To the UConn Community:
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 October:
Heritage Month Celebrations:
Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 – October 15): Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes and celebrates the many diverse cultures and histories within Hispanic and Latine communities, as well as members of those culture’s achievements and contributions to the United States. First recognized as Hispanic Heritage Week by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, it was expanded to a full month by President Ronald Reagan in 1988. This month is observed from September 15th – the anniversary of Guatemalan, Honduran, El Salvadorian, Nicaraguan, and Costa Rican independence – through October 15th. It also includes Día de la Raza on October 12th, an alternative holiday to Columbus Day that celebrates and honors the peoples, traditions, and cultures destroyed by European colonization.
This Hispanic Heritage Month, we invite the entire community to participate in the Puerto Rican / Latin American Cultural Center’s (PRLACC) events. Please follow the PRLACC calendar for a full list of events! Also be sure to check out events held by La Comunidad Intelectual, a learning community that works to create a welcoming space on campus for students who identify as Latina/o/e and/or who are interested in issues that affect the Latin American and Caribbean communities. Check out their Instagram page for upcoming events!
ODI and the Provost’s Office also believe that UConn is stronger for the inclusion of Hispanic and Latinepeoples, cultures, and traditions. We are also proud that our UConn Stamford and UConn Waterbury campuses are accredited Hispanic Serving Institutions (HSI). The University has resources to help these communities navigate the unique challenges in higher education settings, including PRLACC, the Association of Latine/a/o Faculty and Staff (ALFAS), and the Center for Career Development. UConn is also proud of El Instituto: Institute of Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American Studies, which supports the developing of hemispheric and Latine-centered perspectives and of La Comunidad Intelectual, a learning community that recognizes and critically examines Latina/o, Caribbean, and Latin American cultures, customs, and traditions at UConn and beyond.
Filipino American History Month (October 1 – October 31): Filipino American History Month (FAHM) celebrates Filipino heritage and culture, and recognizes the contributions of Filipino Americans to American history. The Filipino American National Historical Society introduced FAHM in 1992, and Congress officially recognized FAHM in 2009. FAHM is celebrated in October to commemorate the arrival of the first Filipinos to America (California) on October 18, 1587.
German American Heritage Month (October 1 – October 31): German American Heritage Month honors the contributions made by German Americans, the largest ancestry group in the United States. The first German immigrants came to the United States on October 6, 1683, when thirteen families settled in Pennsylvania. President Ronald Reagan proclaimed October 6th as German American Day in 1983 to celebrate the 300th anniversary and to strengthen the United States’ relationship with Germany.
Italian American Heritage Month (October 1 – October 31): Over five million Italians immigrated to the U.S. between 1820 and 2000, and there are currently over 26 million Americans of Italian descent living in the U.S. Proclaimed in 1989 by President George H.W. Bush and Congress, this month honors the achievements, contributions, and successes of Italian immigrants and their descendants in the United States. Each October, millions of Americans of Italian descent come together to reflect on their histories, traditions, and values. Celebrations typically include cultural festivals and parades, the largest of which is held in New York City.
LGBTQIA+ History Month (October 1 – October 31): LGBT History Month was inaugurated in 1994 by Missouri high school teacher Rodney Wilson, to celebrate the national and international contributions made by members of the LGBTQIA+ community. Wilson chose October because schools are in session and because October already had National Coming Out Day (10/11). Today, October also hosts International Pronouns Day (10/16), Intersex Awareness Day (10/26), and Asexual Awareness Week (last full week of October 19-25). LGBTQIA+ History Month provides possibility models, builds community, and emphasizes the continued importance of civil rights. To learn more information and to attend events, please visit the Rainbow Center’s website here.
Polish American Heritage Month (October 1 – October 31): Polish American Heritage month celebrates the positive impact Polish Americans have had and continue to have on the United States, as well as Polish history and culture. Originally celebrated in August, Polish American Heritage Month is now observed in October to commemorate the arrival of the first Polish settlers in Jamestown, VA in October 1608 as well as the death of Casimir Pulaski, the father of American cavalry. First celebrated by the Polish American Cultural Center in Philadelphia in 1981 under the leadership of the Center’s President, Michael Blichasz, Polish American Heritage Month is now recognized nationally by the President and Congress.
Awareness Month/Week Celebrations:
Domestic Violence Awareness Month (DVAM; October 1 – October 31): During DVAM, victim advocates, allied professionals, survivors of abuse, their loved ones, and the surrounding community come together to mourn the lives lost to domestic violence and connect with others working to create change. DVAM began in 1981 as a “Day of Unity” hosted by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence. The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was commemorated in October 1987, and Congress officially recognized October as Domestic Violence Awareness Month in October of 1989.
UConn’s Violence Against Women Prevention Program (VAWPP) is dedicated to addressing and preventing all forms of sexual violence through education, outreach, and advocacy. VAWPP offers a range of workshops which cover several topics related to the issues of sexual violence. These workshops “emphasize a primary prevention approach that engages all stakeholders in the campus community to examine their role in ending sexual violence by addressing its root causes in oppression.” For more information about VAWPP and to see a full list of its workshops and resources, consult the website here.
UConn’s Office of Institutional Equity offers several resources for anyone who may be experiencing domestic violence, including confidential domestic violence advocacy as well as urgent and medical care. For information about looking for medical or counseling services, academic or work support, assistance with transportation or financial aid, or to learn more about investigations, consult the Title IX office’s website for additional information.
For student-led support, In-Power is a student-led support group dedicated to building a gender-inclusive community that welcomes victim-survivors of sexual assault, stalking, and/or intimate partner violence at any point in their healing process. Through a focus on empowerment, autonomy, and resilience, the group aims to help participants claim agency over their own stories and experiences, as well as the direction of the group. The group works through a variety of discussion topics and self-care methods. If you are interested in joining the group, please reach out to facilitators at in-power@uconn.edu.
Down Syndrome Awareness Month (October 1 – October 31): October was first designated as Down Syndrome Awareness Month (DSAM) in the 1980s and has been recognized ever since. More than 400,000 people are living with Down syndrome in the United States. It is a time to raise awareness, celebrate the abilities and achievements of individuals with Down syndrome, and advocate for their inclusion and support.
National ADHD Awareness Month (October 1 – October 31): October is National ADHD Awareness Month. It is dedicated to educating the public about ADHD, promoting research about ADHD, and helping to develop communities of support and professional development for those with ADHD. This October, National ADHD Awareness Month is partnering with organizations around the world with the shared global goal of dissemination of reliable information about ADHD and its treatments. The 2025 ADHD Awareness Month theme in the United States is “The Many Faces of ADHD.”
National Breast Cancer Awareness Month (NBCAM; October 1 – October 31): The event began in 1985 as a weeklong awareness campaign by the American Cancer Society, in collaboration with Imperial Chemical Industries. It later became a monthlong event. The goal of NBCAM is to promote screening and prevention of the disease that affects one in eight women in the U.S. every year and 2.3 million women worldwide. For information about breast cancer care services, visit the Carole and Ray Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center at UConn Health.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (NDEAM; October 1 – October 31): In 1945, Congress designated the first week of October as “National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week,” in part, to help disabled WWII veterans find employment. Since then, the concept of disability has shifted. Congress dropped the word “physically” in the 1970s to provide a more inclusive view. In 1973, Congress passed Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act which protects the rights of persons with disabilities in programs and activities that receive federal financial assistance. Section 504 protects the rights not only of individuals with visible disabilities but also those whose disabilities might not be apparent.
Over the next few decades, activists and educators helped shift national understanding of ability, leading to more inclusive views about type of disability, greater recognition of the intersections between identity and ability, and stronger legislation to protect people with disabilities from discrimination. In 1990, the United States passed the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), which made it illegal to discriminate along the basis of identity and guarantees that people with disabilities have the same opportunities as everyone else in the United States. This month celebrates these accomplishments while also raising awareness of barriers that still need to be addressed. Find more about the month at the Department of Labor’s website.
UConn has a strong commitment to expanding inclusion through the Center for Students with Disabilities. UConn also promotes awareness through academic programs like the Certificate of Interdisciplinary Disability Studies in Public Health and the Human Development and Family Sciences Disabilities concentration, as well as academic centers like the Center for Excellence in the Study of Developmental Disabilities and the Collaborative on Postsecondary Education and Disability, and through courses on Disability Studies at the Storrs and Waterbury campuses.
National Transfer Student Week (NISTS; October 20 – October 24): The National Institute for the Study of Transfer Students declares the third week of each October as National Transfer Student Week. NISTS organizes National Transfer Student Week to celebrate transfer students, educate others about the diverse needs of the transfer population, and recognize the professionals who support them on their journeys. This year’s National Transfer Student Week theme is “Unlocking Potential: Keys to the Transfer Journey.” This theme celebrates the unique skills, knowledge, and perspectives that transfer students bring to campuses. It also recognizes the “keys” that transfer students already possess, such as their problem-solving skills, adaptability, and connections to community.
Cultural and Federal Holidays:
International Day of Older Persons (October 1): The United Nations sets aside October 1 to draw attention to the challenges of population aging in the twenty-first century and to promote societal development for people of all ages. Seventy-five years ago, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration on Human Rights, a monumental document in the history of human rights. Written by representatives from around the world with different legal, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds, it is the first document articulating the fundamental human rights that are meant to be universally protected. This year’s theme is “Older Persons Driving Local and Global Action: Our Aspirations, Our Well-Being and Our Rights.”
UConn supports senior citizens through educational initiatives, including Senior Citizen Audits for learners over 62, UConn Extension’s Center for Learning in Retirement (CLIR) for retirees and other adults from all walks of life, and the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute (OLLI), based at the UConn Waterbury campus, part of a national network where adults over 50 can expand their minds and connect with other learners. In May of 2025, UConn joined the Age-Friendly University Global Network.UConn is now among more than 120 universities globally that are reimagining higher education’s role in an aging society.
German American Heritage Day (October 6): This day honors the contributions German Americans have made to the country. It is recognized on this day to commemorate the October 6, 1683, arrival of the first German immigrants to the United States.
Chinese Mid-Autumn Festival (October 6): The Mid-Autumn Festival, Zhongqiu Jie (中秋节), also known as the Moon Festival or Mooncake Festival, is a Chinese festival to give thanks for the Autumn harvest. This year, the festival falls on October 6th. It is an occasion for families to gather for dinner, celebrate the full moon, share mooncakes, and enjoy a range of festive events like lighting paper lanterns.
Chuseok/Hangawi (October 5-7): This holiday is one of the most significant in South Korea, often referred to as Korean Thanksgiving. Chuseok is a major harvest festival celebrated over the course of three days. People celebrate by traveling back to their hometowns to pay respect to the spirit of their ancestors, share a feast of traditional Korean food, wear a formal dress called “hanbok” and exchange gifts.
Indigenous Peoples’ Day (October 13): Indigenous Peoples’ Day celebrates the cultures, histories, and contributions of Native and Indigenous peoples in the United States and across the world. It honors America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal nations that continue to thrive here today, recognizing their contributions and acknowledging their resilience and strength in the face of a centuries-long campaign of violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror wrought upon Native and Indigenous communities in the United States and beyond. Currently, 14 states celebrate Indigenous Peoples’ Day, and in 2021, President Biden proclaimed it a national holiday. The State of Connecticut does not currently mark Indigenous Peoples’ Day, though several towns and communities within Connecticut celebrate it, including Mansfield.
UConn recognizes Native and Indigenous resilience and strength every day of the year. We acknowledge that our university sits on lands taken through the long campaigns of violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror through our Land Acknowledgement Statement. We encourage reading this statement before any event held on UConn’s spaces. We also honor the cultures, histories, and legacies of Native and Indigenous peoples every day, primarily through the Native American Cultural Programs (NACP), which provides programming, initiatives, resources, and trainings for the Native and Indigenous Peoples who make a home at UConn.
Columbus Day (October 13): Columbus Day was made a federal holiday in the United States in 1968 under President Lyndon B. Johson, set to begin in 1971. In 1934, Congress passed a statute requesting an annual proclamation from the President. According to the Congressional Research Service, Congress believed that “by commemorating Columbus’s voyage…the nation would be honoring the courage and determination which enabled generations of immigrants from many nations to find freedom and opportunity in America.” Today, Columbus Day has also become a point of honoring Italian American heritage in the United States.
Religious Holidays:
Navaratri (September 22 – October 2): Navratri, also known as Shardiya Navratri, is celebrated with great enthusiasm across Northern and Eastern India. This festival symbolizes the nine nights of battle between good and evil, culminating in the victory of good on the tenth day. During this period, Mother Durga is worshipped as the deity of power, energy, and wisdom.
Yom Kippur (October 2): Yom Kippur begins sunset October 1. It is the Day of Atonement and considered the most important holiday in the Jewish faith. Yom Kippur marks the culmination of the Ten Days of Awe, a period of introspection and repentance that follows Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year. According to tradition, it is on Yom Kippur that God decides each person’s fate, so Jews are encouraged to make amends and ask forgiveness for sins committed during the past year. The holiday is observed with a 25-hour fast and a special religious service. Yom Kippur and Rosh Hashanah are known as Judaism’s “High Holy Days.”
Dussehra (October 2): Vijayadashami, more commonly known as Dassahra in Hindi, and also known as Dashāhra or Dashain in Bhojpuri, Maithili and Nepali, is a major Hindu festival celebrated every year at the end of Durga Puja and Navarahtri. Dussehra 2025 will be celebrated on the 2nd of October, marking the victory of good over evil. Celebrations are held by lighting fireworks. In addition, festival preparations for Diwali or Deepavali begin.
Feast of St Francis of Assisi (October 4): The feast commemorates the life of St Francis, who was born in the 12th century and is the Catholic Church’s patron saint of animals and the environment. He is remembered for his generosity to the poor and his willingness to minister to the lepers. He is remembered for his love for animals and nature. It’s on the Feast of Saint Francis of Assisi that many pets are blessed in churches.
Sukkot (October 7 –October 8): Sukkot begins sunset October 6 and is known as one of the most joyful festivals on the Jewish calendar. It is a week-long celebration of the fall harvest. Sukkot commemorates the forty-year period during which the children of Israel were wandering in the desert, living in temporary shelters called booths or huts.
Shemini Atzeret (October 14) begins sunset October 13 and is the Eighth Day of the Assembly. Simchat Torah (October 15) begins sunset October 14 and known as “Rejoicing in Torah”. These two holidays come at the conclusion of Sukkot – in Israel they are combined into one holiday; in the rest of the world, they are celebrated over two consecutive days. These two holidays anticipate the coming year with prayer and engaging with the Torah. Simchat Torah celebrates finishing the yearly cycle of reading the whole Torah and immediately start again at the beginning.
Diwali/Deepavali (October 20): Diwali or Deepawali is a Hindu festival of lights symbolizing the victory of righteousness and the lifting of spiritual darkness. The word “Deepawali” refers to rows of diyas, or clay lamps. This is one of the most popular festivals in the Hindu calendar. It commemorates Lord Rama’s return to his kingdom Ayodhya after completing his 14-year exile.
Birthday of Báb (October 22): The Báb (the title means ‘the Gate’) was born in Shiraz, Persia in 1819. He was the prophet-herald of the Baha’i community and called people to religious renewal and to await the coming of a new messenger from God – ‘the one whom God shall make manifest’. Baha’is believe that this latter figure was Baha’u’llah (the title means ‘Glory of God’). Baha’is observe this holy day by abstaining from work. Gatherings normally involve prayers, devotional readings, music and fellowship.
Birthday of Baha’u’llah (October 23): Baha’u’llah is held by many of his followers to be the founder of the Baha’i faith. For Bahá’ís, this Holy Day is a celebration of the rebirth of the world through the love of God. Bahá’ís observe this holy day with community gatherings where prayers are shared and the birth of Bahá’u’lláh is celebrated. The birthdays of the Báb and Bahá’u’lláh are now celebrated as the Twin Holy Birthdays on two consecutive days each year. Bahá’ís will typically to be absent from work or school on these days.
Samhain (October 31-November 1): Samhain (a Gaelic word pronounced “sow-win”) is a pagan and wiccan religious festival originating from an ancient Celtic spiritual tradition. This festival traditionally marks the end of the harvest season and the beginning of winter, or the “darker half” of the year. While these dates are standard, the celebration of Samhain can extend beyond these times, depending on local customs and personal practices. Many participants choose to engage in festivities that span several days, incorporating both modern Halloween activities and traditional Samhain rituals, which allows for a full and enriched experience of this deeply spiritual time.
We welcome the celebration of each of these holidays on our campuses and encourage support for those requiring accommodations. You can find information and guidance about academic accommodations for religious observations on the Provost Office’s webpage.
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.
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Sincerely,
Jeff and Pamir
Jeffrey F. Hines, M.D.
Vice President, Office for Diversity and Inclusion, UConn and UConn Health
Pamir Alpay, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs