Diverse holidays and celebrations in January and February
Written by Avery Be
This is not an extensive list, as there are many important dates, making it impossible to include them all. Please feel free to email me at avery_b23@hamlin.org if you feel there is an important event that I did not include on this list.
January
Poverty in America Awareness Month
created to raise awareness about poverty in American and how to end it
National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month
working towards preventing human trafficking and protecting survivors
January 14 — Makar Sankranti
a harvest festival celebrated by many regions of India
January 16 — Martin Luther King Jr. Day
a day to celebrate the legacy and goals of MLK and the only federal holiday day designated as a day of service
January 17 — National Day of Racial Healing
designed to bring people together to heal the effects of racism
January 22 — Lunar New Year (Year of the Rabbit)
observed in many countries, it is the new year according to the lunisolar calendar and ends with the Lantern Festival
January 26 — Vasant Panchami
a Hindu festival that marks the beginning of spring
January 27 — International Holocaust Remembrance Day
dedicated to remembering the tragedies and victims of the Holocaust
February
a month to learn about and celebrate the contributions and history of African Americans
February 1 — National Freedom Day
the day the 13th amendment was signed, abolishing slavery
February 3 — Setsubun-Sai
one day before the beginning of spring, according to the Japanese lunar calendar
February 5 — Maghi-Purnima
people take a holy bath in the Ganges River during the full moon
February 5-6 — Tu b’shevat
a Jewish holiday that marks the beginning of a new year for trees
February 11 — International Day of Women and Girls in Science
promoting and celebrating women and girls in STEM
February 14 – Frederick Douglass’s Birthday
Frederick Douglass was a former slave and activist for abolishing slavery
February 14 — Pink Triangle Day
a symbol that the LGBTQ+ community has reclaimed as a source of pride
Image from aljazeera.com
