Nearly every day of the year is “National Something Day” here in the U.S. And every month is “Official Whatever Month.” For example, March is Women’s History Month, and August 13 is Lefthanders Day.
While many of these odd holidays are marketing ploys to raise awareness of a product, health issue, or social cause, many do offer a reason to stop and think. They are a reason to learn more about a topic or look into a medical issue. They’re also a good excuse to party, or just have a laugh.
Recognizing these topics of the month can also boost your career.
Look at each theme listed below and think of ways you can incorporate it into your networking, training or personal development plans for a month. Some suggestions:
- Send your networking contacts e-mails or status updates with quotes and news items related to a theme.
- Challenge yourself to learn more about one topic each month and attend related events.
- Host a networking event related to the monthly topic.
- Contact potential employers to congratulate them during a week or month that commemorates their industry or product.
There are many ways you can creatively incorporate weekly or monthly themes into your job search or career development.
Pick only the themes that you want to know more about, or that fit your personal brand. When you contact employers and your network, put your own spin on each theme. Doing so will set you apart from other employees.
Calendar of Monthly Themes
& Topics
January
- National Volunteer Blood Donor Month
- National Mentoring Month
- Winter Storm Preparation Month
- National Soup Month
- Hot Tea Month
- National Hobby Month
- National Staying Healthy Month
- National Thank You Month
- Clean Up Your Computer Month
- Personal Self-Defense Month
- Poverty in America Awareness Month
- Reaching Your Potential Month
- International Printing Month
- Autism Awareness Month
- International Creativity Month
- Crime Stoppers Month
- National Letter Writing Month
Also:
- January 17: Martin Luther King, Jr. Day of Service
- January 8: Bubble Bath Day
- January 19: Popcorn Day
- January 27: Chocolate Cake Day
- January 31: Backwards Day
February
- Earthquake Awareness Month
- Black History Month
- National Cherry Month
- American Heart Month
- National Weddings Month
- Library Lovers’ Month
- International Friendship Month
- International Boost Your Self-Esteem Month
- Responsible Pet Owners Month
- Potato Lovers’ Month
- Women’s Heart Health Month
- National World Understanding Month
- Plant the Seeds of Greatness Month
Also:
- February 6-12: National Burn Awareness Week
- February 14-18: National Child Passenger Safety Awareness Week
March
- American Red Cross Month
- March for Meals (Meals on Wheels)
- National Women’s History Month
- Severe Weather Awareness Month
- National Baby Month
- National Umbrella Month
National “Talk to Your Teens About Sex” Month - Irish-American Month
- Save Your Vision Month
- American Diabetes Alert Month
- Deaf History Month
- Ethics Awareness Month
- International Listening Awareness Month
- National Optimism Month
- National Peanut Month
Also:
- March 14-18: Flood Safety Awareness Week
- March 20-26: National Poison Prevention Week
- March 2: Read Across America Day
April
- National Financial Literacy Month
- National Poetry Month
- International Customer Loyalty Month
- International Amateur Radio Month
- National Volunteer Week
- National Garden Month
- National Child Abuse Prevention Month
- Month of the Young Child
- National Humor Month
- Math Education Month
- Keep America Beautiful Month
- International Guitar Month
- National Frog Month
- Stress Awareness Month
- Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Month
- Sexual Assault Awareness Month
- Foot Health Awareness Month
Also:
- April 10-16: National Volunteer Week
- April 15: Tax day
- April 19-26: National Infant Immunization Week
- April 22: Earth Day 2011
- April 10-16: National Library Week
- April 18-25: National TV-Turnoff Week
- April 19-25 Astronomy Week
- April 3-8: Explore Your Career Options Week
- April 24-30: Administrative Professionals Week (formerly National Secretary Week)
- April 27: April 24-30: Administrative Professionals Day
- April 25-29: National Playground Safety Week
May
- Mental Health Month
- National Older Americans Month
- National BBQ Month
- Jewish American Heritage Month
- Haitian Heritage Month
- Better Hearing & Speech Month
- Breathe Easy Month
- Clean Air Month
- American Bike Month
- National Photo Month
- Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month
- National Strawberry Month
- National Arthritis Awareness Month
- National Business Image Awareness Month
- National Salsa Month
- National Scholarship Month
- Personal History Awareness Month
- National Scrapbooking Month
- National Motorcycle Safety Month
Also:
- May 1-7: National Arson Awareness Week
- May 1-7: Public Service Recognition Week
- May 6-12: National Nurses Week
- May 9-13: National Women’s Health Week
- May 15-21: National Police Week
- May 15-21: National Public Works Week
- May 15-21: National EMS Week
- May 22-28: National Hurricane Awareness Week
- May 1: May Day
- May 5: Cinco de Mayo
- May 6: National Beverage Day
- May 6: National Nurse’s Day
- May 15: National Chocolate Chip Day
- May 1-8: National Days of Remembrance (Holocaust)
- May 1-7: Be Kind to Animals Week
- May 4: Star Wars Day (“May the fourth be with you”)
June
- National Safety Month (National Safety Council)
- National Rose Month
- National Candy Month
- Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Pride Month
- National Dairy Month
- National Adopt-A-Cat Month
- National Drive Safe Month
- National Fresh Fruit and Vegetable Month
- National Iced Tea Month
- National Tennis Month
- Zoo and Aquarium Month
Also:
- June 1-7: National CPR & AED Awareness Week
- June 19-25: Lightning Awareness Week
- June 8: National Best Friends Day
- June 5-11: National Gardening Week
July
- Anti-Boredom Month
- National Baked Bean Month
- National Blueberry Month
- National Hot Dog Month
- National Ice Cream Month
- National Picnic Month
- National Parks & Recreation Month
Also:
- July 24: National Parents’ Day
- July 26: Anniversary of the Signing of the Americans with Disabilities Act
- July 7: Chocolate Day
- July 10: Teddy Bear Picnic Day
- July 30: National Cheesecake Day
August
- Family Fun Month
- National Golf Month
- Romance Awareness Month
- American Artist Appreciation Month
- National Home Business Month
- National Inventors Month
- National Water Quality Month
Also:
- First Tuesday in August: National Night Out
- August 9: Book Lovers Day
- August 1-7: Simplify Your Life week
August 14-20: Weird Contest Week
August 10-16: Elvis Week - August 13: Lefthanders’ Day
September
- National Preparedness Month
- September 15-October 15: National Hispanic Heritage Month
- Classical Music Month
- Library Card Sign-Up Month
Also:
- September 11-17: National Assisted Living Week
- September 16: Citizenship Day
- September 18-24: Deaf Awareness Week
- September 26: Johnny Appleseed Day
- September 24-August 1: Banned Books Week
- September 8: International Literacy Day
- September 22: American Business Women’s Day
September 27: World Tourism Day - September 19: Talk Like a Pirate Day
October
- Crime Prevention Month
- Breast Cancer Awareness Month
- National Cookie Month
- National Pizza Month
- Vegetarian Awareness Month
- National Book Month
- Adopt-a-Dog- Month
- National Manners Month
- National Stamp Collectors Month
- Family History Month
- National Dessert Month
- Fire Prevention Month
- Computer Learning Month
- Polish American Heritage History Month
Also:
- October 1-3: Celebrate Safe Communities
- October 2-8: Fire Prevention Week
- October 8-9: National Fallen Firefighter Memorial Weekend
- October 16-22: America’s Safe Schools Week
- October 17-21: National School Bus Safety Week
- October 23-31: National Red Ribbon Week (drug abuse prevention)
- October 27: Make a Difference Day
- October 5-11: Get Organized Week
- October 1: World Vegetarian Day
- October 14: National Dessert Day
- October 12-18: Build Your Business With Business Cards Week
November
- National Native American Heritage Month
- National Aviation History Month
- Child Safety and Protection Month
Also:
- November 11: Veterans’ Day
- November 20-26: Game & Puzzle Week
- November 14-20: National Hunger and Homelessness Awareness Week
- November 1: National Family Literacy Day
- American Education Week – November 16-27, 2003
Children’s Book Week – November 17-23, 2003
December
- Winter Storm Awareness
- National Stress Free Family Holiday Month
- Universal Human Rights Month
Also:
- December 3: International Day of Disabled Persons
- December 1: World AIDS Day
More Themes & Odd Holidays
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