The DEIA Communications team sends out monthly emails about upcoming diversity awareness events recognized either nationally or internationally due to their cultural, historical, or religious significance. See below for several diversity dates to be aware of in the month of April.
Month-Long Observances
Note that Autism Acceptance Month is covered under the "Additional Awareness Events this Month" section below.
Arab American and Middle Eastern and North African American Heritage Month
National Arab American and Middle Eastern and North African (MENA) American Heritage Month celebrates the culture, traditions, contributions, and history of the more than 3.5 million Arab Americans and MENA Americans in the United States. Arab Americans have ancestry from the world’s 22 Arab nations (Algeria, Bahrain, the Comoro Islands, Djibouti, Egypt, Iraq, Jordan, Kuwait, Libya, Morocco, Mauritania, Oman, Palestine, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, Somalia, Sudan, Syria, Tunisia, the United Arab Emirates, Lebanon, and Yemen). MENA Americans may also have ancestry in these nations, as well as Iran, Israel, and Turkey. Arab is not a race; in fact, ‘Arab’ is a cultural term which describes people who speak Arabic as their mother tongue. In 2005, the Arab American National Museum (AANM) opened its doors in Dearborn, Michigan, becoming the first and only cultural institution in the United States that documents, preserves, and presents the history, culture, and contributions of Arab Americans.
National Volunteer Month
National Volunteer Month is a month dedicated to recognizing volunteering and the importance to make significant contributions to worthy causes. Many organizations in small towns, rural counties, and the largest cities would not function without volunteers. Volunteerism is encouraged throughout the month of April.
Ramadan
Ramadan is a holy month of fasting, introspection, and prayer for Muslims. It begins at sunset on Saturday, April 2 and ends on Monday, May 2, celebrating the month during which Muhammad received the initial revelations of the Quran, the holy book for Muslims. Fasting is one of the five fundamental principles of Islam. Each day during Ramadan, Muslims do not eat or drink from dawn to sunset. Fasting is seen as a way to cleanse the soul and have empathy for those in the world who are hungry and less fortunate. Muslims break their daily fasts by sharing meals with family and friends, and the end of Ramadan is celebrated with a three-day festival known as Eid al-Fitr, one of Islam’s major holidays.
Scottish-American Heritage Month
Each April, Scottish-American Heritage Month highlights Scottish heritage and remembers the Scottish-Americans who have had an impact on U.S. society. The influence of Scottish ancestry is woven deeply into the fabric of America. Many of the founding fathers of our country were of Scottish ancestry. The Scots fled political oppression, poverty, and starvation to come to the new world of America. From within these ranks of impoverished immigrants came some of America’s most innovative industrialists, teachers, inventors, naturalists and artists. The people of Scotland continue today to enrich our American culture. Almost 30 million U.S. citizens claim Scottish or Scottish-Irish heritage.
Week and Day Observances
Note that National Day of Silence (LGBTQIA+) is covered under the "Additional Awareness Events this Month" section below.
Palm Sunday
Sunday, April 10
Palm Sunday is a Christian religious feast that falls on the Sunday before Easter. The feast commemorates Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. For many Christians, Palm Sunday (also referred to as Passion Sunday) marks the beginning of Holy Week, which observes Christ’s “Passion,” or the period of his sacrificial suffering, death and resurrection as told in each of the four canonical Gospels. Holy Week concludes on Easter Sunday. This year, Palm Sunday will fall on Sunday, April 10.
Good Friday
Friday, April 15
Good Friday (Holy Friday) is a day when members of many Christian denominations, including the Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Oriental Orthodox and Reformed traditions, observe Jesus's death on the cross. The date of Good Friday varies from one year to the next based on the Gregorian and Julian calendars. This year Good Friday is observed on Friday, April 15. On these days, adults abstain from eating meat following one of the oldest Christian traditions and attend church services.
Passover
Friday, April 15 - Saturday, April 23
Passover, also called Pesach is a major Jewish holiday. It begins in the evening of Friday, April 15 and ends in the evening of Saturday, April 23. Passover commemorates the story of the Israelites' escape from slavery and departure from ancient Egypt. Strict dietary laws must be observed, and special prohibitions restrict work at the beginning and end of the celebration. The first night is often celebrated with a special family meal called the seder. At the seder, symbolic foods are eaten, and prayers and traditional recitations are performed.
Easter
Sunday, April 17
Easter is a Christian festival which commemorates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead three days after his sacrificial suffering and crucifixion by the Romans, as described in the New Testament. The Christian celebration of Easter stretches back to the 2nd century, although it is widely believed that commemorations of Christ occurred sooner than that. Easter customs vary across the Christian world, and include a variety of observations including, but not limited to sunrise services, midnight vigil, and breaking of easter eggs (a symbol of the empty tomb). Easter will be observed this year on Sunday, April 17.
National Transgender HIV Testing Day
Monday, April 18
National Transgender HIV Testing Day (NTHTD) recognizes the importance of routine HIV testing, HIV status awareness and continued focus on HIV prevention and treatment efforts among transgender and gender non-binary people. The only way to definitively know if you have HIV is to get tested. HIV testing is relatively simple, widely available and confidential. Health care providers, medical clinics, hospital typically offer HIV tests. In addition, home testing kits can be purchased at a pharmacy or online. NTHTD encourages transgender and gender non-binary people to get tested and know their status. Visit HIV.gov or the CDC’s Get Tested Site for additional information on HIV and testing.
Yom HaShoah
Wednesday, April 27 - Thursday, April 28
Yom HaShoah, or Holocaust Remembrance Day, is observed in commemoration for the approximately six million Jews murdered in the Holocaust by Nazi Germany. This day recognizes the Jewish resistance and the strength of the Jewish people. It is a day of mourning and remembrance, as well as education. This year, Yom HaShoah will begin in the evening of Wednesday, April 27, and end in the evening of Thursday, April 28.
Laylat al-Qadr
Friday, April 29
Laylat al-Qadr (also known as Lailat al Qadr or Laylatul Qadr) is observed on April 29, 2022. It is the holiest night of the year for Muslims and falls within Ramadan’s final 10 days. The name translates to “Night of Power.” On this night, a single act of kindness gives the blessings of 1,000 months. Muslims observe this night with prayer and devotional readings of the Quran.
Additional Awareness Events this Month
The DEIA Communications team will send out email campaigns around the following awareness events this month:
- Autism Acceptance Month
- National Day of Silence (LGBTQIA+) - Friday, April 22
Questions?
Please contact the DEIA Communications team with any questions or feedback.