Heritage Event Descriptions | Columbia Business School

Name and Link	Description
Martin Luther King Jr. Day	This event is to honor the legacy of Dr. King and ongoing civil rights efforts. People are asked to reflect on racial equality and the impact of nonviolent social movements.
Holocaust Remembrance Day	An international observance dedicated to honoring the victims of the Holocaust and Nazism. It takes place on the anniversary of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau each year.
Black History Month	Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history and the rest of the world.
Lunar New Year	Also called Spring Festival, Lunar New Year is an annual festival celebrated in many Asian countries, including China, South Korea, and Vietnam, to bring the first new moon of the lunar calendar and end the first full moon 15 days later.
Women’s History Month	Women’s History Month encourages and commemorates the observance and celebration of women through US history across all spectrums. This month highlights the contributions women have made within our contemporary society.
International Women’s Day	A global holiday that celebrates the cultural, social, economic, and political impact and accomplishments of women. It also calls to attention accelerated gender parities, as well as women’s rights and equality.
Passover	A major and sacred Jewish holiday that honors the story of the Israelites’ departure from ancient Egypt from the Hebrew Bible books of Exodus, Numbers, and Deuteronomy. It’s a week-long celebration with rituals and traditions.
Easter	A Christian holiday that celebrates the belief in the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Easter is followed by Good Friday, another Christian holiday, and concludes Lent.
Ramadan	A holy month of prayer, reflection, and fasting for Muslims. Followers of Islam commemorate when Muhammad received the first revelations of the Quran, the sacred book for Muslims.
Asian, Asian-American, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month	Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is observed in the United States during the month of May, and recognizes the contributions and influence of Asian Americans and Pacific Islander Americans to the history, culture, and achievements of the United States.
Jewish American Heritage Month	An annual recognition and celebration of Jewish Americans and their achievements and contribution to the US through science, government, culture, etc.
National Mental Health Awareness Month	This month-long effort has been observed in May within the US since 1949. The national movement raises awareness on mental health to fight stigma, provide support, educate the public, and advocate for policies regarding mental health services and treatment.
Eid al-Fitr	Also called “Festival of Breaking the Fast,” this religious holiday celebrated by Muslims worldwide marks the end of the month-long fast of Ramadan. This is the only day of the month of Shawwal during which Muslims are not permitted to fast.
LGBTQ+ Pride Month	Every June, this is a celebration for the awareness, advocacy, dignity, equality, self-affirmation, and visibility of the LGBTQ+ community. This month continues the LGBTQ+ rights movement that opposes shame and social stigma.
Juneteenth	Also known as Freedom Day, Julie Day, Liberation Day, and Emancipation Day. It is a holiday celebrating the emancipation of those who have been enslaved in the US.
Rosh Hashanah	Translation meaning “Head of the Year,” this two-day long holiday is the Jewish New Year or the Feast of Trumpets. It commemorates the creation of the world.
Yom Kippur	It is known as the Day of Atonement, the holiest day of the year in Judaism, which focuses on atonement and repentance. Practicing Jews traditionally observe this with a day-long fast, intensive prayer, and spending most of the holiday in synagogue services.
Latinx & Hispanic Heritage Month	This nationwide celebration recognizes the contributions and influence of Hispanic Americans on the culture, history, and achievements of the United States. The significant day of September 15 is the anniversary of independence for many Latin American countries such as Costa Rica, El Salvador, and Guatemala.
LGBTQ+ History Month	October is dedicated to education about LGBTQ+ history and the history of LGBTQ+ rights, as well as other related civil movements.
World Mental Health Day	An international day for global mental health education and awareness, as well as advocacy against the social stigma. It was first initiated in 1992 by the World Federation for Mental Health.
National Coming Out Day	An annual awareness day to support the LGBTQ+ community and encourage more individuals to “come out of the closet.”
Indigenous Peoples’ Day	A holiday that celebrates and honors Indigenous people, as well as commemorates their histories and culture. It is usually celebrated on the second Monday in October.
Native American and Indigenous Heritage Month	This annual holiday acknowledges the significant contributions that the first Americans made to the establishment of the US. It also celebrates the rich and diverse cultures and traditions of Indigenous people.
Transgender Day of Remembrance	This day is observed annually to memorialize those who have been murdered as a result of transphobia. It brings attention to the continued violence transgender people endure.
International Day for People with Disability	The worldwide observance mobilizes support for critical issues regarding inclusivity of persons with disabilities, brings attention to the benefits of an accessible society for all, and raises awareness of disability issues.
Hanukkah	An annual Jewish festival commemorating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem, the recovery of Jerusalem, during the second century BCE. Hanukkah means “dedication” in Hebrew and is also known as the Festival of Lights.
Christmas	This annual festival celebrates the birth of Jesus Christ and is observed as a religious and cultural celebration by billions of people around the world.
Kwanzaa	An annual celebration that honors African heritage, culture, and unity. It culminates in gift-giving and a communal feast called Karamu, held on the sixth day.