This month is dedicated to appreciating the contributions and significance of the GLBT community, and applauding gay, lesbian, bisexual, transsexual, and transgender pride. The event is free, but tickets are required. 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." He was a major voice in the anti-slavery/civil rights movement of his time. African American History Month, also called Black History Month, a monthlong commemoration of African American history and achievement that takes place each February in the United States. 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 begun in 1976.

and It also aims to foster awareness of the importance of integrating persons with disabilities into every aspect of life. Beginning in 1910, March 8 became annually observed as International Women's Day. The roots of Asian/Pacific American Heritage 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 that same year.

REQUEST MORE INFORMATION TODAY! The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, Smithsonian Institution and United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity to achieve full citizenship in American … It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. In addition, the United Nations has established December 3 as the International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Displaying world-class artwork, new features include oral pronunciation of holidays in various languages; videos accompanying entries -- watch a Chinese Lantern Festival, listen to songs of a Muslim EID, or observe a Native American Heritage cultural celebration. The dates were chosen to commemorate two key historic events: Independence Day, honoring the formal signing of the Act of Independence for Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua (September 15, 1821), and Mexico’s Independence Day, which denotes the beginning of the struggle against Spanish control (September 16, 1810).

In 1980, President Jimmy Carter designated Senior Citizens Month as "Older Americans 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. On December 10 in 1948, the United Nations General Assembly adopted the Universal Declaration of Human Rights. Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, founded by Dr. Woodson, sets the theme for the month.

Reserve a Seat , On June 11, 1999 President Clinton issued a proclamation designating June as Gay and Lesbian Pride Month. See Stories from the Veterans History Project: Various programs throughout the month headed by The Office of Disability Employment Policy emphasize specific employment barriers that still need to be addressed and eliminated.

African National Women’s History Month, Irish-American Heritage Month, March 13 to April 15 is National Deaf History Month, Asian Pacific American Heritage, Older Americans Month and Jewish American Heritage Month, National Hispanic-Latino Heritage Month (Sept. 15-Oct. 15), National Disability Employment Awareness Month and National Italian American Heritage Month, None to date; are two international commemorations. Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) was a writer, lecturer, editor, and civil rights activist who escaped slavery at age 21 and went on to campaign for the abolition of slavery, establish a newspaper, and hold the office of Minister to Haiti. National American Indian Heritage Month serves as a reminder of the positive effect native peoples have had on the cultural development and growth of the U.S., as well as the struggles and challenges they have faced. 50 years later, the week became a month, and today February is celebrated as African American History Month. Each year a similar proclamation is issued. Find in-depth explanations about how multicultural holidays and events are celebrated complete with recipes of key foods, and a powerful search engine to quickly find all entries on a particular subject. In 1926 Dr. Carter G. Woodson instituted the first week-long celebration to raise awareness of African Americans’ contributions to history. A Closer Look at African American Artists in SAAM's CollectionJoin artist and scholar Allan deSouza, art adviser Schwanda Rountree, and DC-based art collectors Mel and Juanita Hardy for a panel discussion highlighting important works by African American artists from the Smithsonian American Art Museum's (SAAM) collections. Students at an elementary school in Washington, D.C., participating in an African American History Month event, 2011. Against all odds, America’s first peoples have endured, and they remain a vital cultural, political, social, and moral presence." In recent years, gay, lesbian, bisexual, and transgender (GLBT) individuals did not have a specific month during which to celebrate and commemorate Pride Days in the United States. Every year the president of the United States signs an executive order designating the month of October as National American Heritage Month, in recognition of the many achievements and contributions made to American culture by persons of Italian heritage. To date, the Museum has collected more than 36,000 artifacts and nearly 100,000 individuals have become charter members. Each December, the commitment to this universal document of rights is renewed and celebrated. African Americans serving in the military service throughout U.S. history have often fought on two fronts: fighting the actual enemy and fighting a system of segregation and exclusion. Request a Quote and Fact Sheet or call 206.362.0336. Educational Resources », Image credit: "Frederick Douglass appealing to President Lincoln and his cabinet to enlist Negroes," mural by William Edouard Scott, at the Recorder of Deeds building, built in 1943. References: Electronic Diversity Resource Calendar, Diversity Resources, Inc. Older Americans Month got its start in 1963 as a result of a meeting between President John F. Kennedy and the National Council of Senior Citizens when May was designated as "Senior Citizens Month."