For questions, additions, or clarifications, please contact Gladys McCormick, Associate Dean for Diversity Equity and Inclusion in the Maxwell School, or Stephanie Williams, Academic Specialist for the Maxwell School.
Academic Year 23-24
Fall 2023
August
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)
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)
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)
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)
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)
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 2: International Day of Nonviolence
The International Day of Non-Violence is observed on 2 October, the birthday of Mahatma Gandhi, leader of the Indian independence movement and pioneer of the philosophy and strategy of non-violence.
October 2: Mehregan (Zoroastrian)
This day honors Mehr, the one who is believed to create bonds of friendship and love. This is also the time for the Autumn Festival in Iran.
October 4: Blessing of the Animals (Christian)
Christian observance of showing respect for domestic animals that mean much to people. Observed on various dates, especially related to St. Francis.
October 4: Saint Francis Day (Roman Catholic)
The feast commemorates the life of St. Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. It is a popular day for pets to be “blessed.”
October 6 - 8: Shemini Atzeret (Jewish)
Also known as Atzereth, this is a fall festival, which includes a memorial service for the dead and features prayers for rain in Israel.
October 7 - 8: Simchat Torah (Jewish)
Simchat Torah marks the completion of the annual cycle of the reading of the Torah in the synagogue and the beginning of the new cycle.
October 9: National Indigenous Peoples' Day (United States)
Celebrates and honors indigenous American peoples and commemorates their histories and cultures.
October 11: National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+)
First celebrated in the United States in 1988, the initial idea was grounded in the feminist and gay liberation spirit of the personal being political, and the emphasis on the most basic form of activism being coming out to family, friends, and colleagues, and living life as an openly lesbian or gay person. The founders' belief was that homophobia thrives in an atmosphere of silence and ignorance and that once people know that they have loved ones who are lesbian or gay, they are far less likely to maintain homophobic or oppressive views.
October 12: Ayathrem Gahanbar (Zoroastrian)
There are six Gahambars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. This feast is the Zoroastrian’s celebration of the creation of plant life (“bringing home the herds”) at the end of autumn.
October 15 - 24: Navaratri (Hindu)
A nine-day festival celebrating the victory of Goddess Durga over Mahishasura, and the victory of good over evil
October 16-17: Twin Holy Days – Birth of the Bab and Bahá'u'lláh (Bahá'í)
This holiday celebrates the birthdays of the Bab and of Bahá'u'lláh, two of the Baha’i faith’s most important figures. For Bahá'ís, the Twin Holy Days celebrate the rebirth of the world through the love of God.
October 24: Dasara / Dussehra (Hindu)
Hindu celebration of victory and valor. Celebrates the victory of King Rama by defeating the demon, Ravana, who stole King Rama’s wife.
October 28: Milvian Bridge Day (Christian)
Christian day of solemn reflection on the relationship of the spiritual community and the powers of civil government. On October 28, 312 CE, Emperor Constantine prevailed in a battle and proceeded to make Christianity the legal religion of the Roman Empire.
October 31: All Hallows’ Eve / All Saints’ Eve / Halloween (Roman Catholic)
A Christian celebration of mystery combining prayers and merriment involving children and families. It is a prelude to All Saint's Day and begins the three-day observation of Allhallowtide dedicated to remembering the dead.
October 31: Reformation Day (Protestant)
Protestant Christian anniversary of their tradition and its emphasis on the place of the Bible and religious freedom. On October 31, 1517, Martin Luther posted a belief statement on Wittenberg Church door.
October 31- November 1: Samhain (Pagan, Wiccan, Druid)
One of the four "greater Sabbats" and considered by some to be the Wiccan New Year. A time to celebrate the lives of those who have passed on, welcome those born during the past year into the community and reflect on past relationships, events, and other significant changes in life.
October 31 - November 2: Día de los Muertos / Day of the Dead / Día de Muertos (Mexican, Central American, South American, Caribbean)
A holiday celebrated throughout Mexico, Central and South America, and parts of the Caribbean. It is acknowledged internationally in many other cultures. The multi-day holiday focuses on gatherings of family and friends to pray for and remember friends and family members who have died, and help support their spiritual journey. Prior to Spanish colonization in the 16th century, the celebration took place at the beginning of summer. Gradually, it was associated with October 31, November 1, and November 2. Traditions connected with the holiday include building private altars called ofrendas, honoring the deceased using calaveras, marigolds, and the favorite foods and beverages of the departed, and visiting graves with these as gifts.
November
December
January
February
March
April
May
June
July
Calendar information from UC DAVIS Multicultural Holidays, Worktango, Interfaith Calendar 2023, and other sources as needed.