November 1st - November 30th

National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, also known as Native American Heritage Month, is celebrated in the United States every November to honor the cultures, histories, and contributions of Native Americans.  It was originally a single-day recognition, which was later changed to a month by Dr. Arthur C. Parker and Rev. Sherman Coolidge.  This month highlights the awareness of Native American tribes, how they endured challenges, and their major role in shaping the nation.

Here are a few fun facts:

• Ishi, the last Yahi: Ishi was the final known member of the Yahi tribe in which he symbolized the loss of indigenous cultures.

• Sequoia tree tribute: The well-known Sequoia tree was named in honor of a Cherokee leader named Sequoia, who created a writing system for his people.

• American Natives referred to as Indians: The term was coined by Christopher Columbus, who though he had reached India. Even after 500 years,  Native Americans are often still referred to as Indians.

• State Names: Many U.S. state names were derived from Native languages like Connecticut, Kentucky, and Arizona.

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November 1st - November 30th

National Adoption Month is celebrated every November to bring attention to the urgent need for permanent families for children in youth and foster care. The month had been officially established by President Bill Clinton in 1995. In recent years, the focus has shifted more toward teen adoption, noting that teens in foster care usually wait longer for permanent homes and have higher risks of aging out without stable connections.  The 2025 theme is "Honoring Youth: Strengthening Pathways for Lasting Bonds."  This theme pushes the importance of respecting each youth's story and support network to create meaningful, healing, and lasting adoptions.

Here are some facts about adoption in the U.S.:

• 1 in 5 children waiting for adoption are between the ages of 13-17.

• The average age of children waiting to be adopted is around 7.6 years old.

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November 1, 2025- November 2, 2025 

Día de los Muertos, or Day of the Dead in English, is a vibrant and traditional holiday. It is celebrated primarily in Mexico, but also in other Spanish-speaking countries. The purpose of this holiday is to remember and honor relatives and friends who have passed away. Unlike a typical funeral, it is celebrated like a joyful party; with food, dancing, parades, face paint, and colorful ofrendas. These ofrendas are spiritual altars that display photos of the departed along with their favorite foods and cherished items. The holiday’s main purpose is to bridge the world of the living and the dead for two days of traditional, spiritual, and lively celebrations. 

Here are some fun facts about Día de los Muertos: 

• Marigolds are considered the flower of the dead and are believed to guide spirits to their respective ofrendas.

• While a fun tradition, skull face painting also has deep symbolism and is a representation of life and death, and honoring those who have died.

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November 5th-6th, 2025 

The Yi Peng Festival is an annual celebration held in Chiang Mai, Thailand. This festival symbolizes the letting go of misfortune and is most known for the release of thousands of glowing lanterns into the night sky.  This release is believed to symbolize the letting go of misfortune, to secure luck, and a way to connect with the Buddhist religion and Buddha himself. Yi Peng follows the Thai lunar calendar and typically falls on the full moon of the twelfth lunar month. The timing of this festival often coincides with Loy Krathong, another Thai festival of light, during which people float decorated baskets (krathongs) on rivers to honor the water goddess and cleanse away negativity.

Here are some fun facts about the Yi Peng Festival: 

• The mass lantern release is one of the most photographed events in Thailand 

• During the festival, a variety of cultural music is performed, including Lanna-style music, traditional folk dances, and rhythmic drumming.

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