A variety of multicultural holidays, cultural events and awareness dates are recognized throughout the month of August. Following is a list of observances.
August 9: International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples raises awareness of the needs of these population groups, including their health needs.
August 13: Black Women’s Equal Pay Day. The aim is to raise awareness about the wider-than-average pay gap between Black women and White men. Black women are paid 62 cents for every dollar paid to white men.
August 15: Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary, the day commemorates the bodily taking up of the Virgin Mary into heaven at the end of her earthly life.
August 19: World Humanitarian Day has the goal of growing global appreciation of humanitarian work.
August 23: International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition pays tribute to the millions of Africans who were torn from their homelands and communities. And to stand up in solidarity against racism everywhere.
August 24: Birthday of Marlee Matlin. Marlee Matlin was the first hearing-impaired actor to win the Oscar for best actor/actress
August 26: Women’s Equality Day commemorates the American women gaining the right to vote in 1920.
August 31: Ganesh Chaturthi, also called Vinayaka Chaturthi in Hinduism, is a 10-day festival marking the birth of the elephant-headed deity Ganesha, the god of prosperity and wisdom.