Please see our November 2021 Diversity Calendar
for the most current dates
Monthly Topics and Dates Affecting Work: African American and Latin Events, Religious and Global Holidays
Work schedules will be affected by the many important cultural and religious holidays in November, providing an opportunity for highlighting greater awareness and inclusiveness in the workplace.
Please see our diversity calendar for a complete list of upcoming diversity events.
African American Diversity Events
Our November diversity calendar shows the birthdays of a number of African and African Americans who made significant contributions to art, history, and politics.
For example, November 30 is the birthday of Shirley Chisholm, the first African American woman elected to the U.S. Congress (1968). In 1972 Chisholm was the first major party African American candidate for the U.S. presidency.
November 16 marks the birthday of the Nigerian poet, Chinua Achebe known as the “father of modern African writing.”
Latin American Diversity Events
In the 19th and early 20th centuries, countries in Central and South America gained independence from Spain. Nearly half a dozen Central and South American countries celebrate important independence holidays in November. Brazil celebrates the Proclamation of the Republic on November 15, and Mexico observes the Anniversary of the Revolution on November 21.
Asian Business Closures
There are also key diversity events affecting companies with global teams. Japan – America’s 4th largest trade partner – marks a number of important holidays, including Culture Day on November 3. For a complete list of business closures in Japan and key countries around the world, please see our online calendar.
Religious New Years
Many cultures recognize January 1 as the beginning of the new year, based on the Western Gregorian calendar. But that day has much less significance for many cultures and countries, where the new year is defined by their own religious and cultural history.
Oct 31 is also the Jain New Year, or Veer Samvat, and begins the day after the festival of Diwali.
Other Religious Holidays
November also includes a major holiday of one of the world’s less known yet widely practiced religions. Followers of the Baha’i faith number 5-6 million in 200 countries. On November 2, they celebrate the birthday of the faith’s prophet-founder, Baha’u’llah (1817-1892.) Please see our diversity calendar for complete list of upcoming religious holidays.