October is Down Syndrome Awareness Month, which is what triggered Part 2 of Ethics Alarms Hybrid Day, 2025. Most Americans are aware barely aware of DSMAD, however, since it shares its distinction with Breast Cancer Awareness Month, National Cybersecurity Awareness Month, Domestic Violence Awareness Month,National Disability Employment Awareness Month, ADHD Awareness Month, National Physical Therapy Month, and Mental Health Awareness Month.
But wait! There’s more: It’s also National LGBTQ+ History Month, Filipino American History Month, Hispanic History Month, Italian American Heritage Month, and Polish American Heritage Month too. It’s also Cookie Month! And I’m sure none of us neglect celebrating American Archives Month, celebrating the work of archivists and the value of historical records, and my personal favorite, Black Speculative Fiction Month, which honors the achievements of black authors in the genres of science fiction and fantasy, because since stories and novels are so much more fascinating when the author has the right skin color.
Of course, October also has special days set aside to honor such boons as…well, why not give you the whole list? There’s Halloween and Columbus Day, of course, but also…
- Global Hand-Washing Day
- National Child Health Day
- National Coaches Day
- National Consignment Day
- National Energy Geek Day
- National German-American Day (No Month for those Germans!)
- Mad Hatter Day (?)
- National Angel Food Cake Day
- Fire Prevention Day (Be careful when you’re baking those cookies and cakes!)
- National Cake-Decorating Day (Whew! You made it!)
- International Coffee Day (Mmmm…coffee with cake!)
- National Hair Day (Ew! Hair in my coffee…)
- National Pumpkin Cheesecake Day
- National Pumpkin Seed Day
- National Pasta Day
- National Taco Day
- National Aesthetician Day (Wait, what?)
- National Cheese Curd Day
- National Chicken Cacciatore Day
- National Fossil Day
- National Grouch Day
- National “I Love Lucy” Day (If there were a National Gilligan’s Island Day—there’s isn’t, thank God—it would be on September 26, the date that show premiered in 1964)
- International Cat Day
- World Architecture Day
- World Cerebral Palsy Day
- World Habitat Day
- National Bathtub Day
- National Forgiveness & Happiness Day
- National Frappe Day
- National Orange Wine Day (?)
- National Plus Size Appreciation Day
- National Transfer Money to Your Daughter Day
…and, believe it or not, more.
I have always had a massive bias against such contrived celebrations, the result of lobbyists and constituency groups bribing or otherwise persuading a member of Congress to read a tribute into the Congressional record that is passed pro forma. To say that this tradition cheapens recognition that many events, cultural markers and accomplishments deserve is an understatement. Don Alhambra’s cautionary tale in the memorable song from Gilbert and Sullivan’s “The Gondoliers” makes the case: “When everyone is somebody, then no one’s anybody.”
Or am I just being negative?
Your Ethics Alarms Hybrid Day Ethics Quiz:
Is anything really wrong with stuffing every month with pandering to every interest group imaginable?
.
Ethics Alarms 
Wrong? Maybe not.
Pointless? Yes.
And, if it is pointless, does that make it wrong?
This post reminded me of a spoof about Awareness ribbons. Someone created an awareness ribbon to raise awareness about Awareness ribbons.
And, the problem with there being so many awareness ribbons, most of them are meaningless, as I have no idea what they are supposed to make me aware of. And, the ones I do know (AIDS, Breast Cancer, etc.) are pointless because I am already aware of those things.
-Jut
The value of anything is predicated on its relative scarcity and someone’s desire to have more of it.
We should be commemorating accomplishments not just the existence of something or someone. That list dilutes the value of any proclamation made by Congress – even those that deserve recognition.
The most prominent of the causes in your list is Breast Cancer Awareness. If people are unaware of its existence by now they probably won’t take any notice of it this or in future Octobers. It would make more sense to commemorate the accomplishments of cancer researchers each year or those who survived the ordeal. Why does it matter what type of cancer is survived?
I cannot say if this is ethical or not as I don’t think there is a right or wrong way to participate in nonsensical acts and the value of actual participation cannot be determined by anyone except those participating. When they get no value they will stop participating. Very simple.
Every day should be Global Hand-Washing Day. I still haven’t gotten over how people had to be instructed to follow basic hygiene practices during COVID.
I’m sorry I missed National Grouch Day. I think that’s one that I could really appreciate.
The question:
Is anything really wrong with stuffing every month with pandering to every interest group imaginable?
I think there is something wrong with it — and it is dilution into meaninglessness. We shouldn’t do meaningless things just to puff up some obscure person or group. It’s the same thing as giving people a “key to the city.” It’s just meaningless performative gobbledygook that nobody pays any attention to except archivists, historians, and people loving to play the “I’ll bet you didn’t know (this or that).”
We can’t have meaningful celebrations because we’ve decided to celebrate everything.
October has been observed by law enforcement and many allied groups as National Crime Prevention Month since 1984. (Think “McGruff the Crime Dog” and “Take a Bite Out of Crime.”) All latecomers can shove off! (JK)
Yes, observing so many special “months” and “days” cheapens the practice, and dilutes already fickle public interest. Some of them concern serious matters and many are nonsensical and of only fringe-group interest. It is a sign of the growing un-seriousness of our society in general.
Can we have an “I saw evidence of Common Sense being used” month??
The only ones that really annoy me are the officially enforced pandering like MLK day and, worse, “Juneteenth”…and to o a slightly lesser degree the semi-official acts of lighting public buildings like the White House in identity group colors, or flying their flags at embassies & etc.
Admittedly, we sort of enjoy Stars Wars day (“May the fourth…”) because it’s deliberately silly, and also our oldest (slightly nerdy) granddaughter’s birthday.