Culture and Heritage

Heritage Months and Cultural Recognition 

With students, faculty, staff and guests representing over 160 countries, Binghamton University values the unique and enriching cultural experiences that each community member brings to our campus. The University acknowledges or observes various heritage months and cultural/identity recognition days to celebrate the rich tapestry of the Binghamton community.

Members of our campus community may request accommodations for cultural and religious observances. Find a listing of upcoming cultural and religious holidays and related policies in the faculty and staff handbook for guidance on providing reasonable and appropriate academic accommodations.

Heritage Month Celebrations

  • FEBRUARY
    Black History Month
  • MARCH
    National Women's History Month
  • APRIL
    Sexual Assault Prevention and Awareness Month
  • MAY
    Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month;
    Jewish American Heritage Month
  • JUNE
    Pride Month
  • JULY
    Disability Pride Month
  • SEPTEMBER
    Latin American Heritage Month
  • OCTOBER
    OUTober - LGBTQ+ History Month;
    National Disability Employment Awareness Month
  • NOVEMBER
    Native American Heritage Month

Cultural/Identity Recognition Days

SPRING 2023

January

  • Jan. 1 – New Year's Day

    A day to mark the commencement of a new calendar year, celebrated primarily by the Western cultures of Europe, North America, South America and Australia. (International)

  • Jan. 1 – Emancipation Proclamation

    President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, during the height of the Civil War. While it did not end de facto slavery in the U.S., it did add a moral imperative to a Union victory. (U.S.)

  • Jan. 4 – World Braille Day

    World Braille Day helps to bring awareness to issues impacting blind and visually impaired persons. It is also the birthday of the blind pioneer Louis Braille, who invented the most widely used form of writing for the blind. Learn more. (International)

  • Jan. 6 – Epiphany

    A feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child is sometimes called Three King's Day. (Christian)

  • Jan. 13 – Korean American Day

    Korean American Day honors and highlights our friends of Korean descent who have made immeasurable contributions. (Korean-American)

  • Jan. 14 – Makar Sankranti or Magh

    Makar Sankranti or Maghi celebrates the harvest. (Hindu)

  • Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States national holiday celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a Civil Rights and social justice leader. (U.S.)

  • Jan. 21-Feb. 5 – Chinese New Year

    Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting with New Year's Eve and culminating in the Lantern Festival. The celebration includes many rituals to usher in good luck for the upcoming year. 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit. (China)

  • Jan. 22 – Lunar New Year

    The Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar and is derived from 12 full cycles of the moon. It is celebrated by many East Asian countries, especially those influenced by Chinese culture, including China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. (Asia/International)

  • Jan. 26 – Indian Republic Day

    On this date in 1950 the Indian Constitution was finalized. (India)

  • Jan. 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day

February

  • Feb. 1 – National Freedom Day

    In 1865, President Abraham Lincoln signed the 13th amendment (outlawing slavery). In 1948, President Harry Truman signed a bill proclaiming Feb. 1, the first National Freedom Day. (U.S.)

  • Feb. 5 – Kashmir Solidarity Day

    Kashmir Solidarity Day is observed by the people in Pakistan and Kashmir who have been fighting for their freedom for more than 70 years. (Pakistan/International)

  • Feb. 7 – National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day

    First observed in 1999, this day acknowledges how HIV disproportionately affects the Black community. (U.S.)

  • Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day

    Originally a Christian feast day honoring several early Christian martyrs named Valentine. Through later folk traditions, it has become a significant cultural, religious and commercial celebration of romance and love in many regions of the world. (Christian/International)

  • Feb. 15 – Parinirvana or Nirvana Day

    Parinirvana or Nirvana Day remembers Buddha’s passing in 483 BC and his final nirvana. (Buddhist)

  • Feb. 18 – Shivratri

    Shivratri is a festival celebrated annually in honor of the god Shiva. The name also refers to the night when Shiva performs the heavenly dance. (Hindu)

  • Feb. 19-25 – Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week

    Aromantic Spectrum Awareness Week is an international event meant to foster awareness and acceptance of aromantic spectrum identities and the issues they face. Aromantic individuals often experience little to no romantic attraction and demonstrate little interest in romantic relationships. (International/LGBTQ+)

  • Feb. 20 – President’s Day

    Part of the Uniform Monday Holiday Act of 1971, President's Day is a federal holiday that takes place on the third Monday of February. While many states still separately acknowledge the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and George Washington (Feb. 22), President's Day is a way to honor both presidents. (U.S.)

  • Feb. 22 – Ash Wednesday

    Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of fasting and contemplation that concludes on Easter Sunday. (Christian)

  • Feb. 22-Apr. 6 – Lent

    Lent is the six weeks beginning Ash Wednesday leading to Easter Sunday. Through fasting or contemplation, this period marks a solemn observance of the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. The span includes Palm Sunday and Good Friday. (Christian)

March

April

  • Apr. 2 – World Autism Awareness Day

    World Autism Awareness Day honors and seeks to improve the lives of people on the Autism spectrum so they can lead full and meaningful lives. (People with Disabilities)

  • Apr. 4 – Mahavira-Jayanti

    Mahavira-Jayanti is one of the most important religious festivals in Jainism, celebrating the birth of Mahavir, the twenty-fourth and last Tirthankara of the present Avasarpiṇī. (Jain/Sikh/Hindu) 

  • Apr. 5-13 – Passover/Pesach

    Passover/Pesach commemorates the freeing of Jewish people from Egypt. The first and last two days are observed as full holidays. Includes a ceremonial meal called the Seder comprising food of symbolic significance, traditions and prayers. (Jewish / date changes each year)

  • Apr. 6 – International Asexuality Day 

    International Asexuality Day is a worldwide event celebrating and advocating for the full asexual spectrum, including demisexual, greysexual, and other ace identities. Individuals under the ACE spectrum typically lack sexual attraction or desire for others. (International/LGBTQ+)

  • Apr. 8 – Buddha’s Birth

    Buddha’s Birth, Buddha is royalty who became a spiritual leader and launched Buddhism, one of the most popular religions. (Buddhist)

  • Apr. 9 – Easter

    Easter, a key holy day in the #1 most-practiced faith. Easter is the Christian festival and cultural holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus from the dead, on the third day of his burial following his crucifixion. (Christian / date changes each year)

  • Apr. 12 – Ugadi

    Ugadi or Yugadi, also known as Samvatsarādi, is the New Year's Day for the states of Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, and Karnataka in India. (Hindu) 

  • Apr. 14 – Day of Silence

    Day of Silence (LGBTQ+)

  • Apr. 21-22 – Eid-al-Fitr

    Eid Al-Fitr is the "Festival of Breaking the Fast" may be called Lesser Eid or Eid, is celebrated by Muslims worldwide to mark the end of the month-long dawn-to-sunset fasting of Ramadan. (Islam/Muslim) 

  • Apr. 22 – Puerto Rican Day Parade

    Puerto Rican Day Parade – festivities are planned across the country, to celebrate Puerto Ricans’ accomplishments and contributions. (Puerto Ricans)

  • Apr. 22 – Earth Day

    Earth Day – celebrated internationally in more than 192 countries (International)

  • Apr. 24-30 – Lesbian Visibility Week

    Lesbian Visibility Week historically kicks-off with International Lesbian Visibilty Day on April 26 and is an annual observance dedicated to bringing awareness and education of lesbian women and non-binary people, fostering support and bringing into light issues faced within the community. (International/LGBTQ+) 

  • Apr. 27-29 – Gathering of Nations

    Gathering of Nations – more than 500 Native American tribes meet to celebrate their traditions and cultures. (Native American)

May

SUMMER 2023

June

  • Jun. 11 – National Children’s Day

    National Children’s Day highlights how important children are in society, and that some still face a lot of problems and difficulties in different aspects of their lives. (U.S.)

  • Jun. 12 – Pulse Night of Remembrance

    Pulse Night of Remembrance (LGBTQ+) 

  • Jun. 18 – Father’s Day

    Father’s Day is a national holiday that commemorates fathers and the crucial role they play in people's lives, from childhood through to adulthood. (U.S.)

  • Jun. 19 – Juneteenth

    Juneteenth is a federal holiday that commentates the liberation of enslaves Black Americans in Texas, and celebrated nationwide. (U.S.)

  • Jun. 28-29 – Eid al-Adha

    Eid al-Adha, also known as the Festival of Sacrifice, is one of the two holiest Islamic celebrations, observed by Muslims around the world (Islam/Muslim) 

  • Jun. 28 – Stonewall Riots Anniversary

    The Stonewall Riots Anniversary commemorates the Stonewall riots that began on June 28, 1969 in response to police brutality endured by the transgender, gay, and lesbian community in New York City. (LGBTQ+)

July

  • Jul. 4 – Independence Day

    Independence Day commemorates the adoption of the Declaration of Independence, signed by all 13 colonies, and which marks the beginning of American Independence. (U.S.)

  • Jul. 11-17 – Non-Binary Awareness Week

    Non-Binary Awareness Week is an annual event dedicated to celebrating diversity and inclusion for those who exist outside of the gender binary. The week also includes Non-Binary People's Day on July 14, which is a day intended to celebrate and honor the existence of non-binary people and to raise awareness of the unique challenges they face in society. (International/LGBTQ+)

  • Jul. 16 – International Drag Day

    International Drag Day is an annual event held to celebrate drag art and culture around the world to bring awareness and acceptance of self-expression. (International/LGBTQ+)

  • Jul. 18-19 – Al-Hijra/Al-Hijri

    Al-Hijra/Al-Hijri is the first day of the month of Muharram representing the Islamic New Year. (Islam/Muslim)

  • Jul. 23 – Parents’ Day

    Parents’ Day is observed in recognition of what parents do to care for their families, as well as their contributions to society overall. (U.S.)

  • Jul. 24 – Pioneer Day

    Pioneer Day is an official holiday celebrated in Utah, marking the arrival of founder Brigham Young in the Salt Lake area (Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints/U.S.)

  • Jul. 26-27 – Tisha B’Av

    Tisha B’Av is an annual day of mourning and fasting, as many disasters are said to have happened to the Jewish people on this day. The two main tragedies remembered on this day are the destruction of Solomon's Temple and the Second Temple in Jerusalem. (Jewish)

  • Jul. 30 – International Friendship Day

    International Friendship Day is day to promote friendship and community, and how each is appreciated and observed in different cultures. (United Nations)

August

FALL 2023

September

October

  • Oct. 9 – Indigenous Peoples’ Day

    Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the indigenous peoples of North America. (U.S.)

  • Oct. 10 – World Mental Health Day

    World Mental Health Day promotes mental health education and awareness, and advocacy against social stigma.

  • Oct. 11 – National Coming Out Day

    National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+)

  • Oct. 19 – LGBTQ+ Spirit Day

    LGBTQ+ Spirit Day is an annual LGBTQ awareness day observed on the third Thursday in October. Spirt Day offers LGBTQ youth and their families a means of visibility and existence only made possible by providing life-saving visibility for those who need it more than ever. On Spirit Day observers wear purple to support LGBTQ youth and prevent bullying. (U.S./LGBTQ+)

  • Oct. 20 – International Pronouns Day

    International Pronouns Day seeks to make respecting, sharing, and educating about personal pronouns commonplace (International/LGBTQ+)

  • Oct. 23-29 – Ace Week 

    Ace Week, formerly Asexual Awareness Week, is an international campaign dedicated to raising awareness and expanding education of asexuality.

    The week gives all of us an opportunity to celebrate how far our community has come and to dream about the future we will create together. Learn more.

  • Oct. 26 – Intersex Awareness Day

    Intersex Awareness Day commemorates the anniversary of the first public demonstration by intersex people in the United States and seeks to highlight injustice faced by the intersex communities. (U.S./LGBTQ+)

  • Oct. 28 – National Immigrants Day

    National Immigrants Day celebrates the immigrants from 196 countries who live in the USA. (U.S.)

  • Oct. 28 – Halloween

    Halloween (International)

November

December

January

  • Jan. 1 – New Year's Day

    A day to mark the commencement of a new calendar year, celebrated primarily by the Western cultures of Europe, North America, South America and Australia. (International)

  • Jan. 1 – Emancipation Proclamation

    President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on Jan. 1, 1863, during the height of the Civil War. While it did not end de facto slavery in the U.S., it did add a moral imperative to a Union victory. (U.S.)

  • Jan. 4 – World Braille Day

    World Braille Day helps to bring awareness to issues impacting blind and visually impaired persons. It is also the birthday of the blind pioneer Louis Braille, who invented the most widely used form of writing for the blind. Learn more. (International)

  • Jan. 6 – Epiphany

    A feast day commemorating the visit of the Magi to the Christ Child is sometimes called Three King's Day. (Christian)

  • Jan. 13 – Korean American Day

    Korean American Day honors and highlights our friends of Korean descent who have made immeasurable contributions. (Korean-American)

  • Jan. 14 – Makar Sankranti or Magh

    Makar Sankranti or Maghi celebrates the harvest. (Hindu)

  • Jan. 16 – Martin Luther King Jr. Day

    Martin Luther King Jr. Day is a United States national holiday celebrating the birthday of Martin Luther King, Jr., a Civil Rights and social justice leader. (U.S.)

  • Jan. 21-Feb. 5 – Chinese New Year

    Celebrations of Chinese New Year traditionally last for 16 days, starting with New Year's Eve and culminating in the Lantern Festival. The celebration includes many rituals to usher in good luck for the upcoming year. 2023 marks the Year of the Rabbit. (China)

  • Jan. 22 – Lunar New Year

    The Lunar New Year marks the first new moon of the lunar calendar and is derived from 12 full cycles of the moon. It is celebrated by many East Asian countries, especially those influenced by Chinese culture, including China, Indonesia, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore and Vietnam. (Asia/International)

  • Jan. 26 – Indian Republic Day

    On this date in 1950 the Indian Constitution was finalized. (India)

  • Jan. 27 – International Holocaust Remembrance Day