April 2022
Arab American Heritage & Autism Awareness Month
Saturday, April 2
Celebrated on the same day every year, Autism Awareness Day focuses on increasing understanding and sharing the stories of people with autism. This United Nations-sanctioned holiday was established to help people reach their full potential as members of our community, regardless of the obstacles they might be facing. Everyone can celebrate this day by being inclusive, understanding, and kind to all!

Autism Acceptance Day
Tuesday, April 5
Also called Tomb Sweeping Day or Pure Brightness Festival, this holiday is celebrated by Chinese communities around the world, some of which are in Vietnam, Panama, Thailand, and the Philippines. The festival’s observances include cleaning or decorating the graves of ancestors and enjoying the pleasant Spring weather, usually by flying kites. 

Qing Ming Jie
Friday, April 8
This day came into being through Maria Pulzetti, a student at the University of Virginia who wanted to raise awareness for members of the LGBTQ+ community who had been bullied or silenced during their lifetime. The day includes a vow of silence to combat the hate against the LGBTQ+ community and show the student-led support their community has for them.

Day of Silence
Sunday, April 17
Easter is a Christian holiday celebrated on the Sunday after the first full moon after the spring equinox. The day commemorates Jesus rising from the dead, three days after he was crucified and redeemed the world of original sin. It is a day of joyous celebration and thanksgiving after the sorrowful period of Lent. You can celebrate with Easter egg hunts, chocolate, and bright colors!  

Easter
Monday, April 18
Also known as the International Day for Monuments and Sites, this holiday is celebrated on April 18th every year to bring attention to geographically, culturally, or historically significant landmarks. The theme for 2022 is "Heritage and Climate;” its purpose is to combine sustainability with the safeguarding of cultural sites and heritages, all from a diverse and equitable standpoint.  

World Heritage Day
Wednesday, April 20
Chinese Language Day was established by the United Nations to honor and encourage multilingualism while also bringing attention to the beauty of the Chinese language, one of the six official working languages of the UN. The date April 20th was chosen because it is around this time that Guyu is celebrated, a festival that honors Cangjie, who is credited with the creation of the Chinese characters.  

Chinese Language Day
Thursday-Saturday, April 21-23
Held annually during the fourth weekend in April, the Gathering of Nations is the largest Pow Wow in North America. Over 785 tribes from both the United States and Canada travel to Albuquerque, New Mexico every year to celebrate. The gathering was established as a music festival, pageant, and dancing competition to honor and uphold native culture in a safe and fair environment.

Gathering of Nations
Saturday, April 23
Spanish Language Day is celebrated every year on April 23rd to memorialize the death of Miguel de Cervantes, the author of Spain’s most infamous book, "Don Quixote of La Mancha.” As one of the United Nation’s six official languages, Spanish is commemorated to foster the rich culture it represents and to encourage intercultural dialogue and participation in Spanish. 

Spanish Language Day
Wednesday, April 27
Throughout the world, Denim Day sets a standard of support for survivors and spreads awareness that there is no reason for sexual assault, especially not the clothes a person wears. According to RAINN statistics, 1 in every 6 women has been the victim of attempted or completed rape. This holiday gathers support and solidarity for these victims and all others of sexual violence. 

Denim Day