HERITAGE, HISTORY AND AWARENESS MONTHS

Here you will find a listing of heritage, history and awareness months as well as holidays*, days of remembrance and lighthearted days of celebration (*many holidays fall on different dates from year-to-year and we made every effort to include accurate information, if you see a date that is incorrect please let us know). We hope this page will provide everyone with opportunities to honor, engage, celebrate and learn something new about various identities and topics. This will also be a space to highlight an assortment of events and educational activities that take place both on and off campus.

Due to limited capacity, our office will be hosting four signature events per year on a rotating basis and we will be highlighting events that others are hosting throughout the year. Be sure to share the activities your unit or organization are working on with us and we will be happy to feature them here.

Finally, we want to acknowledge that while certain months, weeks and days are designated to uplift specific communities, we believe that everyone should learn about and honor all identities year-round.

This year, our office will be hosting signature events for the following observances:

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May 16, 12pm - 1:30pm)
Juneteenth (June 19 - save the date for our celebration on June 16)
Latino/Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
Native American and Alaska Native Heritage Month (November)

Events in May

Painting With a Twist Memorial Day Activity - Memorial Day Painting

May 30, 2022 | 12:00 PM - 02:00 PM

Cost/fee: $39 - $57

Come experience Painting with a Twist on Memorial Day! Choose from our unique products to create the perfect masterpiece for your space, and have fun doing it! Surface selections include different sizes of canvas, pine-wood plank boards, or MDF boards. Step-by-step instruction included in the price along with all the painting supplies. Location: Painting with a Twist, 1962 Blake St Denver, CO

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Please note that the events you share need to be connected to an observance, such as those listed on this page (if we are missing something, let us know). Additionally, the event should be occurring during the same month as the observance it is related to. If your event is related to Women's History Month (for example) it should be occurring in the month of March.

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Heritage, History and Identity Observances

None to date

Holidays

Yule (December 21 - January 1, Paganism)
Kwanzaa (December 26 - January 1)
New Year's Day (January 1)
Feast of the Epiphany (January 6, Christianity)
Coptic Orthodox Christmas (January 7, Coptic Orthodox Christianity)
Bodhi Day (Date varies, January 10 in 2022, Buddhism)
Tu Bishvat (Date varies, January 16 - 17 in 2022, Judaism)
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (Date varies, January 17 in 2022)
The Feast of Our Lady Peace (January 24, Roman Catholicism)

Health Awareness

Other Observances

National Human Trafficking Awareness Day (January 11)
National Religious Freedom Day (January 16)
World Religion Day (Date varies, January 16 in 2022)
International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27)
National Mentoring Month
Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

National Spaghetti Day (January 4)
National Shortbread Day (January 6)
National Popcorn Day (January 19)
National Pie Day (January 23)
National Peanut Butter Day (January 24)
National Kazoo Day (January 28)
National Puzzle Day (January 29)
National Croissant Day (January 30)
National Draw a Dinosaur Day (January 30)
National Backwards Day (January 30)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week (Dates vary, February 20 - 26 in 2022)
African American/Black History Month

Holidays

Chinese/Lunar New Year (Date varies, February 1 in 2022)
Imbolc (February 1, Paganism and Wicca)
Candlemas (February 2, Christianity)
Groundhog's Day (February 2)
Valentine's Day (February 14)
Chinese Lantern Festival (Date varies, February 15 in 2022)
Parinirvana (February 15, Mahayana Buddhism)
President's Day/Washington's Birthday (Date varies, February 21 in 2022)
Festival of Ayyám-i-Há (Date varies, February 25 - March 1 in 2022, Bábism)

Health Awareness

World Cancer Day (February 4)
Give Kids a Smile Day (Date varies, February 4 in 2022)
National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (February 7)
Congenital Heart Defect Awareness Week (February 7 - 14)
National Condom Week (February 13 - 21)
National Donor Day (February 14)
National Eating Disorders Awareness Week (Dates vary, February 21 - 27 in 2022)
National Heart Valve Disease Awareness Day (February 22)
Rare Disease Day (February 28)
Low Vision Awareness Month
American Heart Health Month
Prenatal Infection Awareness Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Children's Dental Health Month
National Teen Dating Violence Awareness and Prevention Month

Other Observances

National Freedom Day (February 1)
Four Chaplains Day (February 3)
Freedom to Marry Day (February 12)
International Boost Your Self Esteem Month

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

National Pizza Day (February 6)
National Tortellini Day (February 13)
National Almond Day (February 16)
Do a Grouch a Favor Day (February 16)
Tell a Fairy Tale Day (February 26)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

International Transgender Day of Visibility (March 31)
National Deaf History Month (March 13 - April 15)
National Women's History Month
Irish-American Heritage Month

Holidays

Festival of Ayyám-i-Há (Date varies, February 25 - March 1 in 2022, Bábism)
Maha-Shivaratri (Date varies, March 1 in 2022, Hinduism)
Lailat al Miraj (Date varies, March 1 in 2022, Islam)
Ash Wednesday (Date varies, March 2 in 2022, Christianity)
Purim (Date varies, March 16 - 17 in 2022, Judaism)
St. Patrick's Day (March 17)
Holi (Date varies, March 18 in 2022, Hinduism)
Hola Mohalla (Dates vary, March 18 - 20 in 2022, Sikhism)
Feast Day of St. Joseph (March 19, Christianity)
Ostara (March 20, Wicca)
Naw-Rúz (Dates vary, March 20 - 21 in 2022, Baha’i faith)
The Feast of the Annunciation (March 25, Christianity)

Health Awareness

National Women and Girls HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 10)
World Kidney Day (Date varies, March 10 in 2022)
National Sleep Awareness Week (Dates vary, March 13 - 19 in 2022)
Patient Safety Awareness Week (Dates vary, March 13 - 19 in 2022)
Brain Awareness Week (Dates vary, March 15 - 21 in 2022)
World Sleep Day (Date varies, March 18 in 2022)
National Native American HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (March 20)
National Poison Prevention Week (Dates vary, March 20 - 26 in 2022)
National Drug and Alcohol Facts Week (Dates vary, March 21 - 27 in 2022)
American Diabetes Alert Day (Date varies, March 22 in 2022)
World Tuberculosis Day (March 24)
Purple Day for Epilepsy Awareness (March 26)
World Bipolar Day (March 30)
Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month
National Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month
National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month
National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month
National Endometriosis Awareness Month
National Kidney Month
National Nutrition Month
National Brain Injury Awareness Month
Trisomy Awareness Month
Deep-Vein Thrombosis Awareness Month

Other Observances

Read Across America Day (March 2)
International Sex Workers Rights Day (March 3)
Employee Appreciation Day (Date varies, March 4 in 2022)
National Dentist's Day (March 6)
World Water Day (March 22)
National Vietnam War Veterans Day (March 29)
Youth Art Month

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

National Peanut Butter Lover's Day (March 1)
National Cereal Day (March 7)
National Potato Chip Day (March 14)
National Ravioli Day (March 20)
National French Bread Day (March 21)
National Chip and Dip Day (March 23)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

International Asexuality Day (April 6)
Lesbian Visibility Day (April 26)
National Deaf History Month (March 13 - April 15)
Arab-American Heritage Month
Dalit History Month

Holidays

Ramadan (Dates vary, April 2 - May 2 in 2022, Islam)
Vaisakhi (Date varies, April 14 in 2022, Hinduism)
Mahavir Jayanti (Date varies, April 14 in 2022, Jainism)
Good Friday (Date varies, April 15 in 2022, Christianity)
Passover (Dates vary, April 15 - 23 in 2022, Judaism)
Easter Sunday (Date varies, April 17 in 2022, Christianity)
Feast of the Divine Mercy (Date varies, April 24 in 2022, Christianity)

Health Awareness

National Public Health Week (Dates vary, April 4 - 10 in 2022)
World Health Day (April 7)
National Youth HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (April 10)
National Transgender HIV Testing Day (April 18)
National Infertility Awareness Week (Dates vary, April 24 - 30 in 2022)
World Immunization Week (Dates vary, April 24 - 30 in 2022)
National Youth Violence Prevention Week (Dates vary, April 25 - 29 in 2022)
Every Kid Healthy Week (Dates vary, April 25 - 29 in 2022)
National Infant Immunization Week (Dates vary, April 25 - May 2 in 2022)
Cancer Control Month
Alcohol Awareness Month
Irritable Bowel Syndrome Awareness Month
Autism Acceptance Month
National Child Abuse Prevention Month
National Donate Life Month
National Facial Protection Month
National Minority Health Month
National Parkinson's Awareness Month
National Sarcoidosis Awareness Month
Occupational Therapy Month
Oral Cancer Awareness Month
Sexual Assault Awareness and Prevention Month
STI Awareness Month
Stress Awareness Month
Testicular Cancer Awareness Month

Other Observances

National Former Prisoner of War Recognition Day (April 9)
Education and Sharing Day (Date varies, April 12 in 2022)
Earth Day (April 22)
National DNA Day (April 25)
National Arbor Day (Date varies, April 29 in 2022)
Financial Literacy Month
Jazz Appreciation Month

Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

National Peanut Butter and Jelly Day (April 2)
National Chocolate Mousse Day (April 3)
404 Day (April 4)
National Raisin and Spice Bar Day (April 5)
Siblings Day (April 10)
National Grilled Cheese Sandwich Day (April 12)
National Jelly Bean Day (April 22)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

Holidays

Ramadan (Dates vary, April 2 - May 2 in 2022, Islam)
Beltane (May 1, Paganism)
Eid al-Fitr (Dates vary, May 2 - May 3 in 2022, Islam)
Mother's Day (Date varies, May 8 in 2022)
Birthday of Buddha (Date varies, May 8 in 2022, Buddhism)
Vesak Day (Date varies, May 16 in 2022, Buddhism)
Declaration of the Bab (Date varies, May 24 in 2022, Bahá'í Faith)
Ascension Day (Date varies, May 26 in 2022, Christianity)
Memorial Day (Date varies, May 30 in 2022)

Health Awareness

Children's Mental Health Awareness Week (May 1 - 7)
North American Occupational Safety and Health Week (Dates vary, May 2 - 8 in 2022)
World Hand Hygiene Day (May 5)
National Amyloidosis Day (May 8)
Food Allergy Awareness Week (Dates vary, May 8 - 14 in 2022)
National Women's Health Week (Dates vary, May 8 - 14 in 2022)
National Stuttering Awareness Week (Dates vary, May 9 - 15 in 2022)
ME/CFS and Fibromyalgia International Awareness Day (May 12)
HIV Vaccine Awareness Day (May 18)
National Asian and Pacific Islander HIV/AIDS Awareness Day (May 19)
Hepatitis Testing Day (May 19)
World Pre-eclampsia Day (May 22)
Don't Fry Day (Date varies, May 27 in 2022)
World No Tobacco Day (May 31)
American Stroke Awareness Month
Arthritis Awareness Month
Better Hearing and Speech Month
Cystic Fibrosis Awareness Month
Healthy Vision Month
Hepatitis Awareness Month
Lupus Awareness Month
Skin Cancer Awareness Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
National Asthma and Allergy Awareness Month
National Celiac Disease Awareness Month
High Blood Pressure Education Month
National Osteoporosis Awareness Month
National Teen Pregnancy Prevention Month

Other Observances

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

National Truffle Day (May 2)
Star Wars Day (May 4)
Bird Day (May 4)
National Eat What You Want Day (May 11)
National Twilight Zone Day (May 11)
National Taffy Day (May 23)
National Wine Day (May 25)
National Mint Julep Day (May 30)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

LGBTQ+ Pride Month

Holidays

Shavuot (Dates vary, June 4 - 6 in 2022, Judaism)
Race Unity Day (Date varies, June 12 in 2022, Bahá'í Faith)
Feast of the Holy Trinity (Date varies, June 12 in 2022, Christianity)
Feast of Corpus Christi (Date varies, June 16 in 2022, Roman Catholicism)
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (June 16, Sikhism)
Juneteenth (June 19)
Father's Day (Date varies, June 19 in 2022)
Litha (Date varies, June 21 in 2022, Paganism)
Feast of the Sacred Heart (Date varies, June 24 in 2022, Catholicism)

Health Awareness

National Gun Violence Prevention Day (Date varies, June 3 in 2022)
National Cancer Survivors Day (Date varies, June 5 in 2022)
World Blood Donor Day (June 14)
Autistic Pride Day (June 18)
World Sickle Cell Awareness Day (June 19)
DeafBlind Awareness Week (Dates vary, June 26 - July 2 in 2022)
National HIV Testing Day (June 27)
National PTSD Awareness Day (June 27)
Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month
Cataract Awareness Month
Men's Health Month
Myasthenia Gravis Awareness Month
National Aphasia Awareness Month
National Congenital Cytomegalovirus Awareness Month
National Migraine and Headache Awareness Month
National Safety Month
National Scleroderma Awareness Month
PTSD Awareness Month
Scoliosis Awareness Month

Other Observances

African American Music Appreciation Month

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

National Egg Day (June 3)
Hug Your Cat Day (June 4)
National Cheese Day (June 4)
National Peaches and Cream Day (June 21)
National Catfish Day (June 25)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

International Non-Binary People's Day (July 14)
International Drag Day (July 16)

Holidays

Independence Day (July 4)
The Hajj (Dates vary, July 7 - 12 in 2022, Islam)
Eid al-Adha (Dates vary, July 9 - 13 in 2022, Islam)
Martyrdom of the Báb (Date varies, July 9 in 2022, Baha'i faith)
Birthday of Haile Selassie (July 23, Rastafarianism)
National Parents' Day (Date varies, July 24 in 2022)
Hijri/Islamic New Year (Date varies, July 30 in 2022, Islam)
Hawaiian Flag Day (July 31)

Health Awareness

DeafBlind Awareness Week (Dates vary, June 26 - July 2 in 2022)
World Hepatitis Day (July 28)
Cord Blood Awareness Month
Group B Strep International Awareness Month
Juvenile Arthritis Awareness Month
National Cleft and Craniofacial Awareness and Prevention Month
Sarcoma Awareness Month
UV Safety Awareness Month

Other Observances

Clean Beaches Week (July 1 - 7)
Social Media Giving Day (July 15)

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

International Reggae Day (July 1)
National Ice Cream Day (Date varies, July 17 in 2022)
National Daiquiri Day (July 19)
National Lollipop Day (July 20)
National Hot Dog Day (July 21)
National Vanilla Ice Cream Day (July 23)
National Tequila Day (July 24)
National Milk Chocolate Day (July 28)
National Cheesecake Day (July 30)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

International Day of the World's Indigenous Peoples (August 9)
Women's Equality Day (August 26)
Wear Purple Day (Date varies, August 26 in 2022)

Holidays

Lughnasadh (August 1, Paganism)
Tisha B'Av (Dates vary, August 5 - 6 in 2022, Judaism)
Feast of the Assumption (August 15)
Paryushan Parva (Date varies, August 24 in 2022, Jainism)

Health Awareness

World Lung Cancer Awareness Day (August 1)
World Breastfeeding Week (August 1 - 7)
National Health Center Week (Dates vary, August 7 - 13 in 2022)
Contact Lens Health Week (Dates vary, August 14 - 20 in 2022)
International Overdose Awareness Day (August 31)
Children's Eye Health and Safety Month
Gastroparesis Awareness Month
National Breastfeeding Month
National Immunization Awareness Month
Psoriasis Action Month
Summer Sun Safety Month

Other Observances

National Night Out (Date varies, August 2 in 2022)
Coast Guard Day (August 4)
National Airborne Day (August 16)
World Humanitarian Day (August 19)
National Aviation Day (August 19)

Lighthearted Days of Celebration

National Oyster Day (August 5)
National Mustard Day (August 7)
Free Comic Book Day (August 14)
National Banana Split Day (August 25)
National Dog Day (August 26)
National Bow Tie Day (August 28)
National Toasted Marshmallow Day (August 30)

Heritage, History and Identity Observances

National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month (September 15 - October 15)
Bisexual Awareness Week (Dates vary, September 17 - 24 in 2022)

Holidays

Labor Day (Date varies, September 5 in 2022)
Pitru Paksha (Dates vary, September 10 - 25 in 2022, Hinduism)
Coptic New Year (Date varies, September 11 in 2022, Coptic Orthodox Christianity)
The Day of Arbaeen (Dates vary, September 16 - 17 in 2022, Islam)
Mabon (September 21 - 29, Paganism)
Rosh Hashanah (Dates vary, September 25 - 27 in 2022, Judaism)
Navaratri (Dates vary, September 26 - October 5 in 2022, Hinduism)