2021 Calendar of Observances

The following calendar of observances remind us of the rich diversity of our union and our communities and encourages us to be culturally aware when providing care to our patients.  The calendar also invites us to reflect on how we might support initiatives to advance equitable access to the social determinants of health.  

As you scroll through the calendar you will note the recognition of a number multi-faith and multicultural days (in black text) and the listing of various commemorative events or days (in berry text).  This list is by no means exhaustive but reflects one aspect of the diversity of our membership (and our communities) and a few of the many celebrations and events that mark the year. 

January

1​	Shogatsu/Gantan-sai (New Year’s) - Shinto
4​	​World Braille Day Celebrates the importance of Braille as a form of communication and written language for people who are blind and partially sighted. The day commemorates the birth anniversary of Louis Braille, who, in 1809 and at the age of 15, invented braille. Learn more
5​	​Twelfth Night - Christian ​ Guru Gobindh Singh birthday - Sikh Epiphany - Christian
6​	Feast of the Epiphany (Theophany) - Orthodox Christian ​Dia de los Reyes (Three Kings Day) - Christian
7​	Feast of the Nativity - Orthodox Christian
24​	International Day of Education Education is a basic human right and as the United Nations reminds us “offers children a ladder out of poverty and a path to a promising future”. However, nearly 265 million children and adolescents around the world do not have the opportunity to enter or complete school; 617 million children and adolescents cannot read and do basic math. Learn more
​24	​World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture According to UNESCO, World Day for African and Afrodescendant Culture celebrates the many vibrant cultures of the African continent and African Diasporas around the world and promotes them as an effective lever for sustainable development, dialogue and peace. Learn more
​27	International Day of Commemoration in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust The date marks the anniversary of the liberation of the Nazi concentration and extermination camp of Auschwitz-Birkenau by Soviet troops on January 27 1945. UNESCO reminds us that “the Holocaust profoundly affected countries in which Nazi crimes were perpetrated, but also had universal implications and consequences in many other parts of the world.” Learn more
​29	National Day of Remembrance of the Quebec City Mosque Attack and Action Against Islamophobia On January 29, 2017, six people were killed and 19 others seriously injured in a terrorist attack on the Islamic Cultural Centre of Quebec City. This is the first annual day of remembrance - on which we stand in solidarity with the Muslim community.

February

6​	​ International Day of Zero Tolerance to Female Genital Mutilation The UN is striving for eradication of the female genital mutilation practice by 2030. Female genital mutilation (FGM) includes all procedures that involve altering or injuring the female genitalia for non-medical reasons. Learn more
8​	​ Nirvana Day - Buddhism
11	​ International Day of Women and Girls in Science The UN celebrates women and girls in science and calls “on everyone to smash stereotypes, defy gender biases and defeat discrimination that hold women and girls back in STEM fields” (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). Learn more
12​	​ Lunar New Year
14​	​ St. Valentine's Day - Christian Transfiguration Sunday - Christian Annual Women’s Memorial March The first women’s memorial march was held in 1992 in response to the murder of a woman on Powell Street in Vancouver. Out of this sense of hopelessness and anger came an annual march on Valentine’s Day to express compassion, community, and caring for all women in Vancouver’s Downtown Eastside, Unceded Coast Salish Territories. Learn more
15​	​ Nirvana Day - Buddhist – Jain
16​	​ Vasant Panchami - Hindu Shrove Tuesday – Christian
17​	​ Lent begins - Christian
21	International Mother Language Day International Mother Language Day has been observed every year since February 2000 to promote linguistic and cultural diversity and multilingualismWe are fortunate to live in a part of the world that has a rich diversity of spoken/written languages. Learn more about the many languages spoken by First Nations people BC.
​24	Pink Shirt Day February 24 is Pink Shirt Day, an opportunity for BCNU members to join other Canadians in raising awareness and taking action to end bullying and harassment. COVID-19 has impacted us all. Let's strive to "lift each other up" and treat one another with civility and respect during these challenging times. Learn more.
25/26​	​ Purim - Jewish
​28	Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day February 28 is International Repetitive Strain Injury (RSI) Awareness Day. The day is an opportunity to raise awareness about RSIs, the need to prevent them, and the importance of fair compensation for injured workers. Prevention is key. Learn the risk factors for RSI in your work, report concerns to your supervisor or manager and tell your BCNU steward or BCNU JOHSC representative.

March

3​	​ World Wildlife Day In the midst of an accelerating climate crisis World Wildlife Day is an opportunity to celebrate the many beautiful and varied forms of wild fauna and flora and to raise awareness of the multitude of benefits that their conservation provides to people. Learn more
8​	​ International Women's Day A day to celebrate the social, economic, cultural and political achievements of women while continuing to take action to ensure women have equal access to social, political and economic rights. Learn more
9/10​	​ Lailat al Miraj - Islam
17​	​ St. Patrick's Day - Christian Norooz (New Year) - Persian/Zoroastrian Ostara - Mabon - Wicca/Neo Pagan Northern and Southern hemispheres
21	​ International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination Observed annually on the day the police in Sharpeville, South Africa, opened fire and killed 69 people at a peaceful demonstration against apartheid "pass laws" in 1960. Learn more
22	​ World Water Day World Water Day focuses on the importance of fresh water while raising the awareness that 2.2 billion people –including many First Nations and rural communities here in BC – live without access to safe water. Learn more
25​	​ Mahavir Jayanti - Jain International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade A day to honour the more than 15 million men, women and children who were victims of the horrific transatlantic slave trade for more than 400 years and an opportunity to reflect on the lasting legacies of this abhorrent system. Learn more
27/28​	​ Pesach - Jewish Until April 8
28​	​ Palm Sunday - Christian
29​	​ Holi - Hindu