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Harvey Milk Day in United States

Quick Facts

Harvey Milk Day is an observance that is recognized in public schools in California, United States, on May 22 each year.

Local names

NameLanguage
Harvey Milk DayEnglish
Día de Harvey MilkSpanish

Harvey Milk Day 2013

Wednesday, May 22, 2013

Harvey Milk Day 2014

Thursday, May 22, 2014
List of dates for other years

Many public schools observe Harvey Milk Day in California, USA, on May 22. This observance celebrates the achievements of Harvey Milk, a gay rights activist who was assassinated in 1978.

The rainbow flag, which symbolizes gay rights and freedom of expression, is used on some occasions on Harvey Milk Day.

©iStockphoto.com/ChezBriand

What do people do?

Many public schools and other educational institutions in California conduct commemorative projects, events and activities in memory of Harvey Milk on May 22. Topics such as equal rights are especially promoted on this day. From a global perspective, the Harvey Milk Foundation organizes a series of worldwide events to commemorate Harvey Milk Day.

Public life

Harvey Milk Day is an observance and not a public holiday in the USA.

Background

Harvey Milk was the first openly gay person to be elected to public office in a major city in the US, serving on the San Francisco Board of Supervisors from 1977-1978. His life and political career embody the rise of the lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) civil rights movement.

While in office, Milk worked to pass a gay rights ordinance and defeat Proposition 6, commonly known as the Briggs Initiative, which would have banned gays and lesbians from teaching in public schools. Milk encouraged LGBT people to be visible in society and believed in achieving social equality.

Milk was assassinated in 1978 by Dan White, a former colleague on the Board of Supervisors whose politics often clashed with Milk’s. On October 11, 2009, Californian governor Arnold Schwarzenegger established Harvey Milk Day to be held as a significant observance on May 22, which is Milk’s birthday. Harvey Milk Day is marked as a special day of significance in schools across the state.

Symbols

Images of Harvey Milk and memorable quotes are often seen in material produced to promote Harvey Milk Day. Harvey Milk was known for quotes like “Hope is never silent”. The rainbow flag, which symbolizes gay rights and freedom of expression, is also used on some occasions during Harvey Milk Day.

Harvey Milk Day Observances

WeekdayDateYearNameHoliday typeWhere it is observed
SatMay 222010Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
SunMay 222011Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
TueMay 222012Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
WedMay 222013Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
ThuMay 222014Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
FriMay 222015Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
SunMay 222016Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
MonMay 222017Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
TueMay 222018Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
WedMay 222019Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia
FriMay 222020Harvey Milk DayObservanceCalifornia

Other holidays in May 2013 in United States

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