CUPE 2191 – CUPE Local 2191

Diversity Days

July 26: Disability Independence Day

Disability Independence Day, celebrating the anniversary of the 1990 signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act.

July 18: Nelson Mandela International Day

Nelson Mandela International Day, launched on July 18, 2009, in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday via unanimous decision of the…

July 11: World Population Day

World Population Day, an observance established in 1989 by the Governing Council of the United Nations Development Programme. The annual…

July 1: Canada Day

Canada Day, or Fête du Canada, is a Canadian federal holiday that celebrates the 1867 enactment of the Constitution Act,…

June 3-4 (sundown to sundown): Eid al-Fitr

Eid al-Fitr, the first day of the Islamic month of Shawwal, marking the end of Ramadan. Many Muslims attend communal…

June 20: Corpus Christi

Corpus Christi, a Catholic holiday celebrating the presence of the body and blood of Christ, in the Eucharist.

June 21: First Nations Day

First Nations Day, a day that gives recognition to the indigenous populations affected by colonization in Canada.

Last Sunday in June: (LGBT) Pride Day

Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender (LGBT) Pride Day in the United States. It celebrates the Stonewall Riots on June 28, 1969.

June 8-10 (sundown to sundown): Shavuot

Shavuot, a Jewish holiday that has double significance. It marks the all-important wheat harvest in Israel and commemorates the anniversary…

May 17: International Day Against Homophobia

International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia and Biphobia, a global celebration of sexual-orientation and gender diversities.

May 5-June 4 (sundown to sundown)

Ramadan, an Islamic holiday marked by fasting, praise, prayer and devotion to Islam.

May 5: Cinco de Mayo

Cinco de Mayo, a Mexican holiday commemorating the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during…

May 2: Yom HaShoah

Yom HaShoah, Israel’s day of remembrance for the approximately 6 million Jews who perished in the Holocaust.

March 31: International Transgender Day of Visibility

International Transgender Day of Visibility is a time to celebrate and bring awareness to trans* people and their identities. It’s…

March 27: Khordad Sal (Birth of prophet Zoroaster)

Khordad Sal (Birth of prophet Zoroaster), birth anniversary (or birthdate) of Zoroaster, a spiritual leader and ethical philosopher who taught…

March 25: Annunciation of the Virgin Mary

Annunciation of the Virgin Mary, a Christian celebration of the announcement by the angel Gabriel to the Virgin Mary that…

March 22-24: Hola Mohalla

Hola Mohalla, a Sikh festival that takes place on the second day of the lunar month of Chet, a day…

March 21: Nowruz/Norooz

Nowruz/Norooz, Persian New Year, a day of joy, celebration and renewal.

March 20-21: Purim

Purim is a Jewish celebration that marks the time that the Jewish community living in Persia was saved from genocide.

March 20-1(sundown to sundown): Holi

Holi, a Hindu and Sikh spring religious festival observed in India, Nepal and Sri Lanka, along with other countries with…

March 20-21: Naw-Rúz

Naw-Rúz, the Bahá’í New Year is a holiday celebrated on the vernal equinox. It is one of the nine Bahá’í…

March 20: Ostara

Ostara is the celebration of the Spring Equinox, commemorated by Pagans and Wiccans. It is observed as a time to…

March 19: St. Joseph’s Day

St. Joseph’s Day, in Western Christianity the principal feast of St. Joseph, the husband of the Blessed Virgin Mary.

March 17: St. Patrick’s Day

St. Patrick’s Day, a holiday started in Ireland to recognize St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland who brought Christianity…

March 13-April 15: Deaf History Month

Deaf History Month. This observance celebrates key events in deaf history, including the founding of Gallaudet University and the American…

March 11: Clean Monday

Clean Monday, beginning of Lent in Orthodox Christian faith.

March 10: Orthodox Sunday

Orthodox Sunday, celebrated on the first Sunday of Great Lent. It is the celebration of the victory of the iconodules…

March 8: International Women’s Day

International Women’s Day. First observed in 1911 in Germany, it has now become a major global celebration honoring women’s economic,…

March 6: Ash Wednesday

Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Lent in the Christian faith. As a display of atonement, ashes are marked on worshippers….

March 5: Shrove Tuesday

Shrove Tuesday, the day before Ash Wednesday. Though named for its former religious significance, it is chiefly marked by feasting…

March 5: Mardi Gras

Mardi Gras, the last day for Catholics to indulge before Ash Wednesday starts the sober weeks of fasting that accompany…

March 4: Maha Shivaratri

Maha Shivaratri, a Hindu holiday that honors Shiva, one of the Hindu deities.

March 3: Transfiguration Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday, celebrated by various Christian communities in honor of the transfiguration of Jesus.

March 3: Meatfare Sunday

Meatfare Sunday (The Sunday of the Last Judgment), traditionally the last day of eating meat before Easter for Orthodox Christians.

March 1: St. David’s Day

St. David’s Day, the feast day of St. David, the patron saint of Wales.

March 1-2; 19-20: Nineteen-Day Fast

Nineteen-Day Fast, a time in the Bahá’í Faith to reinvigorate the soul and bring one closer to God. This fast…