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 November.

Upcoming Observances

Note that Native American Heritage Month, National Day of Mourning, Thanksgiving, Transgender Awareness Week, Transgender Day of Remembrance, and Veterans Day are covered under the "Additional Awareness Events this Month" section below.

Día de los Muertos 

Tuesday, November 1 - Wednesday, November 2

The Day of the Dead (Día de los Muertos) is a holiday typically celebrated from November 1 to November 2. It is a joyful holiday where families and friends gather to remember loved ones who have died. Families create ofrendas, or home altars, which are decorated with bright yellow marigold flowers, photos of the departed, and the favorite foods and drinks of the one being honored. They also visit the graves of the deceased to deliver these gifts. A popular symbol during Día de los Muertos is the calaveras (skull), which are often wearing a smile and can be found as sugar candies, clay decorations, and face painting. 

World Freedom Day

Wednesday, November 9

In 2001, the United States began observing World Freedom Day each November 9 to commemorate the 1989 eradication of the Berlin Wall, which had symbolized the Cold War, communism, and the division of eastern and western Europe.

At the end of World War II, Germany, including the city of Berlin, was divided into East and West, with East Germany – known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR) - occupied by the Soviet Union.  At this time, Berliners were still able to move freely between East and West to work, shop or go to entertainment venues.

However, in 1961, following tens of thousands of East Germans fleeing the GDR, the GDR government closed the border, prohibiting West Germans from entering Berlin and East Germans from leaving Berlin. To further prevent such movement of people, the GDR government erected a concrete and barbed wire wall separating East Berlin from West Berlin. Individuals could not travel over the wall unless they were granted permission through a checkpoint. Over the next 28 years, approximately 5,000 individuals risked their lives to escape over the wall; at least 171 individuals were killed in the attempt.

In 1989, as the Cold War began to thaw, the GDR government announced the opening of the border on November 9, 1989. Over the course of that weekend, more than 2 million people came to the wall in celebration, some using hammers and chisel to chip away at it. The abolishment of the wall marked the end of the Cold War and communism in Germany.

Kristallnacht (The Night of Broken Glass)

Wednesday, November 9 - Thursday, November 10

Kristallnacht, or the Night of Broken Glass, is the day remembered as the turning point in Germany where Hitler switched from antisemitic rhetoric and laws to the goal of completely eliminating the Jewish community through violence. During the Night of Broken Glass, angry mobs attacked Jewish people on the streets or in their homes, businesses, and places of worship. Shattered glass from windows covered the streets. "Nazi officials depicted the riots as justified reactions to the assassination of German foreign official Ernst vom Rath, who had been shot two days earlier by Herschel Grynszpan, a 17-year old Polish Jew distraught over the deportation of his family from Germany" (Source: Kristallnacht, United States Holocaust Memorial Museum). Over 7,000 Jewish homes and buildings were destroyed and many cemeteries were desecrated. In addition, 91 Jewish people were murdered and about 30,000 Jewish men were sent to concentration camps. 

Marine Corps Birthday

Thursday, November 10

Marines across the globe celebrate the establishment of the Marine Corps on November 10, 1775. It is a day where Marines acknowledge 247 years of service as of 2022 as well as the many sacrifices made to defend democracy and the continued legacy of the Marines. The Marine Corps Birthday, also known as Marine Corps Day, includes a cake cutting ceremony in Washington D.C., which is recorded each year. You can watch last year's Marine Corps Cake Cutting Ceremony on YouTube.

International Men's Day

Saturday, November 19

International Men’s Day is a global day held annually on November 19 to recognize and celebrate the positive value that men bring to the world. The broader goal of the holiday is to promote awareness towards men’s issues. Each year is themed, with 2022’s being “Helping Men and Boys.” Resources will be posted to the site soon for the 2022 theme. You can check out past themes through the IMD Resources page. 

Day of the Covenant

Friday, November 25 - Saturday, November 26

The Bahá'í Faith is the youngest of the world's independent religions founded in 1844 by Mīrzā ʿAlī Moḥammad of Shīrāz in Iran. Geographically, it is the second-most widely spread religion with about six million believers worldwide who come from various cultural, racial, social, and religious backgrounds. Every year in late November, Baha’is around the world honor unity on Day of the Covenant. This year, Day of the Covenant is observed on Saturday, November 26. This annual holy day marks and celebrates the appointment of Abdu’l-Baha as the Center of Baha’u’llah’s Covenant, which safeguards the Baha’i Faith from division and disunity. The principal Bahāʾī tenets are focused on the unity of all religions and the unity of humanity, with believers devoting themselves to the abolition of racial, class, and religious prejudices. Bahāʾī teachings are largely concerned with social ethics.

Ascension of Abdu’l-Baha (Baha’i)

Sunday, November 27 - Monday, November 28

'Abdu’l-Bahá , which means “Servant of Bahá ”, was born on May 23, 1844.  He was the eldest son and successor of Baha’u’llah, co-founder of the Bahá’í Faith. Abdu’l-Baha passed away on 28 November 1921. The Bahá’í community observes the Ascension of `Abdu’l-Bahá on this day. The anniversary of His passing is commemorated as a Bahá’í Holy Day. Over ten thousand mourners from diverse religions and ethnic communities attended his funeral.  He was eulogized as One who led humanity to the “Way of Truth,” as a “pillar of peace” and the embodiment of “glory and greatness.”. His remains were laid to rest in a vault next to the vault of the Báb on Mount Carmel. Baha’is celebrate this Holy Day as they do all others in their faith. They gather in prayer and worship and celebration of unity and acceptance. All are welcome to join in the celebration regardless of any difference in faith or beliefs.

Additional Awareness Events this Month

The DEIA Communications team will send out an email campaign around the following awareness events this month: 

  • Native American Heritage Month and National Day of Mourning
  • Thanksgiving
  • Transgender Awareness Week and Transgender Day of Remembrance
  • Veterans Day