October

Filipino American History Month Lessons

Filipino Americans are the second-largest Asian American group in the nation and the third-largest ethnic group in California, after Latinos and African Americans. The celebration of Filipino American History Month in October commemorates the first recorded presence of Filipinos in the continental United States, which occurred on October 18, 1587, when “Luzones Indios” came ashore from the Spanish galleon Nuestra Señora de Esperanza and landed at what is now Morro Bay, California. In 2009, the U.S. Congress recognized October as Filipino American History Month in the United States.

Black Poetry Day: Oct. 17th Lesson

“From Phillis Wheatley, America's first published black female poet, to beloved writers Langston Hughes, Maya Angelou and James Baldwin, the contributions of black lyricists have revolutionized the country's arts and social landscape. Observed annually on October 17, Black Poetry Day is an unofficial holiday celebrating past and present African-American poets. The holiday may have started as an anniversary of the first published African-American poet, Jupiter Hammon.”

~Fiza Pirani, Atlanta Journal Constitution

Diwali: Festival of Lights - Oct. 20th - 21st Lesson 

Diwali (or Deepavali in Sanskrit), which literally translates to 'a row of lights', is the annual festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and Buddhists. It's also the largest celebration in their religious calendars.