Harvey Milk Day is organized by the
Harvey Milk Foundation and celebrated each year on May 22 in memory of
Harvey Milk, a
gay rights activist who
was assassinated in 1978. Milk was a prominent gay activist during the 20th century. He ran for office three times before becoming the first openly gay person elected to California public office, where he served as a city supervisor.[1] Harvey Milk Day came about as a day to remember and teach about Milk's life and his work to stop discrimination against the LGBTQIA+ community.[2]
California Day of Special Significance
In California, Harvey Milk Day is recognized by the state's government as a day of special significance for public schools.[3][4] The day was established by the California legislature and signed into law by Governor
Arnold Schwarzenegger in 2009. Having vetoed the legislation in 2008, Gov. Schwarzenegger was persuaded to reverse his position after a series of petitions led by gay rights activist Daren I. Ball,[5] President
Barack Obama's decision to award Milk the
Presidential Medal of Freedom, and the release of the award-winning feature film Milk retracing Milk's life.[6][7][8]
(federal) = federal holidays, (abbreviation) = state/territorial holidays, (religious) = religious holidays, (cultural) = holiday related to a specific
racial/ethnic group or
sexual minority, (week) = week-long holidays, (month) = month-long holidays, (36) =
Title 36 Observances and Ceremonies