Observances
June 2022
June 12
ANNE FRANK DAY
Birthday of young Jewish girl whose diary describes her family’s experiences hiding from the Nazis through assistance of Gentile friends.
June 12
LOVING DAY
Observes the anniversary of the 1967 United States Supreme Court decision Loving v. Virginia which struck down the miscegenation laws remaining in 16 states barring interracial marriage.
June 12
ALL SAINTS’ DAY • Eastern Christian
In Orthodox churches observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost, it commemorates all known and unknown Christian saints.
June 12
RACE UNITY DAY • Bahá’í
Observance promoting racial harmony and understanding and the essential unity of humanity.
June 14
FLAG DAY
Anniversary of the adoption of the Unites States flag by Congress in 1777.
June 19
FATHER’S DAY
Children of all ages show appreciation for their fathers and father figures.
June 19
JUNETEENTH
Originally commemorating the announcement of the abolition of slavery in Texas in 1865, it is now celebrated throughout the U.S. to honor African-American freedom and achievement.
June 20
WORLD REFUGEE DAY
Raises awareness about the plight of refugees and displaced persons.
June 21
SUMMER SOLSTICE
Marks the first day of the season of summer. The length of time between sunrise and sunset is the longest of the year with the sun shining the farthest from the Southern Hemisphere and the closest to the Northern Hemisphere.
June 26
ANNIVERSARY OF LEGALIZATION OF SAME-SEX MARRIAGE IN THE U.S.
On June 26, 2015, in the case of Obergefell v. Hodges, the Supreme Court ruled that the fundamental right to marry is guaranteed to same-sex couples.
July 2022
July 4
INDEPENDENCE DAY
Anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence in 1776.
July 9
EID AL-ADHA • Islamic
Commemoration of Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice his son in obedience of a command from God. Marks the end of the annual Hajj (pilgrimage to Mecca).
July 9
MARTYRDOM OF THE BÁB • Bahá’í
Observance of the anniversary of the execution by a firing squad in Tabríz, Persia, of the 30-year-old Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, the Báb, the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith.
July 13
DHARMA DAY • Buddhist
Also known as Asalha Puja, it commemorates the historical Buddha’s first discourse following his spiritual awakening.
July 13–15
ULLAMBANA (also known as Obon) • Buddhist
Ullambana, a Sanskrit term that means “hanging upside down and suffering,” honors the spirits of past ancestors and strives to relieve aching souls from suffering. It lasts about half of the month of August. Obon, the Japanese transliteration of Ullambana, is only three days and varies from region to region—July in the eastern region and August in the western region.
July 26
AMERICANS WITH DISABILITIES ACT (ADA) DAY
Commemorates the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, which guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities.
July 30
MUHARRAM • Islamic
The month of Muharram marks the beginning of the Islamic liturgical year. This first day, al-Hijra, remembers the migration of Muhammad and his followers from Mecca to Medina in 622 CE. It also marks the beginning of the ten-day Shīʿite Remembrance of Muharram, a period of intense grief and martyrdom of Hussein, the son of Ali and grandson of Muhammad.
August 2022
August 7
TISH’A B’AV • Jewish
Mourning of the destruction of the First and Second Temples in Jerusalem in 586 BCE and 70 CE.
August 8
ASHURA • Islamic
A day of fasting observed on the 10th day of the month of Muharram to celebrate Moses’ exodus from Egypt. For Shi’a Muslims, it also marks the climax of the ten-day Remembrance of Muharram, which mourns the martyrdom of Hussein at the Battle of Kerbala.
August 9
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE WORLD’S INDIGENOUS PEOPLES
Celebrates the richness of indigenous cultures and recognizes the challenges indigenous peoples face today, ranging from poverty and disease to dispossession, discrimination and denial of basic human rights.
August 11
RAKSHA BANDHAN • Hindu
Also called Rakhi, this festival celebrates the protective relationship between brothers and their sisters.
August 12
INTERNATIONAL YOUTH DAY
Celebrates young people and the integral role they play in helping to create a world fit for children.
August 19
KRISHNA JANMASHTAMI (Also known as JAYANTI) • Hindu
Celebrates Krishna’s birthday, Vishnu’s eighth incarnation on earth.
August 21
SENIOR CITIZEN DAY
Recognizes the many contributions older adults make in communities across the United States.
August 23
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE REMEMBRANCE OF THE SLAVE TRADE AND ITS ABOLITION
Memorializes the tragedy of the transatlantic slave trade, coinciding with the anniversary of the uprising in Santo Domingo (today Haiti and the Dominican Republic) that initiated its abolition.
August 26
WOMEN’S EQUALITY DAY
Commemorates the 1920 passage of the 19th Amendment to the Constitution, granting women the right to vote.
August 31
GANESH CHATURTHI • Hindu
Celebrates the birthday of Ganesha, the elephant-deity.
September 2022
September 5
LABOR DAY
Celebrated the first Monday in September in recognition of U.S. workers.
September 5
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF CHARITY
Recognizes the role of charity in alleviating human suffering, as well as of the efforts of charitable organizations and individuals, including the work of Mother Teresa.
September 8
INTERNATIONAL LITERACY DAY
Call to action for universal literacy.
September 15–October 15
Full Month
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
Celebrates the contributions, heritage and culture of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
September 17
CONSTITUTION DAY AND CITIZENSHIP DAY
Commemorates the ratification of the United States Constitution in 1787. Also honors all who have become U.S. citizens.
September 22
AUTUMNAL EQUINOX
Marks the first day of the season of fall. The sun shines nearly equally on both hemispheres when it’s fall in the Northern Hemisphere and simultaneously spring in the Southern Hemisphere.
September 23
BI VISIBILITY DAY
Seeks to draw attention to public policy concerns and foster respect for bi+ individuals and communities.
September 26–27
ROSH HASHANAH • Jewish
Beginning of the Jewish New Year and first of the High Holy Days, which marks the beginning of a ten-day period of penitence and spiritual renewal.
October 2022
October Full Month
NATIONAL BULLYING PREVENTION MONTH
A campaign to unite communities nationwide to educate and raise awareness of bullying prevention.
October Full Month
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
Recognizes the contributions of workers with disabilities.
October Full Month
LGBT HISTORY MONTH
Marks and celebrates the lives and achievements of lesbian, gay bisexual and transgender people in the United States.
October 2
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF NON-VIOLENCE
Marked on the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence, a U.N commemoration promoting the principle of non-violence and the desire to secure a culture of peace, tolerance and understanding.
October 5
DUSSEHRA/DASSERA • Hindu
Anniversary of the day when Rama killed the evil demon Ravana. Also known as Durga Puja, which celebrates the goddess Durga.
October 5
WORLD TEACHER’S DAY
Held annually to commemorate teacher organizations worldwide.
October 5
YOM KIPPUR • Jewish
The “Day of Atonement” marks the end of the Ten Days of Penitence that begin with Rosh Hashanah.
October 8
MAWLID AL-NABI (Also known as MILAD AL-NABI) • Islamic (Sunni)
The observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated in Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Shi’a Muslims celebrate it five days later than Sunni Muslims.
October 10
INDIGENOUS PEOPLE’S DAY (Native American Day)
Celebrates and honors Native American history and culture.
[The second Monday of October is also marked as a U.S. federal holiday, Columbus Day. Many people are opposed to the celebration of a man who led and committed atrocities against Indigenous people. Some states and cities in the U.S. have officially changed the day to Indigenous People’s Day. Similarly, it is celebrated as Día de la Raza, “Day of the Race”, in Spanish-speaking countries and communities.]
October 10–16
SUKKOT • Jewish
The week-long “Feast of Booths” commemorates the 40-year wandering of the Israelites in the desert on the way to the Promised Land.
October 11
COMING OUT DAY
Encourages honesty and openness about being lesbian, gay, bisexual or transgender. Commemorates October 11, 1987, when 500,000 people marched on Washington, DC, for gay and lesbian equality.
October 13
MAWLID AL-NABI (Also known as MILAD AL-NABI) • Islamic (Shi’a)
The observance of the birthday of Islam founder Prophet Muhammad, which is celebrated in Rabi’ al-awwal, the third month in the Islamic calendar. Sunni Muslims celebrate it five days earlier than Shi’a Muslims.
October 17
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR THE ERADICATION OF POVERTY
Call to action for the eradication of poverty and destitution worldwide.
October 17
SHEMINI ATZERET • Jewish
“The Eighth (Day) of Assembly” is observed on the day immediately following Sukkot.
October 18
SIMCHAT TORAH • Jewish
“Rejoicing in the Torah” celebrates the conclusion of the public reading of the Pentateuch and its beginning anew.
October 20
GUR-GADDI GURU GRANTH SAHIB • Sikh
Since 1708, Sikhs have accepted Sri Guru Granth Sahib as their eternal Guru that holds the spirit of all Ten Gurus of the Sikhs. They consider Guru Granth Sahib to be a spiritual guide not only for Sikhs but for all of mankind; it plays a central role in guiding the Sikhs’ way of life.
October 24
BANDI-CHHOR DIWAS • Sikh
A commemorative occasion having no fixed date which occurs in October or November and celebrates the release of the Sixth Guru Har Gobind Sahib from imprisonment and coincides with Diwali, the Hindu festival of lights.
October 24
DIWALI • Hindu
Also called Deepavali, “Festival of Lights”, it celebrates the victory of good over evil, light over darkness, and knowledge over ignorance.
October 24
UNITED NATIONS DAY
Commemorates the founding of the world organization in 1945.
October 31
HALLOWEEN
The eve of All Saints’ Day.
October 31
REFORMATION DAY • Christian
Commemorates the beginning of the Protestant Reformation in 1517.
November 2022
November Full Month
NATIONAL ADOPTION MONTH
Adoptees, birth families, adoptive families and adoption professionals reflect on, educate and celebrate adoption practices.
November Full Month
NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH
Celebrates and honors the history and culture of Native Americans and indigenous people in the United States.
November 1
ALL SAINTS’ DAY • Western Christian
Commemorates all known and unknown Christian saints. Eastern Christianity observes it on the first Sunday after Pentecost.
November 2
ALL SOULS’ DAY • Christian
Commemoration of all faithful Christians who are now dead. In Mexican tradition it is celebrated as Dia de los Muertos between October 31 and November 2, and is an occasion to remember dead ancestors and celebrate the continuity of life.
November 6
BIRTH OF THE BÁB • Bahá’í
Bahá’í observance of the anniversary of the birth in 1819 of Siyyid, “the Báb,” the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith, in Shíráz, Persia.
November 7
BIRTH OF BAHÁ’U’LLÁH • Bahá’í
Observance of the anniversary of the birth in 1817 of Bahá’u’lláh, prophet-founder of the Bahá’í Faith, in Núr, Persia.
November 8
GURU NANAK DEV JI’S BIRTHDAY • Sikh
A very important holiday in the Sikh faith as Guru Nanak Dev’s was the First Guru of the Sikhs and the Founder of Sikhism. He was born in mid-November; the holiday is celebrated according to the lunar date.
November 8
ELECTION DAY
A day set by U.S. law for the election of public officials.
November 9–10
KRISTALLNACHT
Commemorates the 1938 pogrom against Jews throughout Germany and Vienna.
November 11
VETERANS’ DAY
Honors military veterans and the U.S. Armed Services.
November 14–18
AMERICAN EDUCATION WEEK
Celebrates public education and honors individuals who are making a difference in ensuring every child in the U. S. receives a quality education.
November 16
INTERNATIONAL DAY FOR TOLERANCE
Emphasizes the dangers of intolerance and is a call to action for the advancement of human welfare, freedom and progress everywhere, as well as a day to encourage tolerance, respect, dialogue and cooperation among different cultures and peoples.
November 20
TRANSGENDER DAY OF REMEMBRANCE
Memorializes those who were killed due to anti-transgender hatred or prejudice.
November 24
THANKSGIVING DAY
Following a 19th century tradition, it commemorates the Pilgrims’ harvest feast in the autumn of 1621. It is considered by some to be a “national day of mourning,” in recognition of the conquest of Native Americans by colonists.
November 25
DAY OF THE COVENANT • Bahá’í
Day of the Covenant is a festival observed to commemorate Bahá’u’lláh’s appointment of His son, Abdu’l-Baha, as His successor.
November 26–December 5
NAVARATRI • Hindu
Nine-day festival celebrating the triumph of good over evil. It worships God in the form of the universal mother commonly referred to as Durga, Devi or Shakti, and marks the start of fall.
November 27–December 24
ADVENT • Christian
Advent is a season of spiritual preparation in observance of the birth of Jesus. In Western Christianity, it starts on the fourth Sunday before Christmas. In Eastern Christianity, the season is longer and begins in the middle of November.
December 2022
December 1
WORLD AIDS DAY
International day of action on HIV and AIDS.
December 3
INTERNATIONAL DAY OF PERSONS WITH DISABILITIES
Raises awareness about persons with disabilities in order to improve their lives and provide them with equal opportunity.
December 8
BODHI DAY • Buddhist
Also known as Rohatsu, commemorates the day that the Buddha, Siddharta Gautama, experienced enlightenment or spiritual awakening (bodhi). Celebrated on the eighth day either of December or the 12th month of the lunar calendar.
December 10
HUMAN RIGHTS DAY
On this day in 1948 the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
December 12
OUR LADY OF GUADALUPE • Christian
Celebrates the apparition of the Blessed Virgin Mary (by her title, Our Lady of Guadalupe, the Patroness of Mexico and the Americas) before Juan Diego, an indigenous convert to Roman Catholicism, on the Mexican hill of Tepeyac in 1531.
December 15
BILL OF RIGHTS DAY
Commemorates the signing into law of the ten original amendments of the United States Constitution in 1791.
December 19–26
CHANUKAH • Jewish
Eight-day “Festival of Lights”, also known as Hanukkah, celebrating the rededication of the Temple to the service of God in 164 BCE. Commemorates the victory of the Maccabees over the Greek King, Antiochus, who sought to suppress freedom of worship.
December 21
WINTER SOLSTICE
Marks the first day of the season of winter. The length of time between sunrise and sunset is the shortest of the year with the sun shining closest to the Southern Hemisphere and the farthest from the Northern Hemisphere.
December 24
CHRISTMAS EVE • Christian
Celebration of the arrival of Mary and Joseph in Bethlehem for the birth of Jesus.
December 25
CHRISTMAS • Western Christian
Commemorates the birth of Jesus.
December 26, 2022–January 1, 2023
KWANZAA
A seven-day celebration honoring African American heritage and its continued vitality. “Kwanzaa” means “first fruits (of the harvest)” in Swahili.
December 29
WOUNDED KNEE DAY
On December 29, 1890 more than 200 Lakota Sioux were massacred by U.S. troops at Wounded Knee in South Dakota.
December 31
NEW YEAR’S EVE
In the Gregorian calendar, New Year’s Eve, the last day of the year, is on December 31. In many countries, New Year’s Eve is celebrated at evening social gatherings, where many people dance, eat, drink. etc.
© 2021 Anti-Defamation League https://www.adl.org/education/resources/tools-and-strategies/calendar-of-observances