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Category: Diversity Calendar

September 2017 Religious Holidays

by Logan Arlen

In part 1 of September 2017 diversity calendar, we covered how Jesse Owens became a hero to the world, Jane Addam’s rise to becoming the first woman to receive a Nobel Peace Prize, and the significance of Hispanic Heritage Month. Check out the full September diversity calendar here

In Part 2, we’ll explore some of the most important September 2017 religious holidays and other diversity events.

September 2017 Religious Holiday Rosh Hashanah

Jewish: Rosh Hashanah (New Year)

A key religious date, it begins at sundown, and marks the Jewish New Year 5777 and the Jewish month of Tishri. Rosh Hashanah is a time of reflection for both the past year and looking forward for the year to come. During the seders during this time, apples are dipped in honey to signify a ‘sweet’ new year. This also a time of forgiveness, to be asked from both God and the people in one’s life in order to live a better life in the upcoming year. A common greetings during the holiday is L’shana Tova, which means “Happy New Year”.

 

September 2017 Religious Dates: Yom KippurJewish : Yom Kippur

Yom Kippur is viewed as the most holy religious holidays of the year in Judaism, much of the observance is spent in prayer and services at synagogue before a celebratory feast at the end of the fasting period. Ten days after Rosh Hashanah, beings Yom Kippur or the Day of Atonement.

Jewish law requires one to eat a large and festive meal on the afternoon before Yom Kippur in order to prepare for the 25-hour fasting period ahead. Fasting on this holy day is symbolizes atonement and repentance, during this time Jews are to remind themselves of their sins and seek forgiveness for their wrongdoings. An appropriate greeting during this holiday would be “Good yuntef.”

September 2017 Religious Events

Celebration of Confucius Death

The vast majority of people in Eastern Asia practice some form of religion in which Confucius is a deity. Thus the People’s Republic of China honors Confucius on the day of his death. Confucius’ philosophy focused on morality, sincerity and justice, and the correctness of social relationships.

He was an advocate for strong loyalty to one’s family as well as respect between husband and wife, and the respect of elders from children. He is perhaps most famous for his saying “Do not do to others what you do not want done to yourself”, otherwise know as the Golden Rule. As such he is a deity in Taoism, which places a strong emphasis on living in harmony with the world.

September Blog Post

People with Disabilities : Christopher Reeve (1952-2004)

Distinguished actor best known for his role of Superman, Reeve’s life was forever changed when he suffered a spinal injury during an equestrian competition that left him paralyzed from the neck down.

It was only after a long and arduous effort was he able to regain the ability to speak and breathe. It was then that Reeve became an advocate for research on healing spinal cord injuries. He went on to establish his own research center and foundation to provide grants to local agencies that focus on quality of life for the disabled and raise money for research. Years after his accident he was able to gradually regain sensation parts of his body. Even then he continued his work and became a spokesperson for support for stem cell research.

To see what events you missed last month look in our diversity calendar for August 2017.

 

September 2017 Diversity Calendar

by Logan Arlen

Our September 2017 diversity calendar features a colorful array of must-know diversity events, starting with Hispanic Heritage Month. The month also features two of the most important dates on the Jewish calendar, and key celebrations in Eastern Asian religions. Finally, we celebrate the birthdays of multicultural notables – such as Jesse Owens – who overcame the odds to inspire change.

Check out the full September diversity calendar here

September African American Black History Events

Black American: Jesse Owens, Sept. 12
In a time when the world needed a symbol of hope to combat Hitler’s aryan supremacy ideology, Owens answered the call. A year before the 1936 Berlin Olympics, Owens achieved a feat that has been called “the greatest 45 minutes ever in sports.” He set three world records and tied another at the 1935 Big Ten track meet.

During the Berlin Olympics, Owens won global admiration with four gold medals: 100 meters, 200 meters, long jump, and 4 x 10 meter relay. His triumph as a black man and the most-decorated athlete at the games was seen as “single-handedly crushing Hitler’s myth of Aryan supremacy”.

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Women/LGBT: Jane Addams, Sept. 6
Addam’s profound impact and creation of the social worker occupation led to her being the first woman awarded a Nobel Peace Prize, and first lesbian. Known as the “Mother of Social Work,” Addams was one of the most prominent reformist of the Progressive Era, a period of widespread social activism and political reform across the US. Addams’ publicized and focused on issues such as public health and the needs of children, issues that were mainly of mothers’ concern.

In her famed essay “Utilization of Women in City Government,” Addams noted connections between the household and government workings. She believed that many departments of government can be traced to traditional women’s roles, thus women would be more knowledgeable on the topic.

Hispanic Heritage Month
From Sept. 15 to Oct. 15, the United States celebrates the heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans. Originally established by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, and only week long it was changed by Ronald Reagan in 1988.

Latino and Hispanic are broad terms that can refer to Central or South American, Puerto Rican, or other Spanish cultures and origins. About 17% of the United States is Hispanic, so it bodes well to celebrate this multicultural group, especially as its size and influence grows

Continue to part 2 to find out what the major religious and the diversity events this month you could be missing out on.

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

by Logan Arlen

August is packed with a multitude of events ranging from musical legends Louis Armstrong and Michael Jackson to pillars of Islam. Our 2017 diversity calendar will show you why August is celebrated worldwide as a such a holy month.

Check out the full diversity calendar here

To see what events you missed last month look at the July 2017 blog post

 

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

Islam : The Hajj

An annual pilgrimage to the most holy city of Islam, Mecca, Saudi Arabia. All Muslims have a religious obligation to make the pilgrimage at least once if they are able. The Hajj is both a time for celebration and reflection on the past year. The height of the holiday comes during the most important feast of the Muslim calendar, a three day long festival called The Feast of Sacrifice. Pilgrimage to Mecca is one of the Five Pillars of Islam along with faith, prayer, charity and fasting.

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August 2017 Diversity Calendar

United States : Women’s Equality Day

As of 1971, Congress has designated August 26th the anniversary of the 19th Amendment, which granted women the right to vote without needing to submit to possible conscription. This date has been certified into law as Women’s Equality Day. Each year, the President of the United States proclaims it Women’s Equality Day to commemorate the anniversary. It is important to reflect on how far women have come in America, but there is always more we can do.

 

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

Hindu : Raksha Bandhan

Otherwise known as Rakhi, this Hindu celebration is mainly observed in India and Nepal. Raksha means “bond of protection” which celebrates the love and duty between brother and sister relationships. During the holiday the brother promises to protect the sister, while giving her a token gift. The sister, to symbolize her love, says a prayer for the brother’s happiness and prosperity while tying a sacred thread (rakhi) onto his wrist.

 

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

LGBT/Black American: James Baldwin (1924-1987)

Another significant black figure for the month of August is James Baldwin. He was an active participant in the civil rights movement, despite being eschewed by many participants for being gay. Baldwin used his trade as a writer to make racial inequity known. Baldwin used his writing to explore issues of self identity, often delving into issues beyond race such as sexuality. His work has also led to him being an inspirational figure in the the gay rights movement.

 

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

Jewish American : Leonard Bernstein (1918-1990)

Bernstein gained his fame as a legendary music director for the New York Philharmonic. During his tenure, he created music for some of the most famous plays and musicals ever, including Peter Pan and West Side Story. Music critic Donal Henaha once said he was “one of the most prodigiously talented and successful musicians in American history.” Bernstein was one of the first American-born conductors to receive critical acclaim across the globe.

 

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

Black American: Louis Armstrong and  Michael Jackson

Both Louis Armstrong “The King of Jazz Trumpet” and the Michael Jackson the “King of Pop” were born during August, on the 4th and 29th respectively. Both of these men left a massive impact on music both artistically and culturally. Michael Jackson has the third most sold albums of all times behind The Beatles and Elvis Presley.  

 

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

Mexican : Emiliano Zapata (1877-1919)

An essential leader in the Mexican Revolution as the main leader of the peasants against the small landowning class. In the midst of the conflict, Zapata and other peasant leaders formed the Liberation Army of the South of which he became the leader. When revolutionary leader Madero became president he renounced all ties with the Zapatistas. Zapata promulgated the Plan of Ayala, a framework for land reform to the peasants and Indians. Eventually, his conflict with the new government led to his murder in an ambush on this date in 1919.

 

August 2017 Diversity Calendar

Worldwide Independence Days

There are over 25  different Independence Days celebrated in the month of August the foremost independence days this month include:

• Pakistan gained independence in 1947 the day before the partition of India was to take effect. 

• India commemorates their freedom from British rule with the partition of India, when the British Indian Empire was split among religious lines into Pakistan and India.

• South Korea celebrates The National Liberation Day of Korea alongside North Korea. This day honors Victory over Japan Day (V-J) in which the Korean Peninsula was freed from Japanese rule.

• Indonesia marks their independence when The Proclamation of Indonesian Independence was read, declaring the start of the Indonesian National Revolution.

Be sure to check out next month’s diversity calendar for a preview of September’s events. For a complete list of 2017 events, see our online diversity calendar.

July 2017 Diversity Calendar

 

7 Essential Events

by Logan Arlen

The month of July is packed with a multitude of diversity events from celebrating women to various religions. Here are seven of the most important events from our July 2017 diversity calendar.  For a complete list, see our online diversity calendar.

Black Leaders

July 2017 Diversity Calendar

 

Thurgood Marshall (July 2nd):

July diversity awareness month includes famed Supreme Court justice and civil rights leader, and head of legal services for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). As an advocate of advancing civil rights for all Americans, Marshall used his time on the Supreme Court to move America forward. Marshall’s biggest accomplishment comes from the groundbreaking decision on the 1954 Supreme Court case of Brown vs. Board of Education, which ended racial segregation in public schools.

 

July 2017 Diversity Calendar

 

Nelson Mandela (July 18th):

Former South African President and revolutionary for the anti-apartheid movement. He was  South Africa’s first black president, as well as  the first to be elected in a fully democratic election. Mandela is dear in the hearts of many for his dismantling of the institutionalized racial segregation and discrimination.

Asian/Religious Figures

Dalai Lama

Dalai Lama (July 6th):

The 14th Dalai Lama, Tibetan leader and recipient of the 1989 Nobel Peace Prize,  celebrates his 82nd birthday as he continues to travel the world spreading his message of peace. Nine years after receiving his title, The Dalai Lama was forced to flee Tibet to India where he has lived as a refugee ever since. His original goal of full independence for Tibet has waned to high level autonomy from China. In recent years, he has stated he wants Tibet to be a part of China, but preserve its script and culture. The Dalai Lama is a sacred figure to many Tibetans, and continues to be their spiritual leader despite his exile.

Celebrating Women, Hispanics

Frida Khahlo

Frida Kahlo (July 6th):

Our July 2017 multicultural calendar also features the birthday for  Frida Kahlo, the renowned Mexican painter. Kahlo began painting self-portraits while recovering from a motor vehicle accident. The Louvre purchased her painting The Frame as its’ first work of a twentieth-century Mexican artist. She is an icon for women, as well as  Mexican and Hispanic heritage.

LGBT Pride

July 2017 Diversity Calendar

Giorgio Armani (July 11th):

Iconic Italian designer Giorgio Armani turns 83. Armani is famous for his menswear, and is a pioneer of red-carpet fashion. Armani has built a fashion empire that generates an annual turnover of $1.6 billion and paved the way for luxury ready-to-wear men’s clothing. Despite being a very private man, he has publicly identified as being bisexual. For LGBT respect and inclusion tips, see our Anyone Can Be an Ally video.

People with Disabilities

Special Olympics

 Special Olympics (July 20th):


Key diversity events for July 2017 include the first ever Special Olympics were held in Chicago on this day in 1968. The games have grown from 1,000 participants from the United States and Canada, to a worldwide event with over 7,500 athletes participating. The competitions are held every two years, alternating between Summer and Winter Games, with the Summer Games held the year before the regular Olympics. These games are source of pride for many disabled people and a testament to how far they have come.

July 2017 Diversity Calendar

 

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) (July 26th):

The ADA was signed into law in 1990, granting protection from discrimination to people with disabilities in areas of employment, transportation, and public accommodation. The law affords similar protections against discrimination to Americans with disabilities as the Civil Rights Act of 1964, which made discrimination based on race, religion, sex, national origin, and other characteristics illegal. Additionally, the ADA requires employers to provide reasonable accommodations to employees with disabilities, and imposes accessibility requirements on public accommodations.

Be sure to check out next month’s diversity calendar for a preview of August’s events. For a complete list of 2017 events, see our online diversity calendar.

 

June 2017 Diversity Calendar

June 2017 Diversity Calendar

June is perhaps best known as the advent of summer. But our June 2017 diversity calendar also provides many opportunities to celebrate a colorful rainbow of diversity in your workplace.

Below is a partial list of June 2017 diversity events. For a complete list, please see our interactive online calendar.

LGBT

June is LGBT pride month nationwide, as proclaimed by President Bill Clinton in June, 2000.

Another key LGBT event is:

June 28 – the anniversary of Stonewall Rebellion. On this day in 1969, the LGBT community fought back against police harassment. It’s seen as the first organized LGBT effort in the United States to openly gain equality under the law.

June is an ideal time for LGBT sensitivity training, such as our most popular LGBT video, Anyone Can Be an Ally.

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Religion

June 2017 features a number of religious holidays.

Christianity
June 4 – Pentecost – Also known as Whit Sunday, the Pentecost commemorates the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles, and thus the birth of the Christian Church.

Other holidays include Trinity All Saints Day, the Feast of Corpus Christy, and the Feast of Sacred Heart. Please check our online diversity calendar for 2017 dates.

Islam
24 – Eid al-Fitr . Beginning at sighting of crescent moon, Eid al Fitr signals the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting and other observances.

Mormon
June 1 – birthday of Brigham Young, founder of the Church of Later Day Saints

Pagan and Wiccan
June 26 – Litha begins at sundown

Black Americans

June 19- Juneteenth commemorates the emancipation of all slaves in Texas. It’s a time for celebrations in Black American communities, including rallies, speeches, art and music, and more.

June also features the birthdays of numerous Black American diversity leaders, please see our online diversity calendar.

Jews

Judaism is the #2 most-practiced religion in the United States, so every month it’s essential to recognize your Jewish employees, customers and more. A great way to celebrate is with the birthdays of notable jews. One such date is:

June 12 – Anne Frank birthday – Born in Germany, Frank is because one of the best-known Jewish victims of the Holocaust. She gained fame after death, with the publication of The Diary of a Young Girl, in which she journals about her life in hiding during the German occupation of the Netherlands in World War II.

Disabled 

Nearly 1 in 5 Americans – or 19%  – has a disability, whether physical, mental or other. Create greater inclusion by celebrating the accomplishments of the disabled, such as:

June 27 – Helen Keller, birthday – Keller was an American author, lecturer, and political activist. As the first deaf and blind person to earn a college degree, Keller is widely inspiring to the disabled community.

July is just around the corner. Discover 7 key events for next month with our July 2017 Diversity Calendar.

May 2017 Diversity Calendar

May 2017 Diversity Calendar

The month of May brings more than just flowers. It also offers a unique opportunity to increase awareness and celebrate a colorful bouquet of diversity events. Below is a partial list of events from our May 2017 Diversity Calendar.

For a complete list of upcoming diversity events, please see our online diversity calendar.

Older, Jewish and Asian Americans

The month of May has an abundance of monthly diversity themes. These include:
Older Americans Month
Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month

Another area that’s increasingly receiving recognition as a facet of diversity is mental illness and learning disabilities. With that in mind, May is also Mental Health Awareness Month.

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Black Americans

May provides a number of multicultural opportunities to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans. Some notable birthdays include:

Malcolm X
Malcolm X

May 19 – Malcolm X – civil rights leader and activist

May 3 – James Brown – the Godfather of Soul, one of the greatest black musicians of all time

Further, May 17 marks the anniversary of the watershed in desegregation, with the landmark court decision Brown vs. Board of Education of Topeka (1954).

Hispanics Americans

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo – marking the defeat of French invaders by Mexico, this multicultural holidays is celebrated widely by Americans and the Mexican-American community. It’s important to note it’s not a major holiday its country of origin, Mexico.

Religious Observances

May 25 – Ascension Day, Christianity: marks the anniversary of the day Christians believe that Jesus rose to heaven.  Christianity is the world’s most-practiced religion.

Ramadan
Ramadan

May 26 (sundown) – Ramadan begins, Islam – this month-long observance includes fasting from sunrise to sunset. It’s one of the most important events in Islam, the world’s second largest religion.

May 30 (sundown) – Shavout, Judaism – also known as the Festival of Weeks, it celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.  Judaism is the second largest religion in the United States.

LBGT

Finally, the month of May includes a number of important events in the LGBT community. These include these notable birthdays:

Keith Haring
Keith Haring

May 4 – Keith Harring – one of the most famous and iconic gay artists of the 20th century
May 22 – Harvey Milk – murdered politician, and considered a martyr and icon for the gay rights movement

Our May 2017 Diversity Calendar includes more than 150 diversity events. For great diversity awareness, please see our online diversity calendar for a complete list of upcoming diversity events.

March 2017 Diversity Calendar

 

One of the best ways to foster multicultural awareness and inclusion, on a daily basis, is to promote and celebrate diversity events. Our March 2017 diversity calendar provides ample opportunity to celebrate diversity in gender, race, religion, nationality and more.

Women’s History Month

March provide the best opportunity of the year to give a shout out to almost half of the workforce – women! By 2025, women are expected to make up 47% of the US workforce.

March is Women’s History Month, first proclaimed by congress in 1987, and one of the top diversity heritage months. Women are also noted and celebrated internationally on International Women’s Day, March 8.

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Hispanics

March provides a terrific opportunity to salute hispanics, the largest minority group in the United States. In 2016, Hispanics comprised 17.6% of the US population.

A few key events include:
Granting of US citizenship to Puerto Ricans – March 2
Emancipation Day: Puerto Rico – March 22
César Chávez, notable Mexican American, birthday – March 31
Octavio Paz, notable Mexican, birthday – March 31

Black Americans

March is also a great month to note the contributions and importance of black Americans, who comprise 13.2% of our population. March birthdays of key black American notables include–

Ralph Ellison – March 1
Harriet Tubman – March 10
Dorothy I. Height – March 24
Henry O. Flipper – March 26

Another way to be more inclusive of black Americans is to note key holidays in African countries. For example, one of the main countries from which Black Americans originate is Ghana, which celebrates its Independence Day on March 6.

Religious Events

The potential for workplace religious conflict is on the rise. Ours is a nation of remarkable religious diversity, and people increasingly expect respect in the workplace for religious events.

Christianity is the #1 US religion, representing 71% of the US population. It’s essential respect key religious holidays in our March 2017 diversity calendar.

Christian Holidays

Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent) – March 1
Feast of St. Joseph: Roman Catholic – March 19

Jewish Holidays
Purim begins at sundown: March 11

Hindu Holidays
Holi – March 12

National Heritage Holidays

The month of March 2017 provides many opportunities for  multicultural awareness, and celebrate those from diverse national backgrounds.

Nearly 11% of the US population is of Irish descent – more than 7 times more people than in Ireland! And of course the biggest Irish holiday of the year is St. Patrick’s Day, falling on March 17 in 2017.

Equinox

And last but not least, is the advent of spring on March 20 – 100% of people love spring! The spring equinox triggers celebrations around the world, from Japan to Mexico, from national holidays to religious observances, and more!

Please see our online diversity calendar, for a complete listing of upcoming diversity events in the workplace.

 

December Diversity Calendar 2021


December diversity calendar

Please see our December 2021 Diversity Calendar,
for the most current dates

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December is often seen as the last month of the year, but that’s true only of the western Gregorian calendar. Chinese, Islamic, Jewish and other calendars define the first and last month differently.

Nevertheless, December includes important holidays and events among these religions and among other traditions and social issues. For a complete list, see our online diversity calendar.

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Christianity – Cultural Variations at Christmas

It’s well known that December is filled with the symbols of Christmas, both as a Christian holiday and as that of the winter festival of Yule. But it’s important to be aware of and sensitive to cultural variations, as it takes on the character of different cultures in different countries.

In Mexico, for example, Las Posadas is celebrated from December 16 to December 24, to commemorate Mary and Joseph’s effort to find an inn and the events associated with the birth of Jesus. The holiday takes its name from the Spanish word posadas, meaning “a dwelling.” A candlelight procession represents the star in heaven that guided the three wise men on their way.

After a religious ceremony on December 24, there is a traditional celebration centering on the piñata, a decorated clay container filled with toys and candy. A child is blindfolded, turned around a few times, and given a wooden stick and three chances to break the piñata. When the piñata is broken, the children scramble for the candy.

Judaism – the Real Meaning of Hanukkah

Hanukkah usually begins in December, this year on the evening of Dec. 24. It’s an eight-day festival, the last night of which is on sundown Jan. 1 Hanukkah marks the liberation of Jews from rule by the Syrian Greeks and the restoration of religious freedom and the survival of monotheism (belief in one God).

Because it often occurs in December, Hanukkah is often misunderstood as the “Jewish Christmas,” which underscores the need for workplace religious sensitivity training. But its eight days of gift-giving is based on the legend that when the Jews returned to cleanse their temple, the ritual oil for burning was expected to last only one day, but miraculously lasted for eight instead.

Buddhism – Dec 8

December 8 is an important holiday in Buddhism, which has two main branches. Theravada is the only surviving school of the original sects of Buddhism, and the predominant religion of continental Southeast Asia and Sri Lanka, and also found in parts of Indonesia, Malaysia, and Vietnam.

Mahayana is the later revisionist school of Buddhism, found primarily in China, Japan, Korea, and parts of the Republic of China and Vietnam. Offshoots of the Mahayana tradition include Vajrayana, found in Tibet and Mongolia, Jodo (Pure Land), and Zen Buddhism.

Buddhists who follow the Theravada tradition celebrate holidays according to the lunar calendar, in which dates of observance vary from year to year. The Mahayana tradition celebrates holidays on fixed dates, based on the Japanese Buddhist calendar. December 8, among Mahãyãna Buddhists, celebrates Buddha’s attaining understanding of the truth of existence, freeing himself from all human suffering, and finding perfect happiness.

Islam – Milad un Nabi on Dec. 13

The Prophet’s Birthday, or Milad un Nabi as it is widely known throughout the Muslim world, is celebrated by Muslim’s around the world. The day commemorates the birth of the Prophet Muhammad.

World AIDS Day – Dec 1

On a more somber note, December kicks off with an international event, World Aids Day, on December 1. This important event asks us to reflect on the many lives lost – and to inspire hope for a future cure.

Similar to the rest of the year, the month of December reflects expressions of traditions, cultures, and religions different from our own. These diverse events can enrich our workplace. And with proper awareness, fostered by tools such as online diversity training, it can make it more effective and productive.

October Diversity Calendar 2021

LGBT, Hispanic Events, Religious Observances, Business Holidays and More

LGBT Coming Out Day

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October is full of holidays and events that reflect the diverse, global environment in which we work. There are public holidays in virtually every part of the world, including many major religious holidays that affect work schedules and other business-related planning.

This is a partial list. For a complete list of upcoming diversity events, please refer to our online diversity calendar.

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LGBT: Coming Out Day

In the United States, October 11 is National Coming Out Day. It has included marches on Washington of up to 600,000 people to protest anti-gay discrimination and demand a stronger federal government response to the AIDS crisis.  To foster more tolerance and respect at your organization, please browse our  LGBT training videos.

Columbus Day/Indigenous Peoples; Hispanic Events

There are a number of notable Hispanic holidays in October. Columbus Day is celebrated in the United States on October 10, 2016. However, a growing movement seeks to reinvent the holiday as Indigenous Peoples Day. The movement started in Seattle, Minneapolis and Albuquerque, and spreading to counties and school districts.

Elsewhere in the Americans, in Argentina and many other Latin American counties, October 12 commemorates Día de la Raza.

In Brazil on Oct. 9, people celebrate Círio de Nazaré, which draws nearly two million pilgrims from around the country to join the procession winding through the city of Belém. On October 30, Mexico honors the birthday of Francisco Madero, who in 1911 established democracy in Mexico after deposing dictator Porfirio Diaz.

Hinduism

Hindus will celebrate Dussehra (Durga Puja) on October 11, which means “the tenth day” and is celebrated at the culmination of the “nine nights” festival of Asuj Navratras. Celebrated with feasting and rejoicing, it commemorates Rama’s victory over Ravana and honors the goddess Durga.

On Oct. 19, Hindus celebrate Karva Chauth when married Hindu women fast and pray for the well-being, prosperity, and longevity of their husbands. These online diversity training help instill awareness and respect for religious diversity.

National Business Closures

In October worldwide, nearly two dozen countries will celebrate independence and republic days. In many cases, business will shut down and people won’t be working. But it’s an opportunity to reach out to business contacts and employees to support their celebrations.

If you have Asian employees – or your organization does business with Asia – there are many October holidays. The People’s Republic of China and Hong Kong celebrate National Day on October 1. The Republic of China also celebrates Double Tenth Day October 10, commemorating the outbreak that led to the nations’ foundation.

In South Korea, Hangul Day commemorates the creation of the Korean alphabet on October 3, followed by National Foundation Day on October 13. In Japan, Health and Sports Day is celebrated on October 10.

Thanksgiving – in October?

The United States celebrates one of its largest holidays, Thanksgiving, in November. In Canada, however, that same holiday will be celebrated on October 10.

For a complete list of upcoming diversity events, please refer to our online diversity calendar.

May Diversity Month – Events, Celebrations

May Diversity Month – Events, Celebrations

May Diversity Month

Hispanic Holidays, Africa Day, Religious Observances, LGBT and More

To enjoy the most current information, see our May 2020 Diversity Calendar.

While April brought spring showers, May brings spring flowers – and a colorful mix of diversity events affecting the workplace.

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Cinco de Mayo

On May 5, the Hispanic population of Mexican descent celebrates Cinco de Mayo. It commemorates the Mexican defeat of the French army under Napoleon III in 1862 attempting to conquer Mexico. For a complete list of upcoming events, see our online, multimedia diversity calendar.

Africa Day and Independence!

Many public holidays in May recognize when countries first gained independence and/or established their own constitutions. On May 25, Africa Day honors the independence of Ghana, Mali, Zambia, and Zimbabwe from colonial rule.

May 3 is Constitution Day in both Japan and Poland, which has the second oldest written Constitution after the United States. On May 20, Cuba celebrates its independence in 1902 from the United States after the Spanish-American War.

Holidays in Three Major Religions

For Christians of the Western tradition, May 7 is the Ascension, the day Jesus rose into heaven. May 15 is Pentecost, celebrating the descent of the Holy Spirit upon the apostles.

Easter in May? But Eastern Orthodox Christians, including Coptic Christians, follow the Julian calendar, beginning their most important religious cycle with Easter on May 1.

Jews celebrate the end of the Passover cycle with Shavuot beginning the night of June 11. Shavuot, as many religious holidays in the spring, combines both seasonal and religious meaning. It commemorates the day Moses received the Torah and the Ten Commandments on Mount Sinai, but is also the festival of the first fruits.

On May 20th, Theravada Buddhists – who predominate in Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Burma – honor Buddha’s birth, enlightenment, and nirvana.

Gay Pride

May offers ample opportunity to recognize the contributions of LGBT diversity. May 4 is the birthday of gay pop artist Keith Haring and May 5 of Del Martin, founding member and first president in 1955 of the Daughters of Bilitis.

Labor Day Worldwide

May starts with Labor Day on May 1, celebrated internationally both as a spring holiday, and to honor working men and women. This demonstrates the need for awareness of global differences, as this holiday is not celebrated in the United States or Canada until September.

Native Americans

Native Americans May 24 celebrates the birthday of Native American James Thorpe, chosen best athlete of the first half of the 20th century in an Associated Press poll. Thorpe won the decathlon at the 1912 Olympic Games, and went on to play both professional baseball and football.

Get a head start on the coming months, when you enjoy our 2020 Diversity Calendar.

 

April Diversity Events

April diversity calendar

April Diversity Events

Be Aware of Religious Observances, Global Business Closures, Public Holidays, and more

For the most current events, see our April 2021 Diversity Calendar

 

No fooling: April features more than 100 diversity events that can affect work, meeting schedules and more. The month is full of public holidays, celebrations, and observances from diverse religions, cultures, and countries.

It’s essential to be aware of these events to avoid offending diversity groups and making scheduling mistakes. For a complete listing of upcoming events, please see our online diversity calendar.

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Religious Holidays

The world’s largest religious group, Christians, celebrate a number of Easter holidays this month. These include Good Friday on April 14 and Easter on April 16. Easter Monday on April 17 is a major public holiday throughout much of Europe. Eastern Orthodox and Coptic Christians also honor Easter and its corresponding holidays during April, but on different dates than the Western Christian church.

Jews end the celebration of Passover the night of April 18. Members of the world’s fourth-biggest religion, Buddhism, celebrate Buddha’s birthday on April 8, while the third-biggest – Hindus – mark the Birthday of Rama (Ramanavami) on April 5.

Notable African Americans

A number of celebrated African Americans mark their birthdays in April, including

•             April 4 Maya Angelou (born Marguerite Ann Johnson) (1928-2014)
•             April 5 Booker T. Washington (1856-1915)
•             Aprl 25 Ella Fitzgerald (1917-1996)

Public Holidays

April includes a number of national holidays that can impact business. These include

•             China – Tomb Sweeping Day on April 4
•             The Philippines – Valor Day on April 9
•             S. Africa – Freedom Day on April 27
•             Japan – Golden Week from April 29-May 5

New Years in April?

Hindus celebrate the new year (Bikarami Samvat) on April 14 in Cambodia and Laos, and in Thailand begins on April 13 (Songkran Festival). Those following the Sikh religion (Vaisakhi) also celebrate on April 14.

The Holocaust, Disabilities, and Environmentalism

In the United States, the week long Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust ends April 24. April 2 is World Autism Awareness Day, while on April 22 people worldwide celebrate the one and only home of all diverse people with
Earth Day.

Get a head start on next month, with our May 2020 Diversity Calendar. For a complete listing of upcoming events, please see our 2020 Diversity Calendar.

 

March Diversity Calendar

Women’s History Month, Religious Observances, Global Holidays and More!

For the most current events, see our March 2021 Diversity Calendar

March is springing forth with diversity events affecting the workplace, and calling for awareness and respect. Some key events are listed below.

Online Diversity Calendar™ Easy Awareness & Inclusion: 365
  • Schedule Respectfully
  • Celebrate Monthly Themes
  • Get Inclusion Tips
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Women’s History Month

Leading our March diversity calendar is Women’s History Month, first proclaimed by congress in 1987. Help ensure a respectful and safe workplace for women, with our online interactive harassment training.

A special Presidential Proclamation is issued every year which honors the extraordinary achievements of American women. March has also been designated by presidential decree to draw attention to – and rectify – the limited focus on women in historical studies. Each year, the National Women’s History Project sets a unique theme.

March also marks the international recognition of women with International Women’s Day on March 8.

March Birthdays of Important American Women

Notable women with birthdays in March include:

  • Blanche K. Bruce on March 1, the only African American to serve a full term in the Senate during Reconstruction
  • Harriet Tubman, born on March 13, the “conductor” on the Underground Railroad, a clandestine system for helping slaves escape to freedom in the North
  • [Edna] Marie Faulk Rudisill, born March 13, a writer and television personality, and aunt of the novelist Truman Capote, who compiled the recipes of Capote’s great-aunt into a cookbook called Sook’s Cookbook: Memories and Traditional Receipts from the Deep South
  • Dorothy Height, born March 24, a civil rights activist and pioneer in the civil rights movement, whose activism spanned three-quarters of a century from the Roosevelt administration to the election of President Barack Obama.

March Religious Holidays Affecting Work

March diversity celebrations includes key religious holidays. One such holiday is Holi, when most Hindus refrain from work. Since Hindus make up 14 percent of religious adherents world-wide, it’s important to keep this holiday in mind when scheduling events and meetings during March.

As with many religious holidays, the date on which Holi is celebrated varies from year to year; please consult our diversity calendar for this year’s date.

New Years in March? Diverse Calendars

Other March diversity month events include… New Years! While western calendars run from Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, calendars based on other cultural traditions start their year at different times. In the month of March, the Sikh and Zoroastrian faiths – as well as Iranians – all celebrate the new year. Observers refrain from work on these respective new years.

March Public Holidays Affecting Global Business

There are more than 20 public holidays occurring in March: some countries affected by business closures include Mexico, Japan, Ireland, South Africa, and Vietnam.

Get a head start on next month, with our April 2020 Diversity Calendar. To discover more upcoming diversity events, see our 2020 Diversity Calendar

 

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