Important Dates Calendar: A Year-Round Guide

Having a year-round guide to important dates can save you from last-minute scrambles and forgotten appointments.

January 1st marks the start of a new year, a perfect time to set goals and make resolutions.

Tax season typically begins on January 31st, so be sure to gather your documents and file your returns on time.

February is Black History Month, a time to reflect on and celebrate the contributions of African Americans.

March 17th is St. Patrick's Day, a festive celebration of Irish heritage and culture.

April is Autism Awareness Month, raising awareness and promoting acceptance of individuals with autism.

April is a month filled with awareness and recognition of various causes. Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention, Workplace Violence Prevention Awareness Month, Arab American Heritage Month, Autism Awareness Month, and National Volunteer Month are all celebrated during this time.

In April, you can also observe World Autism Day on April 2, and Black Maternal Health Week from April 11-17. Passover begins on April 22nd and ends on April 30th, coinciding with Earth Day on April 22nd, as well as Lesbian Visibility Week from April 22nd-28th.

Here are some notable awareness months and observances in the calendar:

January is a month of new beginnings and reflections. MLK Day is celebrated on January 15th, a day to honor the life and legacy of Martin Luther King Jr.

January 27th marks Holocaust Remembrance Day, a somber reminder of the importance of tolerance and understanding.

The Lunar New Year is observed on February 10th, but January has its own special events. Ash Wednesday, which falls on February 14th, is actually a January event for some, marking the beginning of the Lenten season.

January 2022 was a busy month for students, with the last day of Winter Courses falling on a Friday, the 7th. Final Grades were due for Final Courses on Tuesday, the 11th, at 12:00 noon.

March is a month of celebration and observance. Women's History Month and Irish American Heritage Month are recognized throughout the month.

International Women's Day is marked on March 8, a day to acknowledge the struggles and achievements of women worldwide. National Equal Pay Day is also observed on March 12, highlighting the need for equal pay for equal work.

March 21 is World Down Syndrome Day, raising awareness about the condition and promoting inclusion. The International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade is observed on March 25.

Palm Sunday, a significant day in the Christian calendar, falls on March 24. The Trans Day of Visibility, which aims to promote visibility and acceptance of transgender individuals, is marked on March 31.

Here's a list of notable dates in March:

In some years, March is also a time for academic milestones. For instance, Module I final exams are held on Thursday and Friday, March 4-5, and Module II begins on March 8.

April is a month filled with awareness and celebration. Sexual Assault Awareness Prevention and Workplace Violence Prevention Awareness Month are just two of the many observances that take place during this time.

April 2nd marks World Autism Day, a day to raise awareness and acceptance for individuals with autism.

Here are some other notable observances in April:

Passover begins on April 22nd and lasts until April 30th, and Earth Day is also celebrated on April 22nd.

In June, we celebrate Pride Month, which is a time to acknowledge and appreciate the LGBTQ+ community.

Pride Month is observed in June, a significant month for the LGBTQ+ community. This month is also known as Disability Pride Month and Independent Retailer Month.

Loving Day is celebrated on June 12, a day to commemorate the landmark Supreme Court case that declared interracial marriage unconstitutional.

Father's Day is observed on June 16, a day to honor and appreciate fathers and father figures.

International Day of Countering Hate Speech is marked on June 18, a day to raise awareness about hate speech and its impact.

Juneteenth, a day to commemorate the emancipation of enslaved African Americans, is observed on June 19.

National Indigenous Peoples Day is celebrated on June 21 in Canada.

Windrush Day, a day to honor the Caribbean community, is observed on June 22 in the United Kingdom.

Marriage Equality is celebrated on June 26, a day to commemorate the landmark Supreme Court case that declared same-sex marriage constitutional.

National PTSD Awareness Day is observed on June 27, a day to raise awareness about post-traumatic stress disorder.

The Stonewall Riots, a pivotal moment in the LGBTQ+ rights movement, are commemorated on June 28.

Here are some notable days in June:

August is a month filled with various celebrations and events. National Purple Heart Day is observed on August 7 to honor the sacrifices of military personnel.

In many institutions, August marks the beginning of the new academic year. Transfer Student Orientation is typically held on a Friday in early August, with the date varying from year to year.

Here are some key dates to note in August:

Senior Citizens Day is observed on August 21, a great opportunity to show appreciation for our elderly community. World Humanitarian Day is also celebrated on August 19 to honor the selfless work of humanitarian aid workers.

September is a month that's full of observances and celebrations. Hispanic / Latino/a/x/e Heritage Month kicks off on September 15 and lasts until October 15.

One of the notable observances in September is National Recovery Month, which aims to raise awareness about substance abuse and mental health. September is also Suicide Prevention Month, an important reminder to prioritize mental health and seek help when needed.

International Equal Pay Day is observed on September 18, highlighting the ongoing issue of pay inequality worldwide. On September 21, we observe International Day of Peace, a day to promote peace and conflict resolution.

The European Day of Languages is celebrated on September 26, promoting language diversity and cultural exchange. World Tourism Day is observed on September 27, recognizing the importance of tourism in economic development and cultural understanding.

Here's a list of notable dates in September:

Some universities also have specific dates to note in September. For example, Labor Day is usually observed on the first Monday of the month, and classes are often cancelled. University Census Date is also typically in September, which marks an important milestone in the academic year. Here's a rough estimate of what some universities may have scheduled:

Note that specific dates may vary depending on the university and year.

October is a month of awareness and celebration. It's National Disability Employment Awareness Month, where we recognize the contributions of people with disabilities in the workforce.

October is also LGBTQ History Month, a time to honor the achievements and struggles of the LGBTQ community. We celebrate with events like National Coming Out Day on October 11th.

In the United States, October is also UK Black History Month, which aims to promote understanding and appreciation of Black British history and culture.

October is a busy month for awareness campaigns, with Domestic Violence Awareness Month, National Bullying Awareness Month, Breast Cancer Awareness Month, and Down Syndrome Awareness Month all taking place.

Here are some key awareness days in October:

In educational settings, October is a time for students to prepare for exams and adjust to new schedules. For example, in 2021, Module II began on October 18th, and students had until October 26th to drop or add classes for Module II courses.

November is a month filled with important events and observances. National Family Caregivers Month is recognized in November, a time to acknowledge and appreciate the hard work of caregivers.

One of the most significant events in November is Día de los Muertos, celebrated on November 1-2. This traditional Mexican holiday honors loved ones who have passed away.

Veterans Day is observed on November 11, a day to express gratitude to those who have served in the military. World Diabetes Day is also marked on November 14, raising awareness about diabetes and promoting a healthy lifestyle.

November 20 is Transgender Day of Remembrance, a day to remember and honor those who have lost their lives due to anti-transgender violence. Native Women’s Equal Pay Day is observed on November 21, highlighting the pay gap faced by Native American women.

International Survivors of Suicide Loss Day is marked on November 23, providing support to those who have lost loved ones to suicide. Thanksgiving is celebrated on November 28, a time to come together with family and friends.

Native American Heritage Day is observed on November 29, recognizing the rich history and contributions of Native American communities.

December is a busy month for students, with several important dates to keep in mind.

The month starts with Module II final exams, which typically take place on Thursday and Friday of the first week in December.

Residence Halls reopen on Sunday of the first week in December, at 9 a.m.

Final exams for Undergraduate Day non-modular courses take place from Monday to Friday of the second week in December.

The last day of full fall semester courses for Undergraduate, Graduate and Continuing Studies is usually on a Friday in December, marking the end of the semester.

Reading Days, which are optional for Undergraduate Day classes, take place on Saturday and Sunday of the second week in December.

Winter Break begins on a Friday in December, at 6 p.m., and lasts until the start of the new semester.

The final deadline for grades is usually on a Tuesday in December, at 12:00 noon.

December is also a time for graduation, with December graduation dates typically falling on a Tuesday or Thursday of the last week in December.

May is a month of celebration and closure for students at Widener University. In May 2022, the official end of the Spring semester was on Friday, May 6th.

The final deadline for grades was also on Tuesday, May 10th at 12:00 noon. This deadline applies to all undergraduate and graduate students.

If you're a senior, you're in for a treat - residence halls close at 6 p.m. on Friday, May 6th, and you can stay through commencement until 6 p.m.

Here's a rundown of the commencement ceremonies:

The Drive-thru Commencement Ceremonies were held on Tuesday and Wednesday, May 11-12, and Mini Commencement Ceremonies took place from Wednesday to Saturday, May 12-15.

The changing seasons are a big part of our lives, and understanding them can help us plan for the year ahead. In the Northern Hemisphere, the seasons are caused by the Earth's tilt on its axis.

Spring typically starts around March 20th or 21st, and is a time of renewal and growth. It's a great time to plant flowers and vegetables in your garden. As the weather warms up, many animals also start to have their babies during this time.

Summer is the warmest season, usually starting around June 20th or 21st. It's a popular time for vacations and outdoor activities like swimming and hiking. In many places, summer is also the peak tourist season.

Autumn, or fall, typically starts around September 22nd or 23rd. It's a time of harvest and gathering, and is often associated with Thanksgiving and other holidays. The leaves on the trees change colors and fall to the ground, creating a beautiful landscape.

Winter usually starts around December 21st or 22nd, and is the coldest season of the year. It's a great time to stay indoors and catch up on reading or other activities. Many people also enjoy winter sports like skiing and ice skating during this time.

Winter is a great time to start fresh, and in 2021, that's exactly what many students did. They began their Winter Term on a Monday.

The Winter Term is a significant period, and one of the key dates to remember is the last day to drop or add Winter Courses, which falls on a Thursday, the 16th of the month.

If you're planning to take courses during the Winter Term, be aware that the last day to withdrawal from Winter Courses is on a Thursday, the 30th of the month.

Here are the key dates to keep in mind for the Winter Term:

As we welcome the arrival of spring, it's a great time to focus on new beginnings and fresh starts. Many universities, like Widener, have specific dates and events that mark the start of the semester.

The spring semester at Widener typically begins on a Tuesday, with the start of the semester for Undergraduate, Graduate, Continuing Studies, and Module I courses.

During this time, students can expect to move into their residence halls, with New Student Move-in taking place on Thursday and Friday of the first week of the semester.

One important date to keep in mind is Martin Luther King Jr. Day, which falls on a Monday and is a day off from classes.

If you're a returning student, you'll want to note that Residence Halls open at 9 a.m. on the Saturday and Sunday of the first week of the semester.

Here's a quick rundown of some key dates to keep track of:

It's also worth noting that the last day for dropping and/or adding classes for full semester and Module I courses is on a Wednesday, which gives students some time to adjust to their schedules.

The University Census Date is also an important milestone, taking place on a Monday and serving as a deadline for students to complete their enrollment process.

Lastly, the Early Assessment forms are e-mailed to faculty teaching Undergraduate Day freshmen on a Wednesday, and are due back to Academic Support Services on a subsequent Wednesday.