This calendar is a summary of common events and special days related to anti-racism and social justice issues. Note that some dates are not provided due to constant alteration each year.
Winter term
January
Martin Luther King Day
A celebration of the life and work done by social activist Martin Luther King.
International Holocaust Remembrance Day
International Day of Commemoration to remember the victims of the Holocaust.
World Religion Day
World Religion Day is celebrated every January to promote understanding and peace between all religions and allow people to learn about different faiths.
February
Black History Month
Black History Month is a time for reflection and celebration. It is also a time to learn, collaborate and act for needed systemic changes inside and outside of our community.
World Day of Social Justice (annually February 20th)
World Day of Social Justice is celebrated to raise a voice against social injustice and help bring communities together to push towards a socially integrated society.
Pink Shirt Day
Pink Shirt Day, or Anti-Bullying Day highlights when people come together by wearing pink shirts in support of people who have faced bullying.
Therapeutic Recreation Awareness Month
During the month of February, members are invited to join in promoting and celebrating the role of Therapeutic Recreation in Canada.
March
Women’s History Month/International Women’s Day
The month of March reflects on women’s history and highlights the contributions of women’s to different events in history and modern society. International Women’s Day helps us commemorate the different political, cultural and economic achievements of women.
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination (annually March 21st)
March 21st, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination reminds us of the time police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in 1960.
Transgender Day of Visibility (annually March 31st)
International Transgender Day of Visibility is dedicated to celebrating transgender people and help raise awareness of certain issues such as discrimination that transgender people face. Additional resource Out on the Shelf.
April
World Autism Awareness Day (annually April 2nd)
World Autism Awareness Day is a worldwide recognized day to help raise awareness about people with autistic spectrum disorders.
World Health Day (annually April 7th)
World Health Day aims to create awareness of different health themes and of priority every year.
International Day of Pink
The annual International Day of Pink acknowledges a day of action for groups across the world to raise awareness about different forms of bullying towards LGBTQ people.
Spring term
May
Mental Health Week (annually first full week in May)
Mental Health Week was established to help raise awareness of the importance of mental health and wellness for lives across our world. Mental health is essential for our well-being and overall health, and this week pushes towards just that.
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia (annually May 17th)
May 17th has been recognized as the International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia which draws attention to the violence and discrimination towards lesbian, gay, bisexual and all people with diverse sexual orientations.
International Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development (annually May 21st)
The International Day for Cultural Diversity acknowledges the importance to promote access to different cultures and achieve peace and sustainable development.
June
Indigenous History Month
National Indigenous History Month is a time to learn, appreciate, and acknowledge the contributions of First Nations, Inuit and Metis people.
Juneteenth Day (annually June 19th)
June 19th is known as Juneteenth and is celebrated in North America to mark the end of slavery in Texas. Canada has also officially marked the abolishment of slavery in its first nationwide Emancipation Day, read more below.
World Refugee Day (annually June 20th)
World Refugee Day is celebrated annually on June 20th and focuses on the power of inclusion. On this day it is important to communicate with the world about who refugees are and why they require protection.
July
Canada Day (annually July 1st)
As Canada Day is known as a day of celebration for many, it is important to reflect and reconcile Canada’s history and contemporary relations with Indigenous peoples. For some, it is not a day of celebration but instead a day that mourns and remembers the violence against Indigenous peoples.
Nelson Mandela Day (annually July 18th)
July 18th is widely known as Nelson Mandela Day which is held to celebrate Nelson Mandela, a social rights activist and politician that pushed against racist policies.
August
Canada Emancipation Day (annually August 1st)
Earlier in the year 2021, Emancipation Day was recognized by the federal government for the first time to celebrate the effective Slavery Abolition Act that came into effect to free enslaved people.
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People (annually August 9th)
August 9th is International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples marks the inaugural session of the Working Group on Indigenous Populations at the United Nations in 1982.
International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition (annually August 23rd)
August 23rd is the International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition which remembers the tragedy of the slave trade in the memory of all peoples.
Fall term
September
International Day of Peace (annually September 21st)
On September 21st, the International Day of Peace is observed around the world. The United Nations assembly has declared this day to promote and devote the ideals of peace and inclusion.
Celebrate Bisexuality Day (annually September 23rd)
Celebrate Bisexuality Day on September 23rd recognizes and raises awareness about bisexuality. This day aims to counteract prejudice of bisexuals by hosting community events and increasing awareness.
Orange Shirt Day/National Day for Truth and Reconciliation (annually September 30th)
The National Day for Truth and Reconciliation coincides with Orange Shirt Day, a day when we honour the Indigenous children who were sent away to residential schools in Canada.
October
World Mental Health Day (annually October 10th)
World Mental Health Day is annually observed on October 10th, to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and help individuals voice their stories and what needs to be done going forward.
National Coming Out Day (annually October 11th)
Every year on October 11th, we celebrate National Coming Out Day to help raise awareness and support for LGBTQ community and showcase everyone should be proud of who you are.
Persons Day (annually October 18th)
On October 18th, we celebrate Persons Day when the historic decision to include women in the legal definition of “persons” was handed down in 1929. On this day we also raise awareness of women equality and challenges we still face as society.
November
Remembrance Day (annually November 11th)
Remembrance Day is a time to reflect for those who call Canada home. We remember those individuals who have fought and continue to serve, and honour the ones who paid the ultimate sacrifice for our nation.
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women (annually November 25th)
Each year, we hold 16 Days starting November 25th, for the Elimination of Violence Against Women. During these days, we raise awareness of the widespread human rights violation of violence against women.
Restorative Justice Week (annually 3rd week of November)
Restorative Justice Week is recognized every year during the third week of November to acknowledge the impacts and achievements of the Restorative Justice approach and raising more awareness towards this approach.
December
International Day for the Abolition of Slavery (annually December 2nd)
December 2nd marks the date of International Day for the Abolition of Slavery, which focuses on the way slavery has evolved and manifested throughout history and ultimately abolished.
Human Rights Day (annually December 10th)
Human Rights Day pushes toward the attitude that all human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. We also raise awareness about the inequalities certain people are facing and how we can push towards an universal including world.
International Migrants Day (annually December 18th)
International Migrants Day aims to raise awareness about the challenges and issues of international migration. This day focuses on celebrating the role of migrants and how they contribute to development of countries across the world.
Additional calendar links
Religious and spiritual days of observance
Social justice calendars
Human rights calendars