List of month-long observances explained

The following is a list of notable month-long observances, recurrent months that are used by various governments, groups and organizations to raise awareness of an issue, commemorate a group or event, or celebrate something.

January

• Dry January
• Veganuary (English-speaking world; originated in and headquartered in United Kingdom)^[1]
• National Mentoring Month (United States)^[2]
• Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month (United States)^{[3] [4]}

February

• American Heart Month (United States)^[5]
• Black History Month (United States, Canada, and Germany)
• LGBT History Month (United Kingdom)^[6]
• National Bird-Feeding Month (United States)

March

• Brain Tumor Awareness Month (United Kingdom)^[7]
• Irish-American Heritage Month
• Mustache March
• National Colon Cancer Awareness Month
• Women's History Month^{[8] [9] [10]}
• Youth Art Month

April

• Arab American Heritage Month
• Autism Acceptance Month^[11]
• Cancer Control Month
• Confederate History Month
• Dalit History Month
• Financial Literacy Month^[12]
• Jazz Appreciation Month
• Mathematics Awareness Month^{[13] [14]}
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month^{[15] [16]}
• National Pet Month (United Kingdom)
• National Poetry Month
• National Poetry Writing Month
• National Volunteer Month
• Second Chance Month
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month^{[17] [18] [19]}

May

• ALS Awareness Month (United States)^[20]
• Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month^[21]
• Brain Tumor Awareness Month (excluding United Kingdom)
• Flores de Mayo (Philippines)
• Haitian Heritage Month
• International Masturbation Month^{[22] [23] [24]}
• Jewish American Heritage Month (US)^{[9] [25]}
• Lyme Disease Awareness Month
• May devotions to the Blessed Virgin Mary
• Mental Health Awareness Month^[26]
• National Bike Month
• National Military Appreciation Month
• National Foster Care Month^[27]
• National Guide Dog Month (2008, 2009)
• National Pet Month (United States)
• National Smile Month (United Kingdom, May and June)
• National Stroke Awareness Month
• South Asian Heritage Month (Ontario, Canada)
• Zombie Awareness Month

June

• African-American Music Appreciation Month^{[28] [29]}
• ALS Awareness Month (Canada)
• Caribbean-American Heritage Month^[30]
• LGBT Pride Month
• National PTSD Awareness Day^[31]
• National Safety Month^[32]
• National Smile Month (United Kingdom, May and June)
• Devotion to the Sacred Heart

July

• National Ice Cream Month
• Disability Pride Month^[33]
• South Asian Heritage Month (United Kingdom; 18 July to 17 August)

August

• Buwan ng Wika ("Language Month", the Philippines)^[34]
• South Asian Heritage Month (United Kingdom; 18 July to 17 August)

September

• Amerindian Heritage Month (Guyana)
• Gospel Music Heritage Month^[35]
• National African Immigrant Heritage Month^[36]
• National Bourbon Heritage Month
• National Childhood Cancer Awareness Month
• National Guide Dog Month (US)
• National Hispanic Heritage Month (United States) (US; September 15 to October 15)^[37]
• National Honey Month
• National Preparedness Month^[38]
• National Prostate Health Month^[39]
• Pain Awareness Month^[40]

October

• Black History Month (United Kingdom, Ireland, Netherlands)
• Breast Cancer Awareness Month (United States)
• Domestic Violence Awareness Month (United States)^[41]
• Filipino American History Month (United States)
• Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month (United States)
• LGBT History Month (US and Canada)^[42]
• National Arts & Humanities Month (United States)
• National Cyber Security Awareness Month (United States)^{[43] [44]}
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month (United States)^{[9] [45]}
• National Hispanic Heritage Month (US; September 15 to October 15)
• National Pizza Month (United States)
• National Work and Family Month (United States)^[46]
• Polish American Heritage Month

November

• Academic Writing Month
• Black Catholic History Month
• COPD Awareness Month^[47]
• Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (Canada)^{[48] [49]}
• Movember
• National Novel Writing Month
• Native American Indian/Alaska Native Heritage Month^[50]
• No Nut November^[51]

December

• Advent – begins on the fourth Sunday before Christmas (November 27-December 3) and ends on Christmas Day (December 25).
• Destroy Dick December

See also

• Ramadan
• List of observances in the United States by presidential proclamation
• List of awareness days
• International observance
• List of environmental dates

Notes

• First Presidential Proclamation for National Caribbean American Heritage Month was June 6, 2006 by President George Bush. First City to Proclaim Caribbean Heritage Month Washington DC 2000. (United States)

External links

• Unite
• Alzheimer's & Brain Awareness Month

Notes and References

1. http://www.Veganuary.org Veganuary home page
2. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Mentoring Month. 2010-01-04. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216131318/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-mentoring-month. 2017-02-16. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
3. Web site: January is National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Join the Fight. 3 January 2017. 5 April 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20170406021459/https://www.dhs.gov/blog/2017/01/03/january-national-slavery-and-human-trafficking-prevention-month-join-fight. 6 April 2017. live.
4. Web site: Public Awareness. Sarah. Peterson. January 30, 2018. The National Child Traumatic Stress Network. January 9, 2020. https://web.archive.org/web/20191015070135/https://www.nctsn.org/resources/public-awareness. October 15, 2019. live.
5. Web site: Proclamation 3566—American Heart Month, 1964 | The American Presidency Project. www.presidency.ucsb.edu. 2020-01-09. https://web.archive.org/web/20190802182226/https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/proclamation-3566-american-heart-month-1964. 2019-08-02. live.
6. Web site: Data. lgbthistorymonth.org.uk. 2018-01-14. https://web.archive.org/web/20180108095408/http://lgbthistorymonth.org.uk/. 2018-01-08. dead.
7. Web site: Cancer Ribbons and What They Mean. 2020-06-02. WebMD. en.
8. Web site: Special Emphasis Observances. National Archives. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20160616211429/http://www.archives.gov/eeo/special-observances/#feb. 2016-06-16. live.
9. Web site: Heritage Month Guide. DiversityCentral. January 4, 2014. https://web.archive.org/web/20140108025522/http://www.diversitycentral.com/calendar/heritagemonthguide.php. January 8, 2014. live.
10. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – Women's History Month. 2010-03-02. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203203957/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-womens-history-month. 2017-02-03. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
11. Web site: Autism Acceptance Month . 2024-07-18 . U.S. Department of Health & Human Services.
12. Web site: Presidential Proclamation-- Financial Literacy Month. 2010-04-02. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216130955/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-financial-literacy-month. 2017-02-16. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
13. Web site: Mathematics and Statistics Awareness Month. www.mathstatmonth.org. 2017-05-13. https://web.archive.org/web/20170501010027/http://www.mathstatmonth.org/mathstatmonth/msamhome. 2017-05-01. live.
14. Web site: MAM 2016 :: Homepage . 2017-02-09 . 2017-05-13 . bot: unknown . https://web.archive.org/web/20170209150244/http://www.mathaware.org/index.html . 2017-02-09 .
15. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Child Abuse Prevention Month. 2010-04-01. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170216130953/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-child-abuse-prevention-month. 2017-02-16. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
16. Web site: National Child Abuse Prevention Month 2016. www.childwelfare.gov. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170705042754/https://www.childwelfare.gov/preventing/preventionmonth/. 2017-07-05. live.
17. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Sexual Assault Awareness Month. 2010-04-02. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170203204023/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-sexual-assault-awareness-month. 2017-02-03. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
18. Web site: Sexual Assault Awareness Month. NSVRC. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20160715035651/http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/sexual-assault-awareness-month. 2016-07-15. live.
19. Web site: Sexual Assault Awareness Month – National Sexual Violence Resource Center (NSVRC). 27 March 2017. https://web.archive.org/web/20141215204231/http://www.nsvrc.org/saam/sexual-assault-awareness-month-home. 15 December 2014. live.
20. Web site: Announcements: Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS) Awareness Month – May 2011. May 6, 2011. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. March 29, 2012. https://web.archive.org/web/20160304070309/http://www.cdc.gov/mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm6017a9.htm. March 4, 2016. live.
21. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, 2015. 2015-04-30. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170125175613/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/04/30/presidential-proclamation-asian-american-and-pacific-islander-heritage-m. 2017-01-25. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
22. Web site: Get to Know Yourself – It's Masturbation Month . 2013-05-20 . 2015-09-20 . . Zombeck, Richard . https://web.archive.org/web/20150408145924/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/richard-zombeck/get-to-know-yourself-its-_b_3290255.html . 2015-04-08 . live .
23. News: 2013-05-31 . National Masturbation Month . . May 14, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160516143015/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/05/31/national-masturbation-month_n_3361602.html . May 16, 2016 . live .
24. Web site: National Masturbation Month: All the Memes You Need to See . Sam Prince . May 5, 2015 . heavy.com . May 14, 2016 . https://web.archive.org/web/20160517020746/http://heavy.com/social/2015/05/national-international-masturbation-month-day-best-funny-memes-quotes/ . May 17, 2016 . live .
25. News: Presidential Proclamation --Jewish American Heritage Month, 2015. 2015-04-30. 2018-05-02. https://web.archive.org/web/20180502141226/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/04/30/presidential-proclamation-jewish-american-heritage-month-2015. 2018-05-02. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
26. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Mental Health Awareness Month, 2016. 2016-04-28. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170202023716/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/28/presidential-proclamation-national-mental-health-awareness-month-2016. 2017-02-02. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
27. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Foster Care Month, 2016. 2016-04-28. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170123091235/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/04/28/presidential-proclamation-national-foster-care-month-2016. 2017-01-23. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
28. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – African-American Music Appreciation Month, 2016. 2016-05-31. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170124212145/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2016/05/31/presidential-proclamation-african-american-music-appreciation-month-2016. 2017-01-24. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
29. Web site: African-American Music Appreciation Month | The White House . 2009-06-02 . . . 2011-07-15 .
30. Web site: National Caribbean-American Heritage Month: June 2021 . . June 2021 . United States Census Bureau . United States Department of Commerce . 20 April 2022 .
    Web site: June is Caribbean-American Heritage Month! . . 2021 . Natural Resources Conservation Service Caribbean Area . United States Department of Agriculture . 20 April 2022 .
31. Web site: Posttraumatic Stress Disorder Awareness Month. 2024-05-29. U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS).
32. Web site: National Safety Month. www.nsc.org. 2017-06-01. https://web.archive.org/web/20170602043707/http://www.nsc.org/act/events/Pages/national-safety-month.aspx. 2017-06-02. live.
33. Web site: Celebrating Disability Pride Month. 2022-06-28. 2022-08-13. American Bar Association. https://web.archive.org/web/20220803080909/https://www.americanbar.org/groups/diversity/resources/celebrating-heritage-months/disability-pride-month/. 2022-08-03. live.
34. Web site: Proklamasyon Blg. 1041, s. 1997 . Official Gazette of the Republic of the Philippines . July 15, 1997 . March 26, 2023 . October 9, 2023 . https://web.archive.org/web/20231009121626/https://www.officialgazette.gov.ph/1997/07/15/proklamasyon-blg-1041-s-1997-2/ . dead .
35. Web site: Text of S.Res. 595 (110th): A resolution designating September 2008 as "Gospel Music Heritage Month" and honoring gospel ... (Resolution Agreed to by Senate version). GovTrack.us. 2019-04-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20190407023108/https://www.govtrack.us/congress/bills/110/sres595/text. 2019-04-07. live.
36. Web site: National African Immigrant Heritage Month . 2023-06-24 . San Diego Immigrant Rights Consortium . en.
37. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Hispanic Heritage Month, 2015. 2015-09-14. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170121061105/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/09/15/presidential-proclamation-national-hispanic-heritage-month-2015. 2017-01-21. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
38. Web site: National Preparedness Month (ready.gov). 2017-03-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20170319163608/https://www.ready.gov/september. 2017-03-19. live.
39. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Prostate Cancer Awareness Month, 2015. 2015-08-31. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170210211332/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/08/31/presidential-proclamation-national-prostate-cancer-awareness-month-2015. 2017-02-10. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
40. Web site: Pain Awareness Month History. American Chronic Pain Association. 2015-09-20. https://web.archive.org/web/20150905191142/http://www.theacpa.org/uploads/Pain_Awareness_Month_History.pdf. 2015-09-05. dead.
41. Web site: House . The White . 2023-09-29 . A Proclamation on National Domestic Violence Awareness and Prevention Month, 2023 . 2024-03-22 . The White House . en-US.
42. Web site: Home - LGBTHistoryMonth.com. lgbthistorymonth.com. 2015-04-28. https://web.archive.org/web/20150424064537/http://www.lgbthistorymonth.com/. 2015-04-24. live.
43. Web site: Presidential Proclamation—National Cybersecurity Awareness month Dysautonomia Awareness Month Month. White House Office of the Press Secretary. 9 October 2010. October 2010. https://web.archive.org/web/20170124144422/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2010/10/01/presidential-proclamation-national-cybersecurity-awareness-month. 24 January 2017. live.
44. Web site: Presidential Proclamation—National Cybersecurity Awareness Month. 2011-10-03. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170124145045/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2011/10/03/presidential-proclamation-national-cybersecurity-awareness-month. 2017-01-24. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
45. Web site: Presidential Proclamation – National Disability Employment Awareness Month, 2015. 2015-09-30. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170205092844/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/2015/10/01/presidential-proclamation-national-disability-employment-awareness-month. 2017-02-05. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
46. Web site: October is National Work and Family Month. Alliance for Work-Life Progress. 2011-10-01. 2012-02-14. http://webarchive.loc.gov/all/20070503190501/http://www.awlp.org/awlp/nwfm/nwfm-home.jsp. 2007-05-03. dead.
47. Web site: November is National COPD Awareness Month National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). www.nhlbi.nih.gov. 2019-04-07. https://web.archive.org/web/20190407022417/https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health-topics/education-and-awareness/copd-awareness-month. 2019-04-07. live.
48. http://www.bcands.bc.ca/indigenous-disability-awareness-month-idam/ Indigenous Disability Awareness Month (IDAM) |
49. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_1fmpyx4PTU 2020 Indigenous Disability Awareness Month – YouTube
50. Web site: Presidential Proclamation- National Native American Heritage Month. 2009-10-30. 2016-07-18. https://web.archive.org/web/20170121084345/https://obamawhitehouse.archives.gov/the-press-office/presidential-proclamation-national-native-american-heritage-month. 2017-01-21. National Archives. whitehouse.gov. live.
51. How a New Meme Exposes the Far-Right Roots of #NoNutNovember. Dickson. E. J.. 2019-11-08. Rolling Stone. en-US. 2020-01-09.