Explore Our August 2025 Diversity Calendar

The August 2025 Equity, Diversity, Inclusion, and Belonging (EDIB) Calendar is here! Attached, you’ll find a carefully curated collection of significant dates that recognize the vibrant diversity within our communities. We encourage you to print and display it in communal spaces, share it with the people you support, and keep a copy handy for your own reference.

This calendar is more than a list of dates—it’s an invitation to engage. Each day highlighted represents an opportunity to deepen our understanding of cultural traditions, historical milestones, health awareness campaigns, and spiritual observances that shape the world around us. By acknowledging these moments, we foster meaningful conversations, inspire learning, and strengthen our commitment to inclusion.

At Karis Disability Services, belonging isn’t just a value, it’s the heart of who we are. Our strength lies in our people: the people who use our services, our dedicated team, and the communities we create together. By recognizing diverse experiences and celebrating what makes each person unique, we build spaces where Everybody Belongs – we don’t just build inclusion, we grow connection. Every voice matters. Every story belongs.

In August, we celebrate and remember:

• Canada Emancipation Day on August 1: Celebrating the strength and perseverance of Black communities in Canada. Recognized across Canada, marking the end of slavery in the British Empire in 1834.
• Tisha B’Av on August 2-3: A period of fasting, lamentation, and prayer to remember the destruction of the First and Second Temples of Jerusalem, as well as other tragedies that have occurred on this day. It is described as the saddest day on the Jewish calendar.
• Civic Holiday on August 4: Known by a variety of names across Canada and celebrated according to local municipal traditions and history.
• Feast of the Transfiguration of the Lord on August 6: Celebrated by various Christian communities in commemoration of the occasion upon which Jesus Christ took three of his disciples, Peter, James, and John, up on a mountain, where Moses and Elijah appeared and Jesus was transfigured, his face and clothes becoming dazzlingly bright. The festival celebrates the revelation of the eternal glory of the Second Person of the Trinity, which was normally veiled during Christ’s life on earth. According to tradition, the event took place on Mount Tabor.
• International Day of the World’s Indigenous Peoples on August 9: Pronounced by the United Nations, this is a day to promote and protect the rights of the world’s Indigenous populations and recognize the achievements and contributions that Indigenous peoples make to improve world issues such as environmental protection.
• National Acadian Day on August 15: Since 1881, Acadians have celebrated National Acadian Day on August 15. Canada’s federal and provincial governments officially recognized National Acadian Day in 2003 and 2004 respectively. It is a day marked by colourful community festivals and family events that bring Acadian culture and history to life.
• The Assumption of Mary into Heaven on August 15: Often shortened to the Assumption, this refers to Mary’s death and ascent to heaven and is celebrated by Catholic and Orthodox Churches.
• Krishna Janmashtami on August 16: It is one of the most revered religious festivals of Hindus in India. Celebrating the birth of Lord Krishna and his rescue from potential death by the demon Kasna. Lord Krishna was born in a prison, then carried by his father to another village where he was secretly exchanged with a cow herder’s daughter for his safety.
• World Humanitarian Day on August 19: This day is dedicated to humanitarians worldwide, as well as to increase public understanding of humanitarian assistance activities.
• International Day Commemorating the Victims of Acts of Violence Based on Religion or Belief on August 22: On this day, the international community honours the survivors and victims of religious-based violence. A timely reminder of the growing number, range, and intensity of such acts of violence around the world.
• International Day for the Remembrance of the Slave Trade and its Abolition on August 23: A day designated by the UNESCO to memorialize the transatlantic slave trade.
• Women’s Equality Day on August 26: Commemorating the passage of women’s suffrage in the U.S. and reminds us of the hurdles overcome by the heroic women who faced violence and discrimination to propel the women’s movement forward. Women aren’t done fighting for equal rights. Today, the wage gap between men and women still impacts women’s economic power, and gender-based discrimination still plagues workplaces and business transactions.
• Ganesh Chaturthi on August 27: This Hindu festival honours of one of Hinduism’s major deities, Ganesh, the elephant-headed god. He is known as the ‘remover of all obstacles’ and is invoked at the beginning of all new undertakings.
• International Overdose Awareness Day on August 31: A day to remember without stigma those who have died and to acknowledge the grief of the family and friends left behind.

Thank you for being part of this journey. Your commitment to equity and belonging makes a difference—today and every day!