Let's Celebrate Our Diversity!
December
Nov. 28th-Dec. 6th: Hanukkah (Chanukah) - Jewish festival commemorating the re-dedication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem at the time of the Maccabean Revolt against the Seleucid Empire; celebrated with lighting the menorah, traditional foods, games, and gifts
Nov 29th-Dec 24th: Advent - holy season and a time of prayer in the Christian calendar
1st: World AIDS Day - day dedicated to raising awareness of AIDS pandemic
3rd: International Day for People with Disabilities
7th: Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day - to remember and honor the brave United States men and women who were killed in the Japanese surprise attack on Pearl Harbor in Hawaii
25th: Christmas - annual festival commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ though celebrated by both Christians and non-Christians alike; celebrated with an elaborate exchange of gifts and Santa Claus (originating from St. Nicholas)
26th: Boxing Day - a day spent with family and friends in many countries; generally originates from and revolves around giving the less fortunate food and trinkets the day after Christmas festivities
26th-Jan 1st: Kwanzaa - honors African heritage in African-American culture; culminates in gift-giving and a feast; Core Principles: Unity, Self-Determination, Collective Work and Responsibility, Cooperative Economics, Purpose, Creativity, Faith
31st: New Year's Eve - last day of the Gregorian calendar year; celebrated at evening social gatherings with dancing, food, drinks, and sometimes fireworks
January
1st: New Year's Day - first day of the modern Gregorian calendar as well as Julian calendar; originally dedicated to Janus in Rome, god of gateways and beginnings (for whom January is also named)
4th: World Braille Day - Celebrated since 2019 to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication in the full realization of the human rights for blind and partially sighted people.
17th: Word Religion Day - Aim to promote understanding and peace between all religions, encouraging people to learn about other faiths.
17th: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day - American federal holiday to celebrate the life of Martin Luther King; MLK was an advocate and nonviolent activist for racial equality in laws including the Civil Rights Movement
Feb 12th: Chinese New Year - year of the Ox; celebrates the beginning of a new year on the traditional Chinese calendar; AKA Lunar New Year, Spring Festival
