Skip to Content

Diversity Calendar

Diversity Calendar

Events Observed by the Diverse People of the United States




  • 11/30/09 -
    11/01/09

    American Indian Heritage Month

    November is recognized as National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month. This was officially recognized in 1990 when President George Herbert Walker Bush signed it into Public Law. See the Native American Heritage Month Web site, American Indians/Alaska Natives: Education Issues, and Native American Booklist.



  • 11/27/09

    Eid al-Adha

    This holiday is the Islamic Feast of Sacrifice, the most important feast of Islam. The three-day festival recalls Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah. It concludes the Hajj - the annual Muslim pilgrimage to Mecca. It occurs approximately 70 days after the end of the month of Ramadan. It is expected to be on or around November 27, 2009.



  • 11/15/09 -
    11/21/09

    American Education Week

    NEA's American Education Week (AEW) spotlights the importance of providing every child in America with a quality public education from kindergarten through college, and the need for everyone to do his or her part in making public schools great. See American Education Week.


     



  • 11/11/09

    Veterans Day

    Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. It is both a federal holiday and a state holiday in all states. U.S. President Woodrow Wilson first proclaimed an Armistice Day for November 11, 1919. In 1938, the United States Congress made the 11th of November in each year a legal holiday - to be celebrated and known as "Armistice Day." Congress amended this act in 1954, replacing "Armistice" with "Veterans," and it has been known as Veterans Day since then. See more at Military.com.

     



  • 10/31/09

    Halloween

    Also known as All Hallows’ Eve—the evening before All Saints Day or All Hallows Day—this event has roots in the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain (SOW-an). In Gaelic culture, it is a celebration of the end of the harvest season and a time to remember loved ones who have passed on. Today, in the United States and some Western countries, it is customary to wear costumes and take part in revelry. Children go door-to-door to ask for candy and other treats.



  • 10/29/09

    National Organization for Women (NOW) Founding

    Since its founding in 1966, NOW's goal has been to take action to bring about equality for all women. Learn more at the NOW Web site.



  • 10/28/09

    Statue of Liberty Dedication

    President Grover Cleveland dedicated the Statue of Liberty, officially titled Liberty Enlightening the World. This universal symbol of freedom and democracy was a gift of friendship from the people of France to the people of the United States.



  • 10/21/09

    Milestone in Electricity

    On this day in 1879, Thomas Alva Edison illuminated a carbon filament light bulb that glowed continuously for 40 hours. See also a Thomas Edison biography.



  • 10/20/09

    Birth of the Báb

    One of eleven holy days in the Bahá'í calendar, this day honors the Bab, whose mission was to prepare the way for Bahá'u'lláh, the Founder of the Bahá'í Faith. To learn more, visit the Bahá'í International Community Web site.



  • 10/19/09

    National Multicultural Diversity Day

    Celebrated on the third Monday in October, this day was adopted as a national event by NEA's 1993 Representative Assembly. See the NEA Diversity Toolkit.



  • 10/18/09 -
    10/24/09

    Teen Read Week

    This year's theme is "Read Beyond Reality @ Your Library!" For information, visit the Young Adult Library Services Association Web site.



  • 10/18/09 -
    10/24/09

    National Character Counts Week

    This event focuses on the Character Counts initiative, founded on six pillars of character: trustworthiness, respect, responsibility, fairness, caring, and citizenship. See the Character Counts Web site.



  • 10/18/09 -
    10/24/09

    National Chemistry Week

    This annual event communicates the importance of chemistry to our quality of life. This year’s theme is "Chemistry - It's Elemental!" Learn more at the American Chemical Society Web site. 



  • 10/17/09

    Diwali

    Known as the "Festival of Lights, this major Hindu holiday signifies the renewal of life, and the victory of good over evil. To celebrate, lamps and candles are lit, fireworks set off, and new clothes worn.



  • 10/16/09

    World Food Day

    Since 1979, this worldwide event has sought to increase awareness, understanding, and informed year-round action to alleviate hunger, malnutrition, and poverty. For more information, see the World Food Day Web site.



  • 10/12/09

    Columbus Day

    Celebrated annually on the second Monday in October, this federal holiday honors all explorers and commemorates Columbus’ sighting of the New World in 1492.



  • 10/12/09

    Canadian Thanksgiving Day

    Always observed on the second Monday in October, this Canadian holiday gives thanks for a successful harvest.



  • 10/09/09

    Anniversary of Benjamin Banneker’s Death

    Born in 1731, Banneker was a free African-American astronomer, mathematician, surveyor, and almanac author. He maintained a correspondence with Thomas Jefferson and is credited with helping to survey the city of Washington, D.C.



  • 10/07/09

    International Walk to School Day

    Whether your concern is safer streets, healthier habits, or cleaner air, Walk to School Day is aimed at encouraging a more walkable America. For more information, visit the Walk to School Web site.



  • 10/06/09

    German American Day

    Proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan in 1983, this day commemorates the 1683 arrival in America of 13 German families on board a sailing vessel. Having landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, they went on to found Germantown.



  • 10/04/09

    Leave It to Beaver Premiere

    This popular television program aired its first show on CBS in 1957. See the Museum of Broadcast Communications web site (MBC)  to learn more about the history of the development of television, a medium that changed the world.



  • 10/04/09 -
    10/10/09

    World Space Week

    Each year, World Space Week encourages, educates, and supports space exploration through programs and activities centered on a theme. In 2009, the theme is “Space for Education.” For more information, see NASA’s Web site and the World Space Week site.



  • 10/04/09 -
    10/10/09

    National Metric Week

    Reinforcing the fact that the metric system is based on a system of 10, this observance occurs annually during the tenth month and the week containing the tenth day.



  • 10/03/09 -
    10/09/09

    Sukkot (Jewish Feast of Tabernacles)

    Beginning at sunset on October 2, this seven-day festival celebrates the harvest and commemorates the Jews’ passage through the wilderness



  • 10/03/09

    Frank Robinson Signed as Major League Manager

    In 1974, Robinson became the first African American to manage a major league baseball team when he was hired by the Cleveland Indians.



  • 10/02/09

    Thurgood Marshall Sworn Into Supreme Court

    In 1967, Marshall became the first African American to sit on the highest court in the land. Opposing discrimination and the death penalty, he championed free speech and civil liberties.



  • 10/02/09

    Ghandi's Birthday and International Day of Nonviolence

    Mohandas Karamchand “Mahatma” Gandhi is one of the most respected spiritual and political leaders of the Twentieth Century. Through nonviolent resistance, Gandhi helped free India from British rule. The Indian people called Gandhi “Mahatma,” meaning Great Soul. See Mohandas Gandhi biography.



  • 10/01/09

    Communist China Established

    In Tiananmen Square in 1949, Mao Zedong, chairman of the Communist Party of China, proclaimed the establishment of the People's Republic of China, saying that the "Chinese people have stood up!"



  • 09/28/09 -
    09/28/09

    Yom Kippur (Day of Atonement)

    The most solemn day of the Jewish year, and one of the most important, the Day of Atonement is typically spent at synagogue in fasting, reflection, and prayer.



  • 09/24/09 -
    09/24/09

    School Desegregation Comes to Little Rock

    On this day in 1957, nine teenagers became the first African-Americans to attend all-White Central High School in Little Rock, Arkansas. The ensuing events riveted the nation and focused a spotlight on racism. President Eisenhower intervened and sent federal troops to protect the students and ensure compliance with the Supreme Court's Brown v. Board of Education decision. For more information, go to Wikipedia.



  • 09/22/09 -
    09/22/09

    Autumnal Equinox

    The fall equinox begins autumn in the northern hemisphere—the moment when the sun appears to cross the celestial equator and day and night are of approximately equal length.



  • 09/21/09 -
    09/21/09

    Independence Day, Armenia

    On this day, Armenians commemorate their independence from the Soviet Union in 1991—a new chapter in Armenia's more than 3,000-year history.



  • 09/21/09 -
    09/21/09

    Id al-Fitr

    This Muslim feast day celebrates the end of Ramadan.



  • 09/21/09 -
    09/21/09

    International Day of Peace

    Established by United Nations resolution in 1982, this event is a global holiday when individuals, communities, nations, and governments highlight efforts to end conflict and promote peace. For information, visit http://www.internationaldayofpeace.org/.



  • 09/19/09 -
    09/20/09

    Jewish New Year

    The Jewish New Year, also known as the Days of Renewed Responsibility, begins at sunset on day one and ends at nightfall the next day. The event is marked by solemn religious observances.



  • 09/17/09 -
    09/23/09

    Citizenship Day and Constitution Week

    On this day in 1787, the 55 delegates to the Constitutional Convention met to sign the Constitution of the United States of America. By presidential proclamation, the entire week is given to observing this important anniversary. Visit the National Constitution Center for more information and teacher resources.



  • 09/15/09 -
    09/16/09

    Mexican Independence Days

    These days celebrate the start in 1810 of Mexico's struggle for independence from Spain. Each year, the president of Mexico rings the bells of the National Palace in Mexico City.



  • 09/15/09 -
    10/15/09

    Hispanic Heritage Month

    In 1988, this weeklong event grew to a month-long celebration of Hispanic culture and tradition. Learn more about Hispanic artists who have had a lasting impact on the history of art:



  • 09/08/09 -
    09/08/09

    International Literacy Day

    Celebrated since 1965, when it was established by the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), this event focuses on reading from a global perspective. Visit the National Institute for Literacy for information and activity ideas.



  • 09/07/09 -
    09/07/09

    Labor Day

    Begun in New York by labor leader Peter McGuire to honor the American worker, as well as acknowledge the value and dignity of work and its role in American life, this observance was made a federal holiday in 1894 by Congress.



  • 09/03/09 -
    09/03/09

    Anniversary of Treaty of Paris

    On this day in 1783, Britain and the United States signed a treaty that ended the Revolutionary War. Find out more at The History Place.



  • 09/02/09 -
    09/02/09

    Birthday of Christa McAuliffe

    Teacher and NEA member Christa McAuliffe (1948–1986) was America’s first "ordinary citizen" in space. Along with six other crew members, she perished in 1986 on board the Space Shuttle Challenger.



  • 09/01/09 -
    09/30/09

    Library Card Sign-Up Month

    A library card is the most important school supply of all! This year, Olympic gold medalist and 2008 WNBA Rookie of the Year Candace Parker has been named Honorary Chairperson. Find out more at the The American Library Association.



  • 08/26/09 -
    08/26/09

    Women's Equality Day

    Introduced by Rep. Bella Abzug (former member of the U.S. House of Representatives, lawyer, writer, news commentator, and feminist) and established in 1971, this day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment, the Woman Suffrage Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which in 1920 gave women in the United States full voting rights. Visit the Women's History Project for more information.



  • 08/22/09 -
    09/20/09

    Ramadan Begins

    During Ramadan, the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar, Muslims all over the world abstain from food, drink, and other physical needs during the daylight hours. This is a time to purify the soul, refocus attention on God, and practice self-sacrifice.



  • 08/21/09 -
    08/21/09

    Hawaii Admitted to Union

    On this day in 1959, Hawaii became the 50th state of the United States of America. It is also the last state to be admitted to the union. Hawaii has the largest percentage of Asian Americans of any U.S.state.



  • 08/15/09 -
    08/18/09

    Bon Festival (Feast of Lanterns)

    The Japanese Buddhist custom to honor the departed spirits of one's ancestors has evolved into a family reunion holiday, during which people return to ancestral family places to visit and clean their ancestors' graves. Celebrated for over 500 years, the event lasts for three days. It is customary that employers give leave for employees to participate.



  • 08/15/09 -
    08/15/09

    Feast of the Assumption

    For Catholics, the Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the departure of Mary, the mother of Jesus, from this life, and the assumption of her body into heaven. It is the principal feast of the Blessed Virgin.



  • 08/08/09 -
    08/14/09

    Perseid Meteor Shower

    The Perseids are a prolific meteor shower associated with the comet Swift-Tuttle. Observed for about 2000 years, the first known information on these meteors came from the Far East. The shower is visible from mid-July each year, with the greatest activity between August 8 and 14, peaking about August 12. During the peak, the rate of meteors reaches 60 or more per hour and can be seen all across the sky, but primarily in the Northern Hemisphere.



  • 08/01/09 -
    08/31/09

    Children's Eye Health and Safety Month

    The focus this month is on amblyopia, a condition that can affect 2-3 percent of children and cause permanent vision loss. Visit the Prevent Blindness America Web site  for more information, as well as tips about preventing eye injuries in children, signs of possible eye problems, and general eye health.



  • 06/19/09 -
    06/19/09

    Juneteenth

    Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, commemorates the announcement in Texas in 1865 of the abolition of slavery -- two years after President Lincoln signed the Emancipation Proclamation. Find more resources here.



  • 06/16/09 -
    06/16/09

    First Woman in Space

    In June 1963, Valentina Tereshkova, a Soviet cosmonaut, became the first woman to fly in space when she orbited Earth 48 times in the spacecraft Vostok 6. A crater on the Moon is named in her honor.



  • 06/14/09 -
    06/14/09

    Flag Day

    Today we commemorate the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. For more information, visit http://memory.loc.gov/ammem/today/jun14.html.



  • 06/01/09 -
    06/30/09

    National Caribbean-American Heritage Month

    During this month we celebrate the ways that Caribbean-Americans have enriched our society and added to the strength of America. For more information visit www.caribbeanamericanmonth.org.



  • 05/31/09 -
    05/31/09

    Pentecost

    Celebrated by Christians, this day commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus Christ.



  • 05/29/09 -
    05/30/09

    Shavuot

    Beginning at sunset on the first day, this Jewish festival recalls the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites.



  • 05/25/09 -
    05/25/09

    Memorial Day

    This holiday commemorates American men and women who have died in military service. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs at www1.va.gov/opa/speceven/memday/history.asp.



  • 05/22/09 -
    05/22/09

    International Day for Biological Diversity

    This day is dedicated to raising awareness of the danger to species from habitat destruction and pollution. The 2009 theme is Invasive Alien Species. For more, visit http://greenwave.cbd.int/en/ibd_2009.



  • 05/10/09 -
    05/10/09

    Completion of Transcontinental Railroad in 1869

    Considered one of the greatest American technological feats of the 19th century, this effort connected the Atlantic and Pacific coasts by rail for the first time. The prodigious labor was largely provided by army veterans, and Irish and Chinese immigrants.



  • 05/05/09 -
    05/05/09

    Cinco de Mayo

    The anniversary of the unlikely 1862 Mexican victory over the French army at the Battle of La Puebla is more widely celebrated in the United States than in Mexico, where it is considered a regional holiday.



  • 05/03/09 -
    05/09/09

    Be Kind to Animals Week

    Created in 1915 by the American Humane Association, this week is dedicated to raising awareness about treating animals with kindness, compassion, and respect. For more information, visit www.americanhumane.org.



  • 05/01/09 -
    05/31/09

    National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

    This year, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is issuing a special challenge to get America up and moving. Find out more at http://www.fitness.gov.



  • 05/01/09 -
    05/31/09

    National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

    This year, the President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports is issuing a special challenge to get America up and moving. Find out more at http://www.fitness.gov.



  • 05/01/09 -
    05/31/09

    Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

    A diverse population whose heritages represent more than 50 ethnic groups and 100 languages, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have made enormous contributions to the civic, cultural, and economic fabric of our nation. Here are Web sites that focus on various aspects of their history, life, and culture.



  • 04/22/09

    Earth Day

    Join NEA, Random House Children's Books, and Dr. Seuss Enterprises in the first ever Lorax Project Student Earth Day! You'll find a free classroom toolkit, poster, photo gallery, and educator idea exchange at www.thelorax.com, plus more resources at www.theloraxproject.com.



  • 04/19/09 -
    04/25/09

    Public School Volunteer Week

    Encourage parents and community members to sign the online Parental Involvement Pledge at http://www.projectappleseed.org/. Sponsored by Project Appleseed.



  • 04/12/09

    Easter Sunday

    Christians celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ on the first Sunday following the first full moon on or after the vernal equinox.



  • 04/09/09 -
    04/10/09

    Passover (Pesach), First Days

    Jewish families traditionally mark this festival--which commemorates the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt--by gathering together for a special dinner called Seder.



  • 04/01/09 -
    04/30/09

    National Donate Life Month

    Each day in this country, about 77 people receive an organ transplant, but 19 others die waiting for a donated organ. Find out more.



  • 03/16/09

    Publication of First Black Newspaper in America

    In 1827, Samuel Cornish and John B. Russwurm debuted Freedom's Journal, the first African-American-owned and-operated newspaper published in the United States. All 103 issues have been digitized and are available at the Wisconsin Historical Society.



  • 03/11/09

    Johnny Appleseed Day

    The Nature Conservancy hopes to plant a billion trees in the Amazon to help replenish the rapidly diminishing rainforest. Help out for one dollar per tree at http://www.plantabillion.org/. Johnny Appleseed would approve!



  • 03/08/09

    International Women's Day

    Honoring working women everywhere, this day is also the anniversary of the historic 1857 garment and textile workers' strike in New York, one of the first organized actions by women anywhere. For more information, visit http://www.internationalwomensday.com.



  • 03/02/09 -
    04/18/09

    Orthodox Lent

    During this period, members of the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Orthodox churches fast and do penance prior to Easter Sunday (April 19 in the Orthodox calendar).



  • 03/01/09 -
    03/31/09

    Irish American Heritage Month

    Céad Mile Fáilte! This month is a time to remember the many ways America is enriched by contributions from people of Irish heritage.



  • 03/01/09 -
    03/31/09

    Women's History Month

    Visit the National Women's History Museum online at www.nwhm.org. Their latest exhibit is Women Wielding Power: Pioneering Female State Legislators.



  • 03/01/09 -
    03/31/09

    Music in Our Schools Month

    Public school is where all children should have access to music. This year's theme is Music! Just Imagine... Visit www.menc.org/events/view/music-in-our-schools-month for more information.



  • 02/25/09 -
    04/11/09

    Lent

    Lent is a 40-day Christian liturgical season that begins with Ash Wednesday and concludes the day before Easter Sunday. It recalls the time that Jesus Christ spent fasting and praying in the desert before his triumphal entry into Jerusalem, subsequent death at the hands of the Romans, and three days of entombment prior to his resurrection.



  • 02/24/09

    Mardi Gras

    Fat Tuesday, as it is known, is the last day before the beginning of Lent, and in the United States is synonymous with the city of New Orleans, LA. Revels include wearing beads, donning elaborate masks and costumes, attending fancy balls and parades, and feasting and frolicking far into the night.

     



  • 02/23/09

    Birthday of W.E.B. DuBois

    American civil rights activist, sociologist, educator, historian, writer, editor, poet, and scholar, William Edward Burghardt Du Bois was born this day in 1868. He was the first African-American to hold a Doctorate.



  • 02/21/09

    International Mother Language Day

    Proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999, this observance promotes people's uniqueness and cultural diversity by highlighting their mother tongues, many of which are in danger of disappearing. Find out more at http://www.un.org/Depts/dhl/language/.



  • 02/20/09

    Frederick Douglass Day

    On this day in 1895, the famed African-American abolitionist, editor, orator, author, statesman, and reformer died of a heart attack in his adopted hometown of Washington, D.C.



  • 02/16/09

    Presidents' Day

    Always observed on the third Monday in February, this Federal holiday celebrates the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln.



  • 02/14/09

    St. Valentine's Day

    Associated long ago with the Roman feast of Lupercalia, then with two early Christian martyrs, Valentine's Day is presently a day to express affection to those we love. People send cards to each other and give gifts such as candy and flowers. The most familiar image associated with this holiday is that of the heart.



  • 02/09/09 -
    02/15/09

    Random Acts of Kindness Week

    More than just a bumper sticker, consider this week a springboard for action-a time to focus on goodness and act upon thoughts of generosity that arise spontaneously from the heart. For classroom ideas, go to http://www.actsofkindness.org/.



  • 02/07/09

    Lunar New Year

    This holiday, which begins the Year of the Rat, is celebrated by Chinese, Koreans, and Vietnamese, among others, all over the world with music, dance, costumes, and firecrackers.



  • 02/01/09 -
    02/28/09

    Library Lover's Month

    During this month, we celebrate libraries of all types and work to ensure that they will continue to serve. For more information, visit www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers.



  • 02/01/09 -
    02/28/09

    Black History Month

    Begun in 1926 through the efforts of Black scholar and historian Carter G. Woodson, Black History Month was originally celebrated as a weeklong event. In 1976, Congress expanded the observance to the entire month of February. Visit the National Visionary Leadership Project which records, preserves, and distributes the wisdom of extraordinary African-American elders and notables who have shaped American history. The site includes videotaped interviews and multimedia lesson plans.



  • 02/01/09 -
    02/28/09

    Library Lover's Month

    During this month, we celebrate libraries of all types and work to ensure that they will continue to serve. Find out more at www.librarysupport.net/librarylovers/



  • 01/26/09

    Chinese New Year (Also called Lunar New Year)

    It's the Year of the Ox! To prepare for this major holiday, people clean their homes, buy new shoes and clothing-especially in red-and get new haircuts. The biggest event is the New Year dinner, an elaborate meal that celebrates family ties.



  • 01/26/09 -
    01/30/09

    No Name-Calling Week

    Words can be hurtful. This week is aimed at ending name-calling of all kinds and providing schools with tools and inspiration to launch dialogues about ways to eliminate bullying. Find out more.



  • 01/23/09

    First Native American Senator

    On this day in 1907, Charles Curtis, of Kaw, Osage, and Pottawatomie ancestry, was sworn in as the U.S. Senator from Kansas. From 1928-1933, he also served the nation as Vice President with President Herbert Hoover.



  • 01/19/09

    World Religion Day

    This day emphasizes that the religions of the world must strive for unity among people. Find out more.



  • 01/19/09

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day/Day of Service

    Always celebrated on the third Monday in January, this federal holiday honors Reverend King's life and commitment to equality and unity. An additional focus, the Day of Service encourages citizens to follow King's words: "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." Find out more.



  • 01/10/09 -
    01/07/09

    Christmas Day (Orthodox)

    Kala Christouyenna! Following the Julian Calendar, Greek and Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas in January.



  • 01/01/09 -
    01/03/09

    Japanese New Year

    Japan celebrates the 21st year of Emperor Akihito's reign. People decorate their entrances, wear ceremonial attire, visit shrines, and listen to temple bells ring.



  • 01/01/09

    Emancipation Proclamation Anniversary

    In 1863, President Abraham Lincoln signed this edict proclaiming that all slaves living within rebelling Confederate states "... are, and henceforth shall be, free." Find out more at the National Archives.



  • 01/01/09 -
    01/31/09

    National Mentoring Month

    Sponsored by the Harvard Mentoring Project, this observance encourages volunteer mentors to help young people from under-privileged backgrounds reach their full potential. Find out more.



  • 01/01/09

    Ellis Island Opens

    Beginning in 1892, this New York Harbor facility served as the gateway to the United States for more than 20 million people. Search passenger arrival records and add your ancestors to the Ellis Island Wall of Honor at http://www.ellisisland.org/.

Advertisement

Advertisement