The celebration honors Lord Ganesh as the Deity of New Beginnings and Obstacle Removal, as well as the god of knowledge and intellect and is celebrated throughout India, particularly in Maharashtra and Goa.

Deaf individuals aren’t just hearing impaired; the Deaf community actually has a very rich culture with a lot that we can learn about and from. Deaf Awareness Month is an excellent time to not just think about making our world more accommodating but discovering Deafness as a defining aspect of a community.

Mental health awareness is important, but there is more you can do as a company to help prevent suicide than just posting hotline numbers. Take this month to focus on what forms of support you can offer employees to lower the risk of suicide.

Addiction is more prevalent than we realize, especially when we move beyond just focusing on drugs and alcohol and incorporate things like food, gambling and spending. This observance gives us the chance to really reflect on the topic and celebrate those who are in recovery.

Mexicans and Mexican-Americans make up the majority of Latinos in the United States, so it is fitting that National Hispanic Heritage Month starts not on the first of the month but on the 15th, when Mexico celebrates its Independence Day.

While most of the celebrations start on the 15th and run through the night, Mexico’s actual Independence Day is September 16. The big event happens at midnight with the “Cry of Dolores,” Miguel Hidalgo’s infamous battle cry that spurred on the rebellion that led to Mexican freedom from Spanish rule.

This day was created by the United Nations. It is meant to advocate for gender equality but specifically with a focus on how men can help uplift women and be allies in the battle for equality.

There are almost 600 federally recognized Native American tribes in the United States. This day is set aside to honor them, their cultures and their contributions.

Navaratri is celebrated every year to mark the start of fall. In different countries, it has varying significance. However, the festival spans nine days. In some countries, Navaratri is celebrated at the start of each season, not just the fall.

Throughout October, you can pay tribute to the diverse ideas, cultures and communities across the world as part of Global Diversity Awareness Month. Remember that you can look beyond national cultures and counties of origin. Think about things like disabilities, languages, religions and more.

While Pride Month is all about identity, acceptance and loving yourself, LGBTQ+ History Month takes a look backward. Many LGBTQ+ figures have been erased from the history books or had their truths hidden. This month gives us the chance to look at the distance and recent past to see the history that didn’t make the textbooks.

A month-long awareness campaign, it focuses not on the struggles that those with disabilities face, but specifically on how they are assets to workplaces and communities. This is a great time to confront hidden bias in yourself and your company.

Much like Women’s History Month in the U.S., the Canadian celebration is about honoring the contributions of women throughout history while reflecting on how women are treated today.

This observance is used to both raise awareness of breast cancer and raise funds to seek a cure. Just be aware that some of the typical slogans used during this month don’t always land well with everyone. Look for inclusive ways to talk about breast cancer.

In October, take time to reflect on the realities of people with visual impairments and how your workplace accommodates them. Remember that not all people who consider themselves to be blind have zero vision.

The United States is home to the largest Polish population outside of Poland itself. While many of those with Polish heritage are centered in the Midwest (Chicago, specifically), Polish-Americans are in all of our communities and greatly impacting our culture as a whole. October was chosen for this observance as it is the month Polish settlers first arrived in the United States.

The first Domestic Violence Awareness Month was held in 1989. This month is an excellent time to raise awareness of domestic violence in all of its forms and make sure your employees understand that there are resources for them if they need to leave a dangerous situation.

Many Filipinos have settled in the United States, and there are many people throughout the country who identify as Filipino-American. October is the month to celebrate everything about them and their culture.

German-Americans make up the largest ancestry group in the United States, with about 43 million total. And what better month to celebrate them than the one that gives Oktoberfest its name?

Yes, October is chock-full of heritage months! This one celebrates Italian-American culture, cuisine and people! It’s a great month to learn more about the Italian-American experience.