There are hundreds of national and global holidays dedicated to raising awareness and support for meaningful causes.
At Good Good Good, we aim to help people feel more hopeful and do more good. For years we’ve privately curated a comprehensive list of important cause-themed holidays that we've used for creating content on our popular good news Instagram, our Goodnewsletter, and our Goodnewspaper.
We’re making this list public for the first time, in the hopes it’ll help you or your organization bring attention to important issues.
Where applicable, we’ve included resources (usually good news around particular topics — or action steps on how to make a difference) — and encourage you to share them if you find them helpful.
We’ve also created more awareness calendars with even more:
- Heritage Months Calendar
- International Days Calendar
- Social Media Holidays Calendar
- Environmental & Sustainability Calendar
- Book Holidays Calendar
- Library Celebrations Calendar
- LGBTQ+ Pride Calendar
- Black Holidays Calendar
- Women Holidays Calendar
- Animal Awareness Calendar
- Pet Holidays Calendar
- Mental Health Awareness Calendar
- Health Awareness Calendar
- Disability Awareness Calendar
- Cancer Awareness Calendar
- HIV/AIDS Awareness Calendar
Bookmark this page and revisit it as often as you need. We’ll continue to update it over time.
National Days, Diversity & Inclusion Weeks, and Awareness Months — 2023
January
Holidays
New Year’s Day - January 1st
Read our guide on sustainable New Year's resolutions to help the planet or explore ideas for your “word of the year”
Martin Luther King Jr.’s Birthday - January 15th
Read the best MLK quotes that go beyond the clichés
Religious Freedom Day - January 16th
Dolly Parton’s Birthday - January 19th
Celebrate the day by reading Dolly Parton’s most inspiring quotes about making the world a better place
International Holocaust Remembrance Day - January 27th
Use and share this guide on how to combat antisemitism in your community and around the world
NASA Day of Remembrance - January 27th
Martin Luther King Jr. Day - Third Monday in January
Get to know how best to celebrate Martin Luther King Day and read quotes from his wife, Coretta Scott King, and his daughter, Bernice King.
Weeks & Months
National Blood Donor Month
National Hobby Month
Explore the ultimate list of hobbies — and our guide to hobbies for women
Cervical Health Awareness Month
February
Holidays
National Freedom Day - February 1st
World Hijab Day - February 1st
World Wetlands Day - February 2nd
National Women Physicians Day - February 3rd
World Cancer Day - February 4th
Learn about the good news about the fight against cancer and meet one doctor changing the way we treat cancer
Rosa Parks Birthday - February 4th
Transit Equity Day - February 4th
National Mail Carrier Day - February 4th
National Day of Women and Girls in Science - February 11th
Get inspired by Afghan girls who are bypassing the Taliban through underground coding classes
Abraham Lincoln's Birthday - February 12th
Shine a Light on Slavery Day - February 13th
Read about one nonprofit that found a creative way to combat human trafficking with a fashion challenge
Valentine’s Day - February 14th
We put together a guide on fun ways to celebrate Valentine’s Day sustainably and a guide to eco-friendly sustainable Valentine’s Day gifts to buy
Anniversary of the Parkland Shooting - February 14th
Read about the Parkland students who became activists and are working to bring an end to gun violence — and also about how to stop school shootings
Random Act of Kindness Day - February 17th
Try one of these ideas for random acts of kindness
World Whale Day - February 19th
Want some good news about whales? Humpback whales are THRIVING!
World Day of Social Justice - February 20th
Check out our curated collection of the best quotes about social justice
Rare Disease Day - February 28th
There’s good news to be celebrated about science’s progress against rare diseases
Weeks & Months
Black History Month
Read these ideas to celebrate Black History Month
March
Holidays
World Compliment Day - March 1st
Learn about the power of compliments and explore the ultimate list of the best compliment ideas
Self Harm Awareness Day - March 1st
India Giving Day - March 2nd
World Teen Mental Health Day - March 2nd
World Wildlife Day - March 3rd
Read and share ideas for how to celebrate World Wildlife Day
Global Day of Unplugging - March 3rd
International Women’s Day - March 8th
Explore and share ideas for how to celebrate International Women’s Day
Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s Birthday - March 15th
Read and share Ruth Bader Ginsburg’s best quotes
Global Recycling Day - March 18th
Fred Rogers’ Birthday - March 20th
Explore the ultimate list of the best quotes from Mister Rogers
World Down Syndrome Day - March 21st
International Day of Forests - March 21st
International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination - March 21st
World Water Day - March 22nd
Check out this collection of the best positive news stories about water
World Tuberculosis Day - March 24th
TWLOHA Day - March 29th
World Bipolar Day - March 30th
International Transgender Day of Visibility - March 31st
Read and share the ultimate guide on how to celebrate International Transgender Day of Visibility
Weeks & Months
Women’s History Month
Explore our guide to activities and ideas for Women’s History Month — and read and share empowering quotes for Women’s History Month
Social Work Month
National Reading Month
Explore our top Good Good Good-approved book recommendations and make sure to shop with independent (non-Amazon) bookstores
Disability Awareness Month
Explore our calendar of disability awareness days and weeks
April
Holidays
April Fool’s Day - April 1
Check out Good Good Good’s article which may or may not be an April Fool’s joke
World Autism Acceptance Day - April 2nd
Jane Goodall’s Birthday - April 3rd
Celebrate Jane Goodall's birthday by reading her most iconic quotes about animals, climate change, and living a meaningful life
Maya Angelou’s Birthday - April 4th
Read and share the best quotes by Maya Angelou
National Library Day - April 6th
Read about the many reasons libraries are important
World Health Day - April 7th
Get inspired by quotes from global health advocate Paul Farmer and read the best positive articles about world health
National Pet Day - April 11th
Read and share the ultimate guide on how to celebrate National Pet Day
International Cli-Fi Day - April 20th
Explore our list of the best “climate fiction” books
Cannabis Justice Day (4/20) - April 20th
Learn about the organizations working to support cannabis clemency
Earth Day - April 22nd
Explore out guide full of activities and ideas to celebrate Earth Day. Plus: Read the best good news stories about climate change and all of Good Good Good’s positive coverage on the environment. And check out our list of the best Earth Day quotes.
World Malaria Day - April 25th
Good news: The new malaria vaccine is poised to save millions of children’s lives
World Penguin Day - April 25th
International Lesbian Day of Visibility - April 26th
Coretta Scott King’s Birthday - April 27th
Get inspired by the best quotes from Coretta Scott King and learn more about her legacy
Global Pay It Forward Day - April 28th
Arbor Day - Last Friday in April
Learn about how many trees are on planet earth, read our review of Ecosia (the free tool that plants trees while you surf the internet), explore tree quotes, and read all of our positive tree news.
Independent Bookstore Day - Last Saturday in April
Read and share the complete guide to Independent Bookstore Day celebration ideas. Plus: Learn about the best online bookstores that aren’t Amazon — many of which support local independent bookstores
Weeks & Months
National Volunteer Week - Third Week of April
National Park Week - Week-long Event in April
Read and share our guide on ways to celebrate National Park Week. Plus: Learn about fee-free days at national parks and explore the best products and gifts that give back to national parks
Sexual Assault Awareness Month
Arab American Heritage Month
Read about the best ways to celebrate Arab American Heritage Month
Earth Month
Learn about the history of Earth Month and ideas for how to celebrate Earth Month
May
Holidays
World Press Freedom Day - May 3rd
National Teacher’s Day - 1st Tuesday of May
National Missing and Murdered Indigenous Persons Awareness Day - May 5th
Fair Trade Day - May 8th
Mother’s Day - 2nd Sunday of May
Learn about the viral Mother's Day campaign encouraging ‘phone calls not flowers’
National Do Something Good For Your Neighbor Day - May 16th
International Day Against Homophobia, Transphobia, and Biphobia - May 17th
Mental Health Action Day - May 18th
Learn about the people working to support mental health around the world
Global Accessibility Awareness Day - 3rd Thursday of May
National Rescue Dog Day - May 20th
Read and share these reasons to adopt a rescue dog
World Bee Day - May 20th
“Bee Girl Sarah” is saving the bees and providing education on how others can join in
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables Day - May 21st
Find out which fruits and veggies are in season right now
Harvey Milk Day - May 22nd
Learn from the life of Harvey Milk by reading his quotes
Mister Rogers’ 143 Day - May 23rd
In honor of Mister Rogers’ love for the number 143 — learn how to celebrate 143 Day and check out the 143 best quotes from America’s neighbor
Menstrual Hygiene Day - May 28th
Learn About Composting Day - May 29th
Start by learning about food waste
Weeks & Months
National Nurses’ Week - May 6th-12th
Teacher Appreciation Week - 1st Full Week of May
Read and share ideas for how to celebrate Teacher Appreciation Week
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Read and share ideas for how to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Read and share ideas for how to celebrate Jewish American Heritage Month
Mental Health Awareness Month
Read and share ideas for how to celebrate MHA Month
No Mow May
June
Holidays
Global Day of Parents - June 1st
National Gun Violence Awareness Day - June 3rd
Read and share quotes about gun violence
Tiananmen Square Anniversary - June 4th
World Environment Day - June 5th
Intersectional Environmentalist’s Birthday - June 8th
Learn more about intersectional environmentalism and dive into the whole topic in The Intersectional Environmentalist Edition of the Goodnewspaper, guest-edited by Leah Thomas
World Oceans Day - June 8th
Read and share ideas about how to celebrate World Oceans Day
World Day Against Child Labor - June 12th
Pulse Day of Remembrance - June 12th
World Blood Donor Day - June 14th
Global Wind Day - June 15th
Juneteenth - June 19th
Read and share ideas about how to thoughtfully celebrate Juneteenth and read these Juneteenth quotes
World Refugee Day - June 20th
Read and share ideas about how to celebrate World Refugee Day, read quotes by and about refugees, and get inspired by the good being done by and for refugees around the world
#ShowYourStripes Day - June 21st
First Use of LGBTQ+ Pride Flag - June 25th
Learn about the meaning of every LGBTQ+ Pride flag
Weeks & Months
Immigrant Heritage Month
Animal Cruelty Prevention Month
Read and share the best quotes about stopping animal cruelty
Gun Violence Awareness Month
Take action to prevent gun violence in the United States
Pride Month
Get ideas for how to thoughtfully celebrate LGBTQ+ Pride Month
July
Holidays
Canada Day - July 1st
Dive into the best good news from Canada
Independence Day - July 4th
Tom Hanks’ Birthday - July 9th
Chronic Disease Day - July 10th
Cheer Up the Lonely Day - July 11th
Read these ideas on how to cheer yourself up
Malala Day - July 12th
Read all of Malala Yousafzai’s most inspiring quotes
World Chimpanzee Day - July 14th
Read all of the best quotes from Jane Goodall and learn about famous conservationists
Be Love Day (King Center) - July 16th
World Day for International Justice - July 17th
Read and share from our curated collection of the best quotes about justice
Mandela Day - July 18th
Read all of Nelson Mandela's best quotes
Anniversary of the First Women’s Rights Convention - July 19th
International Self-Care Day - July 24th
Learn how to celebrate International Self-Care Day. Plus: Explore inspiring self-care quotes and try out a few self-care ideas
Emmett Till’s Birthday - July 25th
Learn more about how to honor the life of Emmett Till by supporting his memorials
Anniversary of Americans with Disabilities Act - July 26th
World Rabies Day - July 28th
World Heart Day - July 29th
International Day of Friendship - July 30th
Weeks & Months
Disability Pride Month
Get ideas for how to thoughtfully celebrate Disability Pride Month this year
Plastic Free July
BIPOC Mental Health Month
Explore these Black mental health resources
August
Holidays
Emancipation Day - August 1st
Esther Day - August 3rd
Read and share this guide about how to celebrate Esther Day
International Day of the World’s Indigenous People - August 9th
Get to know Indigenous activists making the world a better place
National Nonprofit Day - August 17th
19th Amendment Ratified - August 18th
World Humanitarian Day - August 19th
Read our guide on ideas for celebrating World Humanitarian Day this year
Remember Slavery Day - August 23rd
Women’s Equality Day - August 26th
Mother Teresa’s Birthday - August 27th
Anniversary of the March on Washington - August 28th
Grief Awareness Day - August 30th
Weeks & Months
National Black Business Month
Explore our guide to finding and supporting Black-owned businesses, restaurants, and more in your community
September
Holidays
Anniversary of the End of World War II - September 2nd
Every Woman Day - September 3rd
International Day of Charity - September 5th
National Food Bank Day - First Friday of September
charity: water’s Birthday - September 7th
Learn about the creative ways that kids are raising money and awareness for charity: water
International Literacy Day - September 8th
Ruby Bridges’ Birthday - September 8th
Civil Rights Act of 1957 - September 9th
R U OK Day - September 9th
World Suicide Prevention Day - September 10th
Read about how to support someone who’s struggling with suicide
9/11 National Day of Service and Remembrance - September 11th
Positive Thinking Day - September 13th
Read this curated collection of positive quotes — and make sure to subscribe to the Goodnewspaper for the best positive news
International Day of Democracy - September 15th
Constitution Day - September 17th
WHO World Patient Safety Day - September 17th
National Cleanup Day - 3rd Saturday of September
World Lymphoma Awareness Day - September 20th
International Day of Peace - September 21st
World Alzheimer’s Day - September 21st
Zero Emissions Day - September 21st
World Car-Free Day - September 22nd
Explore this list of ways to live and commute without a car
Celebrate Bisexuality Day - September 23rd
National Public Lands Day - September 24th
Read and share this guide on how to celebrate National Public Lands Day. Plus: Visit a national park for free today!
World Day of Migrants & Refugees - September 27th
World Rabies Day - September 28th
World News Day - September 28th
Practice better news-consumption habits by learning how to read the news (and don't forget the good news!)
World Heart Day - September 29th
Weeks & Months
Banned Books Week
Read and share our guide to how to fight book bans during Banned Books Week and beyond
Suicide Prevention Week
Explore our guide to Suicide Prevention Week actions and ideas
National Disability Voting Rights Week
National Suicide Prevention Month
Checkout the Suicide Prevention Month action guide — and also read and share this collection of the best suicide prevention quotes
Mullets For Mental Health Month
Read this good news story about the Australians sporting mullets to raise money for mental health research
Library Card Sign-up Month
Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15th to October 15th
Get ideas for how to thoughtfully celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month
October
Holidays
National Vegetarian Day - October 1st
Jimmy Carter’s Birthday - October 1st
Read and share the best Jimmy Carter quotes about hope and making a difference
International Day of Non-Violence - October 2nd
Disabled Authors Day - October 2nd
Read and share the best books about disabilities — written by disabled authors
World Animal Day - October 4th
There’s so much animal good news to celebrate! Dive into some of the best stories worth sharing.
World Habitat Day - October 4th
World Teachers Day - October 5th
Read about these famous teachers and educators changing the world and watch these teacher TikToks
Archbishop Desmond Tutu’s Birthday - October 7th
Read and share Desmond Tutu’s most inspiring quotes
World Sight Day - 2nd Thursday of October
World Homeless Day - October 10th
Explore our guide on how to create a homeless care package and share these quotes about homelessness
World Mental Health Day - October 10th
Explore our guide to World Mental Health Day activities & shop mental health shirts that give back to charity
World Inclusion Day - October 10th
International Day of the Girl - October 11th
National Coming Out Day - October 11th
Eleanor Roosevelt’s Birthday - October 11th
Read and share First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt’s most inspiring quotes
International Newspaper Carrier Day - October 12th
A fantastic day to show off your Goodnewspaper
Treat Yo’ Self Day - October 13th
The perfect day to practice some self-care! Check out our self-care ideas, the best self-care apps, and even some self-care quotes.
Spirit Day (LGBTQ+ Youth) - October 15th
World Food Day / World Hunger Day - October 16th
Learn about hunger: How many people die of hunger? Is hunger a winnable war? How can we make a difference? And what quotes can inspire us to stop world hunger?
International Day for the Eradication of Poverty - October 17th
Learn from the leaders at the forefront of fighting poverty and the systemic injustices that cause it by reading quotes about poverty
Pronouns Day - October 21st
International Stuttering Awareness Day - October 22nd
Get to know this organization helping to end the stigma around stuttering
Rosa Parks Death Anniversary - October 24th
United Nations Day - October 24th
World Polio Day - October 24th
Paul Farmer’s Birthday - October 26th
Read about Paul Farmer's inspirational life dedicated to social justice, health equity, and eradicating poverty — and read his best quotes
Hillary Clinton’s Birthday - October 26th
Bob Ross’ Birthday - October 29th
World Psoriasis Day - October 29th
Weeks & Months
Pizzamas - Two-week Event in Fall
Read all about Pizzamas: a unique holiday raising money for charity
OCD Week - 2nd Week of October
Learn more about obsessive compulsive disorder from our guide: What actually is OCD — and how to make a difference for the people you care about
Hispanic Heritage Month (continued) - September 15th to October 15th
Share these Hispanic Heritage month quotes
National Book Month
Explore our guide to activities and ideas to celebrate National Book Month
Socktober
Explore our guide to history, activities, and ideas to celebrate Socktober
National Co-op Month
AIDS Awareness Month
We’ve made a lot of progress in the fight against AIDS — and that’s worth celebrating!
November
Holidays
World Vegan Day - November 1st
World Adoption Day - November 9th
Yvon Chouinard’s Birthday - November 9th
Learn more about the founder of Patagonia by reading Yvon Chouinard's best quotes about the environment, sustainable business, and adventure
Veterans Day - November 11th
Explore these activities and ideas for how to celebrate Veterans Day
World Pneumonia Day - November 12th
World Kindness Day - November 13th
Explore the ultimate guide for how to celebrate World Kindness Day
World Diabetes Day - November 14th
Bryan Stevenson’s Birthday - November 14th
Read the best quotes from Bryan Stevenson — and learn about his admirable work
International Day for Tolerance - November 16th
Social Enterprise Day - November 17th
Corita Kent’s Birthday - November 20th
Trans Day of Remembrance - November 20th
International Day for the Elimination of Violence Against Women - November 25th
Small Business Saturday - 1st Saturday after Thanksgiving
Explore these creative ideas for how to celebrate Small Business Saturday
Giving Tuesday - 1st Tuesday after Thanksgiving
Read and share our article on how and where to donate for Giving Tuesday (and more ideas)
Weeks & Months
Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week - Week prior to Thanksgiving
Native American Heritage Month
Explore the ultimate guide for how to (meaningfully) celebrate Native American Heritage Month
December
Holidays
World AIDS Day - December 1st
Celebrate World AIDS Day by reading good news about the fight against HIV/AIDS
International Day of Persons with Disabilities - December 3rd
International Volunteer Day - December 5th
Human Rights Day - December 10th
Nobel Prize Day - December 10th
Bill of Rights Day - December 15th
International Day to End Violence Against Sex Workers - December 17th
International Migrants Day - December 18th
Weeks & Months
Dressember
Learn more about how Dressember is using dresses to make a difference
Explore More Events:
Main Awareness Calendars: All Awareness Holidays | Heritage Months | International Days | Social Media Holidays
More Awareness Calendars: Animals | Pets | Environment & Sustainability | Books | Libraries | Religion | LGBTQ+ | Black & African American | Hispanic | Women | Mental Health | Health | Healthcare | Disability | Cancer | HIV/AIDS
Awareness Days & Months: January | February | March | April | May | June | July | August | September | October | November | December
Is this list missing a holiday or awareness week/month? Let us know. We want to ensure this list is comprehensive and inclusive.
