Equal Opportunity Office (Military)

Phone: (847) 688-3680 x7537
DSN: 792-3680 x7537
Fax: (847) 688-3463

Special/Ethnic Observances

Special/Ethnic Observances are designed to enhance cross-cultural and cross-gender awareness and promote harmony among military members, their families, and the civilian work force. Activities conducted are extensions of the equal opportunity education and training objectives. Observances are set aside annually to recognize the achievements and contributions made by members of the designated group, and the focus should be directed toward encouraging interaction and not just recognition. The following observances are recognized by the Department of Defense:

January
3rd Monday
Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Birthday
Public Law 98-144, Nov 1983 (Federal Holiday)
February
1st—28/29th
African-American/Black History Month
First Presidential Proclamation - Feb 1976
March
1st—31st
Women’s History Month
Public Law 100-9, Mar 1987
April/May
Week of
Yom Ha' Shoah¹
"Days of Remembrance" of Victims of the Holocaust
Public Law 96-388, Oct 1980
May
1st—31st
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
First Presidential Proclamation, May 1991
August
26th
Women’s Equality Day
Nineteenth Ammendment, First Presidential Proclamation, May 1973
September/October
15th—15th
Hispanic Heritage Month
Public Law 100-402, Aug 1988
November
1st—30th
Native-American Heritage Month
Public Law 102-188, Mar 1992

¹ Yom Ha' Shoah date set by Hebrew calandar, occuring on 27th of Nissan.