April Month Long Observances

• Arab American Heritage Month

• Deaf History Month

• Genocide Awareness Month

• Sexual Assault Awareness Month

• Scottish-American Month

World Autism Month

World Autism Month is observed every April to raise awareness about autism spectrum disorder (ASD) while promoting acceptance, inclusion, and understanding of individuals on the autism spectrum. The month highlights both the unique strengths and the challenges faced by people with autism and their families, celebrating their contributions to society and advocating for meaningful support. Communities, organizations, and advocates around the world unite to share stories, host events, and emphasize the importance of neurodiversity. A central focus of the month is the shift from mere awareness to genuine understanding and empowerment. Ultimately, World Autism Month serves as a powerful reminder to embrace and celebrate the diverse ways people experience and engage with the world.

April 1 - National Day of Action

Each year, on the first Tuesday of April, the National Day of Action occurs to raise awareness of sexual assault and violence prevention. This day is nationally recognized in the United States and is part of Sexual Assault Awareness Month (SAAM). Its goal is to educate the public to stop sexual violence before it happens. Since 2004, the National Sexual Violence Resource Center has promoted this day as part of efforts to end sexual violence.

Teal the official color of SAAM, was adopted by sexual violence coalitions across the country in 2000. The color symbolizes healing, trust, and devotion and represents the coming together of genders to support survivors. The teal ribbon serves as a symbol of awareness and prevention.

You can make a difference by wearing teal with your friends and loved ones on April 1st to spread awareness and support those who have faced sexual violence.

April 2 - International Autism Acceptance Day

This day promotes understanding, acceptance, and inclusion of individuals on the autism spectrum. It focuses on recognizing their unique strengths and contributions in various fields, including education, the arts, technology, and advocacy. It also emphasizes the importance of respecting autistic individuals and encouraging society to create more inclusive environments that support and celebrate neurodiversity.

April 9 - International Day of Pink

This is an annual event celebrated on the second Wednesday of April and stands against bullying, discrimination, homophobia, and transphobia while promoting kindness, acceptance, and inclusion. This day was created after a group of students in Canada witnessed another student being bullied for wearing a pink shirt. Participants are encouraged to wear pink to show support for LGBTQ+ rights and to advocate for a more inclusive, respectful, and safer society.

April 11 - LGBTQIA+ Day of Silence

The Day of Silence is a national student-led demonstration where LGBTQ students and allies around the world take a vow of silence to protest the harmful effects of harassment and discrimination against LGBTQ+ people in schools. Started in the mid 90’s by two college students, the event has expanded to reach hundreds of thousands of students each year. Every April, participants remain silent throughout the school day, spreading awareness by sharing their experiences with written notes.

April 12: The Memorial of Jesus’ Death

Jehova’s Witnesses commemorate the death of Jesus Christ. It is considered the most important event on their religious calendar and is held once a year, typically on Nisan 14 of the Jewish calendar. The date corresponds to the night of the original Passover and the night Jesus shared a special meal with his disciples.

At this event, called the Memorial, there's a ceremony conducted that explains the significance of Jesus’ sacrifice, followed by the passing of flat bread with no yeast and red wine, which symbolize Jesus' body and blood. Only a small number of people eat the bread and drink the wine. Most people simply watch and reflect quietly.

Everyone is welcome to attend, no matter their background. It’s a serious and respectful event that honors Jesus and the role he plays in God’s plan.

April 12 - 20: Jewish Passover

Jewish Passover is a major Jewish holiday that celebrates the Israelites' escape from slavery in ancient Egypt. It’s based on the Bible story in Exodus, where God freed the Israelites through Moses and sent plagues on Egypt, with the last plague “passing over” their homes. Passover usually lasts seven or eight days, depending on tradition, and begins on the 15th day of the Hebrew month of Nisan at sunset.

A special meal called the Seder is held on the first night (or first two nights), where families read from the Haggadah – a book that tells the story of the Exodus. Symbolic foods are eaten like matzah (flat bread made without yeast), which reminds Jews of how the Israelites left Egypt in such a hurry and didn’t have time to let their bread rise. Other items on the Seder plate represent parts of the story, such as bitter herbs for the bitterness of slavery. Passover is a time for reflection, gratitude, and celebrating freedom.

April 13 - Palm Sunday

Palm Sunday is a religious feast celebrated on the Sunday before Easter, marking Jesus Christ’s triumphal entry into Jerusalem. As described in the Gospels, the crowds greeted him by waving palm branches and laying them along his path to honor him as the Messiah. For many Christians, Palm Sunday, also known as Passion Sunday, signals the start of Holy Week. Palm branches, symbolizing peace and victory, were traditionally used to welcome kings in ancient times.

On this day, many Christian churches hold processions where worshippers carry palm branches, reenacting the event. Palm Sunday serves as a reminder of Jesus’ humility and the recognition of his role as Savior. It sets the stage for the final days of his life, which are commemorated during Holy Week and reach their peak in his resurrection on Easter Sunday.

April 14 - Vaisakhi

Vaisakhi is an important festival celebrated mainly by Sikhs, and also by some Hindus, marking the beginning of harvest season in India. For Sikhs, it holds deep religious meaning as it commemorates the formation of the Khalsa in 1699 by Guru Gobind Singh, the tenth Sikh Guru. This historic event strengthened the Sikh community’s dedication to the values of equality, justice, and devotion. Sikhs observe the day by visiting temples, joining in processions, singing hymns, and reflecting on their faith.

Beyond its religious significance, Vaisakhi is also a vibrant cultural celebration, especially in the Punjab region, where communities mark the harvest with traditional dances, music, and festive meals. It’s a time of spiritual renewal, gratitude, and joyful gathering.

April 17 - Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day

On April 17, 1975, the capital of the Khmer Republic, Phnom Penh, was taken over by the Khmer Rouge, effectively ending the Cambodian Civil War. At first, residents of Phnom Penh welcomed the arrival of the Khmer Rouge, hoping the end of the war would bring peace. However, all citizens of Phnom Penh were ordered to evacuate to the countryside. Those who survived the journey were subjected to harsh conditions and assigned to forced labor.

This day marked the beginning of the Cambodian Genocide and the atrocities of the Killing Fields. Over the next four years (April 17, 1975 to January 7, 1979), an estimated two million Cambodians died from execution, starvation, torture, forced labor, illness, and untreated injuries.

Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed on May 20 to honor the memory of the more than 1.7 million people who died during the brutal Khmer Rouge regime. Led by Pol Pot, the regime carried out mass killings and horrific abuses in an attempt to create a communist, agrarian society. The day serves as a time for reflection, mourning, and education about the atrocities committed during this dark chapter in Cambodia’s history.

Memorial services and ceremonies take place across the country, often at sites known as killing fields, where countless lives were lost. Survivors and families gather to pay their respects, share stories, and support one another in healing. Cambodian Genocide Remembrance Day also raises awareness, especially among younger generations, to help ensure that such tragedies are never repeated. It stands as both a day of sorrow and a reminder of the importance of peace, justice, and human rights.

April 18 - Good Friday or Holy Friday

Good Friday is a day when members of many Christian denominations, including Catholic, Eastern Orthodox, Lutheran, Anglican, Methodist, Oriental Orthodox and Reformed traditions, remember the day Jesus Christ was crucified and died. It takes place on the Friday before Easter and is one of the most meaningful days for Christians. According to the Bible, Jesus was arrested, put on trial, and nailed to a cross, where he died to take away the sins of others.

Many Christians spend the day with quiet reflection, prayer, or fasting focusing on Jesus' suffering and the meaning of his death. Churches often hold special services that include Bible readings, hymns, and moments of silence. In some places, people participate in walks or dramatizations that show what happened to Jesus on that day. Holy Friday is a time to remember Jesus’ love and sacrifice, and the hope of forgiveness and redemption through him.

April 20 - Easter

Easter celebrates the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead, as described in the Bible. It is considered the most joyful and important day in the Christian faith symbolizing hope, new life, and victory over sin and death.

April 22 - Earth Day

Earth Day is an annual holiday to raise awareness about environmental issues and promote efforts to protect the planet. It began in 1970 and has grown into a global movement, with millions of people around the world participating in activities like cleanups, tree planting, recycling drives, and educational events. The day encourages individuals, communities, and governments to take action on issues like climate change, pollution, deforestation, and conservation. Earth Day is a reminder that everyone has a role to play in caring for the Earth and ensuring a healthy planet for future generations.

April 23 - Holocaust Remembrance Day (Yom HaShoah)

The Hebrew name for this day is "Yom HaShoah," which falls on the 27th day of Nisan on the Hebrew calendar. It marks the anniversary of the Warsaw Ghetto uprising and is a day for solemn remembrance within the Jewish community.

Yom HaShoah is a time for internal reflection, educating younger generations, sharing stories, honoring the victims of the Holocaust, and recognizing the strength and accomplishments of survivors.

It is important not to confuse Yom HaShoah with Holocaust Remembrance Day, which is observed globally, regardless of religious background or ethnicity. The United Nations designated January 27th for that memorial, marking the day in 1945 when the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration and extermination camp was liberated.

The different names for these days carry deep meaning. "Shoah" is a biblical Hebrew word meaning "catastrophe," while "holocaust" comes from Greek and refers to "a burnt sacrificial offering to a god." The term "Shoah" more accurately reflects the tragedy experienced by the Jewish people during this dark period in history.

April 24 - Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day is observed every year to honor the memory of the 1.5 million Armenians who were killed by the Ottoman Empire during and after World War I. It marks the beginning of the genocide, when hundreds of Armenian intellectuals and community leaders were arrested and later executed in Constantinople (modern-day Istanbul).

The day is commemorated by Armenians worldwide through memorial services, marches, candlelight vigils, and cultural events that both remember the victims and raise awareness of the atrocities. In Armenia, thousands gather at the Tsitsernakaberd Genocide Memorial in Yerevan to lay flowers and pay their respects.

Armenian Genocide Remembrance Day also calls for international recognition of the genocide, which remains a sensitive and disputed issue in global politics. The day serves as a reminder of the importance of remembering history, honoring the lives lost, and standing against hatred and denial. It further emphasizes the need for reflection, understanding, and recognition of historical injustices to prevent future atrocities.