2021
Atrium Hospitality
2023 CALENDAR
DATE January
2023 HOLIDAY
GROUP
1-30 1-30
Poverty in America Awareness Month
Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month
1 3 4 5 6 7 7 9
New Year’s Day
Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus Psalm Sunday
Roman Catholic
World Braille Day
Twelfth Night
Christian Christian Christian Buddha
Epiphany, or Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day)
Eastern Orthodox
Mahayana New Year
The Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji
Sikh Sikh
13 15 16 16
Lori-Maghi
Makar Sankranti
India
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Timkat
Ethiopian Orthodox Christians
22-29
Lunar New Year
China/Japan
26 26 27
Republic Day of India
India Hindu
Vasant Panchami
The International Day of Commemoration
Holocaust Memorial
JANUARY 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Poverty in America Awareness Month is spotlighting one of the most pervasive and persistent problems in society. This year’s observance is more vital given the devastation in families and communities throughout the country due to the coronavirus pandemic and subsequent economic upheaval. Slavery and Human Trafficking Awareness Month to acknowledge those experiencing enslavement and those who have escaped. Although slavery is commonly thought to be a thing of the past, human traffickers generate hundreds of billions of dollars in profits by trapping millions of people in horrific situations around the world, including here in the U.S. Traffickers use violence, threats, deception, debt bondage, and other manipulative tactics to force people to engage in commercial sex or to provide labor or services against their will. New Year’s Day celebrated in most Western countries, is the first day of the year according to the modern Gregorian calendar. Feast of the Holy Name of Jesus is celebrated in the Roman Catholic Church and commemorates the naming of the child Jesus. World Braille Day is observed to raise awareness around the importance of Braille as a means of communication for blind and partially sighted people. It’s celebrated on the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille. Twelfth Night is a festival celebrated by some branches of Christianity that marks the coming of the Epiphany. Epiphany, or Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day), is a holiday observed by Eastern and Western Christians that recognizes the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus 12 days after his birth. Eastern Orthodox Christians recognize Christmas on this day, 13 days later than other Christian churches, because they follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar. Mahayana New Year, the day that Mahayana Buddhists celebrate the new year. The Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji celebrates the Tenth Guru of the Sikhs who initiated the Sikhs as the Khalsa (the pure ones) and who is known as the Father of the Khalsa.
Lori-Maghi is an annual festival celebrated by Sikhs commemorating the memory of 40 Sikh martyrs. Makar Sankranti is a major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India. Martin Luther King Jr. Day commemorates the birth of Rev. Martin Luther King Jr., the recipient of the 1964 Nobel Peace Prize and an activist for nonviolent social change until his assassination in 1968. Timkat is a holiday observed by Ethiopian Orthodox Christians who celebrate the baptism of Jesus in the Jordan River on Epiphany. Lunar New Year, a week-long festival that begins with the first new moon of the lunar calendar, celebrated in China as well as in Japan, Vietnam, Korea, and Mongolia. Republic Day of India recognizes the date when the Constitution of India came into law in 1950, replacing the Government of India Act of 1935. This day also coincides with India’s 1930 declaration of independence. Vasant Panchami, a Hindu festival celebrating spring and Saraswati Devi, the goddess of art and culture. The International Day of Commemoration remembers the victims of the Holocaust. It’s the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in 1945 and UN Holocaust Memorial Day.
DATE 2023 February HOLIDAY
GROUP
1-30
Black History Month
USA and Canada
1
National Freedom Day
USA
1
St. Brigid of Kildare
Christian
2
Candlemas
Christian
5
Vasant Panchami
Hindu
5
Maghi-Purnima
Hindu
14
St. Valentine’s Day
Christian
15
Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day
Buddha
17-18
Lailat al Miraj
Muslim
18
Maha Shivaratri
Hindu
20
Presidents Day
USA
21
Mardi Gras
Catholics
22
Ash Wednesday
Christian
25-March 1
Intercalary Days, or Ayyám-i-Há
Bahá’í
26
Meatfare Sunday
Orthodox Christian
27
Clean Monday
Orthodox Christian
FEBRUARY 2023 MORE INFORMATION
February is Black History Month in the United States and Canada. Carter G. Woodson started the tradition with the creation of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, Negro History Week was established. Since 1976, the month has been federally designated to remember the contributions of people of the African diaspora. National Freedom Day, honoring the signing by Abraham Lincoln of a resolution that later became the 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that abolished slavery. St. Brigid of Kildare, celebrated by some Christian denominations, is the feast day for St. Brigid. Candlemas is a Christian holiday that celebrates three occasions, including the presentation of the child Jesus, Jesus’ first entry into the temple, and the Virgin Mary’s purification. Vasant Panchami is the Hindu festival that highlights the coming of spring. On this day, Hindus worship Saraswati Devi, the goddess of wisdom, knowledge, music, art, and culture. Maghi-Purnima, a Hindu festival celebrated on the last day of Magha, a month focused on charity work, when devotees often take holy baths and do charity. St. Valentine’s Day is a Western Christian feast day honoring one or two early saints named Valentinus. This holiday is typically associated with romantic love and is celebrated by people expressing their love with gifts. Parinirvana Day, or Nirvana Day, is the commemoration of Buddha’s death at the age of 80 when he reached the zenith of Nirvana; February 8th is an alternative date of observance . Lailat al Miraj, a Muslim holiday commemorating Muhammad's journey from Mecca to the Farthest Mosque in Jerusalem and beginning the night before at sundown. Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu festival celebrated to honor Lord Shiva and the arrival of spring. Presidents Day is a federally recognized celebration in the United States that honors the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as well as those of every US president.
Mardi Gras, the last day for Catholics to indulge before Ash Wednesday, starts the sober weeks of fasting that accompany Lent. The term “Mardi Gras” is particularly associated with the carnival celebrations in New Orleans, Louisiana. Ash Wednesday is the first day of Lent on the Christian calendar. Its name is derived from the symbolic use of ashes to signify penitence. It happens immediately after the excesses of the two days of Carnival that take place in Northern Europe and parts of Latin America and the Caribbean. Intercalary Days, or Ayyám-i-Há, is celebrated by people of the Bahá’í faith. During this time, days are added to the Bahá’í calendar to maintain their solar calendar. Intercalary days are observed with gift-giving, special acts of charity, and preparation for the fasting that precedes the New Year. Meatfare Sunday, or The Sunday of the Last Judgment, is traditionally the last day of eating meat before Easter for Orthodox Christians. Clean Monday is the beginning of Great Lent in the Orthodox Christian faith.
DATE 1-30 2023 March
HOLIDAY
GROUP
Women’s History Month
USA USA USA
1-30 1-30
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month
1 2 6
St. David’s Day
Nineteen-Day Fast Magha Puja Day
Bahá’í
Buddha Muslim
7-8
Lailat al Bara’a, also known as Lailat Al Baraah, Barat, Shab-e-Bara
8
International Women’s Day
13 -15
Deaf History Month
17 18 19 20
St. Patrick’s Day
Christian
Holi
Hindu and Sikh
St. Joseph’s Day
Christian
Ostara
20-21
Nowruz/Norooz, or Persian New Year
Bahá’í
21
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
22-31
Chaitra Navratri
Hindu
25 30 31
International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery
Ram Navami
Hindu
International Transgender Day
MARCH 2023 MORE INFORMATION
March is Women’s History Month. Established in 1987, the month recognizes all women for their valuable contributions to history and society. National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month was established to increase awareness and understanding of issues affecting people with intellectual and developmental disabilities. National Multiple Sclerosis Education and Awareness Month was established to raise public awareness of the autoimmune disease that affects the brain and spinal cord. St. David’s Day is the feast day of St. David, the patron saint of Wales. Nineteen-Day Fast is a time in the Bahá’í faith to reinvigorate the soul and bring one closer to God. This fast takes place immediately before the beginning of the Bahá’í New Year. Magha Puja Day, or Maka Bucha, is a Buddhist holiday that marks an event early in the Buddha’s teaching life when a group of 1,250 enlightened saints ordained by the Buddha gathered to pay their respect to him. It is celebrated on various dates in different countries. Lailat al Bara’a, also known as Lailat Al Baraah, Barat, Shab-e-Bara, or Night of Forgiveness, is an Islamic holiday during which practitioners of the faith seek forgiveness for sins. Muslims spend the night in special prayers. It is regarded as one of the most sacred nights on the Islamic calendar. International Women’s Day, first observed in 1911 in Germany, has now become a major global celebration honoring women’s economic, political, and social achievements. Deaf History Month celebrates key events in deaf history, including the founding of Gallaudet University and the American School for the Deaf. St. Patrick’s Day started in Ireland to recognize St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity to the country in the early days of the faith. Holi is the annual Hindu and Sikh spring religious festival observed in India, Nepal, and Sri Lanka, along with other countries with large Hindu and Sikh populations. People celebrate Holi by throwing colored powder and water at each other. Bonfires are lit the day before in memory of the miraculous escape that young Prahlada accomplished when demoness Holika carried him into the fire. It is often celebrated on the full moon (the Phalguna Purnima) before the beginning of the vernal equinox as based on the Hindu calendar.
St. Joseph’s Day in Western Christianity is the principal feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Ostara is a celebration of the spring equinox commemorated by Pagans and Wiccans. It is observed as a time to mark the coming of spring and the fertility of the land. Nowruz/Norooz, or Persian New Year, is a day of joy, celebration, and renewal. It is held annually on the spring equinox. International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination, observed annually in the wake of the 1960 killing of 69 people at a demonstration against apartheid “pass laws” in South Africa. The United Nations proclaimed the day in 1966 and called on the international community to redouble its efforts to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination. Chaitra Navratri is a nine-day festival that starts on the first day of the Hindu Luni-Solar calendar. International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is a United Nations international observation that offers the opportunity to honor and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. First observed in 2008, the international celebration also aims to raise awareness about the dangers of racism and prejudice. Ram Navami is a Hindu day of worship and celebration of the seventh avatar of Vishnu (Lord Rama). Devotees typically wear red and place extravagant flowers on the shrine of the god. International Transgender Day of Visibility is celebrated to bring awareness to transgender people and their identities as well as recognize those who helped fight for the rights of transgender people.
DATE April
2023
HOLIDAY
GROUP
1-30 1-30 1-30
Celebrate Diversity Month Autism Acceptance Month
National Arab American Heritage Month
1 2 4 5
Psalm Sunday
Christian
World Autism Awareness Day
Mahavir Jayanti Qingming Festival
Jains
Chinese
5-13
Passover
Jewish
6 7 8 9
Holy (Maundy) Thursday Good Friday/Holy Friday
Christian Christian Orthodox Christian Sikh/Hindu
Lazarus Saturday
Easter
14 14
Vaisakhi
Day of Silence Yom HaShoah
LGBTQ Jewish Muslim Bahá’í
17-18 21-22
Eid al-Fitr
21 - May 2
Festival of Ridvan
22 23
Earth Day
St. George’s Day Yom Ha’Atzmaut
Christian
25-26
Israel
28
The Ninth Day of Ridvan
Bahá’í
APRIL 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Easter is a holiday celebrated by Christians to recognize Jesus’ return from death after the crucifixion. Vaisakhi, or Baisakhi, is the celebration of the founding of the Sikh community as the Khalsa (community of the initiated) and the birth of the Khalsa. Day of Silence is GLSEN's annual 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. Yom HaShoah is Israel’s day of remembrance for the approximately six million Jews who perished in the Holocaust. Eid al-Fitr is a religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide. Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the month- long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. The Festival of Ridvan is a holiday celebrated by those of the Bahá’í faith to commemorate the 12 days when Bahá’u’lláh, the prophet-founder, resided in a garden called Ridvan (paradise) and publicly proclaimed his mission as God’s messenger for this age. Earth Day promotes world peace and sustainability of the planet. Events are held globally in support of the environmental protection of the Earth. St. George’s Day is the feast day of St. George celebrated by various Christian churches. Yom Ha’Atzmaut is the national Independence Day in Israel. Ninth Day of Ridvan is a festival of joy and unity in the Bahá’í faith to commemorate the reunification of Bahá’u’lláh’s family and by extension the unity of the entire human family the Bahá’í faith calls for. It permeates the symbolic meaning of the Ninth Day of Ridvan.
Celebrate Diversity Month April is Celebrate Diversity Month, started in 2004 to recognize and honor the diversity surrounding us all. By celebrating differences and similarities during this month, organizers hope that people will get a deeper understanding of each other. Autism Acceptance Month was established to raise awareness about and acceptance of the developmental disability that impacts an individual’s experience of the world around them. National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) takes place in April. It celebrates the Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans. Palm Sunday is a Christian holiday commemorating the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem. It takes place on the last Sunday of Lent, at the beginning of the Holy Week. World Autism Awareness Day is honored to raise awareness for Autism around the globe. Mahavir Jayanti is a holiday celebrated by the Jains commemorating the birth of Lord Mahavira. It is one of the most important religious festivals for Jains. The Qingming or Ching Ming Festival is a traditional Chinese festival celebrated on the first day of the fifth solar month. The Qingming Festival started over 2,500 years ago during the Zhou Dynasty. Emperors would offer sacrifices in honor of their ancestors in exchange for wealth, peace and good harvests for the country. Passover is an eight-day Jewish holiday in commemoration of the emancipation of the Israelites from slavery in ancient Egypt. Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, is the Christian holiday commemorating the Last Supper, at which Jesus and the Apostles were together for the last time before the crucifixion. It is celebrated on the Thursday before Easter. Good Friday is a day celebrated by Christians to commemorate the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. It is recognized on the Friday before Easter. Lazarus Saturday is a day celebrated by the Eastern Orthodox Church and Oriental Orthodoxy to commemorate the raising from the dead of Lazarus of Bethany.
2023 May
DATE
HOL IDAY
GROUP
1-31 1-31 1-31 1-31
Mental Health Awareness Month
Older Americans Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
1 3 3 4 5 5 7
Beltrane
Celtic
Feasts of Saints Philip and James is a Roman rite feast day
Christian
Asian-American Women's Equal Pay Day
National Day of Prayer
Visaka Puji, Vesak, or Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Day
Buddha
Cinco de Mayo
Mexican
International Family Equality Day
LGBTQ+
8-9
Lag BaOmer
Jewish
12 17 18 19 20 21
Military Spouse Appreciation Day
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
LGBTQ
Ascension of Jesus or Ascension Day
Christian
Malcolm X Day
Armed Forces day
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
23-24
Declaration of the Báb
Bahá’í
25
African Day
25-27
Shavuot
Jewish
28 28 29
Pentecost
Western Christianity
Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh
Bahá’í
Memorial Day
MAY 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Mental Health Awareness Month, also known as Mental Health Month. Its aim is to raise awareness and educate the public about mental illnesses and reduce the stigma that surrounds mental illnesses. Older Americans Month was established in 1963 to honor the legacies and contributions of older Americans and support them as they enter their next stage of life. Jewish American Heritage Month recognizes the diverse contributions of the Jewish people to American culture. Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in the United States commemorates the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7th, 1843 and marks the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10th, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks on the project were Chinese immigrants. Beltane is an ancient Celtic, Pagan, and Wiccan holiday celebrated about halfway between the spring equinox and summer solstice. The day is often used to celebrate love and romance. Feasts of Saints Philip and James is a Roman rite feast day held on the anniversary of the dedication of the Church to Saints Phillip and James in Rome. Asian-American Women's Equal Pay Day, marking the fact that Asian-American women earn 90 cents for every dollar earned by white men. National Day of Prayer is a day of observance in the United States when people are asked to “turn to God in prayer and meditation”. Vesak, or Buddha Jayanti, Buddha Purnima, and Buddha Day is a holiday traditionally observed by Buddhists in South Asia and Southeast Asia as well as Tibet and Mongolia. Commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of Gautama Buddha in Theravada, Tibetan Buddhism, and Navayana. Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican Army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861 - 1867). This day celebrates Mexican culture and heritage with a variety of festivities, including parades and mariachi music performances. International Family Equality Day celebrates the diversity and equality of LGBTQ+ families. Lag BaOmer is a Jewish holiday marking the day of hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
Military Spouse Appreciation Day takes place the Friday preceding Mother’s Day. Shows appreciation for the commitment and sacrifice that the spouses of service members make, together with the rest of the family. Recognizes the importance of empowering military spouses and ensuring that they have what they need to thrive. International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia is a global celebration of sexual orientation and gender diversities. Ascension of Jesus or Ascension Day celebrates the ascension of Christ from Earth in the presence of God within most of the Christian faith. Malcolm X Day is a holiday celebrated either on May 19th, Malcolm X’s birthday, or the third Friday in May, to commemorate the Civil Rights leader. Armed Forces Day - Through the efforts of President Harry S. Truman, Armed Forces Day was established on August 31, 1949, as a single holiday for U.S. citizens to come together and thank all military members for their service in support of the country. World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development is a day set aside by the United Nations as an opportunity to deepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together in harmony. Declaration of the Báb celebrates the day of declaration of the Báb, the forerunner of Bahá’u’lláh and founder of the Bahá’í faith. African Day is a celebration of the many achievements and victories of African people worldwide and a rededication to their current struggle for freedom, justice and unity. It is marked by parades and rallies in Africa and the U.S. Shavuot is a Jewish holiday with double significance. It marks the wheat harvest in Israel and commemorates the anniversary of the day when the Jews received the Torah at Mount Sinai. Pentecost (Western Christianity) - The Holy Spirit was felt amongst the 12 apostles after Jesus’ death. New members of the church are often baptized on this day, which is sometimes called White Sunday because white clothes are worn for baptism. Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh commemorates the ascension of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í faith. Memorial Day in the United States is a federal holiday established to honor military veterans who died in wars fought by US forces.
DATE June
2023
HOL IDAY
GROUP
1-30
Pride Month
LGBTQ+
1-30
Immigrant Heritage Month
2
Native American Citizenship Day
Native American
4
Trinity Sunday
Christian
12
Loving Day
14
Flag Day
16
The martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev
Sikh
19
Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day
21
National Indigenous Peoples Day
22
Dragon Boat festival
Chinese
24
Feast of the Most Sacred Heart
Roman Catholic
25
The last Sunday
LGBTQ
27-28
Waqf al Arafa
Islam
28-29
Eid al-Adhahonors
Islam
29
Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul
Christian
JUNE 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Pride Month — Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer Pride Month was established to recognize the impact that gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender individuals have had on the world. LGBTQ+ groups note this time with Pride parades, picnics, parties, memorials for those lost to hate crimes and HIV/AIDS, and other group gatherings. The last Sunday in June is LGBTQ+ Pride Day. Immigrant Heritage Month was established in June 2014 and gives people across the United States an opportunity to explore their heritages and celebrate the shared diversity that forms the unique story of the United States. The month celebrates immigrants across the United States and their contributions to their local communities and economy. Native American Citizenship Day commemorates the day in 1924 when the US Congress passed legislation recognizing the citizenship of Native Americans. Trinity Sunday is observed in the Western Christian faith as a feast in honor of the Holy Trinity. Loving Day is a celebration marking the day the Supreme Court struck down state bans against interracial marriage. Flag Day in the United States is observed to celebrate the history and symbolism of the US flag. The martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev is observed by members of the Sikh faith. Guru Arjan Dev was the fifth Sikh guru and the first Sikh martyr. Juneteenth, also known as Freedom Day or Emancipation Day, was established as a federal holiday in 2022. This celebration honors the day in 1865 when slaves in Texas and Louisiana finally heard they were free, two months after the end of the Civil War.
National Indigenous Peoples Day, or First Nations Day, gives recognition to the indigenous populations affected by colonization in Canada. The Dragon Boat Festival – known as “Duanwu” in Chinese – is an annual celebration throughout China where traditional wooden boats carved like dragons are raced in the rivers by locals. It is a national holiday in China and celebrated by all its citizens from kids to adults. Feast of the Most Sacred Heart is a solemnity in the liturgical calendar of the Roman Catholic Church. The last Sunday in June is Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, and Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Day in the United States. It commemorates the Stonewall Riots that occurred on June 28th, 1969. Waqf al Arafa is the second day of pilgrimage within the Islamic faith. Eid al-Adhahonors the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismail as an act of obedience to Allah. As with Eid al-Fitr, it is distinguished by the performance of communal prayer (or ṣ al ā t) at daybreak on its first day. Feast Day of Saints Peter and Paul is a liturgical feast in honor of the martyrdom in Rome for the apostles St. Peter and St. Paul in Eastern Orthodox Christianity.
DATE 2023 July
HOL IDAY
GROUP
1
Canada Day
3
Asalha Puja, or Dharma Day
Buddha
4
Independence Day
9
The Martyrdom of the Bab
Baha’i
11
St. Benedict Day
Christian
14
International Nonbinary People’s Day
15
St. Vladimir Day
Roman Catholic
18
Nelson Mandela International Day
18-19
Al-Hijri/Muharram New Year
Islam
22
Thiru Adi Pooram
Tamil
23
The birthday of Haile Selassie
24
Pioneer Day
25
St. James the Greater Day
Christian
26
Disability Independence Day
26-27
The Fast of Tisha B’av
Jewish
27
Ashura
Islam
30
The International Day of Friendship
JULY 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Canada Day, or Fête du Canada, is a Canadian federal holiday that celebrates the 1867 enactment of the Constitution Act, establishing the three former British colonies of Canada,
The birthday of Haile Selassie I, the former emperor of Ethiopia whom the Rastafarians consider to be their savior, is celebrated on this day. Pioneer Day is observed by Mormons to commemorate the arrival of the first Latter- day Saints pioneer in Salt Lake Valley in 1847. St. James the Greater Day is a feast day for St. James the Greater celebrated by some Christian denominations. Disability Independence Day celebrates the anniversary of the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The Fast of Ninth of Av ('Tisha B'Av') is a yearly observance that remembers the five major calamities and tragedies that befell the nation of Israel around that particular day throughout history. Ashura is an Islamic holiday marked by Muslims with a voluntary day of fasting. The holiday commemorates the day Noah left the Ark and Moses was saved from the Egyptians by God. For Shia Muslims specifically, this day honors the martyrdom of Husayn ibn Ali, who was the beloved grandson of the Holy Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him). The International Day of Friendship was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.
Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick as a united nation called Canada. Asalha Puja, or Dharma Day, celebrates Buddha’s first teachings.
Independence Day, or the Fourth of July, is a US federal holiday that celebrates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence on July 4th, 1776. The original thirteen American colonies declared independence from Britain and established themselves as a new nation known as the United States of America. The Martyrdom of the Bab is a day when Bahá’ís observe the anniversary of the Báb’s execution in Tabriz, Iran, in 1850. St. Benedict Day is the feast day of St. Benedict celebrated by some Christian denominations. International Nonbinary People’s Day is aimed at raising awareness and organizing around the issues faced by nonbinary people around the world while celebrating their contributions. St. Vladimir Day is a Roman Catholic feast celebrating St. Vladimir. Nelson Mandela International Day was established on July 18th, 2009 in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday via a unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly. It was inspired by a call Mandela made a year earlier for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices. He stated, “It is in your hands now.” It is more than a celebration of Mandela’s life and legacy; it is a global movement to honor his life’s work and to change the world for the better. Hijri New Year marks the beginning of the new Islamic calendar year. Aadi Pooram is one of the most important festivals of the Tamilians. It is celebrated in the Tamil month Aadi. This is the birthday of Andal who is believed to be an incarnation of Goddess Laxmi and one of the biggest devotees of the Lord.
DATE 2023 August
HOLIDAY
GROUP
1 6
Lammas
Transfiguration of the Lord
Christian Buddha Catholic
13-15
Obon, or Ullambana
15 15 17
Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary
Dormition of the Theotokos
Christian Orthodox
Marcus Garvey Day
Both International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition and the anniversary of the uprising in Santo Domingo
23
26 30
Women’s Equality Day
Raksha Bandhan
Hindu
AUGUST 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Lammas is a festival to mark the annual wheat harvest within some English-speaking countries in the Northern Hemisphere. Transfiguration of the Lord, or Feast of the Transfiguration, is celebrated by various Christian denominations. The feast day is dedicated to the transfiguration of Jesus. Obon, or Ullambana, is a Buddhist festival and Japanese custom that honors the spirits of ancestors. Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary commemorates the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life according to the beliefs of the Catholic Church, Eastern, and Oriental Orthodoxy, as well as parts of Anglicanism. The Feast of the Dormition, which is also sometimes called the Assumption, commemorates the death, resurrection and glorification of Christ's mother. It proclaims that Mary has been "assumed" by God into the heavenly kingdom of Christ in the fullness of her spiritual and bodily existence. Marcus Garvey Day celebrates the birthday of the Jamaican politician and activist who is revered by Rastafarians. Garvey is credited with starting the Back to Africa movement, which encouraged those of African descent to return to the land of their ancestors during and after slavery in North America. Both International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition and the anniversary of the uprising in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) that initiated the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean are recognized on this day.
Women’s Equality Day commemorates the August 26th, 1920 certification of the Nineteenth Amendment to the US Constitution that gave women the right to vote. Congresswoman Bella Abzug first introduced a proclamation for Women’s Equality Day in 1971. Since that time, every US president has published a proclamation recognizing the 26th as Women’s Equality Day. Raksha Bandhan is a Hindu holiday commemorating the loving kinship between a brother and sister. “Raksha” means “protection” in Hindi and symbolizes the longing a sister has to be protected by her brother. During the celebration, a sister ties a string around her brother’s (or brother-figure’s) wrist and asks him to protect her. The brother usually gives the sister a gift and agrees to protect her for life.
DATE 2023 September HOL IDAY Labor Day 4
GROUP
6-7
Krishna Janmashtami
Hindu
11
The beheading of St. John the Baptist
Christian
11
Patriot Day
12
Ethiopian New Year
14
Elevation of the Life Giving Cross (Holy Cross)
Christian
15-17
Rosh Hashanah
Jewish
15-10/15
Hispanic Heritage Month
16
Mexican Independence Day
18
International Equal Pay Day
19
Ganesh Chaturthi
Hindu
21-29
Mabon
22
Native American Day
Native American
24-25
Yom Kippur
Jewish
27-28
Mawlid, Mawlid an-Nabi ash-Sharif, or Eid Milad un Nabi
Islam
28
Teacher’s Day
29
Michaelmas
Christian
29
Mid-Autumn Festival
Chinese
29-10/1
Sukkot
Jewish
SEPTEMBER 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Labor Day in the United States honors the contribution that workers have made to the country and is observed on the first Monday of September. Krishna Janmashtami is a Hindu celebration of Lord Vishnu’s most powerful human incarnation, Krishna, the god of love and compassion. Celebrations include praying and fasting. The beheading of St. John the Baptist is a holy day observed by various Christian churches that follow liturgical traditions. The day commemorates the martyrdom of St. John the Baptist, who was beheaded on the orders of Herod Antipas through the vengeful request of his stepdaughter, Salome, and her mother. The holiday is celebrated on August 29th for Western Christians and September 11th for Eastern Orthodox Christians. Patriot Day honors those who lost their lives as a result of the terrorist attacks against the U.S. on September 11, 2001. Among other commemorative events, a moment of silence is observed. Rastafarians celebrate the Ethiopian New Year on this date and believe that Ethiopia is their spiritual home. Elevation of the Life Giving Cross (Holy Cross) is a day that commemorates the cross used in the crucifixion of Jesus. It is celebrated by some Christian denominations. Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year celebration marking the creation of the world. Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16th and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended the Spanish dictatorship. Mexican Independence Day is a day commemorating the moment when Father Hidalgo, a priest and leader, called for Mexico's liberation from Spain in September of 1810. International Equal Pay Day was celebrated for the first time in 2020. It represents the long- standing efforts toward the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. It further builds on the United Nations’ commitment to human rights and its efforts to eliminate all forms of discrimination, including discrimination against women and girls.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a Hindu holiday lasting approximately 10 days in which the elephant- headed Hindu god is praised and given offerings. Mabon, the second harvest ritual celebrated in Gaelic, Pagan, and Wiccan traditions, is the first day of fall and the celebration of the vernal equinox. The holiday is about gathering wisdom and honoring elders. Native American Day is a federal holiday observed annually on the fourth Friday in September in the states of California and Nevada and on the second Monday in October in South Dakota and Oklahoma. Yom Kippur is the holiest day of the Jewish year and marks a time for atonement through fasting and prayer. In this image, ultra-Orthodox Jewish men pray at the Western Wall during Yom Kippur in the Old City of Jerusalem. Mawlid, Mawlid an-Nabi ash-Sharif, or Eid Milad un Nabi, is the observance of the birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad. Teacher’s Day in Taiwan is used to honor teachers’ contributions to their students and society in general. People often express their gratitude to their teachers by paying them a visit or sending them a card. The birth of Confucius, the model master educator in ancient China, is also commemorated on this date. Michaelmas, or the Feast of Michael and All Angels, is a minor Christian festival dedicated to Archangel Michael that is observed in some Western liturgical calendars. Mid-Autumn Festival is a celebration of the rice harvest and many fruits. Ceremonies are held both to give thanks for the harvest and to encourage the harvest-giving light to return again in the coming year. It is also a reunion time for families, a little like Thanksgiving. Sukkot is a major Jewish festival held in the autumn (beginning on the 15th day of Tishri) to commemorate the sheltering of the Israelites in the wilderness.
DATE 1 – 31 2023 October
HOL IDAY
GROUP
Global Diversity Awareness Month
1 - 31 1 – 31
LGBTQ+ History Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
1-15
Hispanic Heritage Month
4
St. Francis Day
Catholic
6-8
Shemini Atzeret/Simchat Torah Canadian Thanksgiving World Mental Health Day National Coming Out Day
Jewish
9
10 11
LGBTQ+
15-17 15-24
Twin Holy Days
Bahá’í Hindu Bahá’í
Navratri
16 19 20 23 24
Birth of Báb
International Pronouns Day
Sikh Holy Day
Sikh
Double Ninth Festival Vijayadashami/Dussehra
Chinese
Hindu Muslim
26-27
Mawlid Al-Nabi
31
All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween
31-11/1
Samhain
Gaelic
OCTOBER 2023 MORE INFORMATION
National Coming Out Day is recognized in the United States to celebrate those who come out as lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, or queer as well as the recognition of the 1987 march on Washington for gay and lesbian equality. The Twin Holy Birthdays celebrate the births of two central figures in the Bahá'í faith: the Báb and Bahá'u'lláh. Known as the “Twin Manifestations of God,” the leaders each revealed his own writings and founded his own religion. Navratri is the nine-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. Festival participants worship God in the form of the universal mother, commonly referred to as Durga, Devi, or Shakti, and the event marks the start of fall. Birth of Báb is a Bahá’í holiday celebrating the birth of the prophet Báb. International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace. Each year it is held on the third Wednesday of October. Sikh Holy Day is the day Sikhs celebrate Sri Guru Granth Sahib, their spiritual guide. The Double Ninth Festival is a day for families to visit the graves of their ancestors to pay their respects, as well as a time for people to climb mountains, eat Chongyang cake, and drink chrysanthemum wine or tea. Vijayadashami is an important Hindu festival celebrated in Telangana. Vijayadashami, a festival that symbolizes the victory of good over evil, is celebrated with traditional fervor, devotion and gaiety across Telangana. Mawlid Al-Nabi is the observance of the birthday of Islam’s founder, the prophet Muhammad. It’s celebrated during the month of Rabiulawal, the third month of the Muslim calendar. Shi’a Muslims celebrate it five days later than Sunni Muslims. All Hallows’ Eve, or Halloween, is a celebration observed in a number of countries on the eve of the Western Christian feast of All Hallows’ Day. It begins the three-day observance of Allhallowtide, the time in the liturgical year dedicated to remembering the dead, including saints (hallows), martyrs, and all the faithful departed. Samhain is a Gaelic festival on 1 November marking the end of the harvest season and beginning of winter or "darker half" of the year.
October is Global Diversity Awareness Month, a month to celebrate and increase awareness about the diversity of cultures and ethnicities as well as the positive impact diversity can have on society. LGBTQ+ History Month is a US observance that started in 1994 to recognize lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer history and the history of the gay rights movement. National Disability Employment Awareness Month was launched in 1945 when Congress declared the first week in October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week.” In 1998, the week was extended to a month and renamed. The annual event draws attention to employment barriers that still need to be addressed. Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15th to October 15th. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16th and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended the Spanish dictatorship. St. Francis Day is a feast day for St. Francis of Assisi, the patron saint of animals and the environment. It’s celebrated by many Catholic denominations. Shemini Atzeret is a Jewish holiday also known as The Eighth (Day) of Assembly. It takes place the day after the Sukkot festival, where gratitude for the fall harvest is deeply internalized. Simchat Torah is a Jewish holiday that marks the end of the weekly readings of the Torah. The Torah is read from chapter one of Genesis to Deuteronomy 34 and then back to chapter one again in acknowledgment of the words of the Torah being a never-ending cycle. Canadian Thanksgiving is a chance for people to give thanks for a good harvest and other fortunes in the past year. World Mental Health Day was first celebrated in 1993 to increase public awareness about the importance of mental health, mental health services, and mental health workers worldwide.
DATE 2023 November HOLIDAY
GROUP
1 – 30
National Native American Heritage Month
Native American
1 – 30
National Family Caregivers Month
1-2
Dias De Los Muertos
Mexican
1
All Saints’ Day
Christian
11
Veterans Day
12
Diwali
Hindu
13-19
Transgender Awareness Week
19
International Men’s Day
20
Transgender Day of Remembrance
23
Thanksgiving Day
24
Native American Heritage Day
Native American
26
Feast of Christ
Catholic
28
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá
Baha’i
28- 1/6
Nativity Fast
Catholic
NOVEMBER 2023 MORE INFORMATION
National Native American Heritage Month celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans. National Family Caregivers Month was proclaimed in 2012 by former President Barack Obama. It honors the more than forty million caregivers across the country who support aging parents, ill spouses, or other loved ones with disabilities who remain at home. Dias De Los Muertos is one of Mexico's most important religious holidays is celebrated on All Saint's Day (November 1) and All Soul's Day (November 2): Dia de los Muertos (sometimes called Dia de los Fieles Difuntos) – Day of the Dead. Traditionally, November 1st honors deceased children and November 2nd honors deceased adults. All Saints’ Day is a Christian holiday commemorating all known and unknown Christian saints. In Eastern Orthodox Christianity, the day is observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost. Veterans Day is a US federal holiday honoring military veterans. The date is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world and commemorates the ending of World War I in 1918. Diwali is the Hindu, Jain, and Sikh five-day festival of lights that celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and lightness over darkness. Transgender Awareness Week is the week before Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20th. People and organizations participate to help raise the visibility of transgender people and address issues members of the community face.
International Men’s Day emphasizes the important issues affecting males, including health issues that affect males, improving the relations between genders, highlighting the importance of male role models, and promoting gender equality. This holiday is celebrated in more than 70 countries. Transgender Day of Remembrance was established in 1998 to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia and raise awareness of the continued violence endured by the transgender community. Thanksgiving Day in the United States began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and the preceding year. Native American Heritage Day is held annually on the Friday after Thanksgiving. The day encourages Americans of all backgrounds to observe and honor Native Americans through appropriate ceremonies and activities. The day was signed into law by President George W. Bush in 2008. Feast of Christ the King is a Catholic holiday established to thank God for the gift of time and a rededication to the Christian faith. Ascension of 'Abdu'l-Bahá is a day that commemorates the death of 'Abdu'l- Bahá, the eldest son and successor of Baha'u'llah, founder of the Baha'i faith. Nativity Fast is a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox, and Eastern Catholic Churches in preparation for the Nativity of Jesus.
DATE 2023 December HOL IDAY
GROUP
1
World AIDs Day
3
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
7-15
Hanukkah
Jewish
8
Immaculate Conception of Mary, or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception
Christian
8
Bodhi Day
Buddha
10
International Human Rights Day
12
Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe
Mexican
16-24
Las Posadas
Mexican
21 – 1/1
Yule Winter Solstice
Wiccan
22
Dongzhi Festival
Chinese
24
Christmas Eve
Christian
25
Christmas Day
Christian
26
Boxing Day
26- 1/1
Kwanzaa
African-American
27
St. John’s Apostle and Evangelist Day
Christian
28
Feast of the Holy Innocents
Christian
DECEMBER 2023 MORE INFORMATION
Christmas Eve is the evening or entire day before Christmas Day, the festival commemorating the birth of Jesus. Christmas Day is the day that many Christians associate with Jesus’ birth. Boxing Day is a secular holiday celebrated in the United Kingdom, Canada, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, Hong Kong, and South Africa. Kwanzaa is a seven-day celebration of African-American culture and life originally founded in 1966. St. John’s Apostle and Evangelist Day is the feast day for St. John celebrated by Christian denominations. Feast of the Holy Innocents is a Christian feast in remembrance of the massacre of young children in Bethlehem by King Herod the Great in his attempt to kill the infant Jesus. Watch Night is a day for Christians to review the year that has passed, make confessions, and then prepare for the year ahead by praying and resolving.
World AIDS Day commemorates those who have died of AIDS and acknowledges the need for continued commitment to all those affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. International Day of Persons with Disabilities was designed to raise awareness in regard to persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity. Hanukkah is a Jewish holiday that is celebrated for eight days and nights. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, or Israelites, over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus, approximately 2,200 years ago. Immaculate Conception of Mary, or the Feast of the Immaculate Conception, celebrates the solemn celebration by various Christian denominations who believe in the Immaculate Conception of the Blessed Virgin Mary. Bodhi Day, the Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that Siddhartha Gautama experienced enlightenment. International Human Rights Day was established by the United Nations in 1948 to commemorate the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Feast of Our Lady of Guadalupe is a religious holiday in Mexico commemorating the appearance of the Virgin Mary near Mexico City in 1531. Las Posadas is a nine-day celebration in Mexico commemorating the trials Mary and Joseph endured during their journey to Bethlehem. Yule Winter Solstice is celebrated by Pagans and Wiccans. The first day of winter (and the shortest day of the year) represents a celebration focusing on rebirth, renewal, and new beginnings as the sun makes its way back to the Earth. A solstice is an astronomical event that happens twice each year when the sun reaches its highest position in the sky. Dongzhi has an important place in the traditional festivals of China. It is usually celebrated on December 20th or 21st, when the night is longest and the day is shortest in the northern hemisphere. A traditional holiday celebrated by many Chinese people, Dongzhi has a long history and certain notable customs.
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