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 - May 2025
First Day of Ridvan
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: Those celebrating will likely ask for the day off. Work is to be suspended on days 1, 9, and 12 of the festival.
Bahá'í commemoration of the twelve-day period in 1863 when Baha'u'llah declared that he was God's messenger for this age.
April 20, 2025 - May 1, 2025
Yom Ha'atzmaut
Jewish
A national day of Israel commemorating the Israeli Declaration of Independence in 1948.
Apr 30, 2025 – May 1, 2025
Twelfth Day of Ridvan
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: Those celebrating will likely ask for the day off. Work is to be suspended on days 1, 9, and 12 of the festival.
Bahá'í commemoration of the twelve-day period in 1863 when Baha'u'llah declared that he was God's messenger for this age.
April 30, 2025 - May 1, 2025
Beltane
Pagan, Wiccan, Druid
The fire festival that celebrates the coming of summer and the fertility of the coming year. One of the eight major annual sabbats or festivals.
General Practices: Jumping the balefire, dancing the Maypole.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
National Day of Prayer
Christian, Protestant, Sikh, Islam, Hindu, Jewish
An annual day of observance held on the first Thursday of May, designated by the United States Congress, when people are asked "to turn to God in prayer and meditation." Each year since its inception, the president has signed a proclamation, encouraging all Americans to pray on this day. This day is celebrated by Americans of many religions, reflecting the demographics of the United States.
General Practices: On the National Day of Prayer, many Americans assemble in prayer in front of courthouses, as well as in houses of worship, such as churches, mosques, synagogues, and temples. Luncheons, picnics, and music performances revolving around praying for the nation are also popular observances.
Wednesday, May 1, 2024
National Day of Reason
Atheist, Agnostic, Humanist, Secularist
A secular celebration for humanists, atheists, and other secularists and freethinkers in response to the National Day of Prayer, a legal holiday in the United States that many atheist and secular groups view to be unconstitutional. The purpose of the National Day of Reason is to "celebrate reason‚ concept all Americans can support‚ nd to raise public awareness about the persistent threat to religious liberty posed by government intrusion into the private sphere of worship." The National Day of Reason is also meant to help build community among the non-religious in the United States.
Thursday, May 1, 2025
Saint Phillip and James
Roman Catholic
Catholic Christian remembrance of two disciples of Jesus.
Saturday, May 3, 2025
Visakha Puja / Vesak
Buddhist
Recommended Accommodation: Provide food accommodations and offer vegetarian options when planning menus for events on this date.
This holiday is traditionally known as Buddha birthday. It is the major Buddhist festival, commemorating the birth, enlightenment, and death of the Buddha.
General Practices: Buddhists often decorate their homes and visit their local temples. Observers are encouraged to refrain from slaughtering and to avoid eating meat on this date.
Monday, May 12, 2025
Hanuman Jayanti
Hindu
Hindu celebration of Hanuman who was an embodiment of Lord Rama. Devotion and selfless work are encouraged.
General Practices: Devotees visit Hanuman temples and apply sindhur to their foreheads from Hanuman's body.
Monday, May 12, 2025
Lag Ba'Omer
Jewish
Observation of the counting of the day‚ "the link‚" between Pesach and Shavout.
General Practices: It is often celebrated by the lighting of bonfires.
May 15, 2025 - May 16, 2025
Declaration of the Bab
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: Those celebrating will likely ask for the day off. Work is suspended.
Recognizes the declaration in 1844 by Ali Muhammed that he is the anticipated "Coming One" of all religions.
May 22, 2025 - May 23, 2025
Ascension of Baha'u'llah
Baháʼí
Recommended Accommodation: Those celebrating will likely ask for the day off. Work is suspended.
Recollection of the death of Baha'u'llah, the founder of the Bahá'í faith. Observed by prayers and readings.
May 27, 2025 - May 28, 2025
Ascension of Jesus
Eastern Orthodox Christian
Recognition of the departure of Jesus from earth after the resurrection. It is perhaps the earliest observed celebration in Christianity.
General Practices: It is observed with worship including prayers and music.
Thursday, May 29, 2025
Martyrdom of Guru Arjan
Sikh
Time of remembering those who have suffered for the faith. Guru Arjan Dev Ji was tortured and sentenced to death after refusing to stop preaching his message.
General Practices: Observed by reading the Guru Granth Sahib.
Friday, May 30, 2025