Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary (January 1): This Catholic holiday is a major feast honoring Mary’s role as the mother of Jesus. It serves as a Holy Day of Obligation for Catholics and is linked to the Church`s World Day of Peace. This day highlights Mary`s faith, her obedience to God`s will, and the divine-human nature of Jesus, emphasizing her unique motherhood.
Oshōgatsu (January 1): The Japanese New Year is known as Japan’s most important holiday and is marked by a rich set of customs and traditions. Rooted primarily in Shinto and Buddhist practices, these rituals are intended to welcome good fortune, health, and renewal in the year ahead. From thorough year-end cleaning to symbolic foods, decorations, and visits to shrines, Oshōgatsu is both a celebration and a moment of reflection.
Mahayana New Year (January 3): Mahayana New Year, also known as Vesak, is a traditional Buddhist holiday that commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and passing of the Buddha. It is a time to reflect on the past year, and to look forward to the new one with hope and positivity. This holiday is normally celebrated on the Full Moon of the first month – in many countries following the Gregorian calendar. Birthday of Guru Gobind Singh Sahib (January 5): This day is celebrated as the birth anniversary of the tenth Guru, who instituted the Five Ks and established the Order of the Khalsa on Vaisakhi (Baisakhi). On his birthday, historical lectures are conducted, and poems are recited in praise of the Guru. Special dishes that are unique to this occasion are prepared and served during the festivities.
Epiphany | Theophany | Three Kings Day (January 6): Epiphany is a Christian feast day celebrating the revelation of Jesus Christ as God incarnate. In Western Christian traditions, this feast commemorates the visit of Three Wise Men to Bethlehem. Epiphany is the twelfth day of Christmas, and the night before is commonly referred to as Twelfth Night. In Eastern Christian traditions, this feast is known as Theophany and commemorates the revelation of Christ’s divinity through his baptism and his first miracle.
Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (January 19): Since 1983, the third Monday of January has been set aside to honor Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. No figure is more closely associated with the American struggle for civil rights than Dr. King, an influential leader who is best known for his work on racial equity and ending racial segregation in the United States. On this day we honor his life and his achievements, and we reflect on the work that still needs to be done to promote racial equity. Observing this holiday provides an opportunity for all of us at UConn to reflect on Dr. King’s life and legacy. We invite you to reflect on the importance of standing up for racial, social, and economic justice for all. From Dr. King, we learned that we can only reach our potential for justice when we address the needs of those who have been excluded from it historically, especially racially oppressed people. We recognize that we cannot truly have justice as long as there are groups for whom justice is denied.
National Day of Racial Healing (January 20): The National Day of Racial Healing recognizes that racial healing lies at the heart of racial equity. In 2022, UConn was selected as one of the Truth, Racial Healing, and Transformation (TRHT) Initiative campus sites. According to the TRHT framework, racial healing enables community, organizational, and systems transformation by restoring individuals and communities to wholeness; repairing the damage caused by racism; facilitating trust; building authentic relationships; and bridging divides.
The Office of Inclusion and Civil Rights and the Provost’s Office would like to remind you of several celebrations, commemorations, and moments of raising awareness for members of our community during the month of January:
Heritage Month Celebrations:
Muslim Heritage Month: In 2025, Governor Ned Lamont of Connecticut made a proclamation to officially recognize each January as Muslim Heritage Month. It is a time to honor and celebrate the rich history, diverse traditions, and significant contributions of the Muslim community to our society, recognizing their role in shaping our cultural, social, and economic landscape. This month provides the opportunity to educate the broader community about the history and contributions of Muslims, combat misinformation and stereotypes, and promote mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration among people of all faiths and backgrounds. During this month we honor the resilience and perseverance of the Muslim community in overcoming challenges and discrimination, and we stand together to affirm our commitment to combating hate, bigotry, and prejudice in all its forms. Read details about the proclamation.
Cultural and Federal Holidays:
New Year’s Day (January 1): This day celebrating new beginnings was first marked as a federal holiday in 1870, along with Independence Day, Thanksgiving, and Christmas.
World Braille Day (January 4): Celebrated on January 4th each year, World Braille Day honors the legacy and contributions of Louis Braille, the inventor of Braille. This day also raises awareness about the importance of Braille as a tactile reading and writing system for individuals who are blind or visually impaired. It also serves as a reminder of the significance of accessibility and inclusion in education and information dissemination. To celebrate you can get involved in various activities and initiatives to support Braille literacy and inclusion such as supporting Braille organizations, spreading awareness, advocating for accessibility, and learning Braille.
