January is Tamil Heritage Month, a time to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions of Tamil people and communities in Ontario. The Tamil Harvest Festival, Thai Pongal, as well as other Tamil artistic and cultural events, take place in January. https://www.canadiantamilcongress.ca
January 21st, Lincoln Alexander Day, recognizes Lincoln MacCauley Alexander, a Canadian lawyer who became the first black Member of Parliament in the House of Commons, and the 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lincoln_Alexander
January 27th, Holocaust Remembrance Day, is dedicated to the memory of the victims of the Holocaust. The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi Extermination Camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on 27 January 1945. https://en.unesco.org/commemorations/holocaustremembranceday
February is Black History Month, a time to recognize the valuable contributions that Black people have made to Ontario and Canada's economic, social, political and cultural fabric. https://blackhistorysociety.ca/
February 20th, World Day of Social Justice, recognizes social justice as indispensable for the attainment of peace and security within and among nations and that social justice cannot be achieved in the absence of respect for all human rights. https://www.un.org/en/observances/social-justice-day
The Last Wednesday of February is Pink Shirt Day. Wearing a pink shirt on this day sends a strong message to victims of bullying that others care. This day is dedicated to the cause against Bullying, Discrimination, Homophobia and Transphobia. https://www.pinkshirtday.ca/
March 8th, International Women’s Day (IWD) is a global day celebrating the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women. The day also marks a call to action for accelerating gender parity. https://www.iwdtoronto.ca
March 21st, International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination. On this day, in 1960, police opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration in Sharpeville, South Africa, against the apartheid pass laws used to oppress Black people.
March 31st, Transgender Day of Visibility, is an annual event occurring on March 31 to celebrate transgender people and raising awareness of discrimination faced by transgender people worldwide, as well as a celebration of their contributions to society. www.tdov.org
April is Sikh Heritage Month in Ontario. Sikh Canadians have made significant contributions to our society. In April, Sikh Canadians celebrate Vaisakhi, which marks the creation of the Khalsa and the Sikh articles of faith. https://www.worldsikh.org/
