In your diary – November

19 Nov-20 Dec – Disability History Month

UK Disability History Month is an annual event focusing on disabled people’s struggle for equality and human rights, raising awareness and celebrating the contributions of disabled people. The dates were chosen to cover World AIDS Day on 1 December and the International Day of Persons with Disabilities on 3 December, among others. Each year takes a different theme and this year’s is Disability, Politics and Democracy. Find out more about how to get involved as we get closer to the day here.

29, Advent Sunday, Christian

This marks the beginning of Advent and preparation for Christmas. The word ‘advent’ is from the Latin adventus, which means ‘arrival’, in this context referring to the birth of Christ. The first of four Sundays in the lead up to Christmas, those attending church on Advent Sunday will often witness the lighting of the first Advent candle and hear readings about staying alert and ready for the arrival of Jesus Christ.

November’s dates at a glance

Religious/cultural

1 –   Feast of All the Saints, Christian
1 –   Samhain, Wicca and Pagan
2 –   All Souls’ Day, Christian
2 –   Anniversary of the Coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie, Rastafari
7 –   Tori No Ichi (First Rooster Day), Shinto
8 –   Bandi Chhor Divas, Sikh
8 –   Diwali, Hindu, Sikh and Jain
9 –   Feast of the Dedication of the Archbasilica, Catholic Christian
10 – Birth of the Báb, Baha’i
10 – Birth of Baha’u’llah, Baha’i
13 – Chhath Puja begins, Hindu
15 – Nativity Fast begins, Orthodox Christian
15 – Shichi-Go-San, Shinto
16 – Kartik Ashtahnika begins, Jain
19 – Tori No Ichi (Second Rooster Day) Shinto
21 – Presentation of the Theotokos, Orthodox Christian
22 – Feast of Christ the King, Christian
23 – Kartika Chaumasi Chaudas, Jain
23 – Niinamesai, Shinto
24 – Guru Nanak Dev Jayanti, Sikh
24 – Kartika Rathayatra, Jain
24 – Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur, Sikh
25 – Rohini Vrat, Jain
26 – Day of the Covenant, Baha’i
28 – Ascension of Abdu’l–Bahá, Baha’i
29 – Advent Sunday, Christian
30 – Saint Andrew’s Day, Christian

Awareness and Events

8 –         Intersex Day of Solidarity
8 –         Remembrance Sunday
11 –       Armistice Day
13 –       World Kindness Day
13-19 –  Transgender Awareness Week
14 –       World Diabetes Day
16 –       International Day for Tolerance
19 –       International Men’s Day
19 Nov-20 Dec – Disability History Month
20 –       World Children’s Day
20 –       Transgender Day of Remembrance
25 –       International Day for The Elimination of Violence Against Women