November 20 Holidays

Africa Industrialization Day was established by the UN General Assembly to mark November 20 as a day of awareness for African industrialization — advocating for policies that allow African nations to add value to their raw materials rather than export them unprocessed to richer economies. International Hug a Runner Day was created to celebrate runners and the extraordinary physical and mental effort running requires — a sport practiced by more than 60 million Americans. Black Consciousness Day — Dia da Consciência Negra — is a Brazilian national holiday on November 20 commemorating the November 20, 1695 death of Zumbi dos Palmares, the Afro-Brazilian resistance leader of Quilombo dos Palmares — one of the most significant acts of Black resistance to Brazilian slavery. International Stand Up to Bullying Day is observed on the third Friday of November to raise awareness for bullying and to encourage schools, workplaces, and communities to adopt zero-tolerance bullying policies.