Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is an annual celebration in the United States during May. It recognizes and honors the contributions of Jewish Americans to the country’s history, culture, and society. The idea for JAHM was proposed by Senator Arlen Specter and Representative Debbie Wasserman Schultz in 2005 to appreciate the achievements of Jewish Americans […]
May marks the annual celebration of Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month in the United States. In 1978 Congress proclaimed the first week of May as “Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week.” Future Presidents continued this annual proclamation until 1992 when Congress and President George H.W. Bush signed a law designating the month of May to celebrate […]
April celebrates both Diversity Month and National Minority Health Month, providing an opportunity to recognize and honor the diversity of the world around us while also addressing the disproportionate burden of premature death and illness in racial and ethnic minority groups. Diversity Month acknowledges and embraces the diverse cultures, perspectives, and identities that make up […]
Autism Acceptance Month takes place in April each year and is a time dedicated to promoting acceptance, understanding, and celebrating the diversity of people on the autism spectrum. The history of Autism Acceptance Month can be traced back to Autism Awareness Month, which was first designated in the 1970s to increase public knowledge about autism. […]
National Deaf History Month is celebrated March 13th to April 15th each year to commemorate the achievements of people who are deaf and hard of hearing. This timeframe was chosen to signify significant milestones in deaf education history, including: The National Association of the Deaf (NAD) introduced National Deaf History Month in 1997, and since […]
Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic lunar calendar and holds great significance in the Islamic faith. It is observed by Muslims worldwide as a period of fasting, prayer, self-reflection, and increased devotion to Allah. Historically, Ramadan commemorates the revelation of the first verses of the Quran to the Prophet Muhammad. According to Islamic […]
March offers us an opportunity to celebrate Women’s History Month This annual event honors women’s achievements and contributions throughout history. The theme for the 2024 Women’s History Month, “Women Who Advocate for Equity, Diversity, and Inclusion,” highlights the important role women play in promoting equality and diversity in their respective fields. Women’s History Month originally […]
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. This day is marked by Mass, where ashes are placed on the foreheads of Christians in the shape of crosses by the priest. This act symbolizes repentance and a commitment to God. Lent is a season of penance, prayer, fasting, and almsgiving, lasting for […]
Chinese New Year, also known as the Spring Festival or Lunar New Year, is indeed a significant and widely celebrated festival in Chinese culture. It is a time for family reunions, cultural festivities, and welcoming a new year with hope and optimism. In 2024, Chinese New Year begins on February 10th and lasts for 15 […]
During Black History month, we hope you have time to reflect on the many historical sacrifices and important contributions of Black Americans to our American way of life. We do this in the spirit of sharing: Please see below for Black History Month events/activities being held at Washington University and in the St. Louis community. […]
Hanukkah is an eight-day Jewish festival that begins at sunset on December 7th and ends on December 15th. The central theme of Hanukkah commemorates the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem during the second century B.C. and the miracle of the oil. Hanukkah holds great cultural and religious significance for Jewish communities around the […]
Diwali is one of the most significant and widely celebrated festivals in India and among Hindu communities around the world. Diwali is a festival that celebrates the victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance. It has deep-rooted religious and cultural significance and is celebrated with enthusiasm and joy, fostering unity […]
Native American Heritage Month is observed during the month of November in celebration and recognition of the rich and diverse cultures, traditions, contributions, and history of Native American and Indigenous peoples in the United States. The origins of Native American Heritage Month can be traced back to the efforts of various individuals and organizations who […]
The History Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 through October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. This observation began in 1968 with Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson. It was expanded […]