Observances, Holidays and Celebrations

This list of observances is intended to acknowledge and celebrate WSU’s diversity, inclusivity, belonging, and commitment to social justice. It is not meant to exclude any days of observance that impact the lives and well-being of students, faculty, and staff. Please visit Coug Presence and the WSU Events Calendar to find any programs or presentations related to these observances. 

If we are missing an observance you think should be included, please let us know. 

Dates for the 2023-2024 Academic Year

August 

  • Women’s Equality Day—Saturday, Aug. 26 

September 

  • Suicide Awareness Month (NAMI)
  • Labor Day—Monday, Sept. 4 
  • 9/11 National Day of Service & Remembrance —Monday, Sept. 11
  • National Hispanic Heritage Month (Semana de la Raza)—Friday, September 15–Sunday, October 15

October

  • National Disability Awareness Month—Oct. 1-31 
    Indigenous Peoples’ Day—Monday, Oct. 9 
  • World Mental Health Day—Tuesday, Oct. 10
  • National Coming Out Day — Wednesday, Oct. 11 
  • International Pronouns Day—Wednesday, Oct. 18 (third Wednesday of Oct) 
  • Intersex Awareness Day — Oct. 26 
  • Halloween—Thursday, Oct. 31 

November 

  • Native American Heritage Month—Nov. 1-30 
  • Dia de los Muertos – Friday, Nov. 1-Saturday, Nov. 2
  • Election Day – Tuesday, Nov. 7 
  • National First-Generation College Celebration – Wednesday, Nov. 8
  • Veterans Day—Saturday, Nov. 11
  • Trans Awareness Week—Monday, Nov. 13-Sunday, Nov. 19
  • Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week – Monday, Nov. 13-Monday, Nov. 20 
  • Thanksgiving – Thursday, Nov. 23 
  • Native American Heritage Day—Friday, Nov. 24 

December 

  • Yule—Thursday, Dec. 21-Monday, Jan. 2 
    Christmas—Wednesday, Dec. 25 
    Kwanzaa—Thursday, Dec. 26—Wednesday, Jan. 1 
    Hanukkah—Thursday, Dec. 26-Thursday, Jan. 2 

January 

  • New Year—Monday, Jan 1
  • MLK Jr. Day—Monday, Jan. 15 
  • National Day of Racial Healing – Tuesday, Jan. 16 

February 

  • National Black History Month – Thursday, Feb. 1-Friday, March 1
    Lunar New Year – Begins Saturday, Feb. 10
  • Valentine’s Day—Wednesday, Feb. 14
  • National TRIO Day — Saturday, February 24 (fourth Saturday) 

March 

  • Women’s History Month—Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 31
  • National Developmental Disabilities Awareness Month—Friday, March 1-Sunday, March 31
  • International Women’s Day—Friday, March 8
  • Ramadan – March 10-April 9 (tentative)
  • WSU Birthday—Thursday, March 28 
  • Trans Visibility Day—Sunday, March 31 

April

  • Sexual Assault Awareness Month — Monday, April 1-Tuesday, April 30
  • Arab-American Heritage Month — Monday, April 1-Tuesday, April 30
  • National Student Employment Week— Tuesday, April 9-Sunday, April 15
  • National Day of Silence—Friday, April 12
  • Earth Day—Monday, April 22

May

  • Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month — Wednesday, May 1-Friday, May 31 
  • Jewish American Heritage Month — Wednesday, May 1-Friday, May 31
  • Mental Health Awareness Month—Wednesday, May 1-Friday, May 31 
  • Memorial Day—Monday, May 27  (last Monday in May) 

June

  • LGBTQ+ Pride Month—Saturday, June 1-Sunday, June 30
  • Juneteenth (Freedom Day, Emancipation Day)—Wednesday, June 19

July 

  • Independence Day—Thursday, July 4