On November 11, 1918, fighting ceased on battlefields in western Europe. More than 110,000 Americans lost their lives in the conflict. The following year, President Woodrow Wilson declared November 11 “Armistice Day,” a day to reflect on the war, honor those who served and remember those lost in battle. After the unconscionable losses sustained in World War II – nearly 420,000 Americans alone – President Dwight D. Eisenhower changed “Armistice Day” to “Veterans Day,” a national holiday to be observed on November 11 every year.
It’s all too common in schools: being taunted, teased, and even physically abused by peers. An estimated one in five kids will experience bullying before they graduate high school. The internet and easy access to social media have added a new layer to this issue. Parents, teachers, and lawmakers are all working to raise awareness about bullying and make our schools a safer place.
Look at your calendar and find the second Monday of October. You’ll likely see the words “Columbus Day” written there, a national holiday made official in 1937 by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.
On World Mental Health Day, October 10, 2021, the world will be a year and a half into the COVID-19 pandemic. Around the world, people are experiencing a heightened sense of fear, anxiety, and isolation. As new variants of the illness create unknown risks, many are weary and disillusioned.
This year, more than 333,000 Americans will receive a life-changing diagnosis: they have breast cancer. Nearly 45,000 of them will not survive. But there is hope. Those who are diagnosed early – when cancer is in its early stages and localized – have a 99% survival rate.
Every 65 seconds, someone in the world is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease. By the year 2050, an estimated 16 million Americans could be living with this devastating and most common form of dementia. We recognize World Alzheimer’s Day on September 21 to raise awareness and continue the search for a cure.
The purpose of National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is twofold.
First, to raise awareness about HIV/AIDS infection rates among adults aged 50 and older. In 2018, nearly 17% of all new HIV diagnoses in the U.S. were in adults over 50. On this holiday, organizations hope to bring attention to this issue, telling older adults that HIV can infect people of any age, at any stage of their lives.
According to the latest census data, there are more than 62 million Hispanic Americans currently living in the country. Each of those individuals has roots that trace back to Spanish-speaking countries around the globe. Many families have passed down traditions through the generations, leaving a rich artistic and cultural legacy. We honor these traditions during Hispanic Heritage Month each year, beginning on September 15.
In 2003, the World Health Organization, in conjunction with the International Association for Suicide Prevention, designated September 10 as World Suicide Prevention Day. Now nearing its 20th year, World Suicide Prevention Day is a chance to shine a spotlight on mental health and suicide around the globe. It’s also an opportunity to bring awareness to organizations that address mental health crises and prevent suicide.
Literacy is the benchmark by which a healthy society is measured. Learning how to read and write isn’t just important in the classroom. Literacy impacts all facets of society, from healthcare to economic stability and beyond. In fact, experts use a country’s literacy rates to determine the overall “health and competence of communities.”
Since 1894, Americans have celebrated Labor Day, a day to recognize the contributions of our country’s workers. Leading up to the creating of Labor Day, American workers struggled to make a decent living. During the height of the Industrial Revolution, many Americans – including small children – worked 12 hours a day, seven days a week, simply to afford basic necessities.
Today in America, 43 children will be diagnosed with cancer. More than 300,000 children worldwide will face a cancer diagnosis this year. The diagnosis is terrifying, both for the patient and their families.
Every day, countless humanitarian workers serve fearlessly, striving to make the world a safer and more peaceful place. And every year, brave men and women die in this pursuit. On August 19, we honor and recognize those who put their lives on the line for others. World Humanitarian Day, established by the United Nations in 2009, memorializes the anniversary of the Iraqi UN headquarters bombing, where 22 people lost their lives.
Perhaps more than any time in memory, vaccines are the main point of social discussion. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the importance of vaccines and their ability to save lives. However, some remain skeptical – or even fearful – of vaccines. Years of disinformation have caused an entire generation that distrusts vaccines, including the COVID-19 vaccine.
On July 17, 1998, an international coalition signed the Rome Treaty. This treaty created the International Criminal Court, a judicial body that protects and defends human rights worldwide. Specifically, the Rome Treaty promotes international justice and protects against four international crimes: genocide, crimes against humanity, war crimes, and the crime of aggression.
Over the last few years, voting rights have become a contentious issue in the United States. In 2021, bills advanced in many Republican-led states have sought to make it harder for people to vote in elections by reducing access to mail-in voting, polling places, and imposing I.D. requirements that are limiting for some populations. Research shows that voter fraud is very rare in America and yet this myth is perpetuated in the name of election security.
However, there are organizations working to help keep voting rights secure across the country. We’ve compiled a list of organizations doing important this important work.
Most of us have heard of post-traumatic stress disorder or PTSD. While it’s often associated with military servicemembers returning from combat, PTSD can impact anyone who experiences or witnesses a traumatic event. National PTSD Awareness Day, which takes place each June 27, aims to educate the public about the pervasiveness of PTSD worldwide.
The ocean is one common bond that connects all life on the planet. Its conservation is vital to life on earth – both above and below the water’s surface. For nearly 20 years, countries around the globe have come together on June 8 to observe World Oceans Day, a day to promote ocean education and take action to protect our planet’s waters.
Dementia disorders, like Alzheimer’s disease and associated diagnoses, impact nearly 6 million Americans. While we typically associate dementia with aging populations, plenty of younger people are diagnosed with Alzheimer’s and other dementias each year. Every June, the Alzheimer’s Association sponsors Alzheimer’s and Brain Awareness Month, a chance to educate the public about dementia and offer resources for patients and their families.
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