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Welcome to the July Resource Page! This month we focus on Independence Day, Nelson Mandela Day, South Asian Heritage Month, Islamic New Year, International Day of Friendship, Thurgood Marshall's Birthday and Disability Pride Month. We invite you to explore the links below for more on each topic and hope to find the information and resources for this month relevant and beneficial!
Independence Day
The resources on this page provide opportunities to reflect on our nation, specifically as we celebrate Independence Day. These resources focus on the past, the present, and the future through lenses of (in)equality, colonization, race, and more. The aim of this page is to not only acknowledge some of the many historic and current issues, but also highlight and celebrate the communities and cultures often overlooked on this holiday.
Follow the link below for more on the cultural contexts of this holiday and what defines Independence and Freedom. Learn about what organizations like the ACLU are doing to help our nation live up to its ideals of life, liberty, and justice for all.
Nelson Mandela Day
Nelson Mandela International Day was launched in recognition of Nelson Mandela’s birthday on 18 July 2009 via unanimous decision of the UN General Assembly.
It was inspired by a call Nelson Mandela made a year earlier, for the next generation to take on the burden of leadership in addressing the world’s social injustices when he said that “it is in your hands now”.
Nelson Mandela Day is more than a celebration of his life and legacy; it is a global movement to honor his life’s work and to change the world for the better. Follow the link below for more!
South Asian Heritage Month
South Asian Heritage Month first took place in 2020 and runs from July 18th to August 17th each year. This month seeks to commemorate, mark and celebrate South Asian cultures, histories and communities, and honors the diverse histories and cultures that continue to link South Asia with the world. Follow the link below for more information about SAHM!
Al-Hijri/Islamic New Year
The Islamic New Year — also known as the Arabic New Year, Hijri New Year, and Hijra New Year— is the first day of Muharram, the first month in the Islamic calendar. The first year of this calendar began in Gregorian CE 622 when the Prophet Muhammad emigrated from Mecca to Medina with his companions. In the Islamic calendar, days begin at sunset. This year Al-Hijri takes place from July 6th to July 7th. Learn more about Islamic New year by clicking on the link below!
Disability Pride Month
For the past 32 years, July has been an important month for the disability community. The Americans With Disabilities Act was passed on July 26th, 1990. That year, Boston became the first city to celebrate Disability Pride Day with a parade. Since then cities across the country have followed suit with marches, pageants and parades. Additionally, in 2015, Mayor Bill De Blasio officially declared July as Disability Pride Month in New York City. Disability is a spectrum encompassing a vast uniqueness of illnesses. However, it is important to recognize that, contrary to the societal norm, disability should not be seen as existing “without.”
Follow the link below the picture on the left for Disability Pride Month resources!
International Day of Friendship
The International Day of Friendship is Tuesday, July 30th, 2024. It was proclaimed in 2011 by the UN General Assembly, "with the idea that friendship between peoples, countries, cultures and individuals can inspire peace efforts and build bridges between communities."
Follow the link below to learn more about this day, and don't forget to celebrate friendship this year!
Thurgood Marshall's Birthday
"Born July 2, 1908, Marshall became a fierce civil rights lawyer who fought for racial equality in courts, particularly in Maryland, throughout his life. He became a federal appeals court judge, the nation’s first Black solicitor general and the first Black Supreme Court justice."
Follow the link below to learn more about Justice Thurgood Marshall!
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