Throughout the year, the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences celebrates national heritage months with the release of a heritage guide and Spotlights focusing on diverse faculty, staff, and students at the University of Florida and in the greater Gainesville community. Cultural Heritage Months celebrate the customs, values and traditions of different cultures within the United States, examining the issues and struggles of different communities as well as affirming their contributions to American society.
National Black History Month (February)
Black History Month, or National African American History Month, observed annually in February, is a celebration of the achievements by black Americans and a time for recognizing the central role of African Americans in U.S. history. National Black History Month was first observed in 1926, when Carter G. Woodson proposed celebrating what he called Negro History Week to recognize the tremendous contributions of African Americans throughout U.S. history.
We invite you to participate in the LinkedIn Learning’s BHM Challenge, kicking off February 9th, where some incredible courses taught by black authors will be spotlighted. Let’s challenge ourselves to participate each day in a professional development activity. Each day’s activity can be completed in approximately ~5 minutes or less.
Follow these steps to participate:
- Print or save the calendar (2022 LinkedIn Learning February Challenge Calendar)
- Complete each day’s short LinkedIn learning (~5 mins or less)
- Initial each day’s box once you’ve watched the daily video
- Share your biggest takeaways to bevansdonaldson@ufl.edu by February 28th
- Join us for Coffee & Conversation: Representation in Academia and Beyond
- After participating in the LinkedIn Learning’s BHM Challenge, join us for an open discussion around this month’s activities and why representation in the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, and beyond, matters.
- When: Monday February 28, 2:00pm to 3:00pm EST
- Where:Â RSVP HEREÂ for Zoom link
- Who:Â All CLAS faculty, staff, and students welcome
National Women’s History Month (March)
Annually celebrated in March, Women’s History Month acknowledges the many contributions women have made in America’s history. National Women’s History Month was first observed as National Women’s Day on Feb. 28, 1909. Later, in 1987, Congress designated March as Women’s History Month to recognize all American women and the role they play in our nation’s life.
National Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (May)
Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month is a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States that encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia. National Asian and Pacific Islander Month began as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week, first observed under President Jimmy Carter in 1979 and later expanded to cover the whole month of May by President George Bush in 1990.
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer (LGBTQ+) Pride Month (June)
Pride Month began as a commemoration of the 1969 Stonewall riots, when members of the LGBTQ+ community took a stance against discrimination and violence toward the community. In 1999, President Bill Clinton issued a proclamation in which Gay Pride Day was expanded to Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month.
National Hispanic Heritage Month (September)
National Hispanic Heritage Month is nationally celebrated each year from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of those whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. Since 1968, Americans all over the nation have observed National Hispanic Heritage Month.
National Native American Heritage Month (November)
Native American Heritage Month is a time to celebrate, recognize, and inform the public about the culture, traditions, histories, art, and contributions of American Indians and Alaska Natives. Native American Heritage Month began in 1976, as Native American Awareness Week, which was observed in October. In 1990, President Bush approved the designation of November as National American Indian Heritage Month.