Women's History Month

Women's History Month is an annual declared month that highlights the contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. It is celebrated during March in the United States, the United Kingdom, and Australia, corresponding with International Women's Day on March 8, and during October in Canada, corresponding with the celebration of Persons Day on October 18.^[1]

The commemoration began in 1978 as "Women's History day" in Sonoma County, California, and was championed by Gerda Lerner and the National Women's History Alliance to be recognized as a national week (1980) and then month (1987) in the United States, spreading internationally after that.^[2]^[3]

History[]

In the United States[]

Women's History Month reception in the East Room of the White House on 18 March 2013

Women's History Week[]

In the United States, Women's History Month traces its beginnings back to the first International Women's Day in 1911. In 1978, the school district of Sonoma, California participated in , an event designed around the week of March 8 (International Women's Day). In 1979 a fifteen-day conference about women's history was held at Sarah Lawrence College from July 13 until July 29, chaired by historian Gerda Lerner.^[4]^[5] It was co-sponsored by Sarah Lawrence College, the Women's Action Alliance, and the Smithsonian Institution.^[4] When its participants learned about the success of the Sonoma County's Women's History Week celebration, they decided to initiate similar celebrations within their own organizations, communities, and school districts.^[5] They also agreed to support an effort to secure a National Women's History Week.^[5]

In February 1980, President Jimmy Carter issued a presidential proclamation declaring the week of March 8, 1980, as National Women's History Week.^[5] The proclamation stated, "From the first settlers who came to our shores, from the first American Indian families who befriended them, men and women have worked together to build this nation. Too often the women were unsung and sometimes their contributions went unnoticed. But the achievements, leadership, courage, strength and love of the women who built America was as vital as that of the men whose names we know so well. As Dr. Gerda Lerner has noted, 'Women’s History is Women’s Right.' It is an essential and indispensable heritage from which we can draw pride, comfort, courage, and long-range vision. I ask my fellow Americans to recognize this heritage with appropriate activities during National Women’s History Week, March 2–8, 1980. I urge libraries, schools, and community organizations to focus their observances on the leaders who struggled for equality –Susan B. Anthony, Sojourner Truth, Lucy Stone, Lucretia Mott, Elizabeth Cady Stanton, Harriet Tubman, and Alice Paul. Understanding the true history of our country will help us to comprehend the need for full equality under the law for all our people. This goal can be achieved by ratifying the 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution, which states that 'Equality of Rights under the Law shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any state on account of sex.'"^[5] Carter was referring to the Equal Rights Amendment, which was never ratified, not to the amendment which did become the 27th Amendment to the United States Constitution after his presidency.

In 1981, responding to the growing popularity of Women's History Week, Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) and Rep Barbara Mikulski (D-Maryland) co-sponsored the first Joint Congressional Resolution proclaiming a Women's History Week. Congress passed their resolution as Pub. L. 97-28, which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week."^[6] Throughout the next several years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as Women's History Week.^[6] Schools across the country also began to have their own local celebrations of Women's History Week and even Women's History Month. By 1986, fourteen states had declared March as Women's History Month.^[5]

Women's History Month[]

In 1987, after being petitioned by the National Women's History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as Women's History Month.^[6] Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women's History Month.^[6] Since 1988, U.S. presidents have issued annual proclamations designating the month of March as Women's History Month on occasion.

State departments of education also began to encourage celebrations of Women's History Month as a way to promote equality among the sexes in the classroom.^[6] Maryland, Pennsylvania, Alaska, New York, Oregon, and other states developed and distributed curriculum materials in all of their public schools, which prompted educational events such as essay contests. Within a few years, thousands of schools and communities began to celebrate of Women's History Month. They planned engaging and stimulating programs about women's roles in history and society, with support and encouragement from governors, city councils, school boards, and the U.S. Congress.

In March 2011, the Obama administration released a report, Women in America: Indicators of Social and Economic Well-Being,^[7] showing women's status in the U.S. in 2011 and how it had changed over time.^[8] This report was the first comprehensive federal report on women since the report produced by the Commission on the Status of Women in 1963.^[8]

Some organizations have issued statements marking Women's History Month, for example the Republican National Committee and the Democratic National Committee.^[9]^[10]

A President's Commission on the Celebration of Women in History in America recently sponsored hearings in many parts of the country. The Women's Progress Commission will soon conduct hearings to promote interest in preserving areas that are relevant in American women's history. Some of the groups promoting this interest are state historical societies, women's organizations, and groups such as the Girl Scouts of the USA.

Presidential Proclamations of Women’s History Week[]

1980 (scroll down)
1982
1983
1984
1985
1986

Presidential Proclamations of Women's History Month[]

Annual themes of Women's History Month, declared by the National Women's History Project[]

1987: "Generations of Courage, Compassion, and Conviction"^[11]
1988: "Reclaiming the Past, Rewriting the Future"^[11]
1989: "Heritage of Strength and Vision"^[11]
1990: "Courageous Voices – Echoing in Our Lives"^[11]
1991: "Nurturing Tradition, Fostering Change"^[11]
1992: "A Patchwork of Many Lives"^[11]
1993: "Discover a New World"^[11]
1994: "In Every Generation, Action Frees Our Dreams"^[11]
1995: "Promises to Keep"^[11]
1996: "See History in a New Way"^[11]
1997: "A Fine and Long Tradition of Community Leadership"^[11]
1998: "Living the Legacy"^[11]
1999: "Women Putting Our Stamp on America"^[11]
2000: "An Extraordinary Century for Women 1900–2000"^[11]
2001: "Celebrating Women of Courage and Vision"^[11]
2002: "Women Sustaining the American Spirit"^[11]
2003: "Women Pioneering the Future"^[11]
2004: "Women Inspiring Hope and Possibility"^[11]
2005: "Women Change America"^[11]
2006: "Women, Builders of Communities and Dreams"^[11]
2007: "Generations of Women Moving History Forward"^[11]
2008: "Women's Art Women's Vision"^[11]
2009: "Women Taking the Lead to Save Our Planet"^[11]
2010: "Writing Women Back into History"^[12]
2011: "Our History is Our Strength"^[13]
2012: "Women's Education – Women's Empowerment"^[14]
2013: "Women Inspiring Innovation Through Imagination:Celebrating Women in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics"^[15]
2014: "Celebrating Women of Character, Courage, and Commitment"^[16]
2015: "Weaving the Stories of Women’s Lives"^[17]
2016: "Working to Form a More Perfect Union: Honoring Women in Public Service and Government"^[18]
2017: "Honoring Trailblazing Women in Labor and Business"^[19]
2018: "Nevertheless, She Persisted: Honoring Women Who Fight All Forms of Discrimination against Women", referring to Mitch McConnell's "Nevertheless, she persisted" remark about Elizabeth Warren.^[20]
2019: "Visionary Women: Champions of Peace & Nonviolence"Home^[21]
2020: "Valiant Women of the Vote",^[22] marking the Women's Suffrage Centennial
2021: "Valiant Women of the Vote: Refusing to Be Silenced",^[2] continuing previous year's theme due to the COVID-19 pandemic

In Canada[]

Women's History Month was proclaimed in Canada in 1992, where its purpose is to give Canadians "an opportunity to learn about the important contributions of women and girls to our society – and to the quality of our lives today".^[1] October was chosen to coincide with the celebration of the anniversary on October 18 of the decision of the court case Edwards v. Canada, more commonly known as the Persons Case, in which it was established that Canadian women were eligible to be appointed senators and in general had the same rights as Canadian men with respect to positions of political power.^[23]

In Russia[]

Since 2017, there is a group of female volunteers (Women's Museum in Moscow) who spend a virtual month of women's history in Russian. Facebook Groups

In Ukraine[]

The Gender Museum [2] in Kharkiv hosts events in honor of Women's History Month in Ukrainian.

In Australia[]

Women's History Month was first celebrated in Australia in 2000, initiated by Helen Leonard, convenor of the National Women's Media Centre, working with the Women's Electoral Lobby. The organisation of annual Women's History Month celebrations is incorporated as part of the work of the Australian Women's History Forum.

In Hungary[]

The archaeologists of the Szent István Király Museum (Székesfehérvár) made several Facebook posts in honor of Women's History Month in 2021, the first time in Hungary. Also this year, in the Hungarian National Museum there was an exhibition with a title of " Women in the Art "in March.

Annual themes[]

Since 2005, the annual celebration of Women's History Month in Australia has centred on a different area of women's achievement. Promotional materials and events are focused around the theme and organisations, institutions and community groups are encouraged to use this theme for their own events. AWHF hosted Women’s "History Month Finale: The Great Debate 2014", marking the end of its official commemorations.^[24]

2013: Finding Founding Mothers^[25]
2012: Women with a Plan: architects, town planners and landscape architects^[26]
2011: Women in the Business of Food^[27]
2009: Parliamentary Women^[28]
2008: Women with a Mission: Australian women contributing overseas^[29]
2007: Arm in Arm: Indigenous and non-Indigenous Women Working Together^[30]
2006: Musical Belles: Women in Music^[31]
2005: Celebrating Racy Women^[32]

References[]

^ ^a ^b "Women's History Month". Status of Women Canada. Government of Canada. October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.
^ ^a ^b "Women's History Month". National Women's History Museum. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
^ "Why March is National Women's History Month". National Women's History Alliance. Retrieved 2021-03-01.
^ ^a ^b "This Week in History – Pioneering women's history summer institute, July 18, 1979". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f MacGregor, Molly Murphy. "History of National Women's History Month". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e "About: Women's History Month". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
^ https://web.archive.org/web/20170119025352/https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/Women_in_America.pdf
^ ^a ^b "White House Releases First Comprehensive Federal Report on the Status of American Women in Almost 50 Years". The White House. 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2013-10-17.
^ "RNC Statement on Women's History Month". GOP. Retrieved 6 October 2014.
^ DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Celebrates Women’s History Month: “We Can’t Stop Now” | Democrats.org
^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w "Honorees: 2010 National Women's History Month". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
^ "2010 Theme: Writing Women Back into History". National Women's History Project. 1980-03-08. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
^ Hammond, Kayla (March 1, 2011). "Women's History Month: 'Our History Is Our Strength'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
^ "2012 National Women's History Month Theme: Women's Education – Women's Empowerment". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
^ "Announcing the Theme for National Women's History Month March 2013". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
^ "National Women's History Project". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.
^ "2015 Theme | National Women's History Project". Nwhp.org. Retrieved 2015-03-01.
^ "Latest News". Nwhp.org.
^ "2017 Theme and 2017 Honorees". Nwhp.org.
^ "National Women's History Month: What is it, when did it begin, who is being honored this year?". kiro7.com. 25 February 2018.
^ "National Women's History Alliance | Our History is Our Strength". Retrieved 2019-02-04.
^ "Women's History Month". National Women's History Museum.
^ Henrietta Muir Edwards and others (Appeal No. 121 of 1928) v The Attorney General of Canada (Canada) [1929] UKPC 86, [1930] AC 124. Accessed March 3, 2012.
^ "The last Women's History Month?". Australian Women's History Forum. 19 November 2013.
^ "Women’s History Month 2013", Australian Women's History Forum. Retrieved February 23, 2013.
^ "Australian Women’s History Month 2012 poster". Australian Women's History Forum. January 22, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2012.
^ [1] Pandora on April 14, 2010. Accessed March 4, 2012.
^ Women's History Month 2009. Australian Women's History Forum. October 19, 2008. Archived by Pandora on April 14, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2012.
^ Women with a Mission. Australian Women's History Forum. August 13, 2007. Archived by Pandora on April 14, 2008. Accessed March 4, 2012.
^ Women's History Month 2007. National Foundation for Australian Women. 2007. Archived by Pandora on April 5, 2007. Accessed March 4, 2012.
^ Women's History Month 2006. National Foundation for Australian Women. March 7, 2006. Archived by Pandora on April 12, 2006. Accessed March 4, 2012.
^ Women's History Month 2005. National Foundation for Australian Women. April 21, 2005. Archived by Pandora on August 5, 2005. Accessed March 4, 2012.

External links[]

Women's History Month in the United States
Women's History Month in Canada
Australian Women's History Forum incorporating Women's History Month
Archive of past Women's History Month websites in Australia from the Pandora Archive

[canada-1] "Women's History Month". Status of Women Canada. Government of Canada. October 3, 2011. Archived from the original on March 14, 2012. Retrieved March 3, 2012.

[:0-2] "Women's History Month". National Women's History Museum. Retrieved 2021-03-01.

[3] "Why March is National Women's History Month". National Women's History Alliance. Retrieved 2021-03-01.

[JWA-4] "This Week in History – Pioneering women's history summer institute, July 18, 1979". Jewish Women's Archive. Retrieved 2013-10-17.

[NWHP-5] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f MacGregor, Molly Murphy. "History of National Women's History Month". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-10-17.

[About-6] "About: Women's History Month". Library of Congress. Retrieved 2013-10-17.

[7] ttps://web.archive.org/web/20170119025352/https://www.whitehouse.gov/sites/default/files/rss_viewer/Women_in_America.pdf

[whitehouse1-8] "White House Releases First Comprehensive Federal Report on the Status of American Women in Almost 50 Years". The White House. 2011-03-01. Retrieved 2013-10-17.

[9] "RNC Statement on Women's History Month". GOP. Retrieved 6 October 2014.

[10] DNC Chair Debbie Wasserman Schultz Celebrates Women’s History Month: “We Can’t Stop Now” | Democrats.org

[NWHP2010-11] ^ ^a ^b ^c ^d ^e ^f ^g ^h ⁱ ^j ^k ^l ^m ⁿ ^o ^p ^q ^r ^s ^t ^u ^v ^w "Honorees: 2010 National Women's History Month". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.

[12] "2010 Theme: Writing Women Back into History". National Women's History Project. 1980-03-08. Retrieved 2013-09-03.

[13] Hammond, Kayla (March 1, 2011). "Women's History Month: 'Our History Is Our Strength'". Huffington Post. Retrieved 2013-09-03.

[14] "2012 National Women's History Month Theme: Women's Education – Women's Empowerment". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.

[15] "Announcing the Theme for National Women's History Month March 2013". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.

[16] "National Women's History Project". National Women's History Project. Retrieved 2013-09-03.

[17] "2015 Theme | National Women's History Project". Nwhp.org. Retrieved 2015-03-01.

[18] "Latest News". Nwhp.org.

[19] "2017 Theme and 2017 Honorees". Nwhp.org.

[20] "National Women's History Month: What is it, when did it begin, who is being honored this year?". kiro7.com. 25 February 2018.

[21] "National Women's History Alliance | Our History is Our Strength". Retrieved 2019-02-04.

[22] "Women's History Month". National Women's History Museum.

[23] Henrietta Muir Edwards and others (Appeal No. 121 of 1928) v The Attorney General of Canada (Canada) [1929] UKPC 86, [1930] AC 124. Accessed March 3, 2012.

[24] "The last Women's History Month?". Australian Women's History Forum. 19 November 2013.

[25] "Women’s History Month 2013", Australian Women's History Forum. Retrieved February 23, 2013.

[26] "Australian Women’s History Month 2012 poster". Australian Women's History Forum. January 22, 2012. Accessed March 4, 2012.

[27] [1] Pandora on April 14, 2010. Accessed March 4, 2012.

[28] Women's History Month 2009. Australian Women's History Forum. October 19, 2008. Archived by Pandora on April 14, 2009. Accessed March 4, 2012.

[29] Women with a Mission. Australian Women's History Forum. August 13, 2007. Archived by Pandora on April 14, 2008. Accessed March 4, 2012.

[30] Women's History Month 2007. National Foundation for Australian Women. 2007. Archived by Pandora on April 5, 2007. Accessed March 4, 2012.

[31] Women's History Month 2006. National Foundation for Australian Women. March 7, 2006. Archived by Pandora on April 12, 2006. Accessed March 4, 2012.

[32] Women's History Month 2005. National Foundation for Australian Women. April 21, 2005. Archived by Pandora on August 5, 2005. Accessed March 4, 2012.

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v t Holidays, observances, and celebrations in the United States
January	New Year's Day (federal) Martin Luther King Jr. Day (federal) Birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos (PR) Confederate Heroes Day (TX) Eve of Three Kings' Day (PR, religious) Feast of Epiphany / Feast of Theophany (religious) Fred Korematsu Day (AZ, CA, FL, HI, VA) Idaho Human Rights Day (ID) Inauguration Day (federal quadrennial) Kansas Day (KS) Makar Sankranti / Pongal (religious) Robert E. Lee Day (FL) Stephen Foster Memorial Day (36) The Eighth (LA) Three Kings' Day (PR, VI, religious) World Religion Day (religious)
January–February	Super Bowl Sunday Chinese New Year / Lunar New Year (NY, cultural, religious) Vasant Panchami (religious)
February American Heart Month Black History Month	Washington's Birthday (federal) Valentine's Day Birthday of Luis Muñoz Marín (PR) Candlemas (religious) Charles Darwin Day / Darwin Day (CA, DE) Day of Remembrance (CA, OR, WA, cultural) Georgia Day (GA) Groundhog Day Imbolc (religious) Lincoln's Birthday (CA, CT, IL, IN, MO, NY, WV) National Girls and Women in Sports Day National Freedom Day (36) Nirvana Day (religious) Presentation of Our Lord to the Temple (religious) Promised Reformer Day (religious) Ronald Reagan Day (CA) Rosa Parks Day (CA, MO) Saviours' Day (religious) Susan B. Anthony Day (CA, FL, NY, WI, WV, proposed federal) Tu B’shvat (religious)
February–March	Mardi Gras Ash Wednesday (PR, religious) Carnival (PR, VI, religious) Clean Monday (religious) Courir de Mardi Gras (religious) Intercalary Days (religious) Mahashivaratri (religious) Purim (religious) Shrove Tuesday (religious) Super Tuesday
March Irish-American Heritage Month Colon Cancer Awareness Month Women's History Month	Saint Patrick's Day (religious) Spring break (week) Annunciation of the Virgin Mary / Annunciation of the Theotokos (religious) Casimir Pulaski Day (IL) Cesar Chavez Day (CA, CO, TX, proposed federal) Emancipation Day in Puerto Rico (PR, cultural) Evacuation Day (Suffolk County, MA) Harriet Tubman Day (NY) Hola Mohalla (religious) Holi (NY, religious) L. Ron Hubbard’s Birthday (religious) Lailat al-Mi'raj (religious) Liberation and Freedom Day (Charlottesville, VA, cultural) Mardi Gras (AL (in two counties), LA) Maryland Day (MD) National Poison Prevention Week (week) Nowruz (cultural, religious) Ostara (religious) Prince Jonah Kūhiō Kalanianaʻole Day (HI) Promised Messiah Day (religious) Saint Joseph's Day (religious) Seward's Day (AK) Texas Independence Day (TX) Town Meeting Day (VT) Transfer Day (VI)
March–April	Easter (religious) Good Friday (CT, NC, PR, NJ, VI, religious) Hanuman Jayanti (religious) Holy Thursday (PR, VI, religious) Holy Week (PR, religious, week) Lazarus Saturday (religious) Mahavir Janma Kalyanak (religious) Mesha Sankranti / Hindu New Year (religious) Palm Sunday (PR, religious) Passover (religious) Easter Monday / Bright Monday (VI religious) Ramnavami (religious) Chandramana Yugadi / Souramana Yugadi (religious)
April Confederate History Month	420 April Fools' Day Arbor Day Birthday of José de Diego (PR) Confederate Memorial Day (AL, MS) Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust (week) Earth Day Emancipation Day (cultural) Thomas Jefferson's Birthday (AL) Lag B’Omer (religious) Last Friday of Great Lent (religious) Laylat al-Qadr (religious) Pascua Florida (FL) Patriots' Day (MA, ME) Ridván (religious) San Jacinto Day (TX) Siblings Day Walpurgis Night (religious) Yom Ha'atzmaut (cultural, religious)
May Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Jewish American Heritage Month	Memorial Day (federal) Mother's Day (36) Cinco de Mayo Ascension of Baháʼu'lláh (religious) Ascension of Our Lord (religious) Caliphate Day (religious) Declaration of the Bab (religious) Harvey Milk Day (CA) International Workers' Day / May Day (CA, unofficial, proposed state) Law Day (36) Loyalty Day (36) Malcolm X Day (CA, IL, proposed federal) Military Spouse Day National Day of Prayer (36) National Day of Reason National Defense Transportation Day (36) National Maritime Day (36) Peace Officers Memorial Day (36) Pentecost (religious) Shavuot (religious) Truman Day (MO) Vesak / Buddha's Birthday (religious)
June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month	Juneteenth (federal, cultural) Father's Day (36) Bunker Hill Day (Suffolk County, MA) Carolina Day (SC) Fast of the Holy Apostles (religious) Flag Day (36, proposed federal) Helen Keller Day (PA) Honor America Days (3 weeks) Jefferson Davis Day (AL, FL) Kamehameha Day (HI) Litha (religious) Martyrdom of Guru Arjan Dev Sahib (religious) Odunde Festival (Philadelphia, PA, cultural) Senior Week (week) Saint John's Day (PR, religious) West Virginia Day (WV)
July	Independence Day (federal) Asalha Puja Day (religious) Birthday of Don Luis Muñoz Rivera (PR) Birthday of Dr. José Celso Barbosa (PR) Emancipation Day in the U.S. Virgin Islands (VI, cultural) Guru Purnima (religious) Khordad Sal (religious) Lā Hoʻihoʻi Ea (HI, unofficial, cultural) Martyrdom of the Báb (religious) Parents' Day (36) Pioneer Day (UT) Puerto Rico Constitution Day (PR)
July–August	Summer vacation Tisha B'Av (religious)
August	American Family Day (AZ) Barack Obama Day in Illinois (IL) Bennington Battle Day (VT) Dormition of the Theotokos (religious) Eid-e-Ghadeer (religious) Fast in Honor of the Holy Mother of Lord Jesus (religious) Feast of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary (religious) Hawaii Admission Day / Statehood Day (HI) Krishna Janmashtami (religious) Lammas (religious) Lyndon Baines Johnson Day (TX) Naga Panchami (religious) National Aviation Day (36) Paryushana (religious) Raksha Bandhan (religious) Transfiguration of the Lord (religious) Victory Day (RI) Women's Equality Day (36)
September Prostate Cancer Awareness Month Childhood Cancer Awareness Month	Labor Day (federal) Brazilian Day (NY, cultural) California Admission Day (CA) Carl Garner Federal Lands Cleanup Day (36) Constitution Day (36) Constitution Week (week) Defenders Day (MD) Elevation of the Holy Cross (religious) Feast of San Gennaro (NY, cultural, religious) Ganesh Chaturthi (religious) Gold Star Mother's Day (36) His Holiness Sakya Trizin’s Birthday (religious) Mabon (religious) National Grandparents Day (36) National Payroll Week (week) Nativity of Mary / Nativity of the Theotokos (religious) Native American Day (proposed federal) Patriot Day (36)
September–October Hispanic Heritage Month	Chehlum Imam Hussain (religious) Oktoberfest Pitri Paksha (religious) Rosh Hashanah / Feast of Trumpets (TX, NY, religious) Shemini Atzeret (religious) Simchat Torah (religious) Vijaya Dashami (religious) Yom Kippur / Day of Atonement (TX, NY, religious)
October Breast Cancer Awareness Month Disability Employment Awareness Month Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month Filipino American History Month LGBT History Month	Columbus Day (federal) Halloween Alaska Day (AK) Child Health Day (36) General Pulaski Memorial Day German-American Day Indigenous Peoples' Day (VT) International Day of Non-Violence Leif Erikson Day (36) Missouri Day (MO) Nanomonestotse (cultural) National School Lunch Week (week) Native American Day in South Dakota (SD) Nevada Day (NV) Spirit Day (cultural) Sweetest Day Sukkot / Feast of Tabernacles (religious) Virgin Islands–Puerto Rico Friendship Day (PR, VI) White Cane Safety Day (36)
October–November	Birth of the Báb (religious) Birth of Baháʼu'lláh (religious) Day of the Dead (VI) Diwali (NY, religious) Mawlid al-Nabi (religious)
November Native American Indian Heritage Month	Veterans Day (federal) Thanksgiving (federal) Ascension of ‘Abdu’l Baha (religious) All Saints' Day (religious) Beginning of the Nativity Fast (religious) Beltane / Samhain (religious) Barack Obama Day in Alabama (Perry County, AL) D. Hamilton Jackson Day (VI) Day after Thanksgiving (24) Day of the Covenant (religious) Discovery of Puerto Rico Day (PR) Election Day (CA, DE, HI, KY, MT, NJ, NY, OH, PR, VA, WV, proposed federal) Family Day (NV) Guru Nanak Gurpurab (religious) Hanukkah (religious) Lā Kūʻokoʻa (HI, unofficial, cultural) Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur (religious) Native American Heritage Day (MD, WA, cultural) Presentation of the Theotokos to the Temple (religious) Unthanksgiving Day (cultural)
December	Christmas (religious, federal) New Year's Eve Advent Sunday (religious) Alabama Day (AL) Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (religious) Bodhi Day (religious) Chalica (religious) Christmas Eve (KY, NC, SC, PR, VI) Day after Christmas (KY, NC, SC, TX, VI) Festivus HumanLight Hanukkah (religious, week) Immaculate Conception (religious) Indiana Day (IN) Kwanzaa (cultural, week) Milad Syedna Mohammed Burhanuddin (religious) National Pearl Harbor Remembrance Day (36) Nativity of Jesus (religious) Old Year's Night (VI) Pan American Aviation Day (36) Pancha Ganapati (religious, week) Rosa Parks Day (OH, OR) Solemnity of Mary, Mother of God (religious) Wright Brothers Day (36) Yule (religious) Zartosht No-Diso (religious)
Varies (year round)	Eid al-Adha (NY, religious) Eid al-Fitr (NY, religious) Islamic New Year (religious) Yawm al-Arafa (religious) Hajj (religious) Navaratri (religious, four times a year) Obon (religious) Onam (religious) Ramadan (religious, month) Ghost Festival (religious) Yawm Aashura (religious)
Legend: (federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific racial/ethnic group or sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) = Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies See also: Lists of holidays, Hallmark holidays, Public holidays in the United States, Puerto Rico and the United States Virgin Islands.