Calendar Highlights: September
The Berkley Schools printed calendar highlights heritage months, holidays, days of observances and recognition days. In the Berkley Beat, we’ll highlight these days with more information for community learning to help us achieve the District goal of creating an environment where all staff, students and community members feel a sense of belonging.
Labor Day - September 2
Labor Day is observed on the first Monday in September. On June 28, 1894, Congress passed an act making the first Monday in September of each year a legal holiday.
According to the Department of Labor, Labor Day is an annual celebration of the social and economic achievements of American workers. The holiday is rooted in the late nineteenth century, when labor activists pushed for a federal holiday to recognize the many contributions workers have made to America’s strength, prosperity, and well-being.
Read more on the Department of Labor’s website: www.dol.gov/general/laborday/history
Grandparents Day - September 8
Grandparents day began in 1978 when the United States Congress passed legislation proclaiming the first Sunday after Labor Day as National Grandparents Day. A presidential proclamation was signed by President Jimmy Carter and thus began the observation of this special holiday. The proclamation stated, “I urge each citizen to pause and to reflect on the influence his grandparents have had in shaping [their] own destiny, and on the legacy bestowed upon our contemporary society by [their] grandparents' generation.”
Patriot Day - September 11
Patriot Day, a holiday observed in the United States on September 11 to commemorate the lives of those who died in the 2001 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center in New York City and the Pentagon in Virginia and those who perished when the hijacked United Airlines Flight 93 crashed in Pennsylvania. The holiday also recognizes those who died attempting to rescue people trapped by the attacks.
By a joint resolution of the U.S. Congress on Dec. 18, 2001, September 11 was designated as Patriot Day. The resolution calls for the president of the United States to issue a yearly proclamation requesting that all U.S. flags be flown at half-staff.
There are resources and memorials dedicated to remembering those who lost their lives. Visit the 911 Memorial website , the Pentagon Memorial website and the National Park Service website to learn more.
National Hispanic Heritage Month - September 15 - October 15:
September 15th - October 15th is nationally recognized as Hispanic Heritage Month. The month-long celebration highlights the culture, achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans who enrich our nation and society.
Learn about Hispanic Heritage Month with your family by visiting these resources:
- PBS: All About the Holidays Hispanic Heritage Month Video
- Library of Congress: National Hispanic Heritage Month Website with Events
- PBS: 11 Picture Books Celebrating National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Scholastic: A Month of Ideas for Celebrating National Hispanic Month
- Learning for Justice: Unmaking “Hispanic”: Teaching the Creation of Hispanic Identity
- Learning for Justice: Honoring LGBTQ Voices During Hispanic Heritage Month
Constitution Day & Citizenship Day - September 17
Constitution Day is an American federal observance that recognizes the adoption of the United States Constitution and those who have become U.S. citizens. It is observed on September 17, the day in 1787 that delegates to the Constitutional Convention (the Founding Fathers) signed the U.S. Constitution in Philadelphia. To learn more, visit the Constitution Day website.
International Day of Peace - September 21
The International Day of Peace (“Peace Day”) is observed around the world each year on September 21.
Established in 1981 by unanimous United Nations resolution, the General Assembly declared this as a day devoted to “commemorating and strengthening the ideals of peace both within and among all nations and peoples.”
The 2024 theme is Cultivating a Culture of Peace. Learn more on the United Nations website.
