Why do we have heritage months?
Heritage months in the United States are designated periods, often established by Congress, to honor the history, culture, and contributions of marginalized or ethnic groups. They originate from movements seeking to address underrepresentation, aiming to educate the public and promote inclusion.
They are deliberate, important, and usually take years, decades, even a century to be codified into law. While the origin may begin with a small group of passionate people who feel strongly about bringing awareness to historical facts regarding the contributions of a particular people, the process to become an official designation is long, serious, requiring awareness, and appreciation of the people and those in power.
We focus on this because with the increasing polarization in our nation, heritage months have been criticized by some as “politically correct,” or another example of liberalism taking over traditional American values. In fact, these honorary designations have long and important histories and, significantly, have been established by presidents and legislators from both political parties.
Read on for a summary of how each heritage month came into being.
FEBRUARY is Black History Month. In 1926 Dr. Carter G. Woodson instituted the first week-long celebration to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to history. Prior to this time, little information could be found regarding African American history. Important achievements were left out of history books, and there was a general misconception that African Americans had made little contribution to U.S. society or history. 50 years later, the week became a month, and today February is celebrated as African American History Month. The month of February was chosen because it celebrates the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both of whom dramatically affected the lives of African Americans.
MARCH is National Women’s History Month, established by presidential proclamation in order to draw attention to and improve the focus on women in historical studies. It began in New York City on March 8, 1857, when female textile workers marched in protest of unfair working conditions and unequal rights for women. It was one of the first organized strikes by working women, during which they called for a shorter work day and decent wages. Also on March 8, in 1908, women workers in the needle trades marched through New York City’s Lower East Side to protest child labor, sweatshop working conditions, and demand women’s suffrage. Beginning in 1910, March 8 became annually observed as International Women’s Day. Women’s History Week was instituted in 1978 in an effort to begin adding women’s history into educational curricula. In 1987, the National Women’s History Project successfully petitioned Congress to include all of March as a celebration of the economic, political and social contributions of women.
APRIL is Genocide Awareness Month, including Holocaust Remembrance Day, or Yom HaShoah. The month was chosen because it contains many significant dates in the history of genocide. These include the beginnings of the Genocide Against the Tutsi in Rwanda, the Armenian Genocide, and the Anfal campaign against Iraqi Kurds, and Yom HaShoah, a day of remembrance of the Holocaust . The goal of Genocide Awareness Month is to share knowledge about what genocide is, about genocides that have happened in the past, and the continuing scourge of genocide today. Throughout the month, individuals, communities and organizations join together to remember and honor victims and survivors of mass atrocities, to grieve and remember, commemorate those who suffered and died in the genocides that occurred in Rwanda, Cambodia, Armenia, and across Europe during the Holocaust. January 27th is also designated as International Day in Memory of the Victims of the Holocaust that commemorates the systematic extermination of 6 million Jews, representing two-thirds of Europe’s Jewish population, alongside the deaths of millions of others perpetrated by the Nazi regime and its collaborators. It was designated by United Nations General Assembly resolution 60/7 on November 1st 2005.
APRIL is also Arab American Heritage Month. It celebrates Arab American heritage and culture and pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans. The United States Department of State has recognized April as the National Arab American Heritage Month, stating in a public announcement on April 1, 2021: “Americans of Arab heritage are very much a part of the fabric of this nation, and Arab Americans have contributed in every field and profession.” In 2022, President Biden declared April as Arab American Heritage Month and issued an official proclamation in 2023.
MAY is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month and Older Americans Month. The roots of this Month can be traced back to 1976, when Jeanie Jew, president of the Organization of Chinese American Women, contacted government officials in response to the lack of Asian Pacific representation in the U.S. bicentennial celebrations. The observance began in 1979 as Asian Heritage Week, established by congressional proclamation. In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further when President George Bush signed a proclamation making it month-long for that year, and then in October 1992, Bush signed legislation designating May of every year Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The month of May was chosen to commemorate two significant events in history: the immigration of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States on May 7, 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869 (Golden Spike Day).
JUNE is Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. On June 11, 1999 President Clinton issued a proclamation designating June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. In the spirit of honoring equality and freedom, the president said, “I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that celebrate our diversity, and to remember throughout the year the gay and lesbian Americans whose many and varied contributions have enriched our national life.” The most significant June event in GLBT history was the Stonewall Inn Rebellion, a three-day protest in 1969 in New York City’s Greenwich Village during which patrons protested against unfair police discrimination and harassment. It marked the first time the gay community joined together to fight for its civil rights, earning national attention and gaining a foothold in the struggle for equality.
SEPTEMBER 15 – Oct 15 is National Hispanic Heritage Month. On September 17, 1968, President Johnson signed the National Hispanic Heritage Week bill, the first designation in the nation, for the week of September 15 as a time of national recognition. In 1988, President Reagan expanded the recognition from one week to a full month, September 15th to October 15th. The Month honors the histories, cultures, and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The celebration begins on September 15 because it is the anniversary of independence for five Latin American countries: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico celebrates its independence on September 16, Chile on September 18, and Belize on September 21. Originally introduced as “Hispanic Heritage Week” by President Lyndon Johnson in 1968, it was expanded to a full 31-day period by President Ronald Reagan and enacted into law on August 17, 1988.
NOVEMBER is Native American Heritage Month is celebrated every November. It serves as a national observance to honor the rich cultures, traditions, and enduring contributions of Indigenous peoples. The month highlights the histories of American Indians and Alaska Natives, promoting education, cultural preservation, and a deeper understanding of their sovereignty and heritage. The movement to recognize Native Americans began as early as 1916, when New York declared the first state-level “American Indian Day.” In 1990, President George H.W. Bush signed a joint resolution designating November as “National American Indian Heritage Month”. Since 1994, similar proclamations have been issued annually, recognizing the contributions of both American Indians and Alaska Natives. It provides a platform to celebrate Indigenous resilience, showcase vibrant cultures, and acknowledge that Native American history is foundational to American history. The renaming of Columbus Day serves as an example of how naming, and designating, has the power to bring more awareness and understanding to a society.
Heritage months designated to recognize, and celebrate, groups of people who have been marginalized, mistreated, or misunderstood. An official designation, by a president or congress, takes place after decades of passionate people working to raise awareness, fight for equal rights, and educate about their history, culture, and significant contributions to the country.
By Sara Lennon