Google Removes Events and Holidays from Default Calendar

The Google calendar has been updated to remove certain events and holidays from the default list. This change affects events such as Black History Month, Pride Month, Jewish Heritage, Indigenous People Month, Holocaust Remembrance Day, and Hispanic Heritage Month.

Why Were These Events Removed?

According to a spokesperson for Google, the decision to remove these events was made due to the large number of cultural moments that needed to be manually added to the calendar. This process was found to be unsustainable and unscaleable. However, users can still manually add these events to their calendars.

Google’s Calendar Update

The move comes on the heels of Google’s announcement that it will no longer use timeanddate.com to determine public holidays and national observances. Instead, the company will rely on its own data to determine which events are worthy of inclusion on the calendar.

Additional Changes

Google’s update also coincides with the company’s decision to change the name of the Gulf of Mexico to "Gulf of America" for users in the US. This change was made in accordance with an executive order from the Trump administration.

Context: Rollback of Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion Efforts

The changes made by Google come as the tech industry is facing criticism for its handling of diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts. Other major companies, including Meta, Google, and Amazon, have recently announced plans to reassess or eliminate their DEI programs. The timing of these changes has led some to speculate that the company is trying to downplay its commitment to diversity and inclusion.

Background

In January 2025, Meta announced that it would be eliminating its DEI programs. In February 2025, Google confirmed that it would be reassessing its DEI hiring goals. Amazon has also been adjusting the language used in its 10-K filings to remove references to DEI. The use of this language has been criticized as an attempt to downplay the company’s commitment to diversity and inclusion.

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