Office for Diversity and Inclusion | Holidays & Observances

The first observance of the federal holiday honoring Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.'s birthday was on January 20, 1986. It's a time for Americans to reflect on his principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change.

Holocaust Remembrance Day, January 27th, honors the millions lost in the Holocaust, urging reflection, education, and commemoration. It's a solemn reminder to confront hatred, promote tolerance, and strive for a more just and compassionate world.

Black History Month, in February, highlights African Americans' contributions to the U.S. It honors their impact from early enslaved people to present-day citizens, fostering awareness and appreciation for their vital role in American history.

Women's History Month in March honors women's relentless fight for equality, justice, and opportunity. It's a time to celebrate their contributions and reaffirm our dedication to advancing rights and opportunities for women and girls globally.

Purim is a joyful Jewish holiday that commemorates the salvation of the Jewish people from a plot to annihilate them in ancient Persia, as recounted in the Book of Esther. The holiday is marked by reading the Megillah (the Scroll of Esther), which tells the story of how Queen Esther and her cousin Mordechai foiled the plans of the villain Haman. Purim is celebrated with festive activities, including wearing costumes, giving gifts of food (mishloach manot), donating to the poor, and enjoying a festive meal. The holiday's spirit is one of revelry and gratitude, emphasizing the themes of survival and the triumph of good over evil.

National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month, in March, highlights the achievements and challenges of individuals with developmental disabilities. It promotes inclusion, acceptance, and accessibility, advocating for their rights and needs, fostering a more inclusive society where everyone can thrive.

Ramadan, a holy month for Muslims, is marked by fasting, prayer, reflection, and community. It commemorates the Qur’an's revelation, with fasting from dawn to dusk, special prayers, charity, and acts of self-discipline, fostering spiritual growth and solidarity.

Holi, usually in March, sees people gleefully throwing colorful powders and water, heralding spring's arrival and the triumph of good over evil. Traditionally sourced from flowers and herbs, the colors symbolize spirituality. It unites communities in shared joy, promoting forgiveness and strengthening bonds.

Earth Day, April 22nd, underscores environmental conservation and sustainability, urging global action to protect our planet and its resources. It inspires awareness, advocacy, and solutions, fostering a collective commitment to environmental stewardship for a healthier world.

Arab American Heritage Month, in April, honors the contributions of Arab Americans across diplomacy, science, art, and more, enriching America's diverse tapestry. It fosters understanding and appreciation of their vital role in shaping American society.

Lent, preceding Easter, starts on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days, mirroring Jesus' fasting. It's a time for reflection, repentance, and spiritual preparation. Believers fast, pray, and give alms to deepen faith and draw closer to God for Easter.

Passover, a key Jewish holiday, often in March/April, lasts 7/8 days. It celebrates Israelites' liberation from Egyptian slavery, detailed in Exodus. Seder meal recounts Exodus, emphasizing freedom, redemption, and the covenant with God.

Eid, "the festival of breaking the fast," concludes Ramadan. Families exchange gifts, don finery, and gather for prayers, feasting, and charity, echoing the Prophet's tradition. It's a jubilant time symbolizing gratitude, renewal, and spiritual growth.

(May) The annual celebration honors the many contributions and accomplishments of Asian Americans, Pacific Islander Americans, and Native Hawaiians.

Shavuot is a Jewish holiday that celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai. It occurs seven weeks after Passover and is also known as the Feast of Weeks. Shavuot is marked by studying Torah, attending special services, and enjoying dairy foods. The holiday emphasizes the importance of the Torah and the deep connection between the Jewish people and their spiritual heritage.

Pride Month, in June, honors the 1969 Stonewall riots and champions equality for LGBTQ+ Americans. It promotes inclusivity and acceptance through events, raising awareness, and celebrating diverse identities and contributions within the community.

June 19, 1865: Freedom arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, as Union troops declared over 250,000 enslaved Black people free by executive decree. This historic day became "Juneteenth" for Texas's newly liberated.

Independence Day, July 4th, honors the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776, symbolizing America's freedom from British rule. Celebrated with patriotic displays, it embodies the nation's founding ideals of liberty and democracy.

Labor Day, on the first Monday of September, celebrates American workers' contributions and achievements, honoring labor rights and fair conditions. It recognizes the ongoing progress of the labor movement in advocating for workers' rights and well-being.

Hispanic Heritage Month, Sep 15 - Oct 15, celebrates Hispanic and Latinx Americans' contributions, cultures, and histories. It highlights their diverse heritage and rich traditions, fostering understanding and recognition through festivities and education.

Diwali, the festival of lights, celebrated in October or November, holds deep significance in Hinduism, Jainism, and Sikhism. It reflects on cultural heritage and values, marked by worship, sweets, fireworks, and illuminated homes.

Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year, marks the beginning of the High Holy Days in the Jewish calendar. Celebrated over two days, it typically falls in September or early October. Rosh Hashanah is a time of reflection, prayer, and renewal, where individuals assess their deeds from the past year and seek forgiveness. The holiday is often observed with the blowing of the shofar (a ram's horn) and festive meals featuring symbolic foods like apples dipped in honey, which represent the hope for a sweet and prosperous new year.

One of the holiest days in the Jewish calendar. It follows Rosh Hashanah and is a day dedicated to fasting, prayer, and repentance. Observed with a 25-hour fast, Yom Kippur is a time for individuals to seek forgiveness for their sins and reconcile with both God and others. The day is marked by solemn services in synagogues, where the central prayers focus on confession and asking for atonement. Yom Kippur concludes with the Ne'ilah service and the final sounding of the shofar, signaling the end of the fast and the beginning of a new chapter.

Also known as the Feast of Tabernacles, is a week-long Jewish holiday that follows Yom Kippur. It commemorates the Israelites' 40-year journey through the desert after their exodus from Egypt, during which they lived in temporary shelters called sukkot. To honor this, many Jewish families build and dwell in a sukkah, a temporary outdoor structure with a roof made of natural materials like branches and leaves. The holiday is marked by festive meals, the waving of the lulav and etrog (palm, myrtle, willow, and citron), and a focus on gratitude for the harvest and the protection provided by God. Sukkot is a joyful time that celebrates community, faith, and the blessings of nature.

Shemini Atzeret and Simchat Torah are two closely connected Jewish holidays that conclude the festive period following Sukkot.

Shemini Atzeret, which means "the Eighth Day of Assembly," is a separate holiday that emphasizes prayer for rain in Israel, marking the start of the rainy season. It’s a day for reflecting on the spiritual growth achieved during the preceding holidays. Simchat Torah, immediately following Shemini Atzeret, celebrates the completion of the annual cycle of Torah readings. On this day, the last portion of the Torah is read, and then the cycle begins anew with the first chapter of Genesis. The holiday is marked by joyous dancing and singing with the Torah scrolls in synagogues, symbolizing the enduring and continuous relationship between the Jewish people and the Torah.

Native American Heritage Month, in November, honors Indigenous cultures, traditions, and contributions. It celebrates their resilience and diversity while raising awareness about their histories, struggles, and ongoing efforts for justice, sovereignty, and cultural preservation through events and programs.

Kwanzaa, Dec 26 - Jan 1, celebrates African heritage and culture, focusing on principles like unity, self-determination, and collective responsibility. It's a time for reflection and community-building, fostering pride and cultural continuity in the African American community.

Christmas, on Dec 25th, marks Jesus Christ's birth in Christian tradition, symbolizing hope and redemption. It's a time for reflection and gratitude, fostering traditions of gift-giving, family gatherings, and spreading joy and goodwill globally.

Hanukkah, celebrated for eight days, marks the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem. It's significant for Jewish communities, symbolizing resilience and the triumph of light over darkness. Families light the menorah, exchange gifts, and enjoy traditional foods, fostering unity and joy.