288-23 RESOLUTION TO ADOPT THE CITY OF GREENSBORO 2024 EQUITY CALENDAR
January
Volunteer Day Service
The Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Jan. 15, 2024, marks the 27th anniversary of the day of service that celebrates the Civil Rights leader’s life and legacy. Observed each year on the third Monday in January as “a day on, not a day off,” MLK Day is the only federal holiday designated as a national day of service to encourage all Americans to volunteer to improve their communities. AmeriCorps has been charged to lead this effort for the last quarter century. We look forward to your engagement and accomplishments in Dr. King's memory.
February
African American/Black History Month
African American/Black History Month was established to recognize the contributions of African Americans and foster a better understanding of the African American experience. The week-long event officially became Black History Month in 1976 when U.S. president Gerald Ford extended the recognition to “honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Black History Month has been celebrated in the United States every February since.
National Caregivers Day
National Caregivers Day is celebrated on February 16, 2024, to honor those who give endlessly of their own time and energy to help our loved ones live better lives. It especially applies to those caregivers who help our elderly friends, family, and neighbors who require long-term care, home health, and hospice. The third Friday of February is the perfect time to show your appreciation to professional caregivers who assist America’s most vulnerable citizens and also show some appreciation for the unpaid caregivers you know are making a big difference in the lives of others.
March
National Women’s History Month
Women’s History Month started as Women’s History Week in 1978. In 1987, Congress was petitioned to expand the week to an entire month. The month recognizes the important contributions made by women through programs in schools, workplaces and communities.
International Women’s Day
March 8, 2024, is International Women’s Day. This is the day that we celebrate the various (social, economic, cultural, and political) achievements of women.
National Employee Appreciation Day
National Employee Appreciation Day on the first Friday in March each year focuses attention on employees in all industries. Employers across the country in business and organizations plan employee recognition and celebrations. Employee achievement and contributions are honored.
April
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day
National Take Our Daughters and Sons to Work Day is recognized on the fourth Thursday in April each year (April 25, 2024). This annual event is an educational program in the United States and Canada where parents take their children to work with them for one day. It is the successor to Take Our Daughters to Work Day, which, in 2003, was expanded to include boys. Most companies allowed both girls and boys to participate since the beginning, renaming the day “Take Our Children to Work Day”.
May
Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian/Pacific American Heritage observation originally began as Asian/Pacific Heritage week on July 10, 1978. In 1992, legislation was developed designating May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The term Asian/Pacific American includes many ethnic groups with diverse cultures. The month celebrates the collective achievements of the many different communities of Asian/Pacific descent.
Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month is a month to celebrate the contributions Jewish Americans have made to America since they first arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654.
Older Americans Month
Older Americans Month was established by a presidential proclamation to honor the contributions of older Americans to society. Older Americans Month is a time to celebrate and reflect on the unique contributions of older Americans in our society.
National Military Appreciation Month
National Military Appreciation Month honors past and present military members and their families.
National Diversity Day
Every year on May 21st, the World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development urges everyone to do their part to bridge the gap between cultures. The day is often referred to as Diversity Day.
June
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning (LGBTQ+) History Month Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Questioning Americans have made important and lasting contributions to our nation in every field of endeavor. LGBTQ+ History Month is a month-long annual observance celebrating the history of gay rights and related civil rights movements.
Juneteenth Celebration
Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. Dating back to 1865, it was on June 19th that the Union soldiers, led by Major General Gordon Granger, landed at Galveston, Texas, with news that the war had ended and that the enslaved were now free.
Caribbean American Heritage Month
This month has been established to recognize the historic relationship between the people of the Caribbean and the people of the United States as well as to recognize the many contributions Caribbean immigrants and their descendants have made to the well-being of America.
July
National Disability Independence Day
National Disability Independence Day is celebrated on July 26th to honor the anniversary of when the ADA act was passed (July 26, 1990). The Americans with Disabilities Act was passed by Congress as the nation’s first comprehensive law that prohibits discrimination and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else.
August
Women’s Equality Day
Women’s Equality Day commemorates the passage of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, granting the right to vote to women. This day commemorates August 26, 1920, 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 August 26 as Women’s Equality Day.
Cultural Exchange Day
August 5, 2024, is Cultural Exchange Day is a worldwide celebration of the power of international exchange. Exchange Day is also an opportunity to raise awareness of these programs and to spread the word about the many ways in which people and communities benefit from people-to-people diplomacy.
September/October
Hispanic Heritage Month
The first Hispanic Heritage Week was approved on September 15, 1968. The month gives people the opportunity to plan and participate in ceremonies and activities that recognize the contributions of the many diverse cultures within the Hispanic community. In 1988, the celebration was expanded to a month from September 15 to October 15.
Greensboro Pride
Greensboro Pride is an opportunity to celebrate the many ties that people, organizations, businesses and groups have to the Gay, Lesbian, Bi-Sexual, Transgender, Questioning, and Allies (LGBTQIA) community. Each year pride events are held nationwide in cities large and small, and for some Americans, it is the only occasion where they can be out and proud in their community. Pride will be celebrated on September 22, 2024.
October
National Disability Employment Awareness Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Month was formally known as National Employ the Handicapped Week. In 2003, the observance was changed to National Disability Employment Awareness Month. During this month, we recognize the many contributions citizens with disabilities make to our society, and we reaffirm our commitment to helping them achieve their full inclusion in our workforce.
Global Diversity Awareness Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month aims to promote knowledge and respect for various cultures. Open your mind to new views and ideas, appreciate cultural differences, and enjoy a fresh perspective you may have missed.
Indigenous People’s Day
Indigenous Peoples' Day is a holiday that celebrates and honors Native American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures. It is celebrated across the United States on the second Monday in October. Indigenous Peoples Day is Monday, October 14, 2024.
World Mental Health Day
World Mental Health Day promotes mental health awareness and education and advocates against social stigma relating to mental health. World Mental Health Day is Monday, October 10, 2024.
November
National American Indian/Native American Heritage Month
National American Indian (or Native American) Month was enacted with a proclamation in 1990. During the month, all Americans are encouraged to participate in programs, ceremonies, and activities that celebrate American Indian and Alaskan Native peoples’ important contribution to the United States.
International Men’s Day
International Men's Day is when we celebrate positive male role models and raise awareness of men’s issues that are often overlooked. International Men’s Day will be celebrated on November 19, 2024.
Transgender Awareness Week
Transgender Awareness Week is a time for transgender people and their allies to take action and bring attention to the community by educating the public and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that transgender people face. Transgender awareness Week is celebrated the second week of November.
Transgender Day of Remembrance
Transgender Day of Remembrance is an annual observance on November 20 that honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence. Transgender Day of Remembrance is celebrated on November 20, 2024.
December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
This annual observance, first called the International Day of Disabled Persons, was proclaimed in 1992 by United Nations General Assembly resolution 47/3. It aims to promote the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities in all spheres of society and development and to increase awareness of the situation of persons with disabilities in every aspect of political, social, economic, and cultural life. International Day of Persons with Disabilities is celebrated on December 3, 2024.
(Signed) Marikay Abuzuaiter