Event Date
The Multicultural Calendar serves as a resource for students, staff, and faculty to plan events, activities, meetings, retreats, and courses throughout the year. It is a resource for understanding religious and cultural observances.
Multicultural Calendar - March 2024
Nineteen Day Fast
Baháʼí
Baháʼís Fast to be observed by adult Baháʼí's in good health, with no food or drink taken from sunrise to sundown.
February 29, 2024 - March 19, 2024 | Thursday, March 2, 2023 | February 28, 2025 - March 19, 2025
Ramadan
Islam
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. If possible, avoid scheduling major academic deadlines during this time. Be sensitive to the fact that students and employees celebrating Ramadan will be fasting during the day (continuously for 30 days) and will likely have less stamina as a result. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations (halal dietary restrictions apply).
Ramadan is an occasion to focus on faith through fasting and prayer and is one of the most important Muslim holidays. Ramadan is notable because the Qur'an was first revealed during this month, and Muslims see the Qur'an as the ultimate form of guidance for mankind. The night that the Qur'an was revealed to Muhammad is called Lailat ul Oadr, and standing in prayer this one night is thought to eclipse months of worship.
Recommended Accommodation: Significant. Fasting is required during the entire month of Ramadan. Muslims refrain from food and beverages during the daylight hours, and smoking and sexual relations are forbidden. Worshipers break the fasting each night with prayer, reading of the Qu’ran, and a meal called the iftar. In addition, many Muslims also attend night prayers at Mosques. Muslims also believe that their good actions bring a greater reward during this month than any other time of the year, so almost all Muslims try to give up bad habits during Ramadan.
Date Details: Dates are determined by the lunar calendar. The observed date marks the beginning of a thirty day observation.
March 10, 2024 - April 9, 2024 | Wednesday, March 22, 2023 | March 1, 2025 - March 30, 2025
L. Ron Hubbard's Birthday
Scientology
After establishing a career as a writer, becoming best known for his science fiction and fantasy stories, L. Ron Hubbard developed a system called Dianetics which was first expounded in book form in May 1950. He subsequently developed his ideas into a wide-ranging set of doctrines and practices as part of a new religious movement that he called Scientology.
Wednesday, March 13, 2024 | Monday, March 13, 2023 | Thursday, March 13, 2025
Hamaspathmaidyem Gahambar
Zoroastrian
There are six Gahanbars (five-day festivals) spread throughout the year. This gagambar is not a seasonal festival in the technical sense, but rather celebrates mankind and commemorates the souls of the dead at the end of the religious year. It is better known as frawardigan.
General Practices: Each Gahanbar is a period to focus on worship and those celebrating will perform only necessary work.
Friday, March 15, 2024 | Wednesday, March 15, 2023
Saint Patrick's Day
Christian
Christian celebration of Patrick who brought Christianity to Ireland in early days of the faith.
Sunday, March 17, 2024 | Friday, March 17, 2023 | Monday, March 17, 2025
Clean Monday
Eastern Orthodox Christian
Orthodox Christian first day of Lent† Liturgically, Clean Monday‚ and thus Lent itself begins on the preceding Sunday night at a special service called Forgiveness Vespers, which culminates with the Ceremony of Mutual Forgiveness, at which all present will bow down before one another and ask forgiveness. In this way, the faithful begin Lent with a clean conscience, with forgiveness, and with renewed Christian love.
General Practices: The entire first week of Great Lent is often referred to as "Clean Week," and it is customary to go to Confession during this week, and to clean the house thoroughly.
Monday, March 18, 2024 | Monday, February 27, 2023 | Monday, March 3, 2025
Saint Benedict Day
Roman Catholic
Recognition of the father of the The Benedictine Order. It was the first Order of the Western Church Monastic tradition and lived by the Benedictine Rule.
Thursday, March 21, 2024 | Tuesday, March 21, 2023 | Friday, March 21, 2025
Fast of Esther
Jewish
A fast from dawn until dusk on Purim eve.
Thursday, March 21, 2024 | Monday, March 6, 2023 | Thursday, March 13, 2025
Purim
Jewish
Purim is not subject to the restrictions on work that affect some other holidays. However, some sources indicate that Jews should not go about their ordinary business on Purim out of respect for the festival. If planning an evening event, provide food accommodations (kosher restrictions apply)
Purim commemorates the time when the Jews were living in Persia and were saved by the courage of a young Jewish woman called Esther.
General Practices: Many Jews hold carnival-like celebrations on Purim, dressing in costumes, and read the Book of Esther. Triangular, fruit-filled pastries are eaten in opposition to the villain Haman, who wore a three-cornered hat. Begins at sundown on the first day.
Thursday, March 23, 2023 | Monday, March 6, 2023 | Thursday, March 13, 2025
Orthodox Sunday
Eastern Orthodox Christian
Orthodox Christian first Sunday of Lent. Restoration of icons to the church is celebrated.
Sunday, March 24, 2024 | Sunday, March 5, 2023 | Sunday, March 9, 2025
Pioneer Day
Mormon
Mormon observation of arrival of the first settlers at Great Salt Lake, USA, and commemoration of the Mormon exodus from Illinois and crossing of the American continent.
General Practices: Each year celebrations are held in Utah’s cities (in addition to smaller observances held worldwide in Latter-day Saint congregations) to commemorate, with parades and reenactments, the entry of the first pioneers into Salt Lake.
Sunday, March 24, 2024 | Monday, July 24, 2023 | Wednesday, March 26, 2025
Holi
Hindu
Also known as the "festival of colors," this holiday can be traced to Hindu scriptures commemorating good over evil. This date is also a celebration of the colorful spring and a farewell to the dull winter.
General Practices: Hindus often sprinkle colored water and powder on others and celebrate with bonfires and lights, signifying victory of good over evil.
Date Details: Celebrated at the end of the winter season on the last full moon day of the lunar moon in late February or early March.
Monday, March 25, 2024 | Wednesday, March 8, 2023 | Thursday, March 13, 2025
Hola Mohalla
Sikh
A Sikh day when mock battles are fought and martial arts are displayed. It follows the Hindu festival of Holi by one day.
March 25, 2024 - March 27, 2024 | Wednesday, March 8, 2023 | March 14, 2025 - March 16, 2025
Maundy Thursday
Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Thursday before Easter, commemorates the Last Supper of Jesus with the Apostles.
Prayer, communion (Eucharist), meals, and foot-washing ceremonies among some Christian denominations
Date Details: Always falls on the Thursday before Easter Sunday.
Thursday, March 28, 2024 | Thursday, April 6, 2023 | Thursday, April 17, 2025
Good Friday
Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Provide food accommodations: Meat is prohibited during meals for some (fish is not considered meat).
Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Among some sects of Christianity and in many countries it marks a day of fasting.
Recommended accommodations: Significant. Prayer, fasting, and noon or afternoon services in some Christian denominations.
Date Details: Always falls on the Friday before Easter Sunday.
Friday, March 29, 2024 | Friday, April 7, 2023 | Friday, April 18, 2025
Holy Friday
Eastern Orthodox Christian
Recommended accommodations: Avoid scheduling important academic deadlines, events and activities on the date.
Friday before Easter, commemorates the crucifixion of Jesus Christ. Among some sects of Christianity and in many countries marks a day of fasting.
Prayer, fasting, confession, and church services as well as the wrapping or dying of eggs (often red) in preparation for Easter Sunday.
Date Details: Orthodox Good Friday is determined by the Julian calendar which regulates ceremonial cycle of the Eastern Orthodox Christian churches.
Friday, March 29, 2024 | Friday, April 7, 2023 | Friday, April 18, 2025
Easter
Christian, Roman Catholic, Protestant
Annual commemoration of the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Recommended Accommodations: Significant. Celebratory meals, family gatherings, distribution of colored eggs, baskets and chocolate bunnies. It is a celebration of renewal.
Date Details: Easter Sunday is determined by the Gregorian calendar. The Gregorian calendar regulates ceremonial cycle of the Roman Catholic and Protestant churches.
Sunday, March 31, 2024 | Sunday, April 9, 2023 | Sunday, April 20, 2025