The Department of Residence Life has developed a diversity, equity, and inclusion calendar as a resource for students and staff to learn more about the variety of holidays, observances, festivals, and more that occur throughout the year. Members of the campus community can use these observances and celebrations as talking points in their daily interactions with one another. We hope that you will find this beneficial in your learning, and that this calendar provides you with additional ways to connect with the diverse array of students at Rutgers.
The intent is to make this as diverse as possible through showcasing a variety of historical, religious, and cultural events; however, we want to acknowledge that this is not an exhaustive list. Please send an email to us for additional calendar considerations.
- January
Name of Holiday/Celebration
National Human Trafficking Awareness Month - Month-Long Theme
National Mentoring Month - Month-Long Theme
National Poverty in America Awareness Month - Month-Long Theme
World Braille Day - January 4
Three Kings Day - January 6
National Day of Racial Healing – January 18
International Day of Education - January 24
- February
Name of Holiday/Celebration
Black History Month - Month-Long Theme
American Heart Month - Month-Long Theme
Candlemas Day - February 2
World Cancer Day - February 4
International Day of Women and Girls in Science - February 11
Presidents Day - Observed the third Monday of the month
- March
Name of Holiday/Celebration
Women's History Month - Month-Long Theme
National Nutrition Month - Month-Long Theme
International Women's Day - March 8
Saint Patrick's Day - March 17
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - March 21
International Transgender Day of Visibility - March 31
- April
Name of Holiday/Celebration
Autism Awareness Month - Month-Long Theme
World Health Day - April 7
- May
Name of Holiday/Celebration
Mental Health Awareness Month - Month-Long Theme
Jewish American Heritage Month - Month-Long Theme
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month - Month-Long Theme
Cinco De Mayo - May 5
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia - May 17
World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development - May 21
- June
Name of Holiday/Celebration
LGBTQIA+ Pride Month - Month-Long Theme
Loving Day - June 12
Flag Day - June 14
Juneteenth - June 19
Saint Jean Baptiste Day - June 24
National HIV Testing Day - June 27
- July
Name of Holiday/Celebration
Independence Day - July 4
Nelson Mandela Day - July 18
National Disability Independence Day - July 26
International Day of Friendship - July 30
- August
Name of Holiday/Celebration
International Youth Day - August 12
World Humanitarian Day - August 19
International Day of Remembrance/Tribute to Victims of Terrorism - August 21
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition - August 21
International Day Commemorating Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion/Belief - August 22
Women's Equality Day - August 26
- September
Name of Holiday/Celebration
National Hispanic Heritage Month - Month-Long Theme, observed 9/15-10/15
Promote National Suicide Prevention Month
Patriot Day - September 11
Mexican Independence Day - September 15
Constitution Day and Citizenship Day - September 17
International Day of Peace - September 21
- October
Name of Holiday/Celebration
Global Diversity Awareness Month - Month-Long Theme
National Bullying Prevention Month - Month-Long Theme
LGBT History Month - Month-Long Theme
National Hispanic Heritage Month – Month-Long Theme, observed 9/15-10/15
Domestic Violence Awareness Month - Month-Long Theme
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) – Month-Long Theme
World Teachers Day - October 5
National Coming Out Day - October 11
Indigenous Peoples' Day - October 12
Halloween - October 31
Reformation Day - October 31
Samhain - October 31
- November
Name of Holiday/Celebration
Native American Heritage Month - Month-Long Theme
All Saints' Day - November 1
Veterans Day - November 11
Day of the Dead (Día de Muertos)
Transgender Day of Remembrance - November 20
International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women - November 25
International Students' Day - November 25
16 Days of Activism against Gender-Based Violence - Observed November 25 to December 10
Thanksgiving - Observed the last Thursday of the month
- December
Name of Holiday/Celebration
World Aids Day - December 1
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3
International Human Rights Day - December 10
Feast of our Lady of Guadalupe - December 12
Las Posadas - Observed December 16 to December 24
Christmas - December 25
Boxing Day - December 26
New Years Eve - December 31
