Celebrating Heritage and Identity

Heritage and identity months, days, and weeks are periods within the year that are designated to celebrate and acknowledge various ethnic and marginalized groups. These are times not only to celebrate, but also to educate others on various groups’ histories and contributions to American History. These are important times that help us to understand some of our own cultures and identities, as well as others.

Listed below are the heritage and identity months, days, and weeks that the Office of Diversity, Equity & Inclusion celebrates. If you would like us to consider additional celebrations please email diversity@sonoma.edu. 

Fall Semester

September

  • Latinx Heritage Month: September 15 - October 15

October

  • Filipino American History Month
  • Queer History Month
  • ​National Coming Out Day - October 11
  • Indigenous Peoples' Day - October 11

November

  • Native American Heritage Month
     
  • Diwali - November 4 in 2021 (typically falls in October/November)

    • The Indian community celebrates Diwali, a holiday that signifies light over dark and good over evil.  It marks the start of a New Year that brings in Joy, Health, Happiness and Wealth. On this day, relatives and family members gather to show gratitude for the past year and are hopeful to enjoy the New Year ahead. Celebrations include Diwali parties where attendees eat lots of good food and sweets and decorate homes with candles, lamps, and marigold garlands.

  • Transgender Awareness Week: November 13 - November 19
    • Transgender Awareness Week is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around the issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community.

Spring Semester

January

  • Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Every third Monday in January

February 

  • Black History Month
  • Lunar New Year
    • Happy Lunar New Year from the Office of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion! Lunar New Year is a special time to bring friends and family together for feasting and festivities in countries all over the world. The Lunar New Year marks the transition from one animal to the next. February 1st, 2022 signals the start of the Year of the Tiger.

March

  • Women's History Month
  • Nowruz Day - March 20 or March 21
  • César Chávez Day - March 31
  • Trans Day of Visibility - March 31

April

  • ​National Disabilities Awareness Month
  • National Arab American Heritage Month
    • April 1, marks the start of National Arab American Heritage Month (NAAHM) in the United States. President Joe Biden became the first sitting president in U.S. history to officially recognize April as NAAHM last year, in a letter to Arab America and the Arab America Foundation. In 2021, the Department of State and Congress also issued proclamations recognizing NAAHM. This month recognizes the many contributions Arab Americans have made to the United States and the diverse group of people who make up the nation's Middle Eastern population.  

May

  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (due to the school year ending in May, we celebrate this month beginning in April)
  • Jewish American Heritage Month
  • Cultural Graduation Celebrations

June

  • Immigrant Heritage Month
  • Pride Month
  • Juneteenth - June 19
  • World Refugee Day - June 20