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Diversity Events for January-June 2010


January | February | March | April | May | June

(see also July-December)

JANUARY

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 about National Mentoring Month.

January 1
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 Ellis Island web site.

January 1
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.

January 1
Japanese New Year's Day

One of the most important annual festivals in Japan, it is celebrated with unique customs. People send New Year's postcards to friends and relatives - to arrive on New Year's Day, decorate their entrances, wear ceremonial attire, visit shrines, and eat mochi (rice cakes).

January 7
Christmas Day (Orthodox)

Following the Julian calendar, Greek and Eastern Orthodox Christians celebrate Christmas on or around January 7.

January 17
World Religion Day

This day was established to foster interfaith understanding and harmony by emphasizing the commonalities underlying all religions. Read more at World Religion Day Web site.

January 18
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. The Day of Service encourages citizens to follow King's words: "Everybody can be great, because everybody can serve." Read more at the Martin Luther King Web site.

January 23
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.

January 25-29
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. See the No Name-Calling Week Web site.

FEBRUARY

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 these sites for Black History resources:

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 the Library Support Web site.  

February 14
Chinese New Year (or Lunar New Year)

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's dinner, an elaborate meal that celebrates family ties. 2010 is the Year of the Tiger.

February 14
St. Valentine's Day

Associated long ago with the Roman feast of Lupercalia, then with two early Christian martyrs, Valentine's Day is now 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 a heart.

February 15
Presidents' Day

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

February 15-21
Random Acts of Kindness Week

A little kindness can go a long way toward making someone's day. And you've got a whole week to practice. See monthly calendars for ideas for performing kindnesses every day at Random Acts of Kindness Foundation.

February 15-April 3
Orthodox Lent

During this period, members of the Eastern Orthodox and Greek Orthodox churches fast and do penance prior to Easter Sunday (April 4 in the Orthodox calendar).

February 16
Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, also known as Fat Tuesday (Mardi Gras is French for "Fat Tuesday") or Shrove Tuesday, is the last day of feasting before Lent begins on Ash Wednesday.

February 17-April 3
Lent

Lent is a 40-day Christian liturgical season that begins on 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.

February 20
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.

February 21
International Mother Language Day

Proclaimed by UNESCO's General Conference in November 1999, this annual 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 the Dag Hammarskjold Library site.

February 23
W.E.B. DuBois Birthday

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.


MARCH

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.

Music in Our Schools Month

All children should have access to music in public schools. This year's theme is Music! Just Imagine... Visit MENC: the National Association for Music Education for more information.

Women's History Month

See Women's History Month Resources to learn more about the contributions of women in history and contemporary society.

March 8
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 International Women's Day Web site.

March 11
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 Plant a Billion Trees. Johnny Appleseed would approve!

March 16
Publication of the 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.

March 30-April 6
Passover (Pesach)

Passover or Pesach is an eight-day long celebration during which Jewish families traditionally commemorate the deliverance of the Jews from slavery in Egypt. The highlight of the Passover celebration is the ceremony of Seder performed on the first two evenings of Passover. 
 

APRIL

Child Abuse Prevention Month

In the early 1980s, Congress resolved that the week of June 6-12, 1982, should be designated as the first National Child Abuse Prevention Week, in commitment to identifying and implementing solutions to child abuse. For more information, visit the Child Welfare Information Gateway Web site. See the April calendar of 30 ways to strengthen families.

National Donate Life Month

In 2003, April was designated National Donate Life Month to raise awareness of the need to promote organ donations and to honor those who have selflessly given of themselves. Each day in this country, about 77 people receive an organ transplant, but 19 others die waiting for a donated organ. Find out more from OrganDonor.gov.  

April 4
Easter Sunday

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

April 11-17
National Environmental Education Week (EE Week)

This week marks the nation's largest environmental education event, held each year the week before Earth Day. It inspires environmental learning and stewardship among K-12 students. EE Week connects educators with environmental resources to promote K-12 students’ understanding of the environment. For resources, see the National Environmental Education Week Web site.

April 19-25
Public School Volunteer Week

Encourage parents and community members to sign the online Parental Involvement Pledge at  Project Appleseed.

April 22
Earth Day

Check out resources for celebrating the 40th anniversary of Earth Day at Earth Day Network and The Nature Conservancy.

April 30
El Día de los Niños

NEA, in collaboration with its partner the National Latino Children’s Institute (NLCI), is convening a public forum April 28 in Washington, D.C. focusing on the education and health concerns of Hispanic children. Find out more about El Día de los Niños.


MAY

Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month

A diverse group 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. Read more at these sites:

Jewish American Heritage Month

On April 20, 2006, President George W. Bush proclaimed that May would be Jewish American Heritage Month, recognizing the more than 350-year history of Jewish contributions to American culture. Read more at these sites:

Better Hearing and Speech Month

This annual event provides opportunities to raise awareness about communication disorders and to promote treatment that can improve the quality of life for those who experience problems with speaking, understanding, or hearing. Learn more at the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association web site.

National Physical Fitness and Sports Month

The President's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports challenges Americans to get up and moving. Find out more at Fitness.gov.

May 2-8
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 the American Humane web site.

May 4
National Teacher Day

National Teacher Day is a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives. Congress declared March 7, 1980, as National Teacher Day for that year only. NEA and its affiliates continued to observe National Teacher Day in March until 1985, when the NEA Representative Assembly voted to change the event to Tuesday of the first full week of May. In May of 2009, a bill was introduced in Congress that created a national day of teacher recognition on the first Tuesday of the first full week of May. See National Teacher Day. 

May 5
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.  

May 6
National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day

National Children's Mental Health Awareness Day is a day for everyone to promote positive youth development, resilience, recovery, and the transformation of mental health services delivery for children and youth with serious mental health needs and their families. Learn more at the Substance Abuse & Mental Health Services Administration web site.

May 10-16
National Stuttering Awareness Week

Certain factors may place some children more at risk for stuttering. Knowing these factors will help parents and educators decide whether or not a child needs to see a speech-language pathologist. Learn more at The Stuttering Foundation web site and La Fundación Americana de la Tartamudez (The Stuttering Foundation of America).

May 10
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.

May 12
National School Nurse Day

School nurses work to promote health and provide the best care possible to students and their families. Take time on this day to look at the difference school nurses make in our schools. Learn more about school nurses at the National Association of School Nurses web site.

May 19
Shavuot

Beginning at sunset on the day before (May 18), this Jewish festival celebrates the giving of the Ten Commandments to Moses and the Israelites.  

May 22
International Day for Biological Diversity

The United Nations proclaimed May 22 The International Day for Biological Diversity to increase understanding and awareness of biodiversity issues. The 2010 theme is Biodiversity, Development and Poverty Alleviation. To learn more, visit the Green Wave Web site and the Convention on Biological Diversity Web site. 

May 23
Pentecost Sunday

Celebrated by Christians, Pentecost Sunday marks the end of the Easter season in the Christian calendar and commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit on the Apostles and Disciples of Jesus Christ.

May 31
Memorial Day

This holiday commemorates American men and women who have died in military service. For more information, visit the Department of Veterans Affairs.


JUNE

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 the Caribbean American Heritage Month Web site. 

June 5
World Environment Day

World Environment Day was started in 1972 by the United Nations General Assembly. Its purpose is to stimulate worldwide awareness about environmental issues and their impact on humans. Learn more about this year’s theme, “Many Species. One Planet. One Future” at the web site of the United National Environment Programme.

June 14
Flag Day

This day is dedicated to the adoption of the flag of the United States in 1777 by resolution of the Second Continental Congress. For more information, visit the Library of Congress Web site. 

June 16
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.

June 19
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.


NEA REPORTS

Status of Diverse Populations in Education

 

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