In recent months, Google has made headlines for its decision to remove certain cultural observances from its widely used online and mobile calendar. Notably absent from the 2025 calendar are important dates such as the kickoff of Black History Month and Women’s History Month, events that were previously highlighted at the beginning of February and March, respectively. This decision has sparked discussions among users and advocates for cultural recognition, raising questions about the company’s commitment to diversity and representation.
According to a spokesperson from Google, the changes to the Calendar feature took effect in mid-2024 as part of a broader restructuring of how cultural events are highlighted. The spokesperson explained that the calendar team had initially made efforts to manually include a variety of cultural moments from different parts of the world. However, they discovered that the manual process was neither scalable nor sustainable in the long run. As a result, Google has reverted to displaying only those public holidays and national observances sourced from timeanddate.com, a platform based in Norway with a limited team.
This shift indicates a theme of practicality over advocacy, suggesting that Google may be prioritizing functionality over cultural inclusivity. Critics argue that this stance diminishes the visibility of significant cultural milestones, particularly those linked to marginalized communities.
The removal of these cultural references is part of a larger trend that reflects changes in the political landscape in the United States. Following the election of President Trump, several tech companies, including Google, have revisited their diversity and inclusion initiatives. The tech giant has recently rolled back its diversity hiring goals, contributing to an impression that it is retreating from actively supporting initiatives that promote inclusivity.
The political environment has evidently influenced corporate behavior, leading to a re-evaluation of what cultural recognition should look like within corporate structures. For instance, the decision to rename the Gulf of Mexico to “Gulf of America” on Google Maps, alongside using the historical term “Mount McKinley,” stands as a clear example of the shifts in how geographic and cultural names are presented, all while attempting to align with new governmental standards.
The absence of significant cultural markers on Google Calendar has not gone unnoticed by user communities. Advocates for social justice and cultural awareness are expressing concerns that the lack of recognition undermines efforts toward equality and understanding. Users are left questioning how tech companies, which wield great influence over public perceptions, can reconcile the push for profit and efficiency with their responsibilities to represent diverse narratives.
As Google navigates these contentious waters, the reactions from the community will likely shape the future of the platform. The company’s decision to allow users to manually add important cultural moments may be seen as a concession but falls short of creating an inclusive space that acknowledges the rich tapestry of national and cultural histories. Ultimately, as users advocate for greater recognition, the balance between practicality and representation will remain a crucial point of contention in the ongoing dialogue about corporate responsibility in cultural recognition.