Ethnic Equality Month is celebrated in February every year. It is a period to recognize the similarities all people have, yet acknowledge, appreciate and respect the differences in all of us. So no matter what race you are, or what ethnicity you belong to, everyone is equal and deserves equal rights and equal opportunities. Ethnic Equality Month is a good time to reflect and challenge ourselves, as a group and individually. It brings to light the unfortunate biases that still exist in our society, how far we’ve come in achieving equality, and what each one of us can do to contribute to something the world should be striving to achieve; social equality and justice.

History of Ethnic Equality Month

Ethnic equality has been in the conversation for as long as colonization started. People of different races or ethnicity co-habiting brings out similarities between everyone but also brings out the differences, which should be appreciated. There have been a lot of mishaps over the years related to ethnic equality, but there have been positives as well. Recognizing that there are issues to be solved is a very big step when it comes to breaking bias. The next step is to look for practical ways to solve these issues. Achieving equality is the goal for everyone. We’re not there yet but we are continually striving towards it every single day. One thing that is clear is that it is a journey that will only be a success if everyone contributes within their abilities.Ethnic diversity means people have been socialized through different customs, beliefs, traditions, languages, and experiences so it shapes the way they feel and behave. Leveraging these diverse perspectives makes the World a more dynamic place. To make the world a more dynamic place, we have to be more conscious of our individual biases, stereotypes, or the prejudices we may sometimes have about other individuals or groups of people. To recognize these thought patterns, you have to look at yourself and think about what shapes your actions and decisions. The process can be exhausting but it’s worth it.Continuous efforts such as the establishment of the Congress of Racial Equality (CORE), an African-American civil rights organization in the U.S., founded in 1942, play a pivotal role in achieving equality for not just different races, but ethnicities as well. Its stated mission is “to bring about equality for all people regardless of race, creed, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, religion or ethnic background”.

Ethnic Equality Month timeline

1968
The Hispanic Heritage Month is Established

President Lyndon Johnson signs off on the bill to make September, Hispanic heritage month.

1970
The Black History Month is Established

Perhaps the most popular one, this day is celebrated in February.

1989
Italian-American Heritage and Culture Month is Established

October is set aside as the month for this important holiday.

1991
Irish-American Heritage Month is Established

George W. Bush proclaims March as Irish-American month

Ethnic Equality Month FAQs

Do we have a Gender Equality Month?

Yes. It is marked in March every year.

What is Celebrate Diversity Month all about?

It is not so different from Ethnic Equality Month but Celebrate Diversity Month focuses more on celebrating people’s different cultures.

What is International Day for the Elimination of Racial Discrimination all about?

It is directly linked to the activities of 1960 in South Africa when at the height of apartheid, police shot and killed 69 peaceful demonstrators.

How to Observe Ethnic Equality Month

  1. Read up on some books

    To observe Ethnic Equality Month, read up on some books about ethnic equality. This will give you a deeper understanding of what this month is all about.

  2. Join a community

    There’s nothing better than having like-minded people on the same mission as you. Play your part in exercising ethnic equality by accepting everyone around you just as they are.

  3. Spread the word

    Something as simple as a social media post on what the month is about will go a long way. This would be a brilliant way to observe Ethnic Equality Month.

5 Advocates Of Ethnic Equality

  1. Mahatma Gandhi

    Mohandas Karamchand Gandhi led efforts to free his fellow Indians from an oppressive British colonial rule.

  2. Martin Luther King

    He is known the world over as a vocal leader in the civil rights movement that pushed for equality for all blacks in the U.S.

  3. Abraham Lincoln

    As the sixteenth President of the U.S., he used his position to put an end to slavery and declare freedom for all slaves.

  4. Nelson Mandela

    This world-renowned anti-apartheid activist spent 27 years in prison for speaking out against the mistreatment of blacks in South Africa.

  5. Sukhgerel Dugersuren

    Dugersuren has established herself as a defender of the rights of rural Mongolians whose rights are often violated by large corporations looking to invest in the region.

Why Ethnic Equality Month is Important

  1. It shows how similar we are

    No matter what race or ethnicity you belong to, Ethnic Equality Month shows that we all have the same genetic material. There are differences but they are to be appreciated.

  2. It helps to educate the younger generation

    Without months like these, the younger generation might not fully get to grasp how important these topics are. Observing months like these help to keep everyone educated.

  3. It helps appreciate fallen heroes

    Let’s face it, you don’t get to remember everyone every time unless they’re family or close friends. Observing months like these help us remember heroes that have fought for equality for all.

Ethnic Equality Month dates

Year Date Day
2023 February 1 Wednesday
2024 February 1 Thursday
2025 February 1 Saturday
2026 February 1 Sunday
2027 February 1 Monday
National Dark Chocolate Day
National Eat Ice Cream for Breakfast Day
National Freedom Day
National Get Up Day
Decorating With Candy Day
National Baked Alaska Day
Spunky Old Broads Day
Robinson Crusoe Day
International Pisco Sour Day
World Hijab Day
Imbolc (Saint Brigid's Day)
National Serpent Day
Federal Territory Day
Abolition of Slavery Day
Change Your Password Day
Heroes' Day
G.I. Joe Day
Hula in the Coola Day
Car Insurance Day
National Texas Day
Tet Nguyen Dan
International Face and Body Art Day
Conservatorship and Guardianship Abuse Awareness Day
World Aspergillosis Day
National Sean Day
National Cameron Day
Day of Remembrance and Respect to Victims of the Communist Regime
Decorating with Candy Day
Yukon Quest
Holiday Hugs Day
Take Your Child To The Library Day
Lung Leavin’ Day
Harry Styles's Birthday
Stormi Webster's Birthday
La Poutine Week
Solo Diners Eat Out Week
National Patient Recognition Week
Women's Heart Week
World Interfaith Harmony Week
National Patient Recognition Week
Shape Up With Pickles Time
American Heart Month
Dog Training Education Month
Great American Pie Month
National Bird Feeding Month
National Cat Health Month
National Cherry Month
National Children’s Dental Health Month
National Embroidery Month
National Hot Breakfast Month
National Macadamia Nut Month
National Snack Food Month
Pet Dental Health Month
Black History Month
National Grapefruit Month
Canned Food Month
Spay/Neuter Awareness Month
National Bake For Family Fun Month
Bike To Work Month
Humpback Whale Awareness Month
International Friendship Month
Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
LGBT+ History Month
Spunky Old Broads Month
National Library Lovers Month
National Cancer Prevention Month
National Sweet Potato Month
International Expect Success Month
Cholangiocarcinoma Awareness Month
National Heart Healthy Month
International Boost Self Esteem Month
An Affair to Remember Month
Creative Romance Month
National Fasting February
Potato Lovers Month
Return Shopping Carts to the Supermarket Month
National Time Management Month
Celebration of Chocolate Month
Love the Bus Month
Pull Your Sofa Off the Wall Month
Relationship Wellness Month
National Care About Your Indoor Air Month
Wise Health Care Consumer Month
National Haiku Writing Month
From Africa to Virginia Month
Teen Dating Violence Awareness Month
Financial Aid Awareness Month
Marfan Syndrome Awareness Month
National Mend a Broken Heart Month
National Senior Independence Month
National Arts Month
National Therapeutic Recreation Month
National Women Inventors Month
African American Heritage Month
Raynaud's Awareness Month
National Condom Month
International Prenatal Infection Prevention Month
Declutter for a Cause Month
National Parent Leadership Month
Human Relations Month
Adopt a Rescued Rabbit Month
Vegan Cuisine Month
Berry Fresh Month
Spiritual Teachers Month
National Fondue Month
National Laugh Friendly Month
North American Inclusion Month (NAIM)
Barley Month
National Self-Check Month
Women’s Role in History Month
Jobs in Golf Month
AMD/Low Vision Awareness Month
International Hoof Care Month
International Month of Black Women in the Arts
Beat the Heat Month
Ethnic Equality Month
Marijuana Awareness Month
National Goat Yoga Month
National Blah Buster Month
National African American Read-In
Feline Fix by Five Month
Fabulous Florida Strawberry Month
National Avocado and Banana Month
Free Open Source Software Month
Worldwide Renaissance of the Heart Month
Exotic Vegetables and Star Fruit Month
National Weddings Month
Responsible Pet Owners Month
National Enrolled Agents Month
Youth Leadership Month