“Community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world.” ~ bell hooks
“Community is formed not by the eradication of difference but by its affirmation, by each of us claiming the identities and legacies that shape who we are and how we live in the world.” ~ bell hooks
Some Dates of Significance for May 2016
** Please bear in mind that this is not meant to be an exhaustive list and there may be diverse celebrations and religious dates that are not addressed.
* - indicates observances that begin at sundown on the day prior to the date listed.*
Suggested use:- Culturally Responsive curriculum
- Newsletter inserts, web page information piece
- Daily announcements
- Classroom community circle discussions
- Classroom and/or school posters
- Student research, assemblies, equity group information
May - Asian Heritage Month (Canada)
This recognition was first observed in the United States in 1978 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week. In Canada, the idea to observe Asian Heritage Month was proposed by the Honorable Vivienne Poy, and was unanimously adopted by the Senate of Canada in 2001. The Senate declared May should be recognized as Asian Heritage Month, given the important contributions of Asian Canadians to the settlement, growth and development of Canada, the diversity of the Asian Community, and its present significance to this country.
For more information:
Asian Heritage Month
Virtual Museum of Asian Canadian Cultural Heritage
May - South Asian Heritage Month (Ontario)
South Asians are those with ancestry from Afghanistan, Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka, and includes South Asians who have come to Canada by way of other countriesnotably the Caribbean. This observance was first spearheaded in Ontario by South Asians from the Caribbean who wished to commemorate the arrival of South Asians to the western hemisphere and to Canada. The observance began in 1999 as Indian Arrival and Heritage month, where Indian was intended to refer to anyone from the Indian sub-continent. However, because of lack of acceptance of the term Indian by South Asians not from present-day India, and because of possible confusion with the then widely used designation for some Aboriginal peoples, the name was changed. South Asian Heritage Month was officially recognized by Ontario parliament in 2001 along with South Asian Arrival Day, which is May 5.
For more information:
South Asian Heritage Act, 2001
Royal Ontario Museum – South Asian Heritage Day – Saturday May 11
South Asians – The Canadian Encyclopedia
May 1 – Pascha (Easter) – Orthodox Christianity
Many Orthodox Christian churches, including the Greek Orthodox and the Russian Orthodox churches, celebrate the “Miracle of Easter” on the Easter Sunday date in the Julian calendar. Many people see Easter as the most important event in the church calendar. Orthodox Easter preparations begin with 40 days of strict fasting prior to Easter Day. Many Orthodox Christians attend liturgies during the Holy Week that leads up to Easter Sunday.
Some Americans who are members of the Russian Orthodox Christian community still practice the tradition of laying Easter eggs and Easter bread on dead relatives’ graves. This practice is a way of greeting the dead with news that Jesus Christ has risen. Many Greek Orthodox Christians buy Easter bread, known astsoureki, and prepare lamb for the Easter feast.
Another tradition observed in many Orthodox Christian churches is the blessing of food baskets. The baskets are usually filled with bread, cheese, meat, eggs, butter, salt, and other types of food used for Paschal celebrations. The fasting period has ended and meat and dairy products can be eaten. For more information visit:
May 1 – 12thDay of Ridvan – Bahai
Riḍvánis a twelve-day festival in theBahá'í Faith, commemoratingBahá'u'lláh's declaration that he was a manifestation of God. It begins atsunseton April 19 and continues until sunset, May 1 (in 2016.) On the first (April 20), ninth (April 28) and twelfth days of Ridván (May 1), work and school should be suspended.
"Ridván" meansparadise, and is named for theGarden of RidvánoutsideBaghdad, where Bahá'u'lláh stayed for twelve days after theOttoman Empireexiled him from the city and before commencing his journey toConstantinople.
It is the most holy Bahá'í festival, and is also referred to as the "Most Great Festival" and the "King of Festivals".
May 4 – Holocaust Remembrance Day
The United States Congress established the Days of Remembrance as the nation’s annual commemoration of the Holocaust. Each year state and local governments, military bases, workplaces, schools, religious organizations, and civic centers host observances and remembrance activities for their communities. These events can occur during theWeek of Remembrance, whichruns from the Sunday before Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom Hashoah) through the following Sunday.
For more information:
May 5 – Ascension of Christ – Christian
The ascension communicates Christ's glorification. Jesus' work here was done. Mark says, "After the Lord Jesus had spoken to them, he was taken up into heaven and he sat at the right hand of God" (Mark 16:19). The scene communicates that He was leaving earth in His bodily form and that He was going to His former place of glory, having won victory over death. For more information:
May 8 – Mother’s Day
Mother’s day was brought to North America after the American Civil War by social activist Julia Ward Howe in an effort to unite all women against war. Though unsuccessful, her daughter, Anna Jarvis started the movement to found a memorial day for women. The first Mother’s Day in the United States was celebrated on May 10, 1908, and was declared a national holiday in 1914. It is celebrated in the United States and Canada on the second Sunday in May.
May 15 - International Day of Families (UN)
The 15th of May was declared the International Day of Families by the United Nations on September 20, 1993. The day is intended to reflect the importance the international community places on families as basic units of society. The day is intended to be taken as an occasion to reflect on and promote awareness and action with regard to issues relating to families worldwide.For more information:
May 15 – Pentecost - All Christian
For Christians, Pentecost is a holiday on which we commemorate the coming of the Holy Spirit on the early followers of Jesus. Before the events of the first Pentecost, which came a few weeks after Jesus’ death and resurrection, there were followers of Jesus, but no movement that could be meaningfully called “the church.” Thus, from an historical point of view, Pentecost is the day on which the church was started. This is also true from a spiritual perspective, since the Spirit brings the church into existence and enlivens it. Thus Pentecost is the church’s birthday. For more information:
May 17 - International Day against Homophobia
This day is a day coordinating international events to combat homophobia and to provide information about sexual orientation. It is also a rallying day for people to reach out to one another. May 17 has been chosen for this event as on this day in 1990, homosexuality was removed from the International Classification of Diseases of the World Health Organization (WHO). This date was adopted in Canada in 2003 by Foundation Emergence in Quebec.
For more information:
May 20 – Vesak/Wesak/Viskhi Puja (New Year) – Buddhism
The UN celebrates Vesak Day (or the Day of Vesak) with Buddhist organizations and communities worldwide. Celebrations include:
- Cultural performances featuring song and dance.
- Plays about Buddha’s life and teachings.
- Public messages given by religious and community leaders.
Temples are adorned with decorations and flowers on Vesak Day. Some community groups organize acts of charity, like releasing caged animals or donating food and gifts to the poor.
For more information please visit:
May 21 - World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development
In November 2001, the United Nations General Assembly proclaimed May 21 World Day for Cultural Diversity for Dialogue and Development. This day is intended as a day to Adeepen our understanding of the values of cultural diversity and to learn to live together - better.
For more information and awareness building exercises:
May 23- Victoria Day
Occurring every year in Canada on the Monday before May 25, this day celebrates the birthdays of Queen Victoria and Queen Elizabeth II of Britain. It was declared a national holiday throughout the British Empire in 1901.
May 24 - Declaration of The Bab (Bahá'í)
On this day in 1844, The Bab announced his identity as the Bab or the Gate, heralding a new age for Bahá'ís.:
May 25 - National Missing Children’s Day
United States President Ronald Reagan declared May 25 National Missing Children’s Day, and it is intended to be a day to focus on the importance of coordinated action and effort in locating missing children. On this day, parents are reminded that it is important to have high-quality recent photographs of their children, and all are reminded to take careful notice of posters and other photographs of missing children in an attempt to help reunite them with their families.
May 29- Ascension of Bahá’u’lláh(Bahá'í)
This day marks the anniversary of the death of Bahá’u’lláh, founder of the Bahá'í faith. Bahá'ísare not to work on this day.
For more information: