Life at Bio-Rad

Bio-Rad Multicultural Calendar, February 2025

February 1, 2025

At Bio-Rad, we publish a monthly Multicultural Calendar of events that are commonly celebrated in the United States. Starting in 2025, we have begun including events from some of our other countries as our program continues to expand globally. Our goal is to feature a variety of events that help bring cultural awareness to various groups' histories, traditions, and accomplishments while also highlighting events important to us both as a company and a community.

Black History Month: All February (US) 

Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month, with other countries like Canada and the United Kingdom also devoting a month to celebrating Black History. For a deeper look at the more than 400 years of African American history and heritage that has shaped American culture, click here. 

International Women and Girls in Science Day: February 11 (Global) 

Despite tremendous progress in recent decades, there has been a significant gender gap throughout the years at all levels of science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) disciplines all over the world. International Women and Girls in Science Day, observed annually and adopted by the United Nations General Assembly, promotes the full and equal access and participation of females in STEM. To learn more, click here. 

Louis Riel Day: February 17 (Canada)

Louis Riel Day is always the third Monday of February in Canada. Louis Riel was a passionate Métis leader and a catalyst in the events that helped Manitoba become Canada’s fifth province, joining the confederation in 1870. Louis Riel had a dream of a civilized world that embraces all cultures. To learn more, click here. 

Mexican National Flag Day: February 24 (Mexico)

The Mexican national flag is a symbol of freedom, justice, and citizenship. Its shield and colors represent the origins, principles, courage, and struggle of the Mexican nation. On February 24, 1935, Benito Ramirez an employee of the Bank of Mexico, organized a guard of honor in tribute to the Flag of Mexico and this practice continued until 1940, when President Lázaro Cárdenas declared that February 24 was officially Flag Day. To learn more, click here. 

Carnaval: February 28 – March 8 (Brazil)

The history of Carnival in Brazil is quite intriguing, with the first pre Lent carnivals happening in Italy. Carnival came from the word Carne Vale which translates to ‘Goodbye to Meat”. Today, the Rio Carnaval is marked by the top 12 Samba Schools performing to large audiences in a wild party. To learn more, click here. 

Ramadan: February 28 – March 29 (EMEA)

Muslims traditionally use a lunar calendar, so Ramadan occurs approximately 11 days earlier each year. In 2025, Ramadan will most likely begin on the evening of February 28, meaning the first full day of the Holy Month could be March 1. However, this start date depends on the sighting of the new crescent moon, usually established by the UAE’s special moon-sighting committee on the night itself. To learn about the importance of Ramadan and traditions associated with the holiday, click here. 

Other Holidays in February 

US Holidays 
Valentine's Day 
National Caregivers Day - February 2025
National Donor's Day 

Canada Holidays 
Islander Day
Family Day
 
Mexico Holidays 
Día de la Candelaria (Candlemas Day)
Proclamación de la Constitución Política Méxicana (Proclamation of the Mexican Political Constitution)
 
APAC Holidays 
Makha Bucha Day (Thailand)
Emperor's Birthday (Japan)
 
EMEA Holidays 
Random Acts of Kindness Day

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