Diversity Calendar:
Frontier Nursing University celebrates the rich diversity among our community members and through the Diversity Calendar below, we hope to highlight some of the observances, holidays and commemorative events celebrated by various cultures and populations. While it is not possible to cover every observance, our hope is to highlight a selection of these events to raise awareness and educate. If you have feedback or feel that any particular observance should be added to this calendar, we welcome your input here.
January 2024:
- 1/1 – New Year's day:
- New Year’s Day is observed on January 1, the first day of the year on the modern Gregorian calendar as well as the Julian calendar.
- 1/1 – Emancipation Proclamation (Black American):
- On this day in 1863, President Lincoln declared all persons held as slaves would be free.
- 1/4 – Birthday of Louis Braille (People with Disabilities):
- French educator Louis Braille created a system of reading and writing for those who are visually impaired. His system, known worldwide as “braille,” remains largely unchanged today.
- 1/6 – Feast of the Epiphany (Christian):
- A feast day that celebrates the relevance of God incarnate as Jesus Christ.
- 1/11 – National Human Trafficking Awareness Day.
- 1/15 – Makar Sankranti (Hindu):
- A festival in the Hindu faith that is dedicated to the Hindu religious sun god Surya.
- 1/16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day:
- MLK Jr. was an American Baptist minister and activist, revered as one of the great leaders of the American civil rights movement.
- 1/27 – International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust (United Nations):
- Commemorates the approximately 6 million Jewish men, women and children murdered during World War II.
- 1/29 – Birthday of Oprah Winfrey (Black American):
- Well-known talk show host that was dubbed the “Queen of Media,” philanthropist, and North America’s first black multi-billionaire.
February 2024:
- 2/10 – Lunar New Year
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This signifies the first new moon of the lunar calendar. It’s a time rich in traditions and cultural festivities, often featuring family gatherings, special foods and diverse cultural rituals that differ from country to country, including performances, special decorations, and the giving of good-luck gifts.
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- 2/11 – Birthday of Tammy Baldwin (LGBTQ+):
- First openly LGBT woman elected to both the House of Representatives and the Senate.
- 2/14 – Birthday of Frederick Douglass (Black American):
- Well-known American social reformer and abolitionist, Douglass escaped slavery and became a prominent activist during the Civil War
- 2/15 – Nirvana Day (Buddhist):
- Also known as Parinirvana, this annual festival remembers the death of the Buddha after he reached Nirvana.
- 2/15 – Birthday of Susan B. Anthony (Women):
- One of the most visible leaders of the women’s suffrage movement. She championed temperance, abolition, rights of labor, and equal pay for equal work.
- 2/20 – President's Day:
- It is a United States federal holiday celebrated on the third Monday of February in honor of George Washington, the first President of the United States, who was born on February 22, 1732.
- 2/22 – Ash Wednesday:
- A day of prayer and fasting that begins the Christian season of Lent.
March 2024:
- 3/8 – International Women’s Day:
- Celebrates the various (social, economic, cultural, political) achievements of women.
- 3/8 – Holi (Hindu):
- Festival celebrated in India and Nepal, also known as the “festival of colors”or the “festival of love”. The festival signifies the victory of good over evil, the arrival of spring,end of winter, and for many a festive day to meet others, play and laugh, forget and forgive, and repair broken relationships. It is also celebrated as a thanksgiving for a good harvest.
- 3/10 – Birthday of Harriet Tubman (Black American):
- Abolitionist and activis, best known for her role on the Underground Railroad.
- 3/17 – St. Patrick’s Day (Irish):
- Feast of Saint Patrick, a cultural and religious celebration held around the world.
- Feast of Saint Patrick, a cultural and religious celebration held around the world.
- 3/18 – Maha Shivaratri (Hindu):
- Maha Shivaratri is a Hindu festival celebrated annually in honor of the god Shiva.
- 3/21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (United Nations):
- After an incident in which police killed 69 people in South Africa in 1960, the UN created this event to call for elimination of racial discrimination.
- 3/22 - 4/21 – Ramadan (Islamic):
- Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar, and is observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting: abstain from eating and drinking from dusk until dawn.
April 2024:
- 4/2 – World Autism Awareness Day (People with Disabilities):
- A day that seeks to improve the lives of those who suffer from autism
- A day that seeks to improve the lives of those who suffer from autism
- 4/5 - 4/13 – Passover Or Pesach (Jewish):
- Start of Jewish holiday honoring the freeing of Israeli slaves.
- 4/7 – Good Friday/Holy Friday/Great Friday/Black Friday/Easter Friday:
- Good Friday is a Christian holiday commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.
- 4/9 – Easter (Christian):
- Most important holy day in the Christian faith, celebrates the resurrection of Jesus following his death
- 4/18 – Laylat Al Qadr (Islamic):
- It is considered the holiest night of the year for Muslims and is traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. It is known as the “Night of Power,” and commemorates the night the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.
- 4/21-4/22 – Eid al-Fitr (Islamic):
- It is an important religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide that marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting (sawm). The religious Eid (Muslim religious festival) is the first and only day in the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast. The holiday celebrates the conclusion of the 29 or 30 days of dawn-to- sunset fasting during the entire month of Ramadan.
- 4/22 – Earth Day (International):
- Celebrates the planet we live on, observed internationally in more than 192 countries.
- 4/27-29 – Gathering of Nations (Native American):
- More than 500 Native tribes meet and celebrate various traditions and cultures.
- More than 500 Native tribes meet and celebrate various traditions and cultures.
May 2024:
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- Commemorates Mexico’s defeat of the French army. While it’s primarily observed by Mexican Americans, others often join the celebration as well.
- Commemorates Mexico’s defeat of the French army. While it’s primarily observed by Mexican Americans, others often join the celebration as well.
- 5/17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (LGBTQ+):
- Raises awareness for LGBTQ+ rights.
- 5/19 – Birthday of Malcolm X (Black American/Muslim):
- Malcolm X was an Black Muslim minister, well known for his activism during the civil rights movement. He was assassinated in 1965.
- 5/26 – Birthday of the Buddha (Buddhist):
- Celebrates the spiritual leader who launched one of the world’s most popular religions
- 5/29 – Memorial Day:
- It is a federal holiday in the United States for remembering the people who died while serving in the country’s armed forces. It is currently observed every year on the last Monday of May and marks the start of the unofficial summer vacation season.
June 2024:
- 6/2 – Indian Citizenship Act of 1924 (Native Americans):
- Granted the right of citizenship to all Native Americans born in the U.S. However, the right to vote was not granted until 1957.
- 6/12 – Loving Day (Black American):
- Anniversary of a historic court decision for interracial marriage.
- 6/19 – Juneteenth (Black American):
- Marks the anniversary of when African Americans first learned of the Emancipation Proclamation. It was more than two years after it was initially issued.
- 6/26 - 7/1 – The Hajj (Islamic):
- Annual pilgrimage to Mecca, that all Muslims must take at least once in their lives.
- 6/27 – Birthday of Helen Keller (People with Disabilities):
- While known as being both blind and deaf, Keller was one of the 20th century’s leading humanitarians and co-founder of the ACLU.
- 6/28 – Eid al-Adha:
- It is also called the “Sacrifice Feast”, is the second of two Muslim holidays celebrated worldwide each year, and considered the holier of the two. It honors the willingness of Ibrahim (Abraham) to sacrifice his son, as an act of obedience to God’s command. Before Abraham sacrificed his son, God provided a male goat to sacrifice instead.
July 2024:
- 7/2 – Birthday of Thurgood Marshall (Black American):
- Well-known as a civil rights activist who served as an Associate Justice of the Supreme Court.
- 7/4 – Independence Day:
- It is also referred to as the Fourth of July or July Fourth, is a federal holiday in the United States commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4, 1776.
- 7/6 – Birthday of 14th Dalai Lama (Tibetan):
- Happy Birthday to a Nobel Peace Prize recipient and Tibet’s leader in exile.
- 7/6 – Birthday of Frida Kahlo (Women, Mexican):
- One of the most recognizable painters of the 20th century
- One of the most recognizable painters of the 20th century
- 7/18 – Birthday of Nelson Mandela (South African):
- Civil rights leader for South Africa, and the country’s first black president.
- 7/25 – Pioneer Day (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) observed:
- Utah official holiday marking the arrival of LDS church founder Brigham Young arriving to the Salt Lake area.
- 7/26 – Americans with Disabilities Act:
- Outlawed the discrimination against people with disabilities.
- 7/30 – Al-Hijri (Islamic):
- This holiday marks the start of the New Year in the Muslim faith. It begins the prior evening.
August 2024:
- 8/4 – Birthday of Barack Obama (Black American):
- Happy Birthday to the United States’ first Black president.
- 8/9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (United Nations):
- Created by the UN, celebrates the cultures of indigenous peoples around the world.
- 8/15 – Feast of the Assumption (Roman Catholic):
- Marks the entry of Mary (mother of Jesus), body and soul, into Heaven.
- 8/18 – Janmashtami: Birth of Lord Krishna (Hindu):
- Also called Janmashtami, this day celebrates the birth of one of the most popular deities in the Hindu faith, celebrated with a great festival.
- 8/24 – Birthday of Marlee Matlin (People with Disabilities):
- Marlee Matlin is the only hearing-impaired actor to win the Oscar for best actor/actress.
- 8/26 – Women’s Equality Day:
- Commemorates the American women gaining the right to vote in 1920.
- Commemorates the American women gaining the right to vote in 1920.
- 8/31 – Ganesh Chaturthi (Hindu):
- Festival celebrating the birth of Lord Ganesha, the God of new beginnings and a fresh start.
September 2024:
- National Recovery Month:
- This month helps to educate all Americans on treatment and mental health services for those with substance use disorder.
- 9/4 – Labor Day:
- It is a public holiday celebrated on the first Monday in September in the United States. It honors the American labor movement and the contributions that workers have made to the strength, prosperity, laws and well-being of the country.
- 9/15-10/15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month:
- This month honors the culture and contributions of both Hispanic and Latino Americans.
- 9/20 – HeForShe (Women):
- Initiated by the UN to promote gender equality.
- 9/22 – Autumnal Equinox:
- As summer moves into fall, the autumnal equinox is a time for various religious observances worldwide.
- 9/15 – 9/17 – Rosh Hashanah (Jewish):
- The Jewish New Year, a time for reflection in the faith. It is one of Judaism’s holiest days. Meaning “head of the year” or “first of the year,” the festival begins on the first day of Tishrei, the seventh month of the Hebrew calendar, which falls during September or October.
- 9/24-9/25 – Yom Kippur (Jewish):
- It is “the tenth day of [the] seventh month” (Tishrei) and is regarded as the “Sabbath of Sabbaths”. Rosh Hashanah (referred to in the Torah as Yom Teruah) is the first day of that month according to the Hebrew calendar. On this day forgiveness of sins is also asked of God.
- 9/29 – The first day of Sukkot (Jewish):
- It takes place on the 15th day of the Jewish month of Tishrei. Sukkot is a seven day period for reminiscence on the Israelites 40 year period of wandering in the desert following the exodus from Egypt.
October 2024:
- Global Diversity Awareness Month:
- Aims to promote knowledge and respect for various cultures.
- National Disability Employment Awareness Month:
- Advocates for people with disabilities, and their inclusion in the workforce.
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month:
- Aims to increase awareness of the disease, one of the leading causes of death in women.
- National Polish American Heritage Month:
- Dedicated to honoring Polish heritage, October was chosen because it was when Polish settlers first arrived in Jamestown, VA in 160
- Dedicated to honoring Polish heritage, October was chosen because it was when Polish settlers first arrived in Jamestown, VA in 160
- 10/6 – The last day of Sukkot (Jewish):
- It is called Hoshana Rabbah and is usually celebrated with a special synagogue service.
- 10/6-10/8 – Shemini Atzeret (Jewish):
- This holiday is celebrated on the 22nd day of the Hebrew month of Tishrei in the Land of Israel, and on the 22nd and 23rd outside the Land, usually coinciding with late September or early October.
- 10/7-10/8 – Simchat Torah or Simhat Torah (Jewish):
- It is a Jewish holiday that celebrates and marks the conclusion of the annual cycle of public Torah readings, and the beginning of a new cycle.
- 10/10 – World Mental Health Day (People with Disabilities):
- Promotes mental health awareness and education, and advocates against social stigma relating to mental health
- 10/10 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day (United States):
- Formerly called Columbus Day, honors the indigenous people of North America.
- Formerly called Columbus Day, honors the indigenous people of North America.
- 10/14 – Defender of Ukraine Day:
- This day celebrates those who have fought for the freedom of Ukrain
- This day celebrates those who have fought for the freedom of Ukrain
- 10/17 – Spirit Day (LGBTQ+):
- Wear purple on this day to support LGBTQ youth and speak out against bullying.
- 10/24 – Dussehra/Dashain (Hindu):
- It is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, the seventh month of the Hindu LuniSolar Calendar, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. It marks the end of “Ramlila” and remembers God Rama’s victory over the demon Ravana, or alternatively it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess Devi such as Durga or Saraswati.
- It is a major Hindu festival celebrated at the end of Navratri every year. It is observed on the tenth day in the Hindu calendar month of Ashvin, the seventh month of the Hindu LuniSolar Calendar, which typically falls in the Gregorian months of September and October. It marks the end of “Ramlila” and remembers God Rama’s victory over the demon Ravana, or alternatively it marks a reverence for one of the aspects of goddess Devi such as Durga or Saraswati.
November 2024:
- 11/1 – All Saints Day/All Souls Day/Día de los Muertos:
- Commemorates those who have passed away in the Christian faith and Mexican and Aztec communities.
- 11/11 – Veterans Day:
- United States public holiday to honor military veterans who served in the United Saates Armed Forces.
- 11/12 – Diwali or Deepavali or Festival of Light (Hindu):
- A key Hindu celebration, in praise of diverse deities.
- 11/16 – United Nations: International Day for Tolerance:
- Promotes respect for diverse religions, languages, cultures, and ethnicities.
- 11/16 – Dutch American Heritage Day:
- Established to celebrate the longstanding friendship between the U.S. and the Netherlands.
- 11/20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance (LGBTQ+):
- Seeks to remember those who were murdered due to transphobia.
- 11/23: – National Day of Mourning:
- Celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November – honors Indigenous ancestors and Native resilience.
December 2024:
- 12/1 – World AIDS Day:
- Helps raise awareness of HIV/AIDs and money to cure it.
- 12/3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities (United Nations):
- Raises awareness for the rights and well-being of those with disabilities.
- Raises awareness for the rights and well-being of those with disabilities.
- 12/7 – 12/15 – Hanukkah (Jewish):
- Celebrates the Jews triumphing over the Syrian Greeks for their independence.
- 12/10 – International Human Rights Day (United Nations):
- Adopted by the UN in 1948, celebrates the day it the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
- 12/16 – 12/24 – Las Posadas (Mexican):
- Religious festival in Mexico and some parts of the U.S. (primarily those with Mexican-Americans) of the Christmas season.
- Religious festival in Mexico and some parts of the U.S. (primarily those with Mexican-Americans) of the Christmas season.
- 12/22 – Winter Solstice/Yule:
- The winter sabbat according to the Pagan and Wiccan faiths.
- 12/25 – Christmas (Christian):
- Holiday celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ.
- 12/26 – Kwanzaa:
- 8-day holiday started by Maulana Karenga in 1966 to celebrate universal African-American heritage.
- 12/30 – Bodhi Day (Buddhist):
- The Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.
