SPECIAL OBSERVANCE PURPOSE

THE DEFENSE EQUAL OPPORTUNITY MANAGEMENT INSTITUTE IS THE GOVERNING AGENCY FOR INFORMATION ON THIS PAGE

Various offices within the Department of Defense (DoD) collaborate to establish the special observance policies and guidance that the Defense Equal Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI) follows when it designs and creates the supporting annual DoD-approved Cultural Observances and Awareness Events List, themes, and products. Currently, DEOMI supports observance events as outlined on the DoD-approved cultural Observance and Awareness Events List that are directed by the Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness (USD (P&R)) and established by law, bill, or Congressional resolution. Special observances are conducted to recognize the continuous achievements of all Americans to American culture and to increase awareness, mutual respect, and understanding. We encourage you to acknowledge and celebrate the diversity within your workforce.

Since 1968, the DoD has proudly supported observances by developing local recognition programs and diverse activities. Many of these observances were first established to support six areas identified within Department of Defense Directive (DoDD) 1440.1, The DoD Civilian Equal Employment Opportunity Program (Chap 6.2.12). Over time, additional focus areas were incorporated from an equal opportunity (EO) and historical standpoint. Most military organizations typically recognize six to eleven special observances annually. Appendix A is the current DoD-approved list as an example of those historically recognized observances within the DoD. Many of these observances have evolved and names have changed based on public law or other guidance. Despite the title differences, the purpose of these events and their emphasis on awareness remains the same.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. BIRTHDAY: Collection

martin luther king, jr. birthday

Public Law 98-144 established a federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr., which is celebrated on the third Monday in January of each year 
• In 1983, President Ronal Reagan signed a bill stating the third Monday of January will be known as Martin Luther King Jr. Day to begin in 1986 
• January 20, 1986, marked the first observance of the legal holiday 
• Such holidays should serve as a time for Americans to reflect on the principles of racial equality and nonviolent social change espoused by Martin Luther King Jr. 
• It is appropriate for the federal government to coordinate efforts with Americans of diverse backgrounds and with private organizations in the observance of the federal legal holiday honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

AFRICAN AMERICAN/BLACK HISTORY: Collection

african american/black history month

• First Presidential Proclamation: February 1976
• The first ethnic observance was the brainchild of Carter G. Woodson, a noted African American author and scholar 
• Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926 
• The week evolved into a month-long celebration in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. 
• African American/Black History Month recognizes the achievements and contributions of African Americans to the nation’s history.

WOMEN'S HISTORY: COLLECTION

women's history month

• Authority: Public Law 100-9, March 1987 
• In 1981, Congress passed a joint resolution proclaiming March as Women's History Month based on a 1978 model of Women's History Week established by California's Sonoma County Commission on the Status of Women 
• The resolution was sponsored by Representative Barbara Mikulski and Senator Orrin Hatch. 
• Every year March is designated Women’s History Month by presidential proclamation

HOLOCAUST REMEMBRANCE DAY: COLLECTION

holocaust remembrance day

• The United States Holocaust Memorial Council (USHMC) was established in 1980 by Public Law 96-388 
• The council coordinates an annual, national civic commemoration of the Days of Remembrance of the Victims of the Holocaust, held in Washington, DC 
• Ceremonies are conducted throughout the U.S. during the annual Days of Remembrance, proclaimed by the USHMC for a designated oneweek period (Sunday to Sunday) incorporating the Jewish religious holiday Yom HaShoah each spring between mid-April and mid-May

ASIAN AMERICAN/PACIFIC ISLANDER HERITAGE: Collection

asian american/pacific islander heritage

• In May of 1992 AAPIHM began 
• May 7, 1843 the first Japanese immigrants arrived to the United States 
• May 10, 1869 transcontinental railroad is completed and significant contributions were completed by Chinese pioneers 
• Celebrates the services and sacrifices of Asian/Pacific Islanders throughout the United States

PRIDE: COLLECTION

pride month

• This is the only observance that is not established by law and support for this observance has typically varied by Presidential Administration 
• Current support and guidance for this observance for this observance is directed by the USD P&R, (added in June 2022) 
• First recognized by Presidential Proclamation, May 31, 2011, under President Obama 
• The President of the United States of America proclaimed June 2011 as Pride Month, calling upon the people of the United States to eliminate prejudice everywhere it exists and to celebrate the great diversity of the American people

JUNETEENTH: COLLECTION

juneteenth

• January 1, 1863 President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation freeing slaves 
• June 19, 1865 General Gordon Granger announced General Order No. 3 freeing all slaves in Texas 
• June 17, 2021, President Joe Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act declaring June 19 a federal holiday 
• Juneteenth represents the end of slavery in the United States

WOMEN'S EQUALITY DAY: COLLECTION

women's equality day

• On August 26, 1920, the 19th Amendment granting women the right to vote was certified as part of the U.S. Constitution 
• Referred to as the Susan B. Anthony Amendment, it states, “The right of citizens of the United States to vote shall not be denied or abridged by the United States or by any State on account of sex.” 
• The U.S. Congress designated August 26 as “Women's Equality Day” in 1971 to honor women's continuing efforts toward equality

NATIONAL HISPANIC HERITAGE: Collection

national hispanic heritage month

• Authority: Public Law 100-402, August 1988 
• The President is authorized and requested to issue annually a proclamation designating the 31-day period beginning September 15 and ending on October 15 as ''National Hispanic Heritage Month'' and calling upon the people of the United States, especially the educational community, to observe this month with appropriate ceremonies and activities • The start date of September 15 is significant because it is the Independence Day of several Latin American countries: Costa Rica, Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, and Nicaragua. Also falling within this month are the independence days of Mexico (September 16) and Chile (September 18) 
• Began as Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 under President Johnson

NATIONAL DISABILITY EMPLOYMENT AWARENESS: COLLECTION

national disability employment awareness month

• Authority: 36 USC 121—National Disability Employment Awareness Month 
• The month of October in each year is designated as National Disability Employment Awareness Month. During this month, appropriate ceremonies are held throughout the U.S., to enlist public support for and interest in the employment of qualified workers with disabilities 
• Began as National Employ the Physically Handicapped Week in 1962 
• In 1988 President Ronald Reagan expanded it to a month-long observance with a presidential proclamation 
• The President is requested to issue a suitable proclamation each year

diversity day: COLLECTION

diversity day

Diversity Day is a day dedicated to celebrating diversity and promoting inclusivity within the Wing. It is an annual event with the primary goal to raise awareness and encourage understanding of different cultures, ethnicities, races, religions, genders, sexual orientations, abilities, and backgrounds.

During Diversity Day, various activities and events are scheduled to promote diversity, such as cultural showcases, music and dance performances, panel discussions, workshops, and training sessions. These activities aim to foster open communication and dialogue among individuals with diverse backgrounds, and to promote respect and understanding for different perspectives.

The intended purpose of the event is to create a more inclusive and welcoming environment, where everyone feels valued and respected for who they are. By celebrating diversity and promoting inclusivity, units across the Wing and Team Little Rock can also benefit from increased creativity, productivity, and innovation, as diverse perspectives and experiences can lead to new ideas and solutions.

NATIONAL AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE: Collection

national american indian heritage month

• Authority/comment: Public Law 102-188, March 1992 
• It took more than 80 years for the nation to establish National American Indian Heritage Month 
• The Boy Scouts set aside a day for the “First Americans” in the early 1900s 
• On Sept. 28, 1915, the Congress of the American Indian Association declared the second Saturday of each May as an American Indian Day 
• Since then, several states declared American Indian days until 1976, when Congress passed a joint resolution authorizing the President to proclaim the week of October 10–16 as Native American Awareness Week 
• Days and weeks of different months were set aside to honor the first Americans until they were given a month in 1990 • President George Herbert Walker Bush proclaimed 1992 as the Year of the American Indian, based on legislation by Congress