Cultural Heritage Months
Cultural Heritage Months
A cultural heritage month is a period of time (usually about 4 weeks) that commemorates an ethnic or traditionally marginalized group of people's contributions to the United States of America.
Currently, the U.S. government designates nine months as cultural heritage months, which means Congress has passed a law officially designating these months as important times to call attention to the history and contributions of the heritage being commemorated during the month.
Because not all cultural heritages are written into law at the national level, communities across the nation have announced certain months to be heritage months as well. For example, in twenty-two states, April is the month for commemorating Arab American Heritage and there is a bill in the House of Representatives supporting a national designation (10/15/20 LOC). The American public can advocate for cultural heritage months by contacting their legislators.
We (the librarians) hope you will embrace cultural heritage months as a time to celebrate people, learn about culture, appreciate diversity, honor the sacrifices, and recognize the contributions of the groups of people being commemorated.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15-October 15) celebrates and recognizes the contributions Hispanic Americans have made to American society and culture and honors five of our Central American neighbors who celebrate their independence in September.
National Disability Employment Awareness Month (October) celebrates the accomplishments in the workplace of persons with disabilities and reaffirms the commitment to ensuring equal employment opportunities to all citizens.
National American Indian Heritage Month (November) celebrates and recognizes the accomplishments of the peoples who were the original inhabitants, explorers and settlers of the United States.
National African American History Month (February) celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history.
National Women’s History Month (March) honors and celebrates the struggles and achievements of American women throughout the history of the United States. American women have struggled throughout our history to gain rights not simply for themselves but for many other under represented and disenfranchised groups in America.
National Irish-American Heritage Month ( March) is a month to celebrate the contributions which Irish-Americans have made to the United States.
H.Res.948 expresses support for the recognition of April as Arab American Heritage Month and celebrating the heritage and culture of Arab Americans in the United States.
National Jewish American Heritage Month (May) is a month to celebrate the contributions Jewish Americans have made to America since they first arrived in New Amsterdam in 1654.
National Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month (May) is a month to celebrate and pay tribute to the contributions generations of Asian/Pacific Americans have made to American history, society and culture.
National Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month (June) commemorates the events of June 1969 and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for LGBTQ Americans.
Special thanks to Library Assistant Anna P. for her work on this site.