To the UConn Community:
The Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights (OICR) 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 August:
Awareness Month Celebrations:
Purple Heart Month: Observed each August, Purple Heart Month honors U.S. military service members who have been wounded or killed in action since April 5, 1917. Purple Heart Day, recognized annually on August 7, marks the date in 1782 when General George Washington established the original Badge of Military Merit, now known as the Purple Heart, to recognize soldiers wounded in combat. This month serves as a time to reflect on the sacrifices and courage of those who have served.
The Office of Veterans and Military Programs (VAMP) provides student support services specifically for veterans, active service members, and their families attending UConn. Their services include certifying VA educational benefits, assisting students in their transition to life at UConn, and providing supplemental programs and activities to student veterans. VAMP works closely with the Center for Students with Disabilities (CSD), which has a wealth of resources for veterans regardless of ability status. VAMP also works closely with state-based Veterans Centers that provide fully confidential mental and behavioral health assistance.
Cultural and Federal Holidays:
International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples (August 9): The United Nations commemorates the International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples annually on August 9 to raise awareness about their identities, ways of life, territories, and natural resources, all of which have been violated throughout history. People from around the world are encouraged to spread the UN’s message on the protection and promotion of the rights of indigenous peoples. This year’s theme,“Honouring Indigenous Midwives: Safeguarding Life and Well-being,” recognizes Indigenous midwives as vital knowledge holders whose work sustains cultural traditions, supports community well-being, and preserves Indigenous knowledge across generations. To learn about the advocacy of Native and Indigenous young people at UConn, visit the Native American Cultural Programs website.
National Senior Citizens Day (August 21): Created by Presidential Proclamation in 1988, National Senior Citizens Day honors and shows appreciation to the elders in our communities. It also raises awareness of the need to continue supporting our elders as they face new struggles from aging; senior citizens often face increased health issues and may be economically vulnerable. The best ways to celebrate this day are to visit the elders in your family and community or to volunteer at senior care centers, meal delivery services, and other senior-based programs. The University of Connecticut supports senior citizens through free 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 (OLII) where learners over 50 can expand their minds and connect with other learners.
National Women’s Equality Day (August 26): Women’s Equality Day commemorates the certification of the 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution in 1920, guaranteeing that every American can vote, regardless of gender. Made into a national holiday in 1971, this day celebrates activists’ achievements in promoting equity and equality for women. It also serves as a reminder of the ongoing need to advocate for gender equity and equality, as well as to dedicate resources to promoting and empowering women, including efforts to combat sexual and gender-based violence. At UConn, these imperatives are carried out by the Women’s Center, the Rainbow Center, the Title IX Office, the Women’s, Gender, and Sexuality Studies Program, the Center for Career Readiness and Life Skills, and the Obstetrics and Gynecology at UConn Health, among other unit- and department-level resources
Religious Holidays:
Lughnasadh (August 1): Lughnasadh is a Gaelic harvest festival celebrated on August 1. It is more than just a celebration of the start of the harvest season; it is a profound acknowledgment of the cycle of growth and sacrifice. Situated between the summer solstice and the autumn equinox, Lughnasadh represents the first fruits of labor—honoring both nature’s bounty and the effort required to sustain it. Traditionally observed with feasting, games, music, and gatherings, Lughnasadh also paid tribute to the Celtic god Lugh and celebrated community, craftsmanship, and remembrance. Today, it offers an opportunity to reconnect with ancestral traditions and the earth’s enduring rhythms through personal reflection, seasonal rituals, and gratitude for abundance.
Feast of the Assumption / Dormition of the Mother of God (August 15): This day is widely celebrated among Roman Catholics, Eastern Catholics, and Eastern Orthodox Christians as the day Jesus’s mother, Mary, ascended to heaven in both body and soul. This is a holy day of obligation for Catholics, meaning the faithful are obligated to attend mass. Celebrations might also include festivals, processions, or praying the rosary, especially the Glorious Mysteries.
Raksha Bandhan (August 28): Raksha Bandhan, often called Rakhi, is a significant Hindu festival celebrated in August. It symbolizes the “bond of protection” where sisters tie a sacred thread (rakhi) on their brothers’ wrists. This act signifies their love and prayers for their brothers’ well-being, and in return, brothers promise lifelong protection.
We welcome the celebration of each of these holidays on our campuses and encourage support for those requiring accommodations. For more information, please review the Religious Accommodations Policy and the Religious Accommodations Frequently Asked Questions.
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.
If you would like to receive our OICR Weekly Digest, where you can receive regular updates about upcoming events, programs, and opportunities, subscribe to the OICR Weekly Digest.
Sincerely,
Jeff and Pamir
Jeffrey F. Hines, M.D.
Vice President, Office for Inclusion and Civil Rights, UConn and UConn Health
Pamir Alpay, Ph.D.
Provost and Executive Vice President for Academic Affairs