The Department of Energy observes special days, weeks, and months as reflected in the list below of special  observances programs.  Observances are held annually in compliance with Executive Order 11478, 29 CFR Part 1614.102(b)(4), joint Congressional Resolutions, Presidential Proclamations, and the Department’s diversity and inclusion goals as articulated in the Department of Energy’s Diversity and Inclusion Strategic Plan for 2012-2015. 

Special Observances Programs

Special observances are designed for the purpose of providing cultural awareness to the Department. Commemorative activities conducted for these observances are educational and employment-related.

The following are Special Emphasis Observances implemented by presidential proclamation, executive orders and public law:

Month Special Emphasis Program Observances
January Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
February Black History Month
March Women's History Month
May Asian American/Pacific Islander Heritage Month 
June Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer (LGBTQ) Pride Month 
August 26 Women’s Equality Day 
September National Hispanic Heritage Month
October National Disability Employment Awareness Month
November  American Indian/Alaskan Native Heritage Month
November  Veterans Day

 

Photo Gallery: Selected Photos from Recent Special Observance Events

Special Emphasis Observances - Photogallery

1/12 LGBTQ Pride Month Celebration on June 19, 2019
Panelists Neil Schuldenfrei, Russell Ames, Jocelyn Richards, Colette Broussard and moderator Michael Kopalek.
Photo courtesy of
2/12 Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month on May 7, 2019
Marilyn Madarang, an attorney in the Litigation and Enforcement Division at the Department of Energy’s Office of General Counsel, served as host.
Photo courtesy of
3/12 Martin Luther King Jr. Day on Jan. 23, 2019
Keynote speaker Commissioner Rodney Ellis, Harris Country, Texas.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
4/12 Native American Heritage Month celebration on Nov. 29, 2018
Jody TallBear, attorney advisor, Office of Civil Rights, introduces the keynote speaker.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
5/12 Native American Heritage Month celebration on Nov. 29, 2018
Carrie L. Billy, president and CEO, American Indian Higher Education Consortium (AIHEC), delivers the keynote address.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
6/12 Black History Month Special Observance program on Feb. 20, 2018
Keynote speaker John W. Franklin, National Museum of African American History and Culture.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
7/12 Black History Month Special Observance program on Feb. 20, 2018
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
8/12 Black History Month Special Observance program on Feb. 20, 2018
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
9/12 Black History Month Special Observance program on Feb. 20, 2018
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
10/12 Women's History Month Special Observance program on March 8, 2018
Keynote speaker Melody C. Bell, associate deputy assistant secretary for resource management, Office of Environmental Management.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
11/12 Veterans Day Special Observance program on Nov. 13, 2018
Rizwan Shah, organizational culture advisor, the Office of Health, Safety and Security.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy
12/12 Disability Employment Awareness Month in 2018
Keynote speaker Jennifer Sheehy, U.S. Department of Labor, and John Walsh, director of Talent Management, U.S. Department of Energy.
Photo courtesy of U.S. Department of Energy