Holidays, Observances & Awareness Months

Here’s a brief history of each of the awareness months recognized in the United States:

January

• National Blood Donor Month: Established in 1970 by President Richard Nixon to encourage blood donations during the winter months, when blood supplies are typically low.
• National Mentoring Month: Started in 2002 by MENTOR: The National Mentoring Partnership and the Harvard School of Public Health to promote youth mentoring.
• Cervical Cancer Awareness Month: Initiated by the United States Congress in 1999 to raise awareness and educate about cervical cancer.
• Thyroid Awareness Month: Sponsored by the American Thyroid Association to promote awareness of thyroid health.
• Glaucoma Awareness Month: Supported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to educate the public about glaucoma.
• National Slavery and Human Trafficking Prevention Month: Proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2010 to raise awareness about human trafficking and modern slavery.
• National Radon Action Month: Endorsed by the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to increase awareness about radon, a dangerous, naturally occurring radioactive gas.

February

• Black History Month: Created in 1926 as “Negro History Week” by historian Carter G. Woodson, it was expanded to a month in 1976 to honor African American history and achievements.
• American Heart Month: Proclaimed by President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1964 to raise awareness of heart disease, which is the leading cause of death in the United States.
• National Cancer Prevention Month: Promoted by the American Institute for Cancer Research to emphasize cancer prevention methods.
• Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month: Established by the Senate in 2010 to raise awareness about teen dating abuse.

March

• National Women's History Month: Originated as a week-long celebration in 1980, it was expanded to a month in 1987 by a congressional resolution to honor women’s contributions to society.
• National Nutrition Month: Created by the Academy of Nutrition and Dietetics in 1980 to promote nutrition education.
• National Colorectal Cancer Awareness Month: Initiated by President Bill Clinton in 2000 to increase awareness about colorectal cancer.
• National Kidney Month: Promoted by the National Kidney Foundation to focus on kidney health.
• Multiple Sclerosis Awareness Month: Organized by the Multiple Sclerosis Foundation to promote awareness and education about MS.
• Bleeding Disorders Awareness Month: Recognized by the U.S. Senate in 2016 to raise awareness about bleeding disorders.

April

• National Autism Awareness Month: Started by the Autism Society in the early 1970s to promote autism awareness and inclusion.
• National Child Abuse Prevention Month: First observed in 1983 following a proclamation by President Ronald Reagan to raise awareness about child abuse and neglect.
• Sexual Assault Awareness Month: Initiated by the National Sexual Violence Resource Center in 2001 to educate about sexual violence prevention.
• National Stress Awareness Month: Established in 1992 by the Health Resource Network to increase public awareness about stress and its effects.
• Parkinson's Awareness Month: Recognized by the Parkinson’s Foundation to promote awareness of Parkinson’s disease.
• National Donate Life Month: Established in 2003 by Donate Life America to encourage organ donation.
• Alcohol Awareness Month: Started in 1987 by the National Council on Alcoholism and Drug Dependence to increase awareness of alcohol-related issues.

May

• Mental Health Awareness Month: Started by Mental Health America in 1949 to raise awareness about mental health conditions.
• National Physical Fitness and Sports Month: Established in 1983 by the President’s Council on Fitness, Sports & Nutrition to promote physical activity.
• Asian Pacific American Heritage Month: First celebrated in 1977 as a week, it was expanded to a month in 1992 to honor Asian Pacific American history and contributions.
• National Foster Care Month: Recognized since 1988 to bring attention to the needs of children in foster care.
• National Stroke Awareness Month: Established by the National Stroke Association to promote stroke awareness and prevention.
• Celiac Disease Awareness Month: Promoted by the National Foundation for Celiac Awareness to educate about celiac disease.
• ALS Awareness Month: Recognized by the ALS Association to raise awareness of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis.
• National Bike Month: Created in 1956 by the League of American Bicyclists to promote biking.
• National Military Appreciation Month: Designated by Congress in 1999 to honor military service members and their families.

June

• LGBTQ+ Pride Month: Commemorates the Stonewall Riots of June 1969, which were pivotal in the fight for LGBTQ+ rights.
• National Safety Month: Observed since 1996 by the National Safety Council to raise awareness of workplace and home safety.
• Alzheimer's and Brain Awareness Month: Promoted by the Alzheimer's Association to focus on Alzheimer's disease and brain health.
• Men's Health Month: Established by Congress in 1994 to promote awareness of men's health issues.
• National PTSD Awareness Month: Officially recognized in 2010 to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder.
• National Ocean Month: Proclaimed by President Barack Obama in 2010 to celebrate and protect the oceans.

July

• National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month: Designated in 2008 to improve mental health access for minority groups.
• UV Safety Awareness Month: Supported by the American Academy of Ophthalmology to promote awareness of ultraviolet radiation's dangers.
• National Cleft & Craniofacial Awareness & Prevention Month: Sponsored by the American Cleft Palate-Craniofacial Association to raise awareness and support for individuals with facial differences.

August

• National Immunization Awareness Month: Sponsored by the National Public Health Information Coalition to promote immunization.
• National Breastfeeding Month: Recognized by the U.S. Breastfeeding Committee to promote breastfeeding.
• Children's Eye Health and Safety Month: Supported by Prevent Blindness America to focus on children's eye health.
• National Minority Donor Awareness Month: Established to promote organ donation among minority communities.
• Psoriasis Awareness Month: Organized by the National Psoriasis Foundation to raise awareness about psoriasis.

September

• National Hispanic Heritage Month: Celebrated from September 15 to October 15, it started as a week in 1968 and was expanded to a month in 1988 to honor the contributions of Hispanic and Latino Americans.
• National Suicide Prevention Awareness Month: Promoted by mental health organizations to raise awareness and provide resources for suicide prevention.
• Childhood Cancer Awareness Month: Established by President George H.W. Bush in 1990 to raise awareness about pediatric cancer.
• National Recovery Month: Started by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration in 1989 to promote recovery from substance use and mental disorders.
• Ovarian Cancer Awareness Month: Promoted by the Ovarian Cancer Research Alliance to raise awareness about ovarian cancer.
• Prostate Cancer Awareness Month: Supported by the Prostate Cancer Foundation to increase awareness and promote research.
• National Preparedness Month: Sponsored by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to encourage disaster preparedness.

October

• Breast Cancer Awareness Month: Founded in 1985 by the American Cancer Society and AstraZeneca to raise awareness about breast cancer.
• National Domestic Violence Awareness Month: Launched in 1987 by the National Coalition Against Domestic Violence to raise awareness about domestic violence.
• National Bullying Prevention Month: Created in 2006 by PACER's National Bullying Prevention Center to raise awareness about bullying.
• Down Syndrome Awareness Month: Promoted by the National Down Syndrome Society to raise awareness about Down syndrome.
• LGBT History Month: Founded in 1994 by a Missouri high school teacher, it is celebrated to highlight the history and achievements of the LGBTQ+ community.
• National Disability Employment Awareness Month: Started in 1945 as a week, it was expanded to a month in 1988 to promote the employment of people with disabilities.
• National Dental Hygiene Month: Recognized by the American Dental Hygienists' Association to promote oral health.

November

• National Native American Heritage Month: First recognized in 1990 to honor Native American cultures and contributions.
• National Alzheimer's Disease Awareness Month: Designated by President Ronald Reagan in 1983 to promote awareness about Alzheimer’s disease.
• National Diabetes Month: Supported by the American Diabetes Association to raise awareness about diabetes.
• National Adoption Month: Initiated by President Bill Clinton in 1995 to promote adoption and foster care.
• COPD Awareness Month: Promoted by the COPD Foundation to raise awareness about chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.
• Movember (Men's Health Awareness Month): Started in 2003 in Australia, it encourages men to grow mustaches to raise awareness about men's health issues.
• Lung Cancer Awareness Month: Recognized by the Lung Cancer Research Foundation to promote awareness and research.
• Epilepsy Awareness Month: Supported by the Epilepsy Foundation to raise awareness about epilepsy.
• Stomach Cancer Awareness Month: Promoted by the No Stomach For Cancer organization to raise awareness about stomach cancer.

December

• National Human Rights Month: Recognized to promote the importance of human rights, particularly in relation to the Universal Declaration of Human Rights adopted by the UN on December 10, 1948.
• **National Drunk and Drugged Driving Prevention Month