July 2024

All Month

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is observed each July to bring awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States.

1

Jul

Sir Seretse Khama Day

Sir Seretse Khama Day is annually observed on July 1 in Botswana. It is a public holiday commemorating the first President of Botswana on the anniversary of his birth date in 1921.

1

Jul

Ketikoti

Ketikoti, or Suriname Emancipation Day, is observed on July 1 every year to commemorate the country’s freedom from slavery in the Kingdom of the Netherlands and its colonies.

2

Jul

Thurgood Marshall's Birthday

Thurgood Marshall was the first Black Supreme Court Justice and an African American civil rights leader.

4

Jul

Independence Day

The Declaration of Independence was signed on this day in 1776, declaring the 13 colonies free from British rule.

7-8

Jul

Al Hijra

The Islamic New Year is called Al Hijra and begins in the first month of the Muslim lunar calendar.

7

Jul

Tanabata

Tanabata, also known as the Star Festival, is a Japanese festival originating from the Chinese Qixi Festival. It celebrates the meeting of the deities Orihime and Hikoboshi.

7

Jul

Rath Yatra

Rath Yatra is an annual chariot festival in India.

8

Jul

Behdienkhlam in Meghalaya

Behdienkhlam is a festival celebrated by the Pnar community of Meghalaya. It celebrates the idea of driving away all evils that afflict human life.

11-15

Jul

Naadam

This traditional festival of games is celebrated in Mongolia, Inner Mongolia, and Tuva Republic. The games are Mongolian wrestling, horse racing, and archery, and are held throughout the country during midsummer.

12

Jul

Malala Day

Every year on July 12th, the world celebrates the birthday of Malala Yousafzai. At age 17, Malala was the youngest recipient ever of the Nobel Peace Prize. The day also honors the rights of children and women.

14

Jul

Bastille Day

Formally called Fête nationale française, this is the celebration of the Storming of the Bastille and the Fête de la Fédération that recognizes national unity in France.

14

Jul

Kharchi Puja

Kharchi Puja is a Hindu festival celebrated in Tripura, India. The festival celebrates the fourteen gods forming the dynasty deity of the Tripuri people.

20

Jul

Asalha Puja

This is a Theravada Buddhist festival that celebrates Buddha's first sermon, the "Sermon in the Deer Park". It is celebrated in Indonesia, Cambodia, Thailand, Sri Lanka, Laos, Myanmar, and countries with Theravada Buddhist populations.

26

Jul

National Disability Independence Day

In 1990, the Americans with Disabilities Act was signed into law, which prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities.