US heritage and awareness months run all year. This is your month-by-month reference. The holidays by month article covers federal holidays only. Awareness months are observances, not days off. You will find the awareness months list below, organized by when each observance occurs. Need a quick heritage months calendar? Start with February and March.
February Black History Month
What It Marks
February is Black History Month. It is one of the oldest heritage observances on the US calendar. Schools and workplaces use this month to recognize the contributions and legacy of African Americans. If you are wondering what month is black history month, the answer is February. Schedule events, readings, and discussions. Unlike federal holidays, this is not a day off. It is a month-long observance.
March Women’s History Month
March is Women’s History Month. It highlights the achievements and roles of women in US society. Many organizations create special programs or displays. It belongs on the national months list that schools follow. Like Black History Month, it is an observance, not a public holiday. Plan a speaker or a display. Even a small gesture signals that the calendar matters.
May Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Who It Covers
May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. This month recognizes the cultures and stories of these communities. It is one of the newer entries on the heritage months calendar. Book cultural performances, lectures, and food festivals. This observance is part of the monthly observances us tradition. Put it on the workplace diversity calendar early so teams can prepare.
June Pride Month
June is Pride Month. It celebrates the LGBTQ+ community and its story. Many cities hold parades, educational events, and community gatherings. Pride Month is an awareness month. Nobody gets the day off. It belongs in workplace diversity calendars. Add the local parade date and a lunch-and-learn. Both matter more than a logo change.
September 15 to October 15 National Hispanic Heritage Month
Why the Dates Span Two Months
National Hispanic Heritage Month runs from September 15 to October 15. This observance crosses two months. It honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans. The start date matters. September 15 is the anniversary of independence for several Latin American countries. This period is part of the heritage months calendar and is widely recognized in schools. Schedule events across both months so the momentum does not die at the end of September.
October Breast Cancer Awareness Month
October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month. It focuses on education, fundraising, and support for breast cancer research. This is a health awareness month, not a heritage month. Many workplaces host pink-themed events or educational sessions. It is an observance, not a federal holiday. You will see it in monthly observances us guides. Pick one fundraiser and promote it hard. Scattershot efforts get ignored.
November Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month. It recognizes the legacy, culture, and contributions of Native American peoples. Schools incorporate lessons about indigenous stories during this month. It is the last major heritage observance of the year on the national months list. Like all awareness months, it is not a day off. Use it to close the calendar year with substance, not fatigue.
How to Use This Calendar in Your Workplace or Classroom
Build a Visible Calendar
To plan around these observances, follow these steps:
- Print a blank monthly calendar from a site like septembercalendar.info.
- Mark the start and end dates for each heritage or awareness month.
- Add any related events or activities you want to schedule.
- Share the calendar with colleagues or students so everyone knows the observances.
- Remember that awareness months are observances, not days off. Do not treat them as holidays for time off.
This process keeps a heritage months calendar visible all year.