DEI Dates | DEI Department | National Jewish Health

Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) Calendar

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SUMMER

June Celebration Days

June 1st	Pride Month Pride Month is a month-long celebration of LGBTQ+ identities and the progress made in the fight for equality.
June 1st	Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month is a month-long campaign to raise awareness of Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.
June 1st	Black Music Month Black Music Month is a month-long celebration of the contributions of African Americans to American music.
June 1st	National Caribbean American Heritage Month National Caribbean American Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of the contributions of Caribbean Americans to the United States.
June 2nd	Indian Citizenship Act of 1941 The Indian Citizenship Act of 1941 granted citizenship to all Native Americans born in the United States, regardless of tribe or blood quantum.
June 4th	Trinity Sunday Trinity Sunday is a Christian holiday that celebrates the Christian belief in one God in three persons: the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.
June 5th	World Environment Day World Environment Day is an annual event that raises awareness about environmental issues and encourages action to protect the planet.
June 11th	National Puerto Rican Day Parade Puerto Rican Day Parade Day is an annual event that started in New York City, and celebrates Puerto Rican culture and heritage.
June 11th	Race Unity Day Race Unity Day is an annual observance that promotes racial harmony and understanding.
June 12th	Loving Day Loving Day is an annual celebration of the 1967 Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia, which struck down anti-miscegenation laws.
June 13th	International Albinism Awareness Day International Albinism Awareness Day is an annual observance that raises awareness about albinism and the challenges faced by people with albinism.
June 19th	Juneteenth Juneteenth is a federal holiday in the United States that commemorates the end of slavery in the USA.
June 20th	World Refugee Day World Refugee Day is an annual observance that honors the strength and resilience of refugees and calls for action to ensure their safety and dignity.
June 21st	Summer Solstice or Litha Litha, also known as Midsummer, is a pagan holiday that celebrates the summer solstice, the longest day of the year in the Northern Hemisphere.
June 22nd	Dragon Boat Festival The Dragon Boat Festival is a traditional Chinese holiday that commemorates the death of the poet Qu Yuan and features dragon boat races, eating zongzi, and other festivities.
June 24th	St. Jean-Baptise Day St. Jean-Baptiste Day is a Quebecois holiday that celebrates the province's patron saint, Saint John the Baptist.
June 26th	The Hajj The Hajj is a pilgrimage to Mecca that is required of all Muslims who are physically and financially able to make the journey.
June 27th-28th	Eid al-Adha Eid al-Adha, also known as the Feast of Sacrifice, is a major Islamic holiday that commemorates the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
June 29th	Hellen Keller's Birthday Helen Keller is a deaf and blind activist who overcame her disabilities to become a successful author, lecturer, and advocate for people with disabilities.

July Celebration Days

July 1st	French American Heritage Month French American Heritage Month is a month-long celebration of the contributions of French Americans to the United States.
July 1st	Canada Day Canada Day is a national holiday in Canada that commemorates the anniversary of the Constitution Act, 1867, which united three British North American colonies into a single country.
July 2nd	Thurgood Marshall's Birthday Thurgood Marshall was the first African American to serve on the Supreme Court of the United States and a leading figure in the civil rights movement. He argued many landmark civil rights cases before the Supreme Court, including Brown v. Board of Education, which overturned the "separate but equal" doctrine.
July 3rd	Asalha Puja Asalha Puja is a Buddhist holiday that commemorates the Buddha's first sermon, which is considered to be the beginning of Buddhism.
July 4th	Independence Day Independence Day is a federal holiday that commemorates the Declaration of Independence, which the Continental Congress adopted on July 4, 1776.
July 6th	Frida Kahlo's Birthday Frida Kahlo was an important Mexican artist who used her work to explore themes of identity, gender, and politics.
July 9th	Martyrdom of the Bab The Martyrdom of the Bab is a significant event in the Baha'i faith, which commemorates the execution of the Bab, a religious leader who proclaimed himself to be the Herald of a new prophet.
July 14th	Bastille Day Bastille Day is a French national holiday that commemorates the Storming of the Bastille, a prison that was a symbol of the ancient regime.
July 16th	International Nelson Mandela Day International Nelson Mandela Day is an annual observance to honor the legacy of Nelson Mandela, the former president of South Africa from 1994 to 1999 and a global advocate for human rights. He was also a South African anti-apartheid revolutionary, political leader, and philanthropist.
July 18th	Beginning of South Asian Heritage Month South Asian Heritage Month was founded in 2018 by Jasvir Singh OBE and Dr Binita Kane to celebrate the rich and diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of people of South Asian descent. South Asian Heritage Month runs July 18th- August 17th.
July 19th	Muharram Islamic New Year Muharram Islamic New Year is the first month in the Islamic lunar calendar and is considered a holy month, second only to Ramadan in its significance.
July 24th	International Self-Care Day International Self-Care Day is an annual observance to promote the importance of self-care and to encourage people to take steps to improve their mental and physical health.
July 26th	National Disability Independence Day National Disability Independence Day (NDID) commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) on July 26, 1990. The ADA is a civil rights law that prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities in all areas of public life, including employment, education, transportation, and public accommodations.
July 26th	Tisha B'va Tisha B'Av is a Jewish fast day that commemorates the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem.
July 27th	Ashura Ashura is a holy day observed by Muslims, especially Shia Muslims, on the 10th day of Muharram in the Islamic calendar.
July 28th	World Hepatitis Day World Hepatitis Day was established in 2008 by the World Health Organization (WHO), and commemorates the birthday of Dr. Baruch Blumberg, who discovered the hepatitis B virus in 1967.
July 30th	International Day of Friendship The International Day of Friendship is an annual observance to celebrate the importance of friendship and to promote peace and understanding between people from different cultures and backgrounds. It was proclaimed by the United Nations General Assembly in 2011, and chosen to coincide with the birthday of Nelson Mandela.

August Celebration Days

August 1st	National Civility Month National Civility Month was founded in 2014 by the International Institute for Civil Leadership to promote good manners, respect, and consideration for others. The month is celebrated every August to remind people to be civil to one another, regardless of their differences.
August 1st	National Black Business Month Black Business Month was founded in 1991 by the National Black Chamber of Commerce to recognize and support Black-owned businesses. The month is celebrated every August to highlight the contributions of Black entrepreneurs and to encourage people to support Black-owned businesses.
August 1st	Spinal Muscular Atrophy Awareness Month SMA Awareness Month was first recognized in 1996 by the Spinal Muscular Atrophy (SMA) Coalition, a group of families and individuals affected by SMA. SMA Awareness Month is an opportunity to raise awareness of SMA, a progressive neurodegenerative disease that affects the motor nerve cells in the spinal cord. The month also serves as a time to educate the public about SMA and to advocate for research and treatment.
August 1st	Lughnasadh Lughnasadh is a Celtic harvest festival that has been celebrated for centuries. It is a time to give thanks for the abundance of the harvest and to honor the god Lugh. The festival is traditionally celebrated with feasting, games, and sporting events.
August 4th	Barack Obama Day Barack Obama Day is a commemorative holiday in Illinois and Perry County, Alabama, that honors the 44th President of the United States. Barack Obama Day was first celebrated in Illinois in 2018, on the occasion of Obama's 57th birthday.
August 6th	Feast of the Transfiguration The Feast of the Transfiguration is a Christian feast that commemorates the transfiguration of Jesus Christ on Mount Tabor, when his divine glory was revealed to his disciples.
August 7th	Purple Heart Day Purple Heart Day is a day to honor those who have been wounded or killed in combat while serving in the United States Armed Forces. It is a day to remember the sacrifices of those who have served in the military, and to thank them for their service.
August 9th	International Day of the World's Indigenous People International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples is a day to raise awareness of the rights and cultures of indigenous peoples around the world. The date marks the first meeting of the UN Working Group on Indigenous Populations in 1982.
August 12th	International Youth Day International Youth Day is a day to celebrate the potential of youth as partners in today's global society and to draw attention to the challenges they face, such as poverty, unemployment, and lack of access to education and healthcare.
August 13th-16th	Obon Obon is a Japanese Buddhist festival that honors the spirits of one's ancestors and is a time for family reunions and celebration. Obon is thought to have originated in China and then spread to Japan in the 8th century.
August 13th	Left-Handers Day Left-handers Day is an international day observed annually on August 13 to celebrate the uniqueness and differences of left-handed individuals. Left-handers Day was first observed in 1976 by Dean R. Campbell, founder of Lefthanders International, Inc.
August 15th	Feast of the Assumption The Feast of the Assumption is a Christian feast that commemorates the bodily assumption of Mary, the mother of Jesus, into heaven.
August 17th	Marcus Garvey Day Marcus Garvey Day is a holiday that commemorates the life and work of Marcus Garvey, a Jamaican-born Pan-Africanist and Black nationalist leader. Although a controversial figure, he is considered to be one of the most important figures in the history of Pan-Africanism. He founded the Universal Negro Improvement Association (UNIA) in 1914, which was one of the largest and most influential Black organizations in the world. Garvey's message of Black pride and self-determination inspired millions of people around the world, and his legacy continues to inspire people today.
August 18th	Lord Krishna's Birthday Lord Krishna's birthday, also known as Janmashtami, is a Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of the eighth avatar of Vishnu, Krishna. He is one of the most popular and widely revered deities in Hinduism, and is worshipped as the eighth avatar of Vishnu.
August 19th	World Humanitarian Day World Humanitarian Day is an international day that commemorates the 22 humanitarian workers who were killed in the 2003 bombing of the United Nations headquarters in Baghdad, and honors all humanitarian workers who risk their lives to help others.
August 21st	Nag Panchami Nag Panchami is a Hindu festival that celebrates the victory of Lord Krishna over the serpent Kaliya, and is also observed to propitiate snakes and seek their blessings for protection from snakebites.
August 21st	Senior Citizen Day Senior Citizens Day was founded by former US President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to raise awareness of the issues and challenges faced by the elderly, and to celebrate their contributions to society.
August 23rd	International Day for the Remembrance of Slave Trade The International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition was established by UNESCO in 1998 to commemorate the transatlantic slave trade and its abolition, and to raise awareness of the ongoing legacies of slavery.
August 24th	Birthday of Marlee Matlin The first deaf performer to win an Academy Award for her debut film performance in Children of a Lesser God (1986), Marlee has also been a vocal advocate for the rights of the deaf community. She has worked to increase the visibility of deaf people in the media.
August 25th	Varalakshmi Vrat Varalakshmi Vrat is a Hindu festival that is observed by married women in South India to pray to the goddess Lakshmi for prosperity, wealth, and happiness. The festival is believed to have originated in the Skanda Purana, a Hindu text that dates back to the 5th century CE.
August 26th	Women's Equality Day Women's Equality Day is a holiday that commemorates the 1920 certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which granted women the right to vote. It is also a time to reflect on the progress that has been made in achieving gender equality and to continue to fight for the full equality of women.
August 29th	Onam Onam is a harvest festival that is celebrated in Kerala, India, to commemorate the homecoming of the legendary demon king Mahabali.
August 30th	Raksha Bandhan Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu festival that celebrates the bond of love and protection between brothers and sisters, and is rooted in the ancient Indian epic Mahabharata.
August 31st	International Day of People of African Descent The International Day of People of African Descent is a UN observance that was established in 2021 to commemorate the contributions of people of African descent to the world and to promote the elimination of all forms of discrimination against them.

Fall

September Celebration Days

September 5	International Day of Charity Commemorating the death of Mother Teresa and promoting charitable efforts to alleviate human suffering.
September 8	International Literacy Day Reminding the public of the importance of literacy as a matter of dignity and human rights.
September 11	Enkutatash Ethiopian New Year
September 15	Hispanic Heritage Month (end Oct 15) Celebrating the generations of Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched our nation and society.
September 16	Mexican Independence Day Celebrates Mexico's liberation from Spain in 1810.
September 16	Arba'een Commemorates the martyrdom of Al-Husayn ibn Ali the grandson of Muhammad.
September 21	International Day of Peace The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire.
September 23	Bi Visibility Day Recognizing and celebrating the bisexual community.
September 26	Navartri This is a biannual Hindu festival honoring the Mother Goddess Durga.
September 26, 27	Rosh Hashanah Jewish New Year

October Celebration Days

October 1	Jerry Rescue Day The Jerry Rescue was a public rescue of a fugitive slave who had been arrested during the anti-slavery Liberty Party's state convention in Syracuse, New York.
October 2	International Day of Non-Violence International Day is an occasion to "disseminate the message of non-violence, including through education and public awareness".
October 4	Yom Kippur Known as the Day of Atonement and the holiest day of the year in Judaism.
October 5	Dassera Also called Vijayadashami, in Hinduism is a holiday marking the triumph of Rama over Ravana.
October 7	Mawlid Al-Nabi The birthday of the prophet Muhammad.
October 9	Sukkot Commemorates the wanderings of the Israelites in the desert after the revelation at Mount Sinai.
October 10	Indigenous Peoples Day Celebration and recognition of the area's original inhabitants.
October 11	National Coming Out Day Marks the anniversary of the National March on Washington for Lesbian and Gay Rights and is the annual celebration of coming out.
October 17	International Day for the Eradication of Poverty The day honoring the Universal Declaration of Human Rights signed in 1948, to honor the victims of extreme poverty, violence and hunger. Simchat Torah The day celebrating the conclusion of one and the beginning of another annual cycle of readings from the Torah.
October 24	Diwali The festival of lights is the most celebrated festival of India.
October 31	Reformation Day Anniversary of the day Martin Luther is said to have posted his ninety-five Theses on the door of the Castle Church in Wittenburg, Germany which was later identified by Protestants as the beginning of reformation. Halloween (Eve of All Saints' Day) A day filled with costumes and candy, originating from the ancient Celtic festival of Samhain.

November Celebration Days

November 1	All Saints' Day The day honoring all saints of the church deemed to have attained heaven.
November 4	Bandi-Chhor Divas Prisoner Release Day celebrating the right prevailing over the wrong.
November 8	National STEM/STEAM Day
November 11	Veterans Day Day honoring military veterans.
November 16	International Day for Tolerance
November 19	Guru Nanak Dev Ji's Birthday
November 20	Transgender Day of Remembrance
November 23	National Adoption Day
November 24	Thanksgiving
November 25	Day of the Covenant
November 26	Native American Heritage Day
November 28	Advent Chanukah
November 30	Day to Remember Chemical Warfare Victims

Winter

December Celebration Days

December 3	International Day of Disabled Persons
December 10	Human Rights Day
December 12	Our Lady of Guadalupe
December 15	Bill of Rights Day
December 21	Winter Solstice
December 24	Christmas Eve
December 25	Christmas
December 26	Kwanzaa
December 29	Wounded Knee Day

January Celebration Days

January 1st	New Years Day and Emancipation Proclamation President Lincoln declared all individuals held in slavery free on January 1st, 1863.
January 4th	Louis Braille’s birthday A French educator who created a reading and writing system known as “braille” for the visually impaired.
January 6th	Feast of the Epiphany This Christian feast day celebrates the star leading the three wise men to baby Jesus closing the Christmas season
January 7th	Eastern Orthodox Nativity Mahayana New Year (Buddhist)
January 11th	Human Trafficking Awareness Day
January 13th	Maghi (Sikh)
January 14th	Orthodox New Year/Old New Year
January 14th (or 15th if it's a leap year)	Makar Sankranti Hindu festival dedicated to the god of the sun, Surya
January- Third Monday	Martin Luther King Day Celebrates Martin Luther King Jr., the chief spokesperson for nonviolent activism in the Civil Rights Movement, which protested racial discrimination in federal and state law.
January 16th	National Religious Freedom Day
January 21st	World Religion Day (Baha'i)
January 24th	International Day of Education
January 25th	Anniversary of the US & Allied Victory— Battle of the Bulge
January 27th	International Holocaust Remembrance Day An internation memorial day on the 27 January that commemorates the victims of the Holocaust. murder of one third of the Jewish people, along with countless members of other minorities between 1933 and 1945 by Nazi Germany. The 27th of January was chosen to commemorate the date when the Auschwitz concentration camp was liberated in 1945.
January/February- Movable Celebration	Chinese New Year- Lunar New Year The festival that celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional lunisolar Chinese calendar. The first day of Chinese New Year begins on the new moon that appears between 21 January and 20 February.
January/February- Movable Celebration	Tu BeShevat A Jewish holiday occurring on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Shevat. It is also called Rosh HaShanah La'Ilanot, literally "New Year of the Trees."

February Celebration Dates

February 1st	Black History Month February was chosen to celebrate African American History because it holds the birthdays of two men who helped eliminate slavery: Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln.
February 2nd	Groundhog Day A North American tradition observed in the United States and Canada starting in the 16th century. If a groundhog emerges from its burrow and sees its shadow, winter will continue for six more weeks. If it does not see its shadow, spring will arrive early.
February 3rd	National Women Physicians Day This celebration marks the birthday of Dr. Elizabeth Blackwell, the first woman to receive a medical degree in the United States in 1849.
February 4th	World Cancer Day An international day marked on 4 February to raise awareness of cancer and to encourage its prevention, detection, and treatment.
February 11th	International Day of Women and Girls in Science The International Day of Women and Girls in Science is an annual observance adopted by the United Nations General Assembly to promote the full and equal access and participation of women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics fields.
February 11th	Tammy Baldwin’s Birthday The birthday of the first openly LGBTQIA+ woman elected to both houses of Congress.
February 14th	Frederick Douglass’ birthday (observed): Frederick Douglass was a formerly enslaved man who became a prominent activist, author and public speaker. He became a leader in the abolitionist movement, which sought to end the practice of slavery, before and during the Civil War
February 14th	Valentine's Day It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a martyr named Valentine and through later folk traditions, has also become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world.
February 15th	Nirvana Day An annual festival that remembers the death of the Buddha after reaching nirvana; also called Parinirvana.
February 15th	Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday A leader of the women’s suffrage movement,she advocated for abolition, temperance, labor rights, and equal pay for equal work.
February- Third Monday	President's Day or Washington's Birthday A federal holiday in the United States celebrated on the third Monday of February. It is celebrated to honor all those who served as presidents of the United States, and to honor George Washington.
February 21st	International Mother Language Day International Mother Language Day recognizes that languages and multilingualism can advance inclusion.
February/March- Movable Celebration	Festival of Ayyam-i-Ha This multi-day Baha’i festival highlights charity, hospitality, gift-giving, and preparation of fasting before the New Year.
February/March- Movable Celebration (on a Wednesday)	Ash Wednesday The first day of Lent, occurring six and a half weeks before Easter (between February 4 and March 11, depending on the date of Easter). It is commonly observed with ashes and fasting.

Spring

March Celebration Days

March 1st	Women's History Month This month honors the role that women like Dorothea Dix, Susan B. Anthony, Jane Cooke Wright, Mary Tape, and so many others have played in American history.
March 8th	International Women's Day A day highlighting the political, social, cultural, and economic achievements of women.
March 8th	Holi Hindu holiday that celebrates the winter harvest and onset of spring.
March 10th	Harriet Tubman’s birthday (observed) American abolitionist who is well-known for her key role in the Underground Railroad.
March 17th	St. Patrick’s Day A feast day of a Catholic saint who inspires cultural and religious celebrations around the world.
March 20th	Benito Juarez Day A Mexican national holiday celebrating Mexico’s former president and national hero.
March 21st	International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Adopted by the UN on October 26th, 1960, this celebration signifies the struggle to end the policy of apartheid in South Africa, calling to action the international community and asking everyone to redouble their efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.
March 22 to April 21	Ramadan The start of Islam’s sacred month — during this time Muslims abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk
March 24th	World Tuberculosis Day This annual event commemorates the date in 1882 when Dr. Robert Koch announced his discovery of Mycobacterium tuberculosis, the bacillus that causes tuberculosis (TB).
March 30th	National Doctors Day It is a holiday that honors physicians for the work they do for their patients, the communities they work in, and society as a whole.

April Celebration Days

April 1st	Earth Month It’s a time to raise environmental awareness and create consciousness around the issues that affect mother nature during this time of crisis.
April 1st	Arab American Heritage Month A month-long celebration of Arab American heritage and culture. This month also pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans to American society, art, culture, and more.
April 2nd	World Autism Awareness Day A celebration devoted to sharing stories and providing opportunities to increase understanding and acceptance of people with autism, fostering worldwide support.
April 3rd	Jane Goodall's Birthday Paving the way for women scientists everywhere, ethologist and conservationist Jane Goodall redefined what it means to be human. Her work with the wild chimpanzees in Gombe Stream National Park, Tanzania, set the standard for how behavioral studies are conducted.
April 5th to April 13th	Passover Passover is a major Jewish festival that celebrates the freeing of the Israeli slaves.
April 9th	Easter Easter is the most important Christian holiday of the year. This day celebrates Jesus’ resurrection.
April 14th (or the second Friday of April)	Day of Silence A day of action to spread awareness about the effects of the bullying and harassment of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, and questioning students. In the United States, students take a day-long vow of silence to symbolically represent the silencing of LGBTQ students.
April 22nd	Earth Day Earth Day is a day observed by more than 192 nations. It honors the environmental movement that protects the Earth for future generations. Celebrate Earth Week at National Jewish Health by checking out the offerings and activities provided by our SMART committee.
April 25th	World Malaria Day World Malaria Day is an occasion to highlight the need for continued investment and sustained political commitment for malaria prevention and control. It was instituted by WHO Member States during the World Health Assembly of 2007.
April 28th (or the last Friday in April)	Arbor Day Arbor Day is a secular day of observance in which individuals and groups are encouraged to plant trees.
April 29th (or the last Saturday in April)	Independent Bookstore Day This national one-day celebration is held the last Saturday in April and celebrates independent bookstores across the country. Take the time to visit a local, independent bookstore close to you, or check out one of our favorites- West Side Book

May Celebration Days

May 1st	AAPI Heritage Month Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
May 1st	Mental Health Awareness Month Mental Health Awareness Month has been observed in May in the United States since 1949. The month celebrates a national movement to raise awareness about mental health.
May 1st	Jewish American Heritage Month An annual recognition of Jewish contributions to American culture, history, military, science, government, and more.
May 2nd (or the first Tuesday of May)	National Teacher Appreciation Day The National Education Association describes National Teacher Day “as a day for honoring teachers and recognizing the lasting contributions they make to our lives.” Take a moment to stop by Morgridge Academy today to thank our wonderful teachers in person.
May 5th	National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day A report by the U.S. Department of interior’s Office of Justice Services said, “Statistics show is that approximately 1,500 American Indian and Alaska Native missing persons have been entered into the National Crime Information Center (NCIC) throughout the U.S, and approximately 2,700 cases of Murder and Nonnegligent Homicide Offense have been reported to the Federal Government’s Uniform Crime Reporting (UCR) Program. In total, BIA (Bureau of Indian Affairs) estimates there are 4,200 missing and murdered cases that have gone unsolved.” Murder is the third highest cause of death for women among American Indians and Alaska Natives, yet most of these cases go unsolved and are treated with indifference and inaction. In May 2021, President Joe Biden designated May 5th as Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day to recognize American Indian and Alaska Native people who have lost their lives to violence.
May 5th	Cinco de Mayo Contrary to popular belief, Cinco de Mayo is *not* the celebration of Mexico's independence. Instead, it commemorates the anniversary of Mexico's victory over the Second French Empire at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, led by General Ignacio Zaragoza.
May 17th	International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia This day raises awareness for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals worldwide, and incidents of LGBTQ+ rights violations. May 17th was chosen because it was the date that the World Health Organization removed homosexuality from the International Classification of Diseases. Celebrate this day by raising awareness and fostering inclusiveness with this great online LGBT Training
May 19th	Malcolm X's Birthday Malcolm X, the Muslim minister and civil rights activist, was assassinated in 1965. Spend today remembering his famous words, “A man who stands for nothing will fall for anything,” and reflect on how you can incorporate this sentiment into your life.
May 26th	Buddah's Birthday The Buddha was born Siddhartha Gautama. This May diversity celebration is also called Buddha Jayanti. It’s the day of his enlightenment and a celebrated Buddhist festival in most of East Asia and South Asia.
May 29th (or the last Monday of May)	Memorial Day Memorial Day is a federal holiday in the United States for mourning the U.S. military personnel who have died while serving in the United States armed forces. Veterans, we thank you for your service!

Practicing Inclusivity with DEI Holidays - Resource

There are a lot of different holidays through out the year people may be observing in a variety of ways. One way to practice inclusivity and deliberate community is to integrate holidays and annual observances from a wide range of religious traditions into your calendar. This can help as you plan events, schedules, and projects. The University of Denver has outlined a series of best practices for interfaith scheduling. Check out their tools for transforming your work calendar into an interfaith calendar!

Find more monthly DEI holidays: DEI Monthly Holidays.