For questions, additions, or clarifications, please contact Gladys McCormick, Associate Dean for Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Maxwell School, or Stephanie Williams, Academic Operations Coordinator for the Maxwell School.
Academic Year 22-23
Fall 2023
September
September 1: First Installation of Guru Granth Sahib in the Golden Temple (Sikh)
Sikh remembrance of the eternal installation of the holy books, Granth Sahib.
September 4: Labor Day
To honor workers as part of the American organized labor movement.
September 5: International Day of Charity
Global solidarity to eradicate poverty
September 6: Krishna Janmashtami (Hindu)
Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling major academic deadlines on this day, since it is likely that students will be operating on very little sleep.
This two-day festival celebrates the birth of Krishna, a widely worshiped Hindu god. Krishna is considered to be a warrior, hero, teacher, and philosopher.
September 8: Nativity of Mary (Christian)
Christian celebration of the birth of the Virgin Mary. Tradition celebrates the event as a liturgical feast in the General Roman Calendar and in most Anglican liturgical calendars on September 8, nine months after the solemnity of her Immaculate Conception.
September 11: Paryushana Parva (Jain)
Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities during the eight days of fasting.
Jain festival signifies human emergence into a new world of spiritual and moral refinement. This festival consists of eight days of intensive fasting, repentance, and pujas. Celebration of the natural qualities of the soul. The eighth day (Samvatsari) is the most important and is focused on forgiveness.
September 12: Paitishahem Gahanbar (Zoroastrian)
There are six Gahanbars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. This feast is the Zoroastrians celebrate the creation of the earth or the “feast of bringing in the harvest.”
September 15: International Day of Democracy
2023 Themer: Empowering the next generation
September 15 - 17: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish)
**Holiday with significant work restriction
Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date. If planning an event, provide food accommodation (kosher restrictions apply).
The start of the Jewish New Year, a day of judgment and remembrance. The Jewish calendar celebrates the New Year in the seventh month (Tishrei) as a day of rest and celebration ten days before Yom Kippur.
September 15: Start of National Hispanic Heritage Month
Celebrates the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America
September 16: Mexican Independence Day
September 18: Fast of Gedaliah (Jewish)
Fast day from dawn until dusk on the day after Rosh Hashanah to lament the assassination of the governor of Judah of that name, whose murder ended Jewish autonomy following the destruction of the First Temple.
September 19: Ganesh Chaturthi / Vinayak Chaturthi / Vinayaka Chaturthi / Ganeshotsav (Hindu)
Celebration of the birthday of deity Lord Ganesh (Ganesh Chaturthi). Ganesh is depicted with an elephant's head on a human body and in the Hindu tradition he is the son of Lord Siva and the Goddess Parvati.
September 21 - 24: Mabon /Alban Elfed / Autumnal Equinox (Pagan)
Also referred to as Harvest Home, the Feast of the Ingathering, and Meán Fómhair. Mabon is the second celebration of the harvest, a ritual of thanksgiving for the fruits of the earth, and a recognition of the need to share them to secure the blessings of the Goddess and the God during the coming winter months. It is one of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals.
September 23: Native American Day
Honors those who have been a part of the American tradition even before the United States came into being and hopes to change the way people view Native Americans and their culture
September 24 - 25: Yom Kippur (Jewish)
**Holiday with significant work restriction
Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities on this date and after a day of fasting.
Yom Kippur is often considered the holiest day of the year for Jews, and the day is dedicated to atonement and abstinence. During Yom Kippur, Jews fast from before sundown on the first day until after sunset on the second day, and light a Yahrzeit memorial candle at sundown on the night of Yom Kippur.
September 26 – 27: Mawlid al-Nabi (Islam)
“Birth of the Prophet,” the observance of the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammed. The day is commemorated with recollections of Muhammad's life and significance.
September 27: Elevation of the Life-Giving Cross - Holy Cross Day (Roman Catholic)
Roman Catholic liturgical observance, red vestments are worn at church services conducted on this day, and if the day falls on a Sunday, the holiday’s Mass readings are used.
September 28: Meskel (Ethiopian Orthodox Christian)
Meskel is the Ethiopian and Eritrean Orthodox Christian commemoration of the discovery of the True Cross by Queen Eleni (St. Helena) in the 4th century. It is celebrated soon after the beginning of the Ethiopian calendar year (mid-September).
Septmber 29 - October 6: Sukkot (Jewish)
**Holiday with significant work restriction
Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events, or activities after sundown on the first evening and on the following two days. If planning an event, provide food accommodation (kosher restrictions apply).
A week-long celebration that begins with the building of Sukkah for sleep and meals. Sukkot is named for the huts Moses and the Israelites lived in as they wandered the desert before reaching the promised land.
September 30: International Blasphemy Rights Day (Atheist, Agnostic)
A day celebrating blasphemy as defined in the various national, state, or religious laws that encourage individuals and groups to openly express criticism of religion and blasphemy laws. Celebrations include educating about the importance of freedom of expression, even opinions contrary to religions or offensive to religious people.
October
October 15: First Day of Navaratri
A nine-day festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, and the victory of good over evil
Calendar information from UC DAVIS Multicultural Holidays, Worktango, Interfaith Calendar 2023, and other sources as needed.