Awareness & cultural observance calendar

January 13 – Korean American Day: Honors Korean Americans' contributions and commemorates the arrival of the first Korean immigrants on January 13, 1903.

January 16 – National Religious Freedom Day: This day marks the anniversary of the 1786 Virginia Statute for Religious Freedom, underscoring the right to practice any faith or none at all, and the importance of religious freedom as a cornerstone of American values.

January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day: Celebrates one of the best-known civil rights activists, Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. This day encourages a day of service in the community and an opportunity to reflect on civil rights, social justice, and the ongoing fight for equality and unity in the United States. 

January 21 – National Day of Racial Healing: Observed the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, this day promotes truth-telling, racial healing, and solidarity, inviting communities to come together in acknowledgment and understanding of racial histories and disparities.

January 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day: A global remembrance to commemorate the victims and survivors of the Holocaust.

January 29 – Chinese New Year: Also known as Lunar New Year, the 15-day holiday celebrates family reunions and tradition. The date of Lunar New Year differs every year and honors a different zodiac animal. In 2025, the Chinese New Year is the Year of the Wood Snake, which is a time connected with transformation, growth, and introspection.

Black History Month: A month-long celebration honoring the contributions, triumphs, and struggles of the Black community throughout U.S. history.

Irish-American Heritage Month: A month-long celebration honoring the contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants.  An annual observance that aligns with St. Patrick's Day.

February 15 – Nirvana Day: An annual festival that remembers the death of the Buddha after reaching nirvana; also called Parinirvana.

February 15 – Susan B. Anthony’s Birthday: A leader of the women’s suffrage movement, she advocated for abolition, temperance, labor rights, and equal pay for equal work.

February 20 – World Day of Social Justice: A day to recognize the need to promote social justice and address issues such as poverty, exclusion, gender inequality, unemployment, human rights, and social protections.

February 28-March 31 – Ramadan: Islam’s holiest month begins. During this time Muslims commemorate the Qur'an and abstain from eating and drinking from dawn until dusk to strengthen devotion, special prayers, and gratitude. Ramadan is a part of the Islamic calendar, which is a lunar calendar and the first day of the holiday starts at sundown. 

Brain Injury Awareness Month: March is designated Brain Injury Awareness Month to recognize the millions of adults and children living with a form of permanent brain injury-related disability. Use #MoreThanMyBrainInjury to spread awareness. 

Developmental Disabilities Month: A national observance to raise awareness about inclusion and address the barriers of people with developmental disabilities.

Gender Equality Month: Gender Equality Month brings awareness to gender biases and challenges.

Women’s History Month: A month-long celebration of women's contributions to history, culture and society.

March 5 – Ash Wednesday: A day of prayer and fasting that begins the Christian season of Lent, a 40-day period of preparation and fasting before Easter.

March 8 – International Women’s Day: A day highlighting the political, social, cultural, and economic achievements of women.

March 17 – St. Patrick's Day: A religious and cultural holiday to commemorate Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland. 

March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination: A day that encourages everyone to come together to eliminate all forms of racial discrimination.

March 25 – Holi: Hindu holiday that celebrates the onset of spring and the triumph of good over evil.

Arab American Heritage Month: In 2024, the President of the United States proclaimed April as Arab American Heritage Month to commemorate the achievements and rich heritage of Arab Americans.

Autism Acceptance Month: Created by the Autism Society of America, this month-long observance seeks to empower the Autism community through meaningful connections and spread awareness using #CelebrateDifferences.

National Volunteer Month: Annual celebration that honors volunteers efforts and encourages continued volunteerism throughout the year.  

Occupational Therapy (OT) Month: Occupational Therapy Month honors our vital profession and the meaningful differences it makes in the lives of our clients.

April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day: Raises awareness for those with autism and seeks to improve their lives and acceptance in society.

April 12-20 – Passover: An 8-day holiday celebrating Jewish freedom from hundreds of years of slavery under the ancient Egyptians. The Jewish community refrains from eating leavened bread throughout the holiday to remember the difficult journey from slavery to freedom. 

April 13 – Palm Sunday: A Christian holiday held before Easter Sunday, Palm Sunday recounts the story of in the scripture of Jesus' entering Jerusalem greeted by people waving palm branches. 

April 22 – Earth Day: Holiday that applauds the planet we live on and all it does for us; Earth Day is observed by more than 192 nations.

Asian American and Pacific Island Heritage Month: Commemorates people with Asian and Pacific Island ancestry and their contribution to the United States.

Better Hearing and Speech Month: This month-long event provides an opportunity to raise awareness about hearing and speech problems and encourage people to get their hearing checked.

Indian Heritage Month: During this month, American Indian and Alaska Natives (AI/AN) are honored and celebrated for their rich and varied cultures, traditions, history, and societal contributions.

Jewish American Heritage Month: Honors American Jews and their contributions to the United States throughout history.

Mental Health Awareness Month: Encourages awareness of the importance of mental health and the critical role mental health plays in overall health and well-being.

Older Americans Month: Celebrates how older Americans contribute to the United States

May 5 – Cinco de Mayo: Commemorates Mexico’s unexpected victory over France in the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862.

May 11 - Mother's Day: Annual national holiday that honors mothers of families, motherhood, maternal bonds, and a mother's influence in the community.

May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia: This event seeks to raise awareness for the rights of LGBTQ+ individuals.

May 26 –  Memorial Day: Honors and mourns military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces. 

Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month: Celebrated by the color purple, this month promotes awareness on Alzheimer's research and support for those affected by the disease. Use #ENDALZ to share why you raise awareness for Alzheimer’s.

Caribbean American Heritage Month: This month recognizes those of Caribbean descent and the impact their accomplishments have had throughout American history.

LGBTQIA+ Pride Month: Pride Month recognizes and celebrates LGBTQIA+ community, while reflecting on the history and struggles of the community. June was selected to commemorate the Stonewall Riots.

June 12 – Loving Day: This day is the anniversary of the court decision that legalizes interracial marriage.

June 14-19 – Hajj: This day begins the annual pilgrimage to Mecca that all Muslims must take once in their lives if they are physically and financially capable.

June 15 – Father's Day: Annual national holiday that honors fathers of families, fatherhood, paternal bonds, and a father's impact on the community. 

June 19 – Juneteenth: This day commemorates when the last African Americans learned of the Emancipation Proclamation (over two years after it was originally issued).

June 21 – World Humanist Day: Starting in the 1980s, this day marks an opportunity for humanists around the world to promote the values of humanism in a positive way and share the concerns and issues of the humanist movement globally.

June 27 – Hijri New Year: This day marks the start of the Islamic New Year — beginning the prior evening.

French American Heritage Month: This month is dedicated to celebrating and honoring the influences and the contributions that the French have had on the United States in art, culture, language, etiquette, and more.

July 4 – Independence Day: Commemorates the ratification of the Declaration of Independence. 

July 26 – Americans with Disabilities Act: This law protects people with disabilities from being discriminated against.

July 27 – Parents' Day: Recognizes parental figures and the role they play in children's lives. This day promotes positive parental role models. 

July 30 – International Day of Friendship: Established in 2011 by the United Nations, this day promotes the idea that friendship between people, countries, cultures, and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities.

National Black Business Month: Recognizes Black businesses' contributions, challenges, growth, and provides the opportunity support local and national Black-owned businesses.

National Breastfeeding Month: Supports raising awareness to promote, encourage, and support breastfeeding. 

National Wellness Month: Aims to raise awareness on the importance of prioritizing health and well-being and focuses on all aspects of health — mental, physical, social, and emotional. 

August 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People: This day was created by the UN to celebrate the culture of indigenous people on a global scale.

August 8-14 – Indigenous Milk Medicine Week: This week's observance encourages and uplifts the diversity of Native breast/chestfeeding experiences.  #IndigyMilkHeals

August 15-21 – Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Breastfeeding Week: A week-long campaign to decrease inequities and normalize chest/breastfeeding in AANHPI communities through improved breast/chestfeeding education and support practices.

August 19 – World Humanitarian Action Day: This observed day calls for a mass global display of public support for humanitarian action and provides appreciation and respect to the martyrs of humanitarian causes.

August 21 – Senior Citizen's Day: This day recognizes and acknowledges the contributions of older people and raises awareness of issues that impact the older adult community.

August 25-31: Black Breastfeeding Week: The observance was developed in response to the elevated Black infant mortality rate, the unique cultural barriers among Black women, and highlights efforts and initiatives to support breastfeeding among Black families. 

August 26 – Women’s Equality Day: This day marks the anniversary of women gaining the right to vote in the year 1920.

National Preparedness Month: Raises awareness for emergency preparedness by promoting business, community, and family disaster planning.

National Recovery Month: This awareness month seeks to educate Americans on treatment and health services for individuals with substance use disorder.

National Suicide Prevention Month: This month acknowledges those affected by suicide, raise awareness, provide resources and support, and connect individuals who are having suicidal thoughts to treatment services.

September 2 – Labor Day: A federal holiday to recognize and honor the American labor workforce.

September 3-9 – Semana de La Lactancia Latina: The observance celebrates Latinx families breast/chestfeeding and raising awareness about the barriers within the community.

September 7 – Ganesh Chaturthi: This Hindu festival celebrates Lord Ganesha’s birth.

September 7 – National Grandparents' Day: Celebrates the bond between grandparents and grandchildren. 

September 15-October 15 – National Hispanic Heritage Month: This month honors Hispanic and Latino Americans for their contributions to U.S. culture. 

September 16 – Mexican Independence Day: This day celebrates the anniversary of the country’s independence from Spain.

September 22-24 – Rosh Hashanah: This holiday is the start of the Jewish new year. 

Begins Sept. 22 at sundown; ends at nightfall on Sept. 24.

September 30 – Orange Shirt Day: This day, marked by wearing orange, honors the Indigenous children who were removed from their homes and families during the 19th century, forced to attend residential schools, and assimilate to other names and customs to eliminate their culture and traditions. Through its campaign, "Every Child Matters," Orange Shirt Day continues the conversation on the intergenerational impact of residential schools. 

Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer deaths in women; this month seeks to boost awareness of the disease. 

Domestic Violence Awareness Month: This month acknowledges domestic violence survivors and advocates for the end of domestic violence. 

Down Syndrome Awareness Month: This month celebrates the abilities of people with Down Syndrome.

Filipino-American History Month: A monthlong commemoration and appreciation for the Filipino experience throughout American history.

Global Diversity Awareness Month: An awareness month with the goal of promoting respect toward various cultures.

Italian American Heritage Month: This month honors and celebrates the contributions of Italian Americans. 

National Bullying Prevention: A month-long observance to raise awareness and provide education about bullying and cyberbullying prevention. 

National Disability Employment Awareness Month: This awareness month aims to advocate for individuals with disabilities and their inclusion in the workforce. 

National Polish American Heritage Month: A month selected to honor those with Polish heritage.

October 1 – Defender of Ukraine Day: This day celebrates those who have fought for the freedom of Ukraine. 

October 1-2 - Yom Kippur: Jewish day of atonement. The Jewish community will fast to reflect on their actions and mistakes from the past year in an effort to make this new year a better one to be inscribed in the Jewish book of life. Begins Oct. 1 at sundown; ends at nightfall on Oct. 2.

October 10 – World Mental Health Day: A day that advocates for mental health awareness and education; on this day, you can support the efforts by reflecting on your own biases regarding mental health and advocating against social stigma related to it.

October 11 – National Coming Out Day: An annual awareness day observed to support the LGBTQIA+ in “coming out of the closet”.

October 13 – Indigenous People’s Day: This day honors the indigenous people of the United States; the holiday coincides with Columbus Day.

October 15 – International Pronouns Day: This day seeks to provide education on personal pronouns to refer to them correctly. 

October 16 – Spirit Day: This day is aimed specifically at LGBTQ youth and what their community can do to support them. You can participate in this day by wearing purple and speaking out against bullying. 

October 20 – Diwali: An important celebration in the Hindu faith in which a variety of deities are praised. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that are lighted outside of homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

October 27– World Occupational Therapy (OT) Day: Launched in 2010 by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), this day promotes and celebrates the occupational therapy profession internationally.

Movember: A month-long fundraiser that seeks to raise awareness for men’s issues such as suicide as well as prostate and testicular cancer.

National Native American Heritage Month: This month celebrates the contributions — cultures, traditions, histories — of Native people to the United States

November 1-2 – All Saints Day & All Souls Day: The first day is a feast observing all saints. The following day, Nov. 2, marks a day of prayer for, and remembrance of those who have passed. 

November 2 – Day of the Dead: A Mexican celebration that honors those who passed away and honor ancestors.

November 11 – Veteran's Day: A federal holiday that honors military veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces.

November 16 – International Day for Tolerance: The United Nations holiday was founded to encourage respect among various people regardless of culture, language, religion, or ethnicity.

November 16 – Dutch American Heritage Day: This day applauds the long friendship between the Netherlands and the United States.

November 20 – Transgender Day of Remembrance: This day is held as a remembrance for all those murdered because of transphobia.

November 27 – Thanksgiving Day: A U.S. holiday celebrating family gatherings and giving thanks. 

December 1 – World AIDS Day: This day highlights the importance of HIV/AIDS awareness and raises money for its cure.

December 1-5: Older Driver Safety Awareness Week: Established by AOTA, ODSAW, promotes awareness of the breadth of resources available for older drivers. During this week occupational therapy practitioners (OTPs) can explore options and choices for clients when driving and mobility are affected. #ODSAW.

December 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities: This United Nations holiday raises awareness for the rights of individuals with disabilities.

December 8 – Bodhi Day:  A Buddhist holiday commemorating the day Siddhartha Gautama attained enlightenment.

December 9 – Feast of the Immaculate Conception: A Catholic feast day celebrating the conception of the Virgin Mary without original sin.

December 10 – International Humans Rights Day: A holiday adopted by the UN in 1948 following the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. 

December 14-22 – Hanukkah: An 8-day festival known as the Jewish festival of lights. Jews celebrate their perseverance over Assyrian religious persecution in ancient times by lighting an 8-stemmed menorah throughout the holiday. 

December 16-24 – Las Posadas: A religious festival celebrated in Mexico and parts of the U.S. during the Christmas season.

December 25 – Christmas: A Christian holiday marking the birth of their lord and savior, Jesus Chris.  The first day of the holiday begins at sundown. 

December 26-January 1 – Kwanzaa: A 7-day holiday often celebrated by Black Americans that was inspired by African harvest celebrations.

December 31 – Omisoka: The Japanese New Year's Eve, a time for reflection and preparation for the new year.