For questions, additions, or clarifications, please contact Gladys McCormick, Associate Dean for Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Maxwell School, or Stephanie Williams, Academic Specialist for the Maxwell School.
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August 7: Purple Heart Day (United States)
On Purple Heart Day, the nation pauses to acknowledge and remember the sacrifices made by the brave members of our military. The Purple Heart medal is presented to service members who have been wounded or killed as a result of enemy action while serving in the U.S. military.
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
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August 30: The Ghost Festival / Ullambrana (Buddhist, Taoist)
In Chinese culture, the fifteenth day of the seventh month in the lunar calendar is called Ghost Day, and the seventh month, in general, is regarded as the Ghost Month. During this time, ghosts and spirits, including those of deceased ancestors, come out from the lower realm.
September 2023
September 1: First Installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple (Sikh)
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September 28: Meskel (Ethiopian Orthodox Christian)
Meskel is the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni (St. Helena) in the 4th century. It is celebrated soon after the beginning of the Ethiopian calendar year (mid-September).
Septmber 29 - October 6: Sukkot (Jewish)
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International Women's Day is a global holiday celebrated annually on March 8 as a focal point in the women's rights movement, bringing attention to issues such as gender equality, reproductive rights, and violence and abuse against women.
March 10 - April 8: Ramadan begins (Islam)
Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer and is one of the most important Muslim holidays.
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Orthodox Christian first Sunday of Lent. Restoration of icons to the church is celebrated.
March 24: Palm Sunday (Christian)
The Christian moveable feast falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Christ's triumphal entry into Jerusalem, an event mentioned in each of the four canonical Gospels. Its name originates from the palm branches waved by the crowd to greet and honor Jesus as he entered the city.
March 25: Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade (International)
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A Sikh day when mock battles are fought, and martial arts are displayed. It follows the Hindu festival of Holi by one day.
March 31st:28: Maundy Thursday (Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant)
Thursday before Easter, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles.
March 29: Good Friday, Holy Friday (Christian, Eastern Orthodox Christian )
Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Among some sects of Christianity and in many countries it marks a day of fasting.
March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility International Transgender Day of Visibility occurs annually
Occurs annually and is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society.
April 2024
May 2024
June 2024
July 2024
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March 31: Easter (Christian)
Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ
April 2024
April 2: World Autism Awareness Day (International)
An internationally recognized day annually on April 2, encouraging Member States of the United Nations to take measures to raise awareness about autistic individuals throughout the world
April 9: Equal Pay Day
Equal Pay Day is the symbolic day dedicated to raising awareness of the gender pay gap. In the United States, this date symbolizes how far into the year the average median woman must work in order to have earned what the average median man had earned the entire previous year. The exact day differs year by year.
April 6: Laylat al-Qadr (Ismaili Muslim)
Laylat al-Qadr, or the Night of Power, commemorates one of the most significant events in the history of Islam. It commemorates when the Koran (Qur'an) was revealed to the prophet Muhammad (also known as Mohammad).
April 12: National Day of Silence (LGBTQ+)
A national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ+ students and allies all around the country—and the world—take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination of LGBTQ+ people in schools.
April 13: Baisakhi / Vaisakhi (Sikh)
Vaisakhi is the Sikh new year festival and commemorates 1699, the year Sikhism was born.
April 20 - May 2: Ridvan (Baha’i)
Riḍván is a twelve-day festival in the Bahá'í Faith, commemorating Bahá'u'lláh's declaration that he was a Manifestation of God. On the first, ninth and twelfth days of Ridván, work and school should be suspended.
April 21: Mahavir Jayanti (Jain)
Jain festival honoring Lord Mahavira on the founder's birthday.
April 22-30: Passover (Jewish)
Pesach is a week-long observance commemorating the freedom and exodus of the Israelites (Jewish slaves) from Egypt during the reign of the Pharaoh Ramses II. It is one of three pilgrimage festivals.
April 22: Earth Day
An annual event on April 22 to demonstrate support for environmental protection. First held on April 22, 1970, it now includes a wide range of events coordinated globally by EARTHDAY.ORG including 1 billion people in more than 193 countries.
April 23: Hanuman Jayanti (Hindu)
Hindu celebration of Hanuman, who was an embodiment of Lord Rama. Devotion and selfless work are encouraged. Devotees visit Hanuman temples and apply sindhur to their foreheads from Hanuman's body.
April 23: Saint George's Day (Christian)
Christian remembrance of a person who, in the 4th century, was a martyr and became an ideal of martial valor and selflessness. Legend of killing a dragon is connected with this patron saint of England.
April 24-26: Theravadin New Year (Buddhist)
In Theravadin countries—Thailand, Burma, Sri Lanka, Cambodia and Laos—the new year is celebrated for three days from the first full moon day in April.
April 30: Maidyozarem Gahanbar (Zoroastrian)
There are six Gahanbars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. Maidyozarem literally means “midgreening,” and is celebrated as a mid-spring festival.