Observances and Significant Dates

The Committee on Institutional Equity and Diversity (CIED) is committed to providing equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI) related resources on monthly observances and significant dates. Please check back often as our resources are continually updated.

Content

Resources for Monthly Observances and Significant Dates

January

International Holocaust Remembrance Day

United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Museum of Jewish Heritage: A Living Memorial to the Holocaust
United Nations - Outreach Program on the Holocaust - Calendar of Events
The Wiener Holocaust Library

Recommended Reading:

Lunar New Year

Useful Links

Local Lunar New Year Events

General Reading and Resources

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Around CUNY

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. has a rich history with CUNY. He historically spoke at two different commencement CUNY celebrations: one at City College in 1963, and one at Queen's College in 1965.

His City College address was given just hours after Medgar Evers had been assassinated on June 12, 1963. Parts of the City College commencement speech were later incorporated into his famous "I Have a Dream" speech, which he delivered in August of that same year on the steps of the Lincoln Memorial.

After Dr. King won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1964, he spoke to CUNY graduates again. At the Queens College Commencement in 1965, Dr. King presented the inaugural speech for the John F. Kennedy Lecture Series. During his speech, Dr. King paid tribute to Andrew Goodman, a Queen's College student who was slain by the Ku Klux Klan in Mississippi. The Queen's College Archives generously provided a digital copy of the speech and write-ups from local newspapers:

An audio clip of the speech is available on the Queens College Facebook page.

Recommended Reading

February

Black History Month

National Organizations Sponsoring Black History Month Events and Programs

Reading and Movie Resources

Local Cultural Organizations Featuring Black Artists and Events

March

Women’s History Month

Information:

Readings:

Events:

World Day of Muslim Culture Peace Dialogue and Film 

Information:

Events:

April

Arab American Heritage Month

Since 2017, April has been celebrated as Arab American Heritage Month to dedicate our collective attention to Arab American cultural and inclusion.

CUNY Community

General Readings and Resources

CUNY Disability Awareness Month

Every April, CUNY celebrates disability diversity and contributes to disability awareness and acceptance by uplifting disabled voices and promoting inclusivity. The University-wide initiative aims to honor disability culture while advancing disability equity and equality.

CUNY Community

General Readings and Resources

May

Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
National Military Appreciation Month

CUNY

June

Juneteenth

Juneteenth History

Around CUNY

Around NYC

Pride Month

Language and communication are more than just using requested pronouns. Although this is important as well, learn the definitions for some common terms relating to the LGBTQIA+ community and guidance on how and where to use them.

CUNY Resources

LGBTQ Communities

Mental Health and Wellness

Parents

Educators

Additional Resources

July

Disability Pride Month

After decades of grassroots activism, protests, and lobbying by disabled people around the country, the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) was signed into law by President George H. W. Bush on July 26, 1990. Over the next few years, several cities celebrated with annual Disability Independence Day parades at the end of July. July is an opportunity to reflect on this landmark legislative achievement and to contemplate the vital work that remains to be done.

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

History of the Disability Rights Movement

  • The Museum of disABILITY History features a virtual wing on the history of disability advocacy in the United States and New York State
  • Disability History NYC profiles the individuals and organizations that made up the disability rights movement in New York City
  • Disability justice based performance project Sins Invalid offers a range of disability justice resources, including a multimedia curriculum

Disability Pride Month

Disability Diversity

September

National Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month

Join us in celebrating National Hispanic & Latinx Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15 to commemorate the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors originated from Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. 

The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. It was enacted into law on August 17, 1988, on the approval of Public Law 100-402.

In the month of September several Latin American countries celebrate their Independence Day and Día de la Raza, or Day of the Race, which falls on October 12.

Read about Hispanic Heritage Month

CUNY

Events

Podcasts

October

LGBT History Month

LGBTQ+ History Month is celebrated in October to observe the history of lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer community. It coincides with the National Coming Out Day, that is observed on October 11.

The observance of LGBTQ+ History Month began in 1994, which was created by Rodney Wilson, a history teacher at a Missouri high school. The commemorative month originally honored gay and lesbian history, but over the years, "additional acronyms were added to increase inclusivity of LGBTQ+ communities." (LGBTQ History Month, IOWA Multicultural & International Student Support & Engagement)

History

Celebrate LGBT History Month

National Disability Employment Awareness Month

About NDEAM

National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM) highlights the vital contributions of workers with disabilities and promotes inclusive employment practices and workplace cultures.

Resources

Events

Books

November

National Native American Heritage Month

History and Resources

Events

  • National Park Service - a list of events hosted on the Official Website of the New York City Department of Parks & Recreation
  • Smithsonian - a list of the museum's sponsored events

Maps

  • Native Land - an app to help map Indigenous territories, treaties, and languages
  • National Public Radio (NPR) - invites us to learn which Native lands we live on via a map that conveys more than borders

Reflections for Allies

  • CNN - 5 ways to honor Native Americans during National Native American Heritage Month- including decolonizing your Thanksgiving dinner
  • Smithsonian - offers a thought-provoking essay on Native Americans' Thanksgiving reflections
  • Women and the American Story - invite you to meet the proud and powerful writer, Zitkala-Sa

For Kids

  • PBS Learning Media (PBS13) - a curated look at Indigenous art, history, and culture from multiple resources for teachers and their students
  • Teen Vogue - gives guidelines for young people on avoiding offensive stereotypes and how to be a better ally to Native nations