In celebration of the histories and contributions of our diverse communities, the University of Iowa unifies around heritage months, days, and identity acknowledgments throughout the year. These recognitions are an opportunity for all members of the community to learn more about our stories, traditions, people, scholarship, history, and current experiences.
It is important to note the celebration of each legacy included in the calendar is not time-limited and this calendar is a helpful tool to ensure we're inclusive of all members of our community.
The Division of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion invites you to share other widely recognized cultural observances for consideration. Your ideas and input help raise awareness and provide opportunities for cross-cultural learning and connection at the University of Iowa.
Through our ongoing partnership with Think Iowa City, BMindFul is an initiative seeking to meet the needs of diverse communities by providing event and conference planners with the dates of holy days of major religious faiths for five years into the future. By providing these dates in advance, BMindful seeks to help planners avoid those dates when scheduling events.
When selecting dates for meetings and events, please consider religious observances. BMindful does not include all religious holy days. It focuses on three major holy days for each faith — days when faith members may choose not to go to work or send their children to school.
October
LGBTQ+ History Month
National Disability Employment Awareness Day
Filipino American History Month
Global Diversity Awareness Month=
World Mental Health Day
National Coming Out Day
National Indigenous Peoples Day
Homecoming
November
Native American Heritage Month
Día De Los Muertos
Elections
National First Gen College Celebration Week
UI Asian Pacific American Cultural Center Week
Veteran’s Day
International Education Week
Transgender Day of Remembrance
December
International Day of Persons with Disabilities
World AIDS Day
Human Rights Day
Graduation
January
Happy New Year
Martin Luther King Jr. Day
Martin Luther King Celebration of Human Rights Week
UI Unity Week
National Day of Racial Healing
Holocaust Remembrance Day
March
Women's History Month
Disability Awareness Month
National Deaf History Month
#1Day for Iowa
LNACC In Action Week
UI PRIDE Week
April
National Arab American Heritage Month
Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month
UI Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
UI Pow Wow
Graduate and Professional Student Appreciation Week
May
Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Graduation
CIAE Graduation Celebration
Rainbow Graduation Celebration
Latinx/a/o Graduation Celebration
Native American Graduation Celebration
International Student Graduation Celebration
Global Accessibility Awareness Day
