Celebrate with us this year! Below is a list of suggested cultural milestones that will serve as an excellent place to begin the fun.
In addition, shared throughout are recommended activities if you'd like to engage further! No matter how you choose to recognize these cultural milestones at PetSmart, the main objective should be to increase knowledge and understanding through conversations of connection.
January
14: Makar Sankranti (Hindu Holiday) - marks the end of the month with the winter solstice.
18: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day (American Holiday) - honors MLK and national volunteer day.
27: International Holocaust Remembrance Day (Jewish Holiday) - commemorating the tragedy of the Holocaust.
February - Black History Month
12: Chinese New Year (Chinese Holiday) - three-day celebration launching the Chinese New Year.
15: Nirvana Day (Hindu Holiday) - death of Buddha and commemorates his attainment to nirvana.
15: Family Day (Canadian Holiday) - celebrates the importance of families and family life.
17: Ash Wednesday (Christian Holiday) - beginning of Lent, a 40-day prayer and fasting preceding Easter Sunday.
March - Women's History Month
17: St. Patrick’s Day (Irish Holiday) - honors Ireland’s patron saint, who brought Christianity.
27: Passover begins (Jewish Holiday) - marks the liberation of the Israelites from slavery in Egypt.
29: Holi (Hindu Holiday) - celebrates the coming of spring in India and harvest of winter crop.
31: César Chávez Day (Mexican American Holiday) - a tribute to his commitment to social justice and respect for human dignity.
April
02: Good Friday (Christian Holiday) - commemorating the crucifixion of Jesus and his death at Calvary.
04: Easter (Christian Holiday) - celebrates the resurrection of Jesus.
08: Buddha’s Birth (Hindu Holiday) - founder of Buddhism, the largest religion in Asia.
13: Ramadan begins (Islamic Holiday) - holiest month of the Muslim year. Observed by Muslims worldwide as a month of fasting to commemorate the first revelation of the Qur’an to the Prophet Muhammad
22: Earth Day (American Holiday) - celebrates support for environmental protection.
22: Gathering of Nations (Indigenous American Holiday) - largest PowWow in North America.
ACTIVITY: COFFEE CAN CONVERSATION Ask associates to bring in small objects of cultural significance. In small groups, put the objects in a coffee can. One by one, have the participants pull an object out of the can and ask the members of the group to talk about its significance.
May - Jewish American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
01: May Day (Canadian Holiday) - celebrates the achievements of workers.
05: Cinco de Mayo (Mexican American Holiday) - commemorates the Mexican defeat of the French army.
13: Eid al-Fitr (Islamic Holiday) - marks the end of Ramadan, the Islamic holy month of fasting.
21: World Day for Cultural Diversity - recognizes cultural diversity as a source of innovation, exchange and creativity, as well as the obligation to create a more peaceful and equitable society based on mutual respect.
31: Memorial Day (American Holiday) - remembering lives lost while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces.
ACTIVITY: DIVERSITY BOOK CLUBS Ask for recommendations of readings considered “classics” from members of diverse backgrounds and cultures, particularly books that they find influential or inspirational for appreciating diversity. Encourage participants to talk about what they learned from reading and how it relates to their experiences.
June - LGBTQ+ Pride Month
05: World Environment Day (United Nations Holiday) - a day for encouraging awareness and action for the protection of the environment.
19: Juneteenth (African American Holiday) - commemorates emancipation of slaves in Texas.
28: Stonewall Rebellion (LGBTQ+ Holiday) - first effort to openly gain equality under the law.
ACTIVITY: WORDS OF RESPECT Identify a group of words and terms from various cultures that are commonly used. Consider promoting a word of the day through bulletin boards, emails, or posters. Be sure to add pronunciation tips.
Here are some suggestions: Hello
hola [OH-la] (Spanish)
marhaba [MAR-hah-bah] (Arabic)
ni-hao [NEEhow] (Mandarin Chinese)
Thank You
domo arigato [doh-mo a-REE-ga-toe] (Japanese)
salamat po [sa-LA-mat-po] (Tagalog)
motshakeram [MOAT-shehKER-am] (Farsi)
July
01: Canada Day (Canadian Holiday) - celebrates the formation of Canada, separation from Britain.
04: Independence Day (U.S. Holiday) - celebrates the formation of the United States, separation from Britain.
17: Hajj (Islamic Holiday) - beginning of the annual pilgrimage to the holy city of Mecca in Saudi Arabia.
18: Mandela Day (South African Holiday) - honors Nelson Mandela’s contributions to the main areas of work of the UN.
25: Puerto Rico Constitution Day (Puerto Rican Holiday) - commemorates the day the Constitution of Puerto Rico approved.
26: Disability Independence Day (American Holiday) - honors the anniversary of when the ADA act was passed (1990).
ACTIVITY: WHERE DID THAT COME FROM? Create an icebreaker activity or contest around learning the origins of everyday objects or things. Shared answers will likely generate laughs and conversations. Ask participants if anything surprised them and what, if any, preconceived ideas they may have previously had about the origin of the item.
August
01: American Family Day (American Holiday) - established as a separate day to appreciate family members.
09: Al-Hijra (New Year) (Islamic Holiday) - begins the new year based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
22: Raksha Bandhan (Hindu Holiday) - festival dedicated to sibling love.
26: Women’s Equality Day (American Holiday) - women gained the right to vote.
ACTIVITY: ORIGINS OF BIRTH
Encourage individuals to bring in their national flags or flags from the city or country in which they were born for part of a large display. Provide information about the place represented and the cultural significance of colors or symbols used in the design of the flags. Ask about the flags to learn and share.
September - National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15)
06: Labor Day (American Holiday) - celebrate the achievements of worker.
06: Rosh Hashanah (Jewish Holiday) - begins the Jewish New Year.
15: Yom Kippur (Jewish Holiday) - celebrates the Day of Atonement.
16: Mexican Independence Day (Mexican Holiday) - commemorates Mexico’s independence.
23: Bi Visibility Day (International Holiday) - seeks to foster respect for bi+ individuals and communities.
ACTIVITY: WHAT IS IN A NAME?
Have a conversation with someone of another culture about naming traditions. Share your full name and nickname, if any. Ask the other person to share theirs. Talk about traditions around names and naming. Talk about how important each name is. What did you learn about the names of your friend or colleague? What will you do when you meet someone for the first time to remember their name and pronounce it correctly?
ACTIVITY: EXPAND YOUR DEFINITION OF DIVERSITY Diversity is much more than race, ethnicity, or gender. Have associates think about what other things make people unique. Brainstorm other aspects of diversity you may not consider daily. Use examples like marital status, education level, height/weight, working style, religious practices, etc. to get the conversation started.
October - National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), Global Diversity Awareness Month, National Disability Employment Awareness Month, National Italian American Heritage Month, National German American Heritage Month, National Polish American Heritage Month
11: National Coming Out Day (LGBTQ+ Holiday) - LGBTQ+ awareness day, celebration “coming out.”
11: Indigenous Peoples Day (Indigenous American Holiday) - celebrates and honors the indigenous peoples of America.
11: Thanksgiving Day (Canadian Holiday) - celebrates the harvest and other blessings of the past year.
15: Dusherra (Hindu Holiday) - festival that celebrates the victory of good over evil.
18: Mawlid (Islamic Holiday) - observance of the birthday of Islamic prophet Muhammad.
31: Día de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) (Mexican Holiday) - rooted in two traditions: the Christian observance of All Saints and All Souls Day, and two Aztec festivals of souls of the dead.
November - Indigenous Peoples Heritage Month
04: Diwali (Hindu Holiday) - celebrates new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness.
11: Remembrance Day (Canadian Holiday) - remembering lives lost while serving in the Canadian Armed Forces.
11: Veterans Day (American Holiday) - honoring military veterans, persons who have served in the Armed Forces.
20: Transgender Day of Remembrance (LGBTQ+ Holiday) - memorialize those murdered.
25: Thanksgiving Day (American Holiday) - remembers the Pilgrims after their first harvest in the New World.
28: Advent (Christian Holiday) - begins a season of spiritual preparation in observance of the birth of Jesus.
28: Hanukkah (Jewish Holiday) - “Festival of Lights” begins 8 day celebration of Jewish victory over Greeks, Jewish independence.
ACTIVITY: CULTURAL S/HEROES CONVERSATIONS Have a conversation with someone about their cultural s/heroes. They may talk about historical people, media figures, acquaintances, or family members that they admire. Encourage them to share how these individuals represent their culture and background. Think about symbols, or beliefs associated with that person.
December
01: World AIDS Day (International Day) - day of action on HIV and AIDS.
08: Bodhi Day (Buddhist Holiday) - celebrates the day Buddha experienced enlightenment.
12: Fiesta de Guadalupe (Mexican Holiday) - celebrates the feast day of the patron saint of Mexico.
25: Christmas Day (Christian Holiday) - celebrates the birth of Jesus.
26: Boxing Day (Canadian Holiday) - the second day of Christmastide.
26: Kwanzaa (African American Holiday) - inspired by harvest festivals in Africa.
ACTIVITY: IMPLEMENT GET-TO-KNOW-YOU QUESTIONS Getting to the next level starts with having a team that trusts you. With that in mind, here are 10 getting-to-know-you questions that you can ask your associates to get to know them better.
How are you?
How is life outside of work?
How do you feel your work/life balance is right now?
What is one thing we could change about work for you that would improve your personal life?
If around a holiday: Do you celebrate [Holiday]? How was it?
How are your parents/grandparents? Where do they live? Do you visit them?
If they have children: How is [name of child] doing? (Ask something related to their age like starting school, playing sports, or other interests.)
What do you like to do in your free time? What are your hobbies?
What did you do for fun in the past that you have not had as much time for lately?
What drives you? What motivates you to come to work each day?
Stay Engaged with MOSAIC!
If you’d like to learn more about the new MOSAIC ARG, or PetSmart’s Belonging, Diversity and Inclusion initiative, visit our Fetch page. We also want to hear from you! Share as a PetSmart associate with us in the "Share Your Story" tab above!