Montgomery Bus Boycott began
2028-12-05
On this day, four days after Rosa Parks was arrested, the Montgomery Bus Boycott began. Out of Montgomery’s 50,000 African American residents, 30,000 – 40,000 participated in the boycott. The protest lasted for 381 days. Residents walked, bicycled, or carpooled to deprive the bus company of a substantial portion of its revenue.

The National Hunger March reached Washington D.C.
2028-12-06
On this day in 1931, The National Hunger March reached Washington D.C. The marchers demanded “unemployment insurance, the seven-hour workday with no cut in pay; a federal work program paying union wages; an end to racial discrimination and deportations of immigrant workers; support for the demands of the veterans and poor farmers; and that all funds being built up for making war be used instead to help the unemployed.” Throughout its history, the United States has risen to the challenge of poverty and hunger. Today, we continue to work to eradicate these issues. In telling your story, we recommend referring to the values of economic opportunity, community, and equity.

Thirteenth Amendment Ratified
2028-12-06
On December 6, 1865, the Thirteenth Amendment to the Constitution was officially ratified. The amendment abolished slavery and involuntary servitude, except as punishment for a crime. This exception is often discussed in today’s discussions about criminal justice reform (including Ava DuVernay’s documentary, “13th”). Use this anniversary to talk about the continued need for racial justice in the United States, especially in our criminal justice system. Cite the values of equity and safety.

Jakelin Caal Maquin
2028-12-08
On this day in 2018, seven-year-old Jakelin Caal Maquin died while in Customs and Border Protection (CBP) custody. Discuss the anniversary of her death by citing the values of safety and economic opportunity.

Ella Baker
2028-12-13
Today is the birthday of activist Ella Baker, who played an instrumental role in the civil rights movement. Use this day to talk about the intersectional nature of the struggle for racial justice in the United States. Cite the values of equity and community when talking about Ella Baker and her legacy.

Hanukkah
2028-12-14 - 2028-12-22
As you prepare for the holiday season, help your audiences get ready for effective and meaningful family conversations. Refer to values of equity, voice, and community.

Bill of Rights Day
2028-12-15
President Franklin D. Roosevelt designated Dec. 15 as Bill of Rights Day to commemorate the first ten amendments becoming a part of the U.S. Constitution. A few years later, Roosevelt called for a Second Bill of Rights to expand economic opporunity and prosperity. In telling your story, we recommend leading with the values of equity and community.

International Migrants Day
2028-12-18
International Migrants Day recognizes and celebrates the rights of migrants around the world. In discussing migration, we recommend leading with the values of economic opportunity and community.

U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Fred Korematsu
2028-12-18
On this day in 1944, the U.S. Supreme Court ruled against Fred Korematsu, declaring the denial of civil liberties based on race and national origin was constitutional. Fred Korematsu was a U.S. citizen and the son of Japanese immigrants. He had refused to be interned with other Japanese-Americans during World War II. Use this anniversary to paint a vision of a nation where racism has no place. Cite the values of equity, voice, and community.

Andre Maurice Hill
2028-12-22
On December 22, 2020, police shot and killed Andre Maurice Hill in Columbus, OH. The officer, who was later fired and indicted by a grand jury, failed to turn on his body camera prior to firing his weapon. When discussing this anniversary, point to the failure of moderate police reforms to keep people safe. Instead, emphasize the need for policymakers to reinvest in Black communities to create economic opportunity and safety.

Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA)
2028-12-24
On Oct. 24, 1938, the Fair Labor Standards Act (FLSA) took effect, creating for the first time a federal right to a minimum wage and overtime while also banning child labor. Discuss this important anniversary by citing the values of Economic Security and Mobility.

Christmas
2028-12-25

Kwanzaa
2028-12-26 - 2029-01-01

Remembering Oscar Grant
2029-01-01
On Jan. 1, 2009, Oscar Grant III was fatally shot by Bay Area Rapid Transit (BART) Police in Oakland, California. On the 13-year anniversary of Grant’s death, ending police brutality and re-defining community safety continue to ground advocacy to move beyond policing. Cite the values of safety, community, and equity when recognizing this anniversary.

Birthday of Zora Neale Hurston
2029-01-07
On this day in 1891, folklorist, anthropologist, and author Zora Neale Hurston was born. Hurston is best known for her 1937 novel Their Eyes Were Watching God. In her work for the Works Project Administration (WPA), she also documented songs and life histories of interesting, everyday people, including labor conditions. Discuss Hurston’s birthday by citing the values of Voice, Equality, and Community.

Arrest of Queen Lili`uokalani
2029-01-16
On this day in 1893, U.S. Marines overthrew the independent indigenous kingdom of Hawai`i and subsequently arrested Queen Lili`uokalani. American business leaders and the children of missionaries wanted the islands to be annexed by the United States. Pres. William McKinley authorized the annexation five years later. It’s important to discuss this anniversary as part of the United States’ larger history of violating Indigenous peoples’ rights. Cite the values of Voice, Economic Security, and Community.

National Day of Racial Healing
2029-01-21
The National Day of Racial Healing is an opportunity for people, organizations, and communities across the United States to “forge deep, meaningful relationships, lay the groundwork to transform broken systems” and create change. Visit W.K. Kellogg Foundation’s dedicated event website for conversation guides and toolkits tailored to students, philanthropy, business leaders, and more. Cite the values of community, equity, and opportunity on this day.

Sundance Film Festival Begins
2029-01-23
Today the Sundance Film Festival begins (virtually and through select in-person locations throughout the country). Each year, many new documentaries and films focused on social justice issues premiere. These films can have a remarkable influence on social narratives about immigration, poverty, and criminal justice. Amidst all the buzz, be sure to refer to the values of voice, community, and opportunity

Transit Equity Day
2029-02-04
Today is Transit Equity Day. Organizers chose Feb. 4 to commemorate Rosa Parks’ birthday and hold the annual observance to “make public transit accessible and affordable to all, create good jobs by expanding our public transit systems, and protect our health and climate by using renewable energy to power our buses and trains.”

Dawes Act
2029-02-08
On this day in 1887, U.S. President Grover Cleveland signed the Dawes Act into law, imposing private land ownership on American Indians. This was intended to break up tribes as communal units and threaten tribal sovereignty. Use this anniversary to advocate for racial and economic justice for Native Americans. Cite the values of voice and opportunity.

The Longest Walk
2029-02-11
On this day in 1978, Native American activists launched The Longest Walk, a 3,200-mile spiritual walk across the country to support tribal sovereignty and challenge anti-Indian legislation that limited water rights. Today, supporting indigenous-led campaigns to protect water rights and ancestral lands remains urgent. When discussing this anniversary, cite the values of voice and opportunity.

Super Bowl
2029-02-11
Today is Super Bowl Sunday. While the big game is best known for entertaining commercials and snack spreads, the media event surrounding it has also created opportunities for cultural strategies, from Beyoncé’s iconic halftime show to activism for NFL teams to drop offensive and disparaging Native American mascots. Cite the values of voice and equity.

State of Indian Nations
2029-02-12
Each year, the president of the National Congress of American Indians (NCAI) presents the State of Indian Nations around the same time as the U.S. president’s State of the Union. To facilitate direct engagement, a member of Congress is also invited each year to deliver a congressional response.

Winter Storm Uri
2029-02-13
On this day in 2021, Winter Storm Uri began rolling into Texas, leaving millions without electricity — and some without water service — across the state. The state’s final report estimates that 246 people died as a result of the storm, with roughly two-thirds of those deaths the result of hypothermia. Similar to recent hurricanes, the natural disaster revealed existing inequalities as people living in poverty struggled to stay warm. Commemorate this date as a reminder of the urgency to ensure racial justice grounds infrastructure debates and climate resilience planning. Cite the values of community and opportunity.

US v. Bhagat Singh Thind
2029-02-19
On this day in 1923, the U.S. Supreme Court unanimously ruled in the case of United States v. Bhagat Singh Thind that an Indian Sikh man was ineligible for naturalized citizenship in the United States. The decision prevented South Asians from becoming American citizens. Discuss this anniversary by citing the values of opportunity and equity.

World Day for Social Justice
2029-02-20
Observed annually on this date, World Day for Social Justice was established by the United Nations through the International Labor Organization (ILO) to emphasize consensus on the need for fairness and greater employment and economic opportunity for all. Cite the values of community and opportunity when talking about this day.

Film Independent Spirit Awards
2029-02-22
The Film Independent Spirit Awards will air today. The annual celebration uplifts the best independent film and television programming of the year. Visit Film Independent’s website to see the full list of nominees and find more information on how to watch this year’s show.

The NAACP Image Awards
2029-02-22
Tonight The NAACP Image Awards will “celebrate the outstanding achievements and performances of people of color in the arts, as well as those individuals or groups who promote social justice through their creative endeavors.” The event provides a prime-time opportunity to uplift the importance of cultural strategies and representation to achieving racial justice. Cite the values of voice and equity.

National Day of Unplugging
2029-03-02
The National Day of Unplugging invites people to take a 24-hour respite from technology. The event “highlights the value of disconnecting from digital devices to connect with ourselves, our loved ones, and our communities in real-time.” Cite the value of community when talking about this day.

Academy Awards
2029-03-04
The Oscars awards ceremony airs live today. In recent years, the Oscars have drawn criticism for how nominations embody the failure to celebrate and uplift BIPOC creators’ work in Hollywood. Visit the Academy’s website to learn more about this year’s nominations and emphasize the values of equity and voice when talking about the show.
