Below you’ll find a small sampling of this month’s diversity events. To view all 100+ events and religious observances, see our Diversity Calendar suite
In 2020, the Black Lives Moment has swept the United States and the world, fostering seeds of hope for a more just and inclusive world. Our July 2020 Diversity Calendar show how diverse the world is – and how you can foster awareness and inclusion. And give your employees the skills they need, with our online diversity training.
7/06: 14th Dalai Lama
Born July 6, 1935, the 14th Dalai Lama is famous for his nonviolent efforts to liberate Tibet and his concern about global environmental problems. In 1989, he was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Celebrate his birthday by pledging to conserve water and electricity from this day forward, or replacing at least one type of disposal item in your home with a reusable.
7/06: Frida Kahlo
Happy Frida Kahlo Day! On July 6th we also celebrate beloved Mexican painter Frida Kahlo’s birthday. Living from 1907 to 1954, Kahlo is known for utilizing naïve folk art to explore a variety of crucial diversity topics such as gender, class, race, identity and post colonialism. Enjoy her artwork today, and take the time to talk about one of these topics with a friend today in honor of this July multicultural holiday.
7/18: Nelson Mandela International Day
In 2009, the United Nations declared July 18 Nelson Mandela International Day. Mandela was South Africa’s president, and a key leader the fight to end apartheid in South Africa. Despite tremendous oppression, Mandela showed us what it means to persevere until a better world could be created for everyone.
7/24: Pioneer Day
A state holiday in Utah, Pioneer Day commemorates the arrival of Brigham Young and his group of pioneers into Utah’s Salt Lake Valley in 1847. These pioneers sought refuge from religious persecution, and found that place of solace in Utah, where the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is based today. Pioneer Day is widely celebrated the the Fourth of July — fireworks, parades, picnics, and other festivities.
7/26: Americans with Disabilities Act
Created in 1990, the ADA prohibits discrimination on the basis of disability. The law demands access and amenities must be provided in public places for individuals with disabilities, and allows greater equality for all.
7/29: The Hajj
The Hajj is a five-day annual Islamic pilgrimage to Mecca, the holiest city for Muslims. Mecca is located in Saudi Arabia, and this year Hajj will take place from 7/29 to 8/2. For Muslims, it is a religious obligation that they must undergo at least once in their life. Each year, roughly 2 million Muslims participate. But during the 2020 covid-19 pandemic, the site is closed to all except a handful of local worshippers, which has caused tremendous grief in the Muslim world. For a list of all of this year’s religious observances, see our 2020 Interfaith Calendar.
7/30: Tisha B’Av
Tisha B’Av is a Jewish fast day commemorating the five calamities that befell the Jewish people, including the destruction of temples and the city of Betar. Thus, there are generally five prohibitions that are followed on Tisha B’Av. These include: no food/drink, marital relations, bathing, wearing of leather shoes, and applications of oils/creams. Further, during this observance Jews typically avoid utilizing electricity, work as little as possible, avoid gift giving, and sleep on the floor.
Final thoughts
Our July 2020 Diversity Calendar focuses on a wide variety of multicultural holidays as well as birthdays of diverse leaders. Celebrate as many of these July diversity events as you can! Get a head start on next month, with our August 2020 Diversity Calendar . And enjoy a preview into the rest of the year, with our 2020 Diversity Calendar.