November dates for your diary
Calendar snapshots
8th Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev, Sikh
Guru Nanek Dev was the first Sikh guru and original founder of the religion. In India, in preparation for his birthday, there is akhand path, a 48 hour non-stop recitation of the Guru Granth Sahib in the gurdwaras. The day before the celebrations, there are processions and on the day of the festival itself, people gather for langar, a communal free lunch at the gurdwaras.
14th World Diabetes Day
Since 1991, World Diabetes Day has been marked on 14 November, the birthday of Frederick Banting, the man who co-discovered insulin, the hormone that regulates blood sugar. The theme for this day for the years 2021-23 is access to diabetes care, and organisers call on governments to provide better education and equality of access.
18th UK Disability History Month begins
Since 2010, during UK Disability History Month, we have celebrated the achievements of disabled people in this country. We also take the month to pay homage to the disability rights movements and activists who have fought for equity and equality for disabled people.
This month’s dates at a glance
1st All Saints’ Day – Christian
2nd All Souls’ Day – Christian, Coronation of Emperor Haile Selassie I – Rastafari
8th Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev – Sikh, Intersex Day of Solidarity
9th Dedication of the Lateran Basilica – Catholic Christian,
11th Armistice Day
13th Remembrance Sunday, World Kindness Day, UK Interfaith Week begins
14th World Diabetes Day
15th Nativity Fast begins – Orthodox Christian
16th International Day for Tolerance
17th International Students’ Day
18th International STAND UP to Bullying Day, UK Disability History Month begins
19th International Men’s Day
20th Feast of Christ the King – Christian, Transgender Day of Remembrance, Universal Children’s Day
21st Presentation of the Theotokos – Orthodox Christian
24th Martyrdom of Guru Tegh Bahadur – Sikh
25th International Day for the Elimination of Violence against Women
26th Day of the Covenant – Baha’i
27th Advent Sunday – Christian
28th Ascension of Abdu’l-Bahá – Baha’i
30th Saint Andrew’s Day – Christian, Bank Holiday – Scotland.
