Heritage Months and Cultural Recognition
With students, faculty, staff and guests representing over 160 countries, Binghamton
University values the unique and enriching cultural experiences that each community
member brings to our campus. The University acknowledges or observes various heritage
months and cultural/identity recognition days to celebrate the rich tapestry of the
Binghamton community.
Members of our campus community may request accommodations for cultural and religious
observances. Find a listing of some upcoming cultural and religious holidays and related policies in the faculty and staff handbook for guidance on providing reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations.
Some Heritage Month Celebrations
- FEBRUARY
Black History Month
- MARCH
National Women's History Month
- APRIL
Arab American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month
- MAY
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month;
Jewish American Heritage Month
- JUNE
LGBTQ+ Pride Month
Caribbean American Heritage Month
Immigrant Heritage Month
- JULY
Disability Pride Month
- SEPTEMBER
Latin American Heritage Month
- OCTOBER
OUTober - LGBTQ+ History Month;
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
- NOVEMBER
Native American Heritage Month
Some Cultural/Identity Recognition Days
Spring 2025 – Summer 2025
January
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Jan. 1 – New Year's Day
A day to mark the commencement of a new calendar year, celebrated primarily by the
Western cultures of Europe, North America, South America and Australia. (International)
-
Jan. 1 – Emancipation Proclamation
President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, during the height of the Civil War. While it did not end de facto
slavery in the U.S., it did add a moral imperative to a Union victory. (U.S.)
-
Jan. 4 – World Braille Day
World Braille Day helps to bring awareness to issues impacting blind and visually
impaired persons. It is also the birthday of the blind pioneer Louis Braille, who
invented the most widely used form of writing for the blind. Learn more. (International)
-
Jan. 6 – Epiphany
A feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child is sometimes called
Three King's Day. (Christian)
-
Jan. 13 – Korean American Day
Korean American Day honors and highlights our friends of Korean descent who have made
immeasurable contributions. (Korean-American)
-
Jan. 14 – Makar Sankranti or Magh
A harvest festival that celebrates the arrival of longer days. (Hindu)
-
Jan. 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States national holiday celebrating the birthday
of Martin Luther King, Jr., a Civil Rights and social justice leader. (U.S.)
-
Jan. 26 – Indian Republic Day
On this date in 1950, the Indian Constitution was finalized. (India)
-
Jan. 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day
Designated by the United Nations General Assembly in 2005, International Holocaust
Remembrance Day marks the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau. This day honors the six million Jewish victims of the Holocaust and millions of other victims of Nazism. (International)
-
Jan. 29-Feb. 16 – Chinese New Year
Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting with New
Year's Eve and culminating in the Lantern Festival. The celebration includes many
rituals to usher in good luck for the upcoming year. 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit.
(China)
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Jan. 29 – Lunar New Year
The Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar and is derived from
12 full cycles of the moon. It is celebrated by many East Asian countries, especially
those influenced by Chinese culture, including China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia,
Singapore and Vietnam. (Asia/International)
February
-
Feb. 1 – National Freedom Day
In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th amendment (outlawing slavery).
In 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming Feb. 1, the first National
Freedom Day. (U.S.)
-
Feb. 5 – Kashmir Solidarity Day
Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed by the people in Pakistan and Kashmir who have
been fighting for their freedom for more than 70 years. (Pakistan/International)
-
Feb. 7 – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
First observed in 1999, this day acknowledges how HIV disproportionately affects the
Black community. (U.S.)
-
Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day
Originally a Christian feast day honoring several early Christian martyrs named Valentine.
Through later folk traditions, it has become a significant cultural, religious and
commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. (Christian/International)
-
Feb. 15 – Parinirvana or Nirvana Day
Parinirvana or Nirvana Day remembers Buddha’s passing in 483 BC and his final nirvana.
(Buddhist)
-
Feb. 16-22 – Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week
Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week is an international event meant to foster awareness
and acceptance of aromantic spectrum identities and the issues they face. Aromantic
individuals often experience little to no romantic attraction and demonstrate little
interest in romantic relationships. (International/LGBTQ+)
-
Feb. 17 – President’s Day
Part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, President's Day is a federal holiday
that takes place on the third Monday of February. While many states still separately
acknowledge the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and George Washington (Feb.
22), President's Day is a way to honor both presidents. (U.S.)
-
Feb. 26 – Shivratri
Shivratri is a festival celebrated annually in honor of the god Shiva. The name also
refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance. (Hindu)
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Feb. 28 -March 30 – Ramadan
The ninth month of the Islamic calendar. A time of prayer and self-evaluation during
which observers abstain from food and drink from dawn until sunset. (Islam/Muslim)
March
-
March 5 – Ash Wednesday
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and contemplation
that concludes on Easter Sunday. (Christian)
-
March 5-April 17 – Lent
Lent is the six weeks beginning Ash Wednesday leading to Easter Sunday. Through fasting
or contemplation, this period marks a solemn observance of the death and resurrection
of Jesus Christ. The span includes Palm Sunday and Good Friday. (Christian)
-
March 8 – International Women’s Day
A day to celebrate women's social, economic, cultural and political achievements.
It's also a call to raise awareness about discrimination and take action to drive
gender parity. (International)
-
March 10 – Harriet Tubman Day
An American holiday honoring anti-slavery activist Harriet Tubman. A former slave,
Tubman helped over 70 slaves escape bondage via the Underground Railroad. Learn more
about Tubman and her legacy at Binghamton University's Harriet Tubman Center for Freedom and Equity. (U.S.)
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March 13-14 – Purim
Purim is the Jewish festival commemorating the saving of the Jewish people and the
defeat of Haman, as recounted in the Book of Esther. On Purim, observers are enjoined
to exchange gifts and make donations to the poor. (Jewish)
-
March 14 – Holi
Holi is a joyful and colorful festival celebrated by Indian communities throughout
the world. It is a celebration of spring, friendship, family and the triumph of good
over evil. (Hindu)
-
March 17 – St. Patrick’s Day
St. Patrick’s Day marks the birthday of this Irish saint, who brought Christianity
to the Emerald Isle. (Irish)
-
March 20 – Naw-Ruz
Naw-Ruz is an ancient Persian festival celebrating the New Year, and for Baha’is,
it marks the end of the annual 19-Day Fast and coincides with the spring equinox.
(Baha'i)
-
March 20 – Spring Equinox
The day on which the sun's warmth and light fall unequally on the northern and southern
halves of the planet. (International)
-
March 21 – International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (United Nations)
-
March 29-30 – Eid-al-Fitr
Eid Al-Fitr is the "Festival of Breaking the Fast," which may be called Lesser Eid
or Eid, and is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset
fasting of Ramadan. (Islam/Muslim)
-
March 30 – Ugadi
Ugadi or Yugadi, also known as Samvatsarādi, is the New Year's Day for the states
of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in India. (Hindu)
-
March 31 – International Transgender Day of Visibility
International Transgender Day of Visibility (International/LGBTQ+)
April
-
April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
World Autism Awareness Day honors and seeks to improve the lives of people on the
Autism spectrum so they can lead full and meaningful lives. (People with Disabilities)
-
April 6 – International Asexuality Day
International Asexuality Day is a worldwide event celebrating and advocating for the
full asexual spectrum, including demisexual, greysexual, and other ace identities.
Individuals under the ACE spectrum typically lack sexual attraction or desire for
others. (International/LGBTQ+)
-
April 10 – Mahavira-Jayanti
Mahavira-Jayanti is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism, celebrating
the birth of Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of the present Avasarpiṇī.
(Jain/Sikh/Hindu)
-
April 11 – Day of Silence
Day of Silence (LGBTQ+)
-
April 12-20 – Passover/Pesach
Passover/Pesach commemorates the freeing of Jewish people from Egypt. The first and
last two days are observed as full holidays. Includes a ceremonial meal called the
Seder comprising food of symbolic significance, traditions and prayers. (Jewish /
date changes each year)
-
April 18 – Good Friday
Christians annually commemorate the death of Jesus Christ on Good Friday, also called
"Holy Friday" or "Great Friday" by Orthodox Chrisitians, the Friday before Easter
(Pascha). Orthodox Christians usually observe the Holy day by fasting and refraining from work
in remembrance of Christ's great sacrifice. (Christian / date changes each year)
-
April 20 – Easter
Easter is a holy day and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus
from the dead on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion. (Christian
/ date changes each year)
-
April 22 – Earth Day
Earth Day – celebrated internationally in more than 192 countries (International)
-
April 24-26 – Gathering of Nations
Gathering of Nations – more than 500 Native American tribes meet to celebrate their
traditions and cultures. (Native American)
-
April 28-May 4 – Lesbian Visibility Week
Lesbian Visibility Week historically kicks off with International Lesbian Visibility Day on April 26 and
is an annual observance dedicated to bringing awareness and education of lesbian women
and non-binary people, fostering support and bringing into light issues faced within
the community. (International/LGBTQ+)
May
-
May 1 – International Labor Day (May Day)
International Labor Day (May Day) commemorates the working class and workers around
the world.
-
May 1 – National Day of Prayer
National Day of Prayer, originally signed into law in 1952, is a day when people of
all faiths are asked to pray for our nation. (U.S.)
-
May 3 – Constitution Memorial Day
Constitution Memorial Day celebrates the new constitution that was drafted and brought
into legislation after Japan’s emperor, Emperor Showa, surrendered to the Allied Forces,
namely the U.S., in 1945. (Japanese)
-
May 5 – Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo commemorates Mexico’s defeat of the French army, observed primarily
by Mexican Americans. (Mexico)
-
May 10 – Buddha’s Birth
Buddha is the prince Siddhartha Gautama, who became a spiritual leader and launched Buddhism, one of the most popular religions.
(Buddhist)
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May 11 – Mother’s Day
Mother’s Day is a national holiday honoring motherhood. (U.S.)
-
May 17 – International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia raises awareness of
LGBT rights, commemorated in more than 132 countries. (LGBTQ+)
-
May 19 – Agender Pride Day
Agender Pride Day is dedicated to celebrating and bringing inclusion to individuals
who do not fit into the gender binary. (LGBTQ+)
-
May 22 – Harvey Milk Day
Harvey Milk Day. (U.S./LGBTQ+)
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May 24 – Pansexual Visibility Day
Pansexual Visibility Day seeks to celebrate and advocate for the inclusion of pansexual
identities. (LGBTQ+)
-
May 25 – May Revolution Day
May Revolution Day is the anniversary of the First Independent Government in Buenos
Aires. (Argentina)
-
May 26 – Memorial Day
Honoring those who died while serving in the U.S. military. (U.S.)
June
-
June 1 - 3 – Shavuot
Shavuot is the ‘Feast of Weeks,’ which marks the giving of the Law (Torah) at Mt.
Sinai and is often linked with the Confirmation of teenagers. (Jewish)
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June 6-7 – Eid al-Adha
Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two holiest Islamic
celebrations, observed by Muslims around the world (Islam/Muslim)
-
June 8 – National Puerto Rican Day Parade
Puerto Rican Day Parade – festivities are planned across the country to celebrate
Puerto Ricans’ accomplishments and contributions. (Puerto Ricans)
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June 11 – National Children’s Day
National Children’s Day highlights how important children are in society and that
some still face many problems and difficulties in different aspects of their lives
(U.S.).
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June 12 – Pulse Night of Remembrance
Pulse Night of Remembrance (LGBTQ+)
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June 15 – Father’s Day
Father’s Day is a national holiday that commemorates fathers and the crucial role
they play in people's lives, from childhood through to adulthood. (U.S.)
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June 19 – Juneteenth
Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commemorates the liberation of enslaved Black
Americans in Texas and is celebrated nationwide. (U.S.)
-
June 20 – World Refugee Day
World Refugee Day is an international day designated by the United Nations to honour
refugees around the globe. It falls each year on June 20 and celebrates the strength
and courage of people who have been forced to flee their home country to escape conflict
or persecution. (United Nations)
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June 26-27 – Al-Hijra
Al-Hijra/Al-Hijri is the first day of the month of Muharram representing the Islamic
New Year. (Islam/Muslim)
-
June 28 – Stonewall Riots Anniversary
The Stonewall Riots Anniversary commemorates the Stonewall riots that began on June
28, 1969, in response to police brutality endured by the transgender, gay, and lesbian
community in New York City. (LGBTQ+)
July
-
July 4 – Independence Day
Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, signed
by all 13 colonies, and which marks the beginning of American Independence. (U.S.)
-
July 14 – International Non-binary People's Day
Observed each year on July 14 and is aimed at raising awareness and organizing around the issues faced by non-binary people around the world.[ (International/LGBTQ+)
-
July 16 – International Drag Day
International Drag Day is an annual event held to celebrate drag art and culture around
the world to bring awareness and acceptance of self-expression. (International/LGBTQ+)
-
July 23 – Parents’ Day
Parents’ Day is observed in recognition of what parents do to care for their families
and their contributions to society overall (U.S.).
-
July 24 – Pioneer Day
Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated in Utah. It marks the arrival of founder
Brigham Young in the Salt Lake area (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/U.S.).
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July 30 – International Friendship Day
To promote understanding, cooperation and togetherness among people across the globe.
(United Nations)
August
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Aug. 2-3 – Tisha B’Av
Tisha B’Av is an annual day of mourning and fasting, as many disasters are said to
have happened to the Jewish people on this day. The two main tragedies remembered
on this day are the destruction of Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem.
(Jewish)
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Aug. 9 – International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People celebrates unique cultures of indigenous
peoples worldwide. (United Nations)
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Aug. 12 – International Youth Day
International Youth Day aims to raise awareness to the issues that many children and
teenagers face around the world, especially those affected by poverty who can't get
access to an appropriate education. (United Nations)
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Aug. 15 – Feast of the Assumption
Feast of the Assumption celebrate the belief of the entry into heaven of the Virgin
Mary. (Christian/Roman Catholic)
-
Aug. 15 – Sri Krishna Janmashtami
Sri Krishna Janmashtami is the annual Hindu festival that celebrates the birth of
Krishna, the eighth avatar of Vishnu. (Hindu)
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Aug. 19 – World Humanitarian Day
World Humanitarian Day honors humanitarian personnel and recognize their efforts as
aid workers during humanitarian world crises, as well a day to remember those who
lost their lives while in humanitarian missions. (United Nations)
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Aug. 26 – Women’s Equality Day
Women’s Equality Day commemorates women gaining the right to vote. (U.S.)
-
Aug. 29 – Individual Rights Day
Individual Rights Day (United Nations)
Fall 2024
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Oct. 2–4 – Rosh Hashanah
Rosh Hashanah is the Jewish New Year and a time for reflecting on the past year and
the year to come. (Jewish)
-
Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day promotes mental health education and awareness, and advocacy
against social stigma.
-
Oct. 11 – National Coming Out Day
National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+)
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Oct. 11 –12 – Yom Kippur
Yom Kippur—the Day of Atonement—is considered the most important holiday in the Jewish
faith. Learn more. (Jewish)
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Oct. 14 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day
Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the indigenous peoples of North America. (U.S.)
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Oct. 19 – LGBTQ+ Spirit Day
LGBTQ+ Spirit Day is an annual LGBTQ awareness day observed on the third Thursday
in October. Spirt Day offers LGBTQ youth and their families a means of visibility
and existence only made possible by providing life-saving visibility for those who
need it more than ever. On Spirit Day observers wear purple to support LGBTQ youth
and prevent bullying. (U.S./LGBTQ+)
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Oct. 20 – International Pronouns Day
International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about
personal pronouns commonplace (International/LGBTQ+)
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Oct. 23-29 – Ace Week
Ace Week, formerly Asexual Awareness Week, is an international campaign dedicated
to raising awareness and expanding education of asexuality.
The week gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate how far our community has come
and to dream about the future we will create together. Learn more.
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Oct. 26 – Intersex Awareness Day
Intersex Awareness Day commemorates the anniversary of the first public demonstration
by intersex people in the United States and seeks to highlight injustice faced by
intersex communities. (U.S./LGBTQ+)
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Oct. 28 – National Immigrants Day
National Immigrants Day celebrates the immigrants from 196 countries who live in the
USA. (U.S.)
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Oct. 3 - Nov. 2 – Diwali
Diwali is a five-day-long festival of lights, joy, prosperity and happiness. (Hindu)
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Oct. 31 – Halloween
Halloween (International)
-
Dec. 1 – World AIDS Day
World AIDS Day provides an opportunity to increase education and awareness of HIV/AIDS.
(International)
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Dec. 3 – International Day of Persons with Disabilities
International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes the dignity, rights, and well-being
of people with disabilities. Learn more. (United Nations)
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Dec. 10 – Human Rights Day
Human Rights Day is observed every year on 10 December — the day the United Nations
General Assembly adopted, in 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Rights (UDHR).
Learn more. (United Nations)
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Dec. 16-24 – Las Posadas
Las Posadas commemorates events associated with the birth of Jesus. (Mexico / Mexican
Americans)
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Dec. 18 – International Migrants Day
International Migrants Day is a day to promote safe, regular and orderly migration
as an important contribution to building a world of peace, prosperity, dignity and
opportunity for all. Learn more. (United Nations)
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Dec. 25 – Christmas
Christmas celebrates the birth of Jesus, the Christian messiah. (Christian)
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Dec. 25 – Jan. 2 Hanukkah / Chanukah
Hanukkah (Chanukah) is the Jewish eight-day, wintertime “festival of lights,” celebrated
with a nightly menorah lighting, special prayers and fried foods. Learn more. (Jewish)
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Dec. 26-Jan. 1 – Kwanzaa
Kwanzaa is an African-American and pan-African holiday inspired by African harvest
celebrations celebrating family, community and culture. Learn more. (Black Americans)
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Dec. 31 – New Year’s Eve
New Year’s Eve (United States)