Duke School of Nursing is a culturally and spiritually diverse community, and we recognize and value the many different backgrounds represented by our community.
We embrace diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging, and we are proud to welcome members of our community from different backgrounds and experiences.
2025 Cultural and Religious Observances
January 1: New Year's Day
A federal and Duke Holiday.
January 20: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day
A federal and Duke holiday celebrating the birth of Martin Luther King, Jr.
January 29: Lunar New Year
The start of a 15-day festival for Chinese (and many Asian) people of all religions. In the Chinese zodiac, 2025 is the year of the snake.
All February: Black History Month
A yearly celebration of Black history and culture.
February 28 - March 30: Ramadan
A month of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community observed by people of Muslim faith.
All March: Women's History Month
Celebrated annually to highlight women’s contributions throughout history and in the present day.
February 28 - March 30: Ramadan
A month of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community observed by people of Muslim faith.
March 5: Ash Wednesday
Christian observance to begin the 40-day season of Lent.
March 8: Internationl Women's Day
An internationally recognized day to celebrating women and social progress towards gender equality.
March 14: Holi
A Hindu festival celebrating spring, love, and new life, also known as the Festival of Colors.
March 29-30: Eid al-Fitr
A Muslim holiday marking the end of Ramadan.
All April: Arab American Heritage Month
A month celebrating the histories, traditions, and contributions of Arab Americans.
April 12-20: Passover
A Jewish holiday commemorating the exodus of the Israelite people from Egypt.
April 20: Easter
A Christian holiday commemorating the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
April 22: Earth Day
An annual holiday to celebrate a healthy environment and show support for environmental protection.
All May: Jewish American Heritage Month
A month celebrating the histories, traditions, and contributions of Jewish Americans.
All May: Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
A month of fasting, reflection, prayer, and community observed by people of Muslim faith.
May 5: Cinco de Mayo
A Mexican American celebration commemorating the victory of Mexico over France in 1862.
May 26: Memorial Day
A federal and Duke holiday honoring military personnel who have died while serving in the United States Armed Forces.
All June: LGBTQ+ Pride Month
A month celebrating the history and cultural contributions of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, trans, queer, plus (LGBTQ+) community.
June 6-7: Eid al-Adha
A Muslim holiday honoring the willingness of Ibrahim to sacrifice his son Ismael as an act of obedience to God's command.
June 19: Juneteenth
A federal and Duke holiday celebrating the emancipation from slavery in the United States, held on the anniversary of June 19, 1865, when Union Army general Gordon Granger proclaimed freedom from slavery in Texas.
June 26-27: Islamic New Year
The day that marks the beginning of a new lunar Hijri year, and the day on which the year count is incremented. Also known as the Hijri New Year or Arabic New Year.
July 4: Independence Day
A federal and Duke holiday commemorating the Declaration of Independence of the United States, on July 4, 1776.
July 26: Anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act
A day commemorating the signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act, falling within Disability Pride Month.
August 31: International Day for People of African Descent
A day established by the United Nations addressing the legacies of enslavement, colonialism, and racial discrimination and celebrating the contributions of people of African descent.
September 1: Labor Day
A federal and Duke holiday honoring the American labor movements and its contributions to the United States.
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic or Latino/e Heritage Month
A month-long celebration of the cultures and contributions of Hispanic or Latino/e Americans.
September 22-24: Rosh Hashanah
The Jewish new year, traditionally celebrated with attending synagogue, personal reflection, and eating apples dipped in honey to evoke a sweet new year.
September 15 - October 15: Hispanic or Latino/e Heritage Month
A month-long celebration of the cultures and contributions of Hispanic or Latino/e Americans.
October 1-2: Yom Kippur
A Jewish day of atonement and repentance for one's personal sins.
October 10: World Mental Health Day
A globally recognized day dedicated to mental health education, awareness, and advocacy against social stigma.
October 13: Indigenous Peoples' Day
Celebrates and honors the Indigenous people of North America as well as their culture and contributions to society.
October 17-22: Diwali
The Hindu festival of lights, symbolizing the spiritual victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance.
October 31: Halloween
Observed on the eve of the Catholic holiday All Saint's Day, Halloween has evolved into a secular celebration of the dead, scary stories, costumes, and "trick or treating" for candy.
November 1-2: Dia de los Muertos
A Mexican holiday associated with All Saint's Day, honoring departed friends and family members.
November 11: Veterans Day
A federal holiday honoring all military veterans who have served in the U.S. Armed Forces
November 27: Thanksgiving
A federal and Duke holiday in celebration of the harvest, togetherness, and the Indigenous peoples of America.
December 14-22: Hanukkah | Chanukah
A Jewish holiday celebrating the rededication of the Second Temple in Jerusalem in the second century A.D., also known as the Festival of Lights.
December 25: Christmas Day
A Christian (and Duke) holiday with both religious and secular celebrations. The name is a joining of “Christ” and “mass," commemorating the birth of Jesus Christ.
December 26 - January 1: Kwanzaa
An African American and Pan-African holiday celebrating family, community, and culture.