This site is designed to increase awareness of the local, national, and international events and celebrations that make the world a better place...
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Z DAY
January 1
Gives recognition on the first day of the year to all persons and places whose names begins with the letter Z.
ARMENIAN CHRISTMAS
January 6
Christmas is observed in the Armenian Church, the oldest Christian national church.
FINANCIAL WELLNESS MONTH
January 1-31
A time to set new goals for financial freedom and moderation in spending.
Goals: set up a savings plan; spend less money; figure out how to pay off old loans
www.wordsofwellness.com
NATIONAL MENTORING MONTH
January 1-31
A campaign to provide national publicity and information on mentoring in its various forms. January 21 is “Thank Your Mentor Day”.
www.nationalmentoringmonth.org
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NAACP FOUNDED
February 12
Founded in 1909 by W.E.B. DuBois and Ida Wells-Barnett et al, to campaign against lynching and other forms of racial oppression. The NAACP successfully challenged segregation laws in the 1950’s and 1960’s, and to this day continues to champion unjust causes.
www.naacp.org
CARNIVAL DE PONCE
February 10-16
Ponce, Puerto Rico’s annual pre-Lenten celebration with parades, artisan wares, and Puerto Rican food and drinks.
www.visitponce.com
NATIONAL PANCAKE WEEK
February 14-20
Traditional celebration recognizing the history and popularity of the pancake.
NATIONAL DONOR DAY
February 14
Begun in 1998 and partnering with the U.S. Department of Health to urge Americans in making a donation of life.
www.organdonor.gov
IDITAROD TRAIL SLED DOG RACE
March 6-21
More than 50 16-dog sled teams race from Anchorage to Nome, Alaska [1,150 miles through the Alaskan wilderness] in this competition. For more information:
www.iditarodcom
INTERNATIONAL MIRTH MONTH
March 1-31
A month set aside to encourage the use of humor in dealing with not-so-funny stuff. Sponsored in part by a past President of the Association for Applied Mirth and Therapeutic Humor.
www.aath.org
IRISH-AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH
March 1-31
A Presidential proclamation [Public Law 103-379] declaring the celebration and contribution of the Irish to American society.
SAVE YOUR VISION MONTH
March 1-31
A reminder of the importance of eye health and regular exams.
For more information contact:
www.aoa.org
APRIL FOOL’S DAY
April 1
In France prior to 1564, New Year’s Day was celebrated on April 1. People who insisted on celebrating the “old” New Year were called April Fools and it became common to play tricks on them.
CHILD ABUSE PREVENTION MONTH
April 1-30
The national Exchange Club, a Toledo, Ohio based organization, formed a non-profit foundation in 1979 to establish child abuse prevention centers throughout the United States. More than 600,00 families have received services from this network.
www.preventchildabuse.com
JAZZ APPRECIATION MONTH
April 1-30
The National Museum of American History draws public attention to the importance of Jazz heritage in American culture. Special programs are offered through many public institutions to promote this historical and living treasure
www.smithsonianjazz.org
NATIONAL TWO DIFFERENT COLORED SHOES DAY
May 3
A simple act of purposely wearing two different colored shoes to celebrate the uniqueness and diversity of humanity, and encouraging stepping outside of one’s daily routines.
www.nationaltwodifferentcoloredshoesday.com
WORLD TURTLE DAY
May 23
An observance to rescue, celebrate and protect turtles and tortoises and their habitats around the world.
www.tortoise.com
WOMEN’S HEALTH CARE MONTH
May 1-31
Emphasis on increasing awareness of the prevention of the major causes of death and poor health among women.
For more information contact: www.ppsinc.org
BREAD PUDDING RECIPE EXCHANGE
May 1-7
A week dedicated to the creative exchange of bread pudding recipes.
www.breadpudding.net
NATIONAL MEDITATION MONTH
May 1-31
A month long observance concerning the physical, emotional, and mental benefits of meditation and its link to inner peace.
www.thedeepcalm.com
BANANA SPLIT FESTIVAL
June 11-12
A festival celebrating Wilmington, Ohio as the birthplace of the banana split.
For more information contact: www.clintoncountyohio.com
KING KAMEHAMEHA DAY
June 11
This day has been designated a state holiday in Hawaii in memory of the Hawaiian monarch who lived from 1737-1819.
MIDNIGHT SUN FESTIVAL
June 19-20
A celebration of the summer solstice that takes place in Nome, Alaska when it experiences the midnight sun with more than 22 hours of direct sunlight. “Was there ever such a night, it’s a thrill I still don’t quite believe…”
For more information contact: www.nomealaska.org
FATHER’S DAY
June 20
The idea of Father’s Day was publicly supported by President Calvin Coolidge in 1924, but not proclaimed until 1966 as the third Sunday in June. In 1972 it was recognized by Public Law 92-278.
SUMMER READING FESTIVAL AT PLYMC
June thru August
Every summer the Public Library of Youngstown and Mahoning County presents a themed summer reading program open to all age participants. Contact your branch Librarian or check our website for more information.
www.libraryvisit.org
NATIONAL CHILD-CENTERED DIVORCE MONTH
Dedicated to reminding parents to put the emotional, physical and spiritual needs of their children first when facing divorce or separation.
www.childcentereddivorce.com
TWENTIETH AMENDMENT RATIFIED
Anniversary, July 1, 1970
The 26th Amendment to the Constitution granted the right to vote in all federal, state and local elections to all persons 18 years or older.
SPECIAL OLYMPICS ANNIVERSARY
July 20, 1968
Founded by Eunice Shriver Kennedy. Special Olympics provides people with intellectual disabilities with opportunities to develop fitness, demonstrate courage and experience joy as they participated in physical sports.
www.specialolympics.org
FIRST U.S. CENSUS ANNIVERSARY
August 1, 1790
The first census revealed that there were 3,939,326 citizens in the 16 states and the Ohio Territory. The census has been taken every 10 years since 1790. Census data is now being taken for the 2010 census.
www.2010census.gov
NATIONAL MINORITY DONOR AWARENESS DAY
August 1
Focuses on obstacles related to minorities and donation, promotes healthy living and disease prevention to decrease the need for transplantation and reaches out to all ethnic groups.
www.organdonor.gov
SINGLE WORKING WOMEN’S WEEK
August 1-7
This week is to celebrate the single women who make society a better place and who find the money, time and energy to support others.
www.swwan.org
NATIONAL GRANDPARENT’S DAY
September 12
Founded by a West Virginia housewife, Marian McQuade. Focus of this observance was to honor grandparents; give grandparents an opportunity to show their love for their children’s children; and to help children become aware of the strength, information and guidance older people can offer. Observed annually, the first Sunday after Labor Day.
www.grandparents-day.com
NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH
September 15-October 15
This observance pays tribute to the Hispanic Americans who have positively influenced and enriched the nation and society. Youngstown State University generally has a full calendar of cultural activities for the community.
www.hispanicheritagemonth.gov
www.ysu.edu/div_ysu/calendar (sample of YSU’s 2009 calendar of events)
INTERNATIONAL EAT AN APPLE DAY
September 18
Celebrating the coming of fall and the harvest of apples.
NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS MONTH
This annual celebration heightens awareness while recognizing the contributions of Americans with disabilities to our workforce and society.
www.disabled-world.com
NATIONAL READING GROUP MONTH
To celebrate the joy of shared reading and inspire individuals who do not belong to join one or start their own. Organizations, bookstores, libraries are encouraged to sponsor reading group events.
www.nationalreadinggroupmonth.org
NATIONAL PIEROGY DAY
OCTOBER 8
Commemorates the day in 1952 that pierogies were first delivered to a grocery store in Shenandoah, PA, marking the emergence of this Middle Eastern food as a mainstay American food staple.
www.pierogies.com
MEXICO DAY OF THE DEAD
November 1-2
Departed souls are remembered not in mourning but with a spirit of friendliness and good humor. Cemeteries are visited and graves are decorated.
www.azcentral.com/ent/dead/articles/dead-history.html
MILITARY FAMILY MONTH
President Obama signed a proclamation on October 30, 2009, to honor the families of the Armed Forces and to thank them for their dedication to our country.
NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH
Celebrate the ancestry and time-honored traditions, accomplishments, contributions and sacrifices of Native Americans.
TOLERANCE WEEK
December 1-7
Tolerance week is a week of learning to accept others for their differences. Mainly this is a time for schoolteachers as well as parents to discuss with their children about anti-bullying policies and building tolerance.
NATIONAL HANDWASHING AWARENESS WEEK
December 5-11
Hand Awareness tips, pandemic prevention, infection prevention, family health, school health among others.
www.henrythehand.com
NATIONAL HAIKU POETRY DAY
December 21
A day to celebrate this popular Japanese poetry form. Haiku is traditionally a non-rhymed verse written with 17 syllables in three lines, typically about the seasons and nature.