On behalf of the PLTC DE&I Committee, we are pleased to share below notable holidays and dates important to diverse groups across the USA. We hope these dates and resources help inform your clinical, supervisory, teaching, and leadership efforts in LTC and other settings where you have influence.
September 2021
September is Suicide Prevention Awareness Month. Here’s a webinar that may be helpful to you: “Insights and Strategies for Reducing Suicide among Older Adults” https://acl.gov/news-and-events/announcements/webinar-suicide-prevention-month-insights-and-strategies-reducing
Hispanic Heritage Month is observed from September 15 to October 15. This month corresponds with Mexican Independence Day, which is celebrated on September 16, and recognizes the revolution in 1810 that ended Spanish dictatorship.
September 4-11: Paryushana Parva, a Jain festival lasting about eight to ten days that is observed through meditation and fasting. Its main focus is spiritual upliftment, pursuit of salvation and a deeper understanding of the religion.
September 6: Labor Day in the United States. Labor Day honors the contribution that laborers have made to the country and is observed on the first Monday of September.
September 6-8 (sundown to sundown): Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration, marking the creation of the world.
September 10: Ganesh Chaturthi, a Hindu holiday lasting around 10 days, where the elephant-headed Hindu God is praised and given offerings.
September 11: 20th Anniversary of the 9/11 Attacks. Special commemoration, programming, and events held across the nation.
September 12: Grandparents Day. https://grandparentsday.org/
September 15-16 (sundown to sundown): Yom Kippur, the holiest day on the Jewish calendar, a day of atonement marked by fasting and ceremonial repentance.
September 18: International Equal Pay Day, celebrated for the first time in September 2020, represents the longstanding efforts towards the achievement of equal pay for work of equal value. It further builds on the United Nations’ commitment to human rights and against all forms of discrimination, including discrimination against women and girls.
September 20-27: Sukkot, a seven-day Jewish festival giving thanks for the fall harvest.
September 22: Ostara Mabon, a celebration of the vernal equinox commemorated by Pagans and Wiccans.
September 24: Native American Day, a Federal holiday observed annually on the fourth Friday in September in the state of California and Nevada and on the second Monday in October in South Dakota and Oklahoma.
September 27-29 (sundown to sundown): Shemini Atzeret, a Jewish holiday also known as The Eighth (Day) of Assembly, takes place the day after the Sukkot festival, where gratitude for the fall harvest is deeply internalized.
September 28-29 (sundown to sundown): Simchat Torah, a Jewish holiday, marks the end of the weekly readings of the Torah. The holy book is read from chapter one of Genesis to Deuteronomy 34 and then back to chapter one again, in acknowledgement of the words of the Torah being a circle, a never-ending cycle.