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.