November is National Native American Heritage Month, which celebrates the history and contributions of Native Americans. National Native American Heritage Month, otherwise referred to as American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month, is recognized in November to honor Native communities in their cultures and traditions while raising awareness about the unique historical and present-day struggles of Indigenous people in the US.
November was designated “National Native American Heritage Month,” in 1990 by President George H.W. Bush. American Indians and Alaska Natives make up about 2 percent of the total US population, totaling approximately 6.9 million in 2019. The states with the highest populations of Indigenous persons are Arizona, California, Oklahoma, New Mexico, Texas, North Carolina, and Alaska, in that order.
November is National Family Caregivers Month, proclaimed in 2012 by Former President Barack Obama. It honors the more than 40 million caregivers across the country who support aging parents, ill spouses or other loved ones with disabilities who remain at home.
November 1: All Saints’ Day, a Christian holiday commemorating all known and unknown Christian saints. (In Eastern Christianity, the day is observed on the first Sunday after Pentecost.)
November 2: All Souls’ Day, a Christian holiday commemorating all faithful Christians who are now dead. In the Mexican tradition, the holiday is celebrated as Dia de los Muertos (October 31- November 2), which is a time of remembrance for dead ancestors and a celebration of the continuity of life.
November 4: Diwali, the Hindu, Jain and Sikh five-day festival of lights celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and lightness over darkness.
November 5-6 (sundown to sundown): Birth of Báb, a Bahá’í holiday celebrating the birth of the prophet Báb.
November 6-7 (sundown to sundown): The birth of Bahá’u’lláh, the founder of the Bahá’í religion.
November 11: Veterans Day, a U.S. federal holiday honoring military veterans. The date is also celebrated as Armistice Day, or Remembrance Day, in other parts of the world and commemorates the ending of World War I in 1918.
November 19: International Men’s Day emphasizes the important issues affecting males, including health issues that affect males, improving the relations between genders, highlighting the importance of male role models and promoting gender equality. This holiday is celebrated in over 70 countries.
November 20: Transgender Day of Remembrance, established in 1998 to memorialize those who have been killed as a result of transphobia and to raise awareness of the continued violence endured by the transgender community.
November 21: Feast of Christ the King, a Catholic holiday established in thanking God for the gift of time and a rededication to the Christian faith.
November 25: Thanksgiving in the United States. It began as a day of giving thanks for the blessing of the harvest and of the preceding year.
November 26: Native American Heritage Day, held annually the Friday after Thanksgiving, encourages Americans of all backgrounds to observe and honor Native Americans through appropriate ceremonies and activities. The day was signed into law by George W. Bush in 2008.
November 28-December 6: Hanukkah, a Jewish holiday that is celebrated around the world for eight days and nights. Hanukkah celebrates the victory of the Maccabees, or Israelites, over the Greek-Syrian ruler, Antiochus, approximately 2,200 years ago.
November 28-January 6: Nativity Fast, a period of abstinence and penance practiced by the Eastern Orthodox, Oriental Orthodox and Eastern Catholic churches in preparation for the Nativity of Jesus.
November 28-December 24: Advent, a Christian season of celebration leading up to the birth of Christ.
November 30: St. Andrew’s Day, the feast day for St. Andrew within various Christian denominations.