New Year's Day

New Year's Day celebrates the new year on the Gregorian calendar. Although January 1st marks the new year in many countries, there are other countries around the world who celebrate New Year's Day on different dates throughout the year. 

Events/Calendar

Date: January 1st, 2024

 

Martin Luther King Jr. Day

Martin Luther King Jr. Day is celebrated on the third Monday of January every year, close to Dr. King's birthday on January 15th. It remembers and honors the life and legacy of Dr. King. 

Event/Calendar

Date: January 15th, 2024

Martin Luther King Celebration of Human Rights Week

Recognition of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.'s birthdate has been a tradition at the University of Iowa since 1969, and the national holiday has been observed through human rights programs since its inception in 1986. In 1990 the University initiated the Human Rights convocation program. 

An official University holiday was designated in 1995 to provide an opportunity to engage the University community in a discussion of the human values that the King holiday epitomizes. These initial events have grown into a campus-wide celebration that engages faculty, staff, students and community members to give lectures, discussions, and cultural arts presentations. 

Events/Calendar

Date: January 15th through January 19th, 2024

Resources

Official UI Site

Unity Week

The University of Iowa's Unity Week coincides with Martin Luther King Celebrate of Human Rights Week. Throughout the week, departments on campus are encouraged to share their stories about inspiring unity on campus, celebrating diversity, and diversity goals for the upcoming year. 

Events/Calendar

Date: January 22 - 26, 2023

Resources

Unity Week Webpage

National Day of Racial Healing

National Day of Racial Healing aims to create a brighter future, support and build communities, and take the steps to create transformative change. It was intentionally placed the day after Martin Luther King Jr. Day, to provide a day of reflection regarding the year-round pursuit for racial equity. 

Event/Calendar

Date: January 16th, 2024

Holocaust Remembrance Day

An international holiday created by the United Nations, January 27th is the anniversary of the liberation of Aushwitz-Birkenau. The purpose of the day is to honor the millions of victims of Nazism and develop educational plans to prevent future genocides.

Event/Calendar

Date: January 27th, 2024

Lunar New Year

Lunar New Year starts with the first new moon of the lunar calendar. It is often called Chinese New Year, although many other countries celebrate the Lunar New Year, such as Korea, India, Singapore, Malaysia, and more. 

Traditions include fireworks, traditional food, the giving of red envelopes, and lighting lanterns. 

Event/Calendar

Date: February 10, 2024

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