Religious Holidays: December holds several significant religious holidays for members of the UConn Community:
Advent (December 3 through December 24): In Christianity, Advent is a period of preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, as well as for preparing for Christ’s second coming.
Christmas (December 25): Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, though it has also become a widespread secular holiday. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, and sharing meals with family and friends.
Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26 in Western Churches; December 27 in Eastern Churches): This Christian feast day commemorates Christianity’s first martyr.
Hanukkah or Chanukkah (sundown December 7 through sundown December 15): Hanukkah, which is Hebrew for “Dedication,” is an 8-day Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after Greek control in the second century BCE.
To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events. ODI writes these letters in collaboration with our partners across the UConn system. If we inadvertently omitted a cultural or religious holiday, please let us know by emailing us at diversity@uconn.edu.
Religious Holidays: December holds several significant religious holidays for members of the UConn Community:
Advent (December 3 through December 24): In Christianity, Advent is a period of preparation for celebrating the birth of Jesus Christ at Christmas, as well as for preparing for Christ’s second coming.
Christmas (December 25): Christmas is a Christian holiday that celebrates the birth of Jesus, though it has also become a widespread secular holiday. Popular customs include exchanging gifts, decorating Christmas trees, attending church, and sharing meals with family and friends.
Saint Stephen’s Day (December 26 in Western Churches; December 27 in Eastern Churches): This Christian feast day commemorates Christianity’s first martyr.
Hanukkah or Chanukkah (sundown December 7 through sundown December 15): Hanukkah, which is Hebrew for “Dedication,” is an 8-day Jewish festival celebrating the rededication of the Temple in Jerusalem after Greek control in the second century BCE.
To see more information about resources and events happening this month and throughout the semester, please visit our events page at www.diversity.uconn.edu/events. ODI writes these letters in collaboration with our partners across the UConn system. If we inadvertently omitted a cultural or religious holiday, please let us know by emailing us at diversity@uconn.edu.
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of December:
Cultural and Federal Holidays: December holds several significant cultural and federal holidays:
World AIDS Day (December 1): Founded in 1988, World AIDS day was the first ever global health day, usually commemorated by wearing a red ribbon. This day reminds us of the ongoing crisis of AIDS: more than 35 million people have died from HIV- or AIDS-related illnesses since the virus was first identified in 1984.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3): First recognized by the United Nations in 1992, International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and raises awareness about the political, economic, social, and cultural barriers to inclusion faced by those impacted by disability.
Human Rights Day (December 10): Every year, we honor the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the Declaration establishes equal dignity and worth for every person and proclaims the inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to, regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, national origin, language, political orientation, or any other status.
National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day (December 21): National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day takes place on the North American winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year and the first day of winter.
Boxing Day (December 26): Boxing Day is held in many countries associated with the British empire, especially in the Caribbean. Though traditions vary from place to place, typical customs include visiting family, friends, and neighbors with gifts, food, and drinks.
Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1): From the Swahili matunda ya kwanza or “first fruits,” Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American cultural festival.
The Office for Diversity and Inclusion and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of December:
Cultural and Federal Holidays: December holds several significant cultural and federal holidays:
World AIDS Day (December 1): Founded in 1988, World AIDS day was the first ever global health day, usually commemorated by wearing a red ribbon. This day reminds us of the ongoing crisis of AIDS: more than 35 million people have died from HIV- or AIDS-related illnesses since the virus was first identified in 1984.
International Day of Persons with Disabilities (December 3): First recognized by the United Nations in 1992, International Day of Persons with Disabilities promotes the rights and well-being of persons with disabilities and raises awareness about the political, economic, social, and cultural barriers to inclusion faced by those impacted by disability.
Human Rights Day (December 10): Every year, we honor the anniversary of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Adopted by the United Nations General Assembly on December 10, 1948, the Declaration establishes equal dignity and worth for every person and proclaims the inalienable rights that every human being is entitled to, regardless of race, class, gender, sexuality, ability, national origin, language, political orientation, or any other status.
National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day (December 21): National Homeless Person’s Remembrance Day takes place on the North American winter solstice, which is the longest night of the year and the first day of winter.
Boxing Day (December 26): Boxing Day is held in many countries associated with the British empire, especially in the Caribbean. Though traditions vary from place to place, typical customs include visiting family, friends, and neighbors with gifts, food, and drinks.
Kwanzaa (December 26 – January 1): From the Swahili matunda ya kwanza or “first fruits,” Kwanzaa is a seven-day African American cultural festival.
Are you a graduate student in search of a place to work on your projects where you can also build community and eat tasty snacks? We`ve got you covered! Join us tomorrow at Storrs Student Union (PRLACC) and Hartford Times Building (Room 216) for a writing retreat session from 10:00am to 12:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!
Are you a graduate student in search of a place to work on your projects where you can also build community and eat tasty snacks? We`ve got you covered! Join us tomorrow at Storrs Student Union (PRLACC) and Hartford Times Building (Room 216) for a writing retreat session from 10:00am to 12:00pm. We look forward to seeing you there!