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Need a Diversity Calendar for 2025? Get complete DEI and inclusion events, religious observances, awareness months 2025, and more
In 2025, the importance of diversity, equity, and inclusion continues to be a central theme in our global conversation. While we have made strides in creating more inclusive environments, there is always room for growth and improvement. A truly thriving society depends on recognizing and celebrating our differences.
Organizations are increasingly focused on developing DEI initiatives that ensure every employee feels valued and included. One effective tool to support these efforts is our Diversity Calendar, which highlights DEI holidays and significant cultural events throughout the year. This calendar serves as a reminder of the importance of inclusion in our daily lives and workplaces.
Below, you’ll find a sample of our diversity and inclusion calendar for 2025, featuring religious holidays, awareness months, and monthly diversity themes. This selection is designed to help you celebrate and integrate these important dates into your personal and professional life.
If a holiday begins the evening before, we will mark it with an asterisk (*) below.
January is a month to celebrate the diverse ways in which we communicate and connect with each other. From recognizing the importance of Braille for the visually impaired to honoring cultural and religious celebrations, this month is about understanding and appreciating the various forms of expression that enrich our world.
January 4 – UN: World Braille Day
Celebrates the importance of Braille for the visually impaired.
January 7 – Coptic & Eastern Orthodox Christian: Christmas
Marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar.
January 14 – Buddhist: Mahayana New Year
Celebrates the Buddhist New Year in Mahayana traditions.
January 20 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Honors the civil rights leader and his contributions to equality.
January 27 – International Day of Commemoration in Memory of Victims of the Holocaust
Remembers the victims of the Holocaust and promotes Holocaust education.
Learn more about January diversity days with our web-based DEI Calendar suite. Make sure to also check out our Heritage Months 2025 highlights.
February is dedicated to celebrating Black History Month, a time to honor the contributions, achievements, and rich history of Black Americans. This month also includes significant events that promote harmony and awareness across various cultural and health-related spectrums.
February 1 – UN: World Interfaith Harmony Week
Promotes harmony between all people regardless of their faith.
February 2 – Pagan and Wiccan: Imbolc
Celebrates the beginning of spring and the goddess Brigid.
February 4 – World Cancer Day
Raises awareness of cancer prevention, detection, and treatment.
February 17 – Washington’s Birthday (Presidents’ Day)
Honors the birthday of George Washington, the first U.S. President.
February 26 – Hindu: Maha Shivaratri
A major Hindu festival celebrating Lord Shiva.
Read more about February awareness days to celebrate with our February Diversity Calendar 2025, and check out our National Awareness Months 2025 blog post.
March is dedicated to celebrating Women’s History Month, a time to recognize the contributions and achievements of women throughout history. This month also features important observances across different faiths and cultures, emphasizing the importance of equality and diversity.
March 1 – Islamic: Ramadan
A holy month of fasting, prayer, and reflection for Muslims.
March 5 – Christian: Ash Wednesday
Marks the beginning of Lent, a season of fasting and prayer.
March 8 – International Women’s Day
Celebrates the achievements of women and calls for gender equality.
March 14 – Hindu: Holi
The festival of colors, celebrating the arrival of spring.
March 14 – Sikh: Hola Mohalla
A Sikh festival featuring martial arts, poetry, and community gatherings.
Discover more March religious holidays to celebrate with our Interfaith Calendar 2025.
April is dedicated to World Autism Month, raising awareness and promoting understanding and acceptance of people with autism. This month also includes diverse religious and cultural celebrations, highlighting the rich tapestry of global traditions.
April 2 – World Autism Awareness Day
Promotes understanding and acceptance of people with autism.
April 12 – Jehovah’s Witnesses: The Memorial of Jesus’ Death
Commemorates the death of Jesus Christ.
April 13-20 – Jewish: Passover*
Celebrates the liberation of the Israelites from Egyptian slavery.
April 14 – Sikh, Hindu: Vaisakhi
Marks the Sikh New Year and celebrates the spring harvest.
April 20 – Christian: Easter
Celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Learn about more April diversity events with our April Diversity Calendar 2025.
May is Mental Health Awareness Month, a time to promote mental well-being and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health issues. This month also includes events that recognize diverse cultural, religious, and social contributions to our global community.
May 12 – Buddhist: Vesak (Buddha Day)
Celebrates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
May 15 – Global Accessibility Awareness Day
Promotes digital accessibility and inclusion for people with disabilities.
May 17 – LGBTQ+: International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia
Raises awareness of discrimination against LGBTQ+ individuals.
May 17 – Veterans: Armed Forces Day
Honors the men and women who serve in the military.
May 28 – Baha’i: Ascension of Baha’u’llah*
Commemorates the passing of the founder of the Baha’i Faith.
Discover more May religious holidays or May heritage events with our May Diversity Calendar 2025. Make sure to celebrate diversity months 2025.
June is LGBTQ+ Pride Month, celebrating the diversity, history, and contributions of the LGBTQ+ community. This month also includes events emphasizing love, acceptance, and the importance of countering hate speech.
June 2-3 – Jewish: Shavuot*
Celebrates the giving of the Torah at Mount Sinai.
June 7-10 – Islamic: Eid al-Adha*
A major Islamic festival commemorating the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son.
June 12 – US: Loving Day
Celebrates the anniversary of the Supreme Court decision that struck down laws banning interracial marriage.
June 18 – UN: International Day of Countering Hate Speech
Promotes efforts to combat hate speech worldwide.
June 19 – US: Juneteenth
Commemorates the emancipation of enslaved African Americans.
Learn more about different June religious holidays and June awareness days with our June Diversity Calendar 2025.
July is Disability Pride Month, celebrating the achievements and contributions of people with disabilities. This month also includes significant cultural and national observances that promote equality and inclusion.
July 4 – US: Independence Day
Celebrates the independence of the United States.
July 9 – Baha’i: Martyrdom of the Bab*
Commemorates the execution of the Baha’i co-founder.
July 14 – LGBTQ+: International Non-Binary People’s Day
Raises awareness of non-binary gender identities.
July 18 – UN: Nelson Mandela International Day
Honors the legacy of Nelson Mandela and promotes global peace.
July 24 – Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: Pioneer Day
Commemorates the arrival of the first Mormon pioneers in Utah.
Visit the July Diversity Calendar 2025 to learn more about all of the important July religious holidays and July heritage events.
August is Intersectionality Awareness Month, highlighting the interconnected nature of social categorizations such as race, class, and gender. This month features events that promote understanding and advocacy for diverse and intersecting identities.
August 9 – UN: International Day of the World’s Indigenous People
Celebrates the cultures and contributions of Indigenous peoples worldwide.
August 19 – UN: World Humanitarian Day
Honors humanitarian workers and advocates for those affected by crises.
August 21 – Jain: Paryushana begins
Marks the beginning of an important Jain festival focused on fasting and forgiveness.
August 26 – US: Women’s Equality Day
Commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote.
August 27 – Hindu: Ganesh Chaturthi
Celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha.
Explore more August diversity days and August awareness days with our August Diversity Calendar 2025.
September celebrates Hispanic Heritage Month, recognizing the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States. This month also includes observances that promote mental health, safety, and equality.
September 10 – World Suicide Prevention Day
Raises awareness about suicide prevention.
September 11 – US: Patriot Day
Remembers the victims of the September 11 attacks.
September 15 – World Afro Day
Celebrates Afro hair and the cultural significance behind it.
September 18 – UN: International Equal Pay Day
Promotes the fight for equal pay for equal work.
September 23 – UN: International Day of Sign Languages
Celebrates sign languages and their importance for deaf communities.
Learn more about important September awareness days and September religious holidays on our September Diversity Calendar 2025.
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month, dedicated to raising awareness and promoting research for breast cancer. This month also features diverse cultural and religious events that foster inclusion and understanding.
October 1 – UN: International Day for Older Persons
Promotes the rights and well-being of older persons worldwide.
October 2 – Jewish: Yom Kippur*
The holiest day in Judaism, dedicated to atonement and repentance.
October 10 – World Inclusion Day
Encourages inclusive practices and environments for all.
October 15 – LGBTQ+: International Pronouns Day
Raises awareness about respecting and using correct pronouns.
October 20 – Hindu: Diwali
The festival of lights, celebrating the victory of light over darkness.
Explore more October heritage months and October awareness days with our October Diversity Calendar 2025.
November is Native American Heritage Month, celebrating the cultures, traditions, and histories of Native Americans. This month also includes observances that honor veterans and promote gender equality and remembrance.
November 11 – US: Veterans Day
Honors military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces.
November 19 – International Men’s Day
Highlights positive male role models and issues facing men globally.
November 20 – LGBTQ+: Transgender Day of Remembrance
Memorializes those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence.
November 27 – US: Thanksgiving Day
A national holiday for giving thanks and spending time with family and friends.
Visit here to read more about November diversity days with our November Diversity Calendar 2025.
December is Universal Human Rights Month, promoting the protection and advocacy of human rights for all. This month also includes diverse religious and cultural celebrations that encourage unity and peace.
December 3 – UN: International Day of Persons with Disabilities
Promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities.
December 10 – UN: International Human Rights Day
Celebrates the adoption of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights.
December 21 – Pagan and Wiccan: Yule*
Celebrates the winter solstice and the rebirth of the sun.
December 25 – Christmas
Celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 26-January 1 – US: Kwanzaa
A week-long celebration honoring African heritage in African-American culture.
Discover even more insightful and interesting diversity days that you can celebrate during December with our Diversity Calendar Suite. You can also explore more inclusion opportunities with our Interfaith Calendar 2025.
We hope you’ve found this Diversity Calendar 2025 Highlights useful in your quest for DEI and learning more about DEI holidays 2025. Try out the full Online Diversity Calendar for all 1,000+ DEI events, religious holidays, and observances.
Diversity Resources is the leading provider of
inclusion training + daily belonging tools
By Jen Breitegan
Marlee Matlin is an American actress and activist. She works on behalf of people with hearing impairment and other disabilities.
Matlin was born with the ability to hear. High fevers caused Matlin to lose her hearing when she was 18 months old.
Her disability didn’t stop her from pursuing her dream of being a performer. At the age of 21, Matlin was the first deaf performer to win an Academy Award and the youngest winner of an Oscar for Best Actress. She was also one of only four actresses to win a leading lady Oscar for a film debut.
Matlin also fights for better representation of hearing-impaired people in movies and TV. She has worked on behalf of many charities and nonprofit foundations.
Read on to learn about Matlin’s unstoppable energy, talent, and passion for helping others!
Matlin was born on August 24, 1965, in Morton Grove, a suburb of Chicago, Illinois.
Matlin suffered an illness and high fevers when she was 18 months old. The fevers caused her to permanently lose her hearing.
Her parents desperately sought help for their baby girl. They were told by doctors that Matlin should be sent away from home to attend a school for deaf children. The thought of being separated from Matlin was unacceptable to her parents. They chose instead to keep her at home and found local programs that supported children with hearing loss.
Matlin’s parents gave her the freedom to explore the world just like the other children in her neighborhood. Supported by two brothers who looked out for her, Matlin fearlessly met new people. She and her family used humor to help others feel comfortable about her differences.
Matlin credits her parents with encouraging her to participate in activities with both hearing and deaf children. She attended a summer camp one year and was asked to sign along to a song the group was singing. Matlin saw such a positive reaction from the audience to her use of sign language that she was inspired to continue performing.
After that fateful summer camp, Matlin’s mother enrolled her at the International Center for Deafness and the Arts Through Education. ICODA is a performing arts center for deaf and hearing children to practice their crafts together.
At the age of seven, Matlin was cast in her first leading role as Dorothy in the Center’s production of “The Wizard of Oz.” A star was officially born.
Matlin continued to tour with the Children’s Theatre of the Deaf through her school years.
She enrolled in a community college with the intention of becoming a police officer. Sadly, she discovered there were few opportunities for deaf people in law enforcement. So, she turned her focus back to performing.
In 1985, Matlin was cast in Chicago’s Immediate Theater’s production of “Children of a Lesser God.” The original play had won a Tony award five years earlier.
Although Matlin had a supporting role in the play, her stellar performance was noticed by film director Randa Haines. As Haines stated in an interview with the Chicago Tribune, “Something about [Matlin] touched me deeply.”
Haines cast Matlin as the lead in the movie adaptation of “Children of a Lesser God” alongside renowned actor William Hurt. Matlin officially earned her “big break.”
When “Children of a Lesser God” was released in 1986, it received immediate acclaim from both critics and audiences. The movie grossed over $100 million worldwide. Matlin, Hurt, and Haines all received rave reviews.
The film ended up earning five Oscar nominations for Best Picture, Best Actor, Best Actress, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Screenplay. It was the first time a female-directed movie was nominated for Best Picture.
Matlin won the Academy Award for Best Actress, making her (at the age of 21) the youngest actress to do so. She was also the first deaf person to win an Oscar.
Marlee Matlin in 1989, via Wikimedia.org
Matlin continues to act to this day. She earned an Emmy nomination for her guest role as Jerry Seinfeld’s deaf girlfriend on the show “Seinfeld.” Matlin was also nominated twice for a Golden Globe Award for her role in the TV series “Reasonable Doubts.”
Her most recent movie role was in 2021, in the Oscar-winning “CODA.” CODA stands for “Children of Deaf Adults.” The movie featured several deaf actors, highlighting a cause Matlin has long fought for: greater representation of the deaf and disabled community in the entertainment industry.
Matlin discussing people with disabilities in the media, via Wikimedia.org
Matlin’s activism extends beyond inclusion in Hollywood. She was also instrumental in requiring streaming companies like Netflix to offer closed captioning.
She has been involved with over a dozen charities and nonprofit foundations, including the American Red Cross, American Civil Liberties Union, American Humane Association, and Starlight Children’s Foundation.
Since winning her groundbreaking Oscar, Matlin has consistently used her celebrity and influence to give back by advocating for inclusion, equality, and accessibility for people with disabilities. Her tireless campaigning has changed the lives of many, for the better.
Elephant Learning accurately tests and evaluates kids at different grade levels to see if they truly get what they should be learning. It then adjusts what they’re learning to ensure they understand math conceptually right from the start. The app provides educational games for the kids while also providing parents with reports and information on how the app is actually teaching a concept. Parents will find games to play with their children outside of the app that further support learning. We break it down for you, telling you how to help your child along every step of the way and showing you how to identify your child’s misunderstandings simply. For instance, rather than correcting them or showing them how to do the math problem correctly, ask them why they think they’re correct; you’re going to see what they misunderstand nearly immediately and be able to give them a hint on how to overcome it. This way, Elephant Learning is empowering to the student, but it’s also empowering to the parent. You no longer have to be afraid to take your child’s math education into your own hands.
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