spirit Day” comes from the purple stripe of the pride flag which represents “spirit”.
• October 20th: Sikh Holy Day
  • A day of celebrating spiritual guides, Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
• October 24th: Diwali
  • A five-day festival of light that combines several different festivals in honor of gods, goddesses, harvests, new year’s, etc. It is celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains.
• October 26th: Birthday of the Bab
  • A day honoring the birthday of God’s messenger in the Baha’i faith.
• October 27th: Birthday of Baha’u’llah
  • A day honoring the birthday of the prophet-founding of the Baha’i faith.
• October 31st: All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween)
  • A celebration observed in a number of countries on the eve of the western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (Hallows), martyrs and all the faithful departed.
• October 31st: Reformation Day
  • This day is a Protestant Christian religious holiday celebrated alongside All Hallows’ Eve (Halloween) during the triduum of Allhallowtide in remembrance of the onset of the Reformation.
• October 31st-November 1st: Samhain
  • A Gaelic festival marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or the “darker half” of the year.
• October 31st-November 2nd: Día de los Muertos
  • In Mexican tradition, this day is time for remembrance for dead ancestors and a celebration of the continuity of life.

• November 1st: Samhain
  • A festival in the Pagan and Wiccan religions that marks the end of the harvest season.
• November 1st: All Saints Day
  • Also know as “Day of the Dead” and “Día de los Muertos”. This day honors the saints who have attained heaven in the Christian faith.
• November 2nd: All Souls’ Day
  • A Christian holiday commemorating all faithful Christians who are now dead.
• November 2nd: Anniversary of the Crowning of Haile Selassie
  • A date honoring the crowning of Emperor Haile Sellassie.
• November 8th: Birthday of Guru Nanak Ji
  • A day honoring the birth of the founder of Sikhism.
• November 11th: Veterans Day
  • This day honors U.S. military veterans. It coincides the Armistice Day and Remembrance Day which are celebrated in other countries that mark the anniversary of the end of World War I.
• November 19th: International Men’s Day
  • Global holiday celebrated annually to recognize and celebrate cultural, political, and socioeconomic achievements of men.
• November 24th: Jain New Year
  • A holiday always following Diwali; Jains celebrate their new year on the first day after the month of Kartika.
• November 25th: Native American Heritage Day
  • This day is held annually the Friday after Thanksgiving, encourages people of all backgrounds to observe and honor Native American people and communities through authentic ceremonies and activities.
• November 30th: Feast of St. Andrew
  • A day honoring the patron saint of Scotland, Greece, Russia, Ukraine, Barbados, and Romania in the Roman Catholic Church.
• November 30th: Native American Women’s Equal Pay Day
  • The aim is to raise awareness about the wider-than-average pay gap between Native American women and White men. Native American women are paid 50 cents for every dollar to White men. This day denotes how far into the year Native American women must work to be paid what White men were paid the previous year.

• December 1st: World AIDS Day
  • A day commemorating those who have died of AIDS related complications, and acknowledge the need for a continued commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
• December 3rd: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
  • A day promoting an understanding of disability issues and mobilizing support for the dignity, rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
• December 8th: Latinx Women’s Equal Pay Day
  • A day to raise awareness about the wider-than-average pay gap between Latinx women and White men. Latinx women are paid 49 cents for every dollar paid to White men. This day denotes how far into the year Latinx women must work to be paid what White men were paid the previous year.
• December 8th: Pansexual Pride Day
  • This day recognizes and celebrates pansexuality.
• December 8th: Feast of the Immaculate Conception
  • A feast day celebrating by Roman Catholics that celebrate Mary’s conception of Jesus.
• December 8th: Bodhi Day
  • The buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as Bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.
• December 12th: Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
  • A religious holiday in Mexico commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531.
• December 18th-26th: Hanukkah
  • The eight-day celebration of the “Festival of Lights” that honors the victory of Jews over Syrian Greeks.
• December 21st: Yule
  • A Pagan and Wiccan holiday that begins at sundown at the winter solstice.
• December 25th: Christmas
  • The holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
• December 26th: The Feast of St. Stephen
  • Also known as ” Boxing Day”. This day commemorates the life of a saint for his service to the poor who became the first Christian martyr.