Information from a calendar of annual human rights observances on the Morgantown City website and from Diversity Resources.
January
January is a month to celebrate the diverse ways in which we communicate and connect with each other. From recognizing the importance of Braille for the visually impaired to observing cultural and religious celebrations, this month highlights the many ways people express identity, memory, and community.
January 4: UN - World Braille Day
Celebrates the importance of Braille for people who are blind or visually impaired.
January 18: World Religion Day
Observance to proclaim the oneness of religion and the belief that world religion will unify the peoples of the earth.
January 19: Birthday of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Established in 1983 and observed for the first time on January 20, 1986. Also known as King Service Day – Federal legislation signed in1994 challenged Americans to transform the King holiday into a day of citizen action volunteer service.
January 27: Holocaust Memorial Day
Annual International Day of Commemoration in memory of the victims of the Holocaust coinciding with the anniversary of the liberation of the Auschwitz death camp in 1945. The United Nations urges all its member states to honor Nazi era victims and to develop education programs to help prevent future genocides.
Information from Diversity Resources.
January 3: Buddhist - Mahayana New Yearf children.
Celebrated in many Mahayana communities on the first full moon of January, focusing on reflection and renewal. The Buddhist New Year.
January 5: Sikh - Guru Gobind Singh Gurpurab
Celebrates the birth of Guru Gobind Singh, the Sikhs’ 10th master and teacher.
January 6: Christian - Epiphany
Celebrates the visit of the Magi to the baby Jesus.
January 7: Coptic Orthodox Christian - Christmas
Marks the birth of Jesus Christ according to the Julian calendar.
January 14: Hindu - Pongal
A harvest festival thanking the Sun God for the agricultural abundance.