To the UConn Community:
The Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights 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 November:
Heritage Month Celebrations:
Native and Indigenous Heritage Month: November is Native American Heritage month (also known as “National American Indian Heritage Month” and “Native American and Alaskan Native Heritage Month”). First recognized by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 and commemorated by every president since, this month honors the cultures, histories, and legacies of America’s first inhabitants and the Tribal nations that continue to thrive here today. It celebrates the traditions, languages, and stories of hundreds of Native nations and works to ensure that their histories and contributions endure. This month also acknowledges the painful history Native and Indigenous Peoples in the United States have faced, one marked by unjust federal policies and state-sanctioned campaigns of violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror.
UConn recognizes Native and Indigenous resilience and strength every day of the year. We acknowledge through the Land Acknowledgement Statement that our university sits on lands taken through violence, displacement, assimilation, and terror. We encourage reading this statement before any event held in UConn’s physical or digital spaces. UConn also serves as a vibrant hub for research, scholarship, and outreach among scholars, students, and Indigenous community members through the Native American and Indigenous Studies Initiative (NAISI). NAISI aims to become a center for the renewed presences of Indigenous Peoples in Connecticut, New England, and the entire Eastern region of the United States. We also honor the cultures, histories, and legacies of Native and Indigenous peoples 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. Native and Indigenous students also find community at UConn through the Native American and Indigenous Student Association (NAISA).
We invite the entire UConn community to join us in commemorating Native American Heritage Month through the following events featured on the NACP website.
Awareness Month Celebrations:
Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Every November, we observe Lung Cancer Awareness month. The official awareness ribbon is white and this year, add blue or red accents to specifically honor Veterans. Read more on the Lung Cancer Foundation of America website.
National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness Month: Established in 1983 by President Ronald Reagan, National Alzheimer’s Disease Awareness month is observed in November. The main goal is to raise public awareness about the disease and its impact on individuals, families, and caregivers. Read more on the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America website.
Epilepsy Awareness Month: Epilepsy Awareness month is observed every November in the United States. During this month, organizations and individuals work to raise public awareness, reduce stigma surrounding epilepsy, and promote understanding of this neurological disorder. To understand and learn more, check out the Epilepsy Foundation website.
National Diabetes Month: Diabetes affects millions of Americans and is a leading cause of serious complications, including kidney failure, lower-limb amputations, adult blindness, and an increased risk of heart disease and stroke. Learn more about diabetes and how to improve your health on the American Diabetes Association website.
Movember: Movember is an annual global campaign to raise awareness on men’s health issues, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, and mental health and suicide prevention. It aims to challenge the stigma around men’s health issues, spark conversations, and promote early detection and intervention. Find out more on the Movember website.
Cultural and Federal Holidays:
Día de los Muertos “Day of the Dead” (November 1-2): Día de los Muertos remembers ancestors and lost loved ones, through food, music, and gatherings—it is a joyful celebration of their lives, rather than the mourning of their deaths. Originating in Mexico, it is celebrated worldwide by those with Mexican heritage. Traditions vary, but common traditions include “una ofrenda” (an altar) with flowers and food for the dead, individual offerings, and candles lit to help guide spirits back to their families.
National First-Generation Day (November 8): Since 2017, schools and universities across the country have dedicated this day to celebrating first-generation students, faculty, staff, and alumni. This day celebrates the accomplishments of students whose parents did not complete a four-year college degree. November 8th was selected to honor the anniversary of the signing of the Higher Education Act (HEA) of 1965, which increased federal funding and resources to help level the playing field for underserved communities. Notably, HEA ushered in the federal TRIO programs that increase access, retention, and completion for low-income, first-generation, and underserved minority populations. UConn has two TRIO Programs: Student Support Services, which supports this mission, and McNair Programs, which prepares first-generation, low-income, and historically underrepresented students for M.S. and Ph.D. studies in STEM disciplines.
World Freedom Day (November 9): World Freedom Day is a federal holiday that commemorates the fall of the Berlin Wall. Established in 2001 by President George W. Bush, it celebrates freedom within democracy.
Veterans Day (November 11): Veterans Day pays tribute to all those who served in the United States Armed forces. It is separate from Memorial Day (the last Monday of May), which commemorates those who died while serving in the U.S. military, and Armed Forces Day (the third Saturday in May), which honors those currently serving in the U.S. military. Veterans Day was originally called Armistice Day, which celebrated the cessation of hostilities during World War I that went into effect on the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month. In 1954, this holiday was changed to “Veterans Day” to include veterans from all American wars.
UConn honors members of the U.S. military and their families. The Office of Veterans and Military Programs (VAMP) will be holding its annual Veterans Day Ceremony on Tuesday, November 11th at 11am on Founders Green. All are invited and encouraged to join. VAMP also provides student support services specifically for veterans, active service members, and their families who are attending UConn. Their services include certifying VA educational benefits, assisting students in their transition to life at UConn, providing supplemental programs and activities to student veterans, and directing veterans to fully confidential mental and behavioral health assistance. VAMP works closely with the Center for Students with Disabilities which has a wealth of resources for veterans regardless of ability status, and the Center for Career Development.
Native Women’s Equal Pay Day (November 18): In 2023, American Indian and Alaskan Native women earned just 52.4 cents for every dollar paid to White, non-Hispanic men of comparable skills and training. This day marks the day that Native women need to work until they made what White men made in the previous year. On Native Women’s Equal Pay Day, activists, organizers, educators, and community members raise awareness and support causes that address this ongoing inequity.
Transgender Day of Remembrance (November 20): The Transgender Day of Remembrance memorializes those who lost their lives to acts of anti-transgender violence. It raises public awareness about hate crimes directed at transgender and gender-diverse people and ensures that their lives are not forgotten. This is a day for expressing love and respect in the face of hatred or indifference. This day also helps raise awareness about issues the transgender and gender-diverse communities continue to face. UConn supports the transgender communities through the Rainbow Center, which provides spaces of refuge and community-building, as well as resources to help members of the transgender communities navigate life at UConn. Check their website and Instagram account for more.
Holodomor Memorial Day (November 22): Holodomor Memorial Day is commemorated each year on the fourth Saturday of November as a Day of Remembrance to remember the millions of Ukrainians who were starved to death in Ukraine in 1932 and 1933, many of whom were children. Holodomor Memorial Day is dedicated to remembering those who died, and, alongside the descendants of survivors, spreading awareness of this chapter in history. For more information, the Holodomor Research and Education Consortium maintains a comprehensive archive of educational materials, which can be found here.
National Adoption Day (November 22): Launched in 1999, National Adoption Day is a collective, grassroots effort to raise awareness of the more than 100,000 children waiting to be adopted from foster care in the United States. To learn more, check out the National Adoption Day website.
National Day of Mourning (November 27): The National Day of Mourning, which takes place on the fourth Thursday of November every year, was established in 1970 by the United American Indians of New England (UAINE) as a day to honor and mourn Native and Indigenous people lost to genocide and colonialism, as well as to commemorate Native and Indigenous resilience and resistance. Every year, as a part of this commemoration, UAINE holds an outdoor speak-out and march at Cole’s Hill in Plymouth, MA. Many participants also fast from sundown the day prior to the event, and break their fast following the march, as a gesture of both mourning and solidarity. To read more about this event, please visit UAINE’s website.
Thanksgiving (November 27): Thanksgiving is celebrated on the fourth Thursday of November each year. It is a day for expressing gratitude that, for many, is marked by family traditions, seeing loved ones, and kicking off the holiday season.
Religious Holidays:
All Saints’ Day and All Souls’ Day (November 1 and 2): All Saints’ Day is observed in the Catholic and other Christian traditions as a solemn feast honoring all the saints, both the well-known and the countless faithful who lived lives of holiness without recognition. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, a similar commemoration of all saints is held on the first Sunday after Pentecost, reflecting their liturgical calendar, but the meaning is much the same: celebrating the great “cloud of witnesses” who inspire us in faith. All Souls’ Day is rooted in Catholic tradition and focused on praying for the departed who may still be on their journey to heaven. In the Eastern Orthodox Church, “Soul Saturdays” are devoted to prayers for the departed. Together, both holidays remind the Christian community worldwide to honor the saints who have gone before us and to pray for those still being perfected in God’s care.
Jain New Year (November 7): Jains mark the New Year on the first day of the Hindu Month of Kartika, following the commencement of their Diwali celebration. This holiday marks the day that their founder, Mahavira, achieved moksha (salvation) in passing from his earthly life. On this day, Jains gather in the temple and perform the Snatra Puja ritual to worship the 24 Tirthankaras who founded their religion (Tirthankara is Sanskrit for “Ford-Maker,” a figure who has succeeded in crossing over life’s streams of rebirths and has made a path for others to follow). Mahavira is the last of the Tirthankaras.
Solemnity of Christ the King (November 23): Celebrated by the Catholic Church and many Christian denominations, this feast day proclaims the authority of Christ over all creation. Instituted in 1925 by Pope Pius XI, it’s meant to remind the faithful that ultimate allegiance belongs not to worldly powers but to Christ’s eternal reign of peace and justice. It falls on the final Sunday of the liturgical year, serving as a fitting close before Advent begins.
Martyrdom of Guru Bahadur (November 24): This Sikh holiday commemorates the martyrdom of Guru Bahadur, the ninth Sikh Guru, who sacrificed his life to protect people—including people from faiths other than his own—from religious persecution. Guru Bahadur’s martyrdom reflects two important principles of the Sikh faith: standing up for faith—including faiths one does not agree with—and standing up for others.
Ascension of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá (November 28): This holy day is observed by members of the Bahá’í Faith in honor of ‘Abdu’l-Bahá, the son of Bahá’u’lláh (the founder of the Bahá’í Faith), who passed away in 1921. Remembered as a model of service, humility, and compassion, ‘Abdu’l-Bahá was instrumental in spreading the Bahá’í teachings worldwide. The day is marked by prayers and gatherings that reflect on his life and his dedication to unity, peace, and the betterment of humanity.
First Day of Advent (November 30): Advent marks the beginning of the Christian liturgical year and the four-week season of preparation for Christmas. In both Catholic and many Protestant traditions, it is a time of waiting and hope—looking back to Christ’s birth in Bethlehem and looking forward to his promised return. Advent wreaths, candles, and readings all emphasize themes of light breaking into darkness, hope, peace, joy, and love.
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. OICR 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 Inclusion and Civil Rights, UConn | UConn Health
Pamir Alpay, Ph.D.
Interim Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs