January
January 1
New Year's Day New Year’s Day, the first day of the year according to the modern Gregorian calendar, is celebrated in most Western countries.
January 4
World Braille Day Observed to raise awareness of the importance of Braille as a means of communication; celebrated on the birthday of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille.
January 5
Twelfth Night A festival celebrated by some branches of Christianity that marks the coming of the Epiphany.
January 6
Epiphany or Dia de los Reyes A holiday observed by Eastern and Western Christians that recognizes the visit of the three wise men to the baby Jesus 12 days after his birth.
January 6
Armenian Orthodox Christmas Recognized on this day by Armenian Orthodox Christians, who celebrate the birth of Jesus on Epiphany.
January 7
Christmas Recognized on this day by Eastern Orthodox Christians, who celebrate Christmas 13 days later than other Christian churches because they follow the Julian calendar rather than the Gregorian version of the Western calendar.
January 13
Lohri-Maghi An annual festival celebrated by Sikhs commemorating the memory of 40 Sikh martyrs.
January 14
Makar Sankranti A major harvest festival celebrated in various parts of India.
January 18
Bodhi Day The Buddhist holiday that commemorates the day that the historical Buddha, Siddhartha Gautama (Shakyamuni), experienced enlightenment, also known as Bodhi in Sanskrit and Pali.
January 20
Martin Luther King Jr. Day WSU Vancouver recognizes Martin Luther King Jr. Day, a U.S. federal holiday marking King’s birthday. Since 1983, the King holiday has been observed on the third Monday of January each year. The earliest Monday for this holiday is Jan. 15 (King's birthday) and the latest is Jan. 21. King is widely regarded as America's pre-eminent advocate of nonviolence and one of the greatest social justice leaders in world history. King’s, “I Have a Dream” speech, Nobel Peace Prize lecture and “Letter from a Birmingham Jail” are among the most revered orations and writings in the English language. His accomplishments are now taught to children in the U.S. of all races, and his teachings are studied by scholars and students worldwide.
To learn more, click to the full statement, found here
January 20
Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Ji The 10th guru of the Sikhs who initiated the Sikhs as the Khalsa (the pure ones) and who is known as the Father of the Khalsa.
January 21
National Day of Racial Healing Each year, the WSU Office of the Provost and the MLK System Committee brings together community members from across the Washington State University and celebrates the ways we carry on Dr. King's spirit through our work. The theme for this year's events is "Keep on Pushing: Building Bridges to Sustainability." This theme embodies our collective commitment to sustainability—not only in environmental terms but as a comprehensive social objective that ensures we meet the needs of the present while empowering future generations to meet theirs. Central to this theme is the concept of building bridges. By fostering connections across diverse groups and encouraging open dialogue, we aim to inspire positive action. Working together is essential for meaningful progress, and this belief is foundational to this week's programming, during the spring semester and beyond.
You may view the list of events here.
January 26
Republic Day of India Celebrates the date on which the constitution of India came into effect in 1950, marking the transition from the British Monarchy as nominal head of the Indian Dominion to a fully sovereign republic in the Commonwealth of Nations.
January 29
Lunar New Year Year of the Dragon; one of the most sacred holidays in China. Celebrated in east and southeast Asian countries and features unique interpretations, zodiacs, and traditions across cultures.
February
February 1 - 2
Imbolc A Gaelic traditional festival marking the beginning of spring.
February 1
National Freedom Day Celebrates the signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished enslavement in the U.S. in 1865.
February 3
Setsubun-Sai The day before the beginning of spring in Japan, celebrated annually as part of the Spring Festival.
February 3
Four Chaplains Day Commemorates the sinking of the U.S. Army transport Dorchester and the heroism of the four chaplains aboard.
February 7
Black History Week Originated by Carter G. Woodson, observed for the first time on this date in 1926. Black History Month is established by 1976 and formally recognized by the Ford administration and every American president since.
February 11
Nelson Mandela's Release Nelson Mandela is released from a South African prison in 1990 after being detained for 27 years as a political prisoner.
February 12
Lantern Festival The first significant feast after Lunar New Year; participants enjoy watching paper lanterns illuminate the sky on the night of the event.
February 14
Frederick Douglass Day Celebrated annually to honor one of the most important abolitionists, writers, orators, and leaders on the day he was reportedly born. Carter G. Woodson established Black History Month in February because it included the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
February 17
Presidents Day A federally recognized celebration in the United States that honors the birthdays of George Washington and Abraham Lincoln, as well as those of every U.S. president.
February 21
Assassination of Malcolm X The day El-Hajj Malik El-Shabazz (Malcolm X), Black American nationalist, was assassinated.
February 23
Meatfare Sunday Also known as The Sunday of the Last Judgment, traditionally the last day of eating meat before Easter for Orthodox Christians.
February 28 - March 30
Ramadan An Islamic holiday marked by fasting, praise, prayer, and devotion to Islam. Observed from sundown to sundown.
March
March 5 - April 17
Beginning of Great Lent In the Orthodox Christian faith, the first day of Great Lent is also known as Clean Monday.
March 14 - 16
Hola Mohalla A Sikh festival that takes place on the second day of the lunar month of Chet, a day after the Hindu Spring festival Holi.
March 14
Holi The festival of colors, observed in India, Nepal, Sri Lanka, and other countries with large Hindu and Sikh populations. It is celebrated on the full moon (Phalguna Purnima) before the Vernal Equinox based on the Hindu calendar.
March 20
Nowruz/Norooz Persian New Year, a day of joy, celebration, and renewal, held annually on the spring equinox.
March 20
Ostara A celebration of the spring equinox commemorated by pagans and Wiccans to mark the coming of spring and the fertility of the land.
March 27
Laylat al-Qadr The holiest night of the year for Muslims, traditionally celebrated on the 27th day of Ramadan. Known as the Night of Power, it commemorates the night the Quran was first revealed to the prophet Muhammad.
March 29
Hindu New Year Celebrated as the beginning of the new year in Hindu traditions.
March 29 - 30
Eid al-Fitr The first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims attend communal prayers, listen to a khutuba (sermon), and give Zakat al-Fitr (charity in the form of food).
April
April 8
Equal Pay Day Observes the gender pay gap for all employees, including full-time, part-time, and seasonal workers. This date reflects how much longer into the year women must work to catch up to the pay of their White male counterparts.
April 11
Day of Silence A day during which students take a vow of silence to protest the silencing of LGBTQ+ students and their allies due to bias and harassment.
April 12 - 20
Passover An eight-day Jewish holiday commemorating the emancipation of the Israelites from enslavement in ancient Egypt.
April 13
Palm Sunday A Christian holiday commemorating the entry of Jesus into Jerusalem, marking the last Sunday of Lent and the beginning of Holy Week.
April 18
Good Friday A day celebrated by Christians to commemorate the execution of Jesus by crucifixion. It is recognized on the Friday before Easter.
April 22
Earth Day Promotes world peace and sustainability of the planet, with global events showing support for environmental protection.
April 24
Armenian Remembrance Day Recognizes the genocide of approximately 1.5 million Armenians between 1915 and 1923 in Turkey.
May
May 1
Beltane An ancient Celtic festival celebrated on May Day, signifying the beginning of summer.
May 5
Cinco de Mayo A Mexican holiday commemorating the victory over France at the Battle of Puebla in 1862, celebrating Mexican culture and heritage.
May 15 - 16
Lag BaOmer A Jewish holiday marking the Day of Hillula of Rabbi Shimon bar Yochai.
May 25
George Floyd Day of Enlightenment and Remembrance The George Floyd Memorial Center has designated May 25 as the Day of Enlightenment “for our community, the nation, and the world” to turn pain into purpose, hate into hope, and tragedy into triumph in honor of the life and memory of George Floyd.
Today and every day, take a breath for George Floyd and all fellow human beings whose last breaths and lives were taken by state and other targeted forms of violence. Take a breath for equity, justice and accountability. Take a breath for empowerment, healing and humanity. Take a breath for love. We have so much more to do. Honor the power of breath. Appreciate the ripeness of this moment to activate your advocacy for systemic change.
WSU Vancouver is dedicated to building a community of cultural responsiveness, equity-mindedness, and inclusive excellence where students, staff, faculty, and community partners feel a sense of welcome, belonging and opportunity to thrive. This is reinforced by the strategic priority to promote an…
May 26
Memorial Day A U.S. federal holiday honoring military veterans who died in wars fought by American forces.
June
June 5 - 6
Waqf al Arafa The second day of the Hajj pilgrimage within Islam.
June 14
Flag Day A U.S. holiday celebrating the history and symbolism of the American flag.
June 19
Corpus Christi A Catholic holiday celebrating the presence of the body and blood of Christ in the Eucharist.
June 19
Juneteenth Celebrates the emancipation of enslaved Black people in Texas and Louisiana in 1865, two years after the Emancipation Proclamation.
June 20
Litha A Wiccan and Pagan celebration of the summer solstice, marking the longest day of the year.
June 29
LGBTQ+ Pride Day U.S. celebration commemorating the Stonewall Uprising on June 28, 1969.
July
July 1
Canada Day A Canadian federal holiday celebrating the enactment of the Constitution Act of 1867, establishing Canada.
July 4
Fourth of July A U.S. federal holiday commemorating the adoption of the Declaration of Independence in 1776.
July 14
Bastille Day A French federal holiday commemorating the 1789 Storming of the Bastille, a turning point in the French Revolution.
August
August 17
Marcus Garvey Day Honors Jamaican-born political activist, orator, and organizer of the Black Nationalist movement in the U.S.
August 26
Women’s Equality Day Certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution that gave women the right to vote. Congresswoman Bella Abzug first introduced a proclamation for Women’s Equality Day in 1971. Since that time, every president has published a proclamation recognizing Aug. 26 as Women’s Equality Day.
September
September 2
Labor Day (U.S.) Honors laborers' contributions, observed on the first Monday of September.
September 11
9/11 Remembrance Remembering the 2001 terrorist attacks that killed nearly 3,000 people in the U.S.
September 12
Ethiopian New Year Celebrated on Sept. 11 or Sept. 12, depending on the leap year.
September 21 - 29
Mabon A Pagan and Wiccan celebration of the autumnal equinox.
September 23
Bisexuality Day Celebrates bisexual communities and raises awareness of challenges faced by bisexual people.
October
October 11 - 12
Yom Kippur Holiest day in Judaism, focusing on atonement and repentance.
October 14
Indigenous Peoples Day (2nd Monday) Indigenous Peoples Day was first proposed in 1977 during a United Nations conference on discrimination against indigenous populations in the Americas. Indigenous Peoples Day occurs on the second Monday of October and recognizes that Native people are the first inhabitants of the Americas, including the lands that later became the United States of America. By 1990, movements to formalize Indigenous Peoples or Native American Day gained momentum. The movement continues to expand present day with formalized recognitions across states, cities and organizations throughout the United States, including universities and schools.
WSU acknowledges that its locations statewide are on the homelands of Native peoples who have lived in this region from time immemorial. WSU has a formal memorandum of understanding to increase access for Native American students, faculty and staff; recognize Native American achievements at the university; and strengthen the relationship between the university and…
October 16 - 23
Sukkot A seven-day Jewish festival giving thanks for the fall harvest.
October 17
Spirit Day Encourages wearing purple in solidarity with LGBTQ+ youth targeted by harassment and violence.
October 20
Sikh Holy Day Celebrates spiritual guide Sri Guru Granth Sahib.
October 31
Reformation Day A Protestant religious holiday celebrated alongside Halloween.
October 31
Diwali A major festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and some Buddhists.
November
November 5
Election Day (General Election) Election Day in the United States of America is the Tuesday following the first Monday in November. It can fall on or between November 2 and November 8. It is the day when popular ballots are held to select public officials. These include national, state, and local government representatives at all levels up to the president.
November 11
Veterans Day Honors U.S. military veterans, coinciding with Armistice Day and Remembrance Day.
November 20
Transgender Day of Remembrance Transgender Day of Remembrance was founded in 1999 by transgender advocate Gwendolyn Ann Smith as a vigil to honor the memory of Rita Hester, who was murdered in 1998. The vigil commemorated the lives of transgender and gender-variant people since Hester's death and launched the commemoration into an annual U.S. and international observance.
Transgender Day of Remembrance brings attention to discrimination and violence faced by transgender and gender-variant people on a daily basis, including transgender people with Black, Indigenous and People of Color identities, who experience…
November 29
Native American Heritage Day Held annually the Friday after Thanksgiving, encourages people of all backgrounds to observe and honor Native American people and communities through authentic ceremonies and activities. The day was signed into law by George W. Bush in 2008.
December
December 1
Rosa Parks Day Commemorates Rosa Parks' resistance to transportation segregation in 1955.
December 1
World AIDS Day Commemorates those who have died of AIDS and advocates for continued commitment to ending HIV/AIDS.
December 21
Yule Winter Solstice Celebrated by pagans and Wiccans, representing renewal and new beginnings.
December 25 - January 2
Hanukkah A Jewish festival commemorating the recovery of Jerusalem and rededication of the Second Temple.
December 25
Christmas Day Celebrated by Christians as the birth of Jesus.
December 26 - January 1
Kwanzaa An annual celebration of African American culture and principles, created in 1966.
December 31
New Year's Eve Celebrates the last day of the year with various festivities, including fireworks.