Heritage Months

HISPANIC HERITAGE MONTH: September 15 to October 15 

Hispanic Heritage Month is celebrated from September 15th through October 15th. It is a national endeavor which celebrates and recognizes the rich cultural influence of Hispanics throughout the United States. This event was initiated by Congress more than twenty years ago as National Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded to a month in 1989. During this month America celebrates Hispanic cultures, achievements, and heritage by commemorating a number of historical events. For more information, contact Cumbre (The Latino/Hispanic student organization), 577-1095.

AMERICAN INDIAN HERITAGE MONTH: November

During this month America celebrates Native American Culture, achievements, and heritage. In 1990 President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations have been issued each year since 1994.

LESBIAN & GAY HISTORY MONTH: October 

The month of October was chosen to celebrate gay and lesbian history in order to commemorate the anniversaries of the first two gay and lesbian marches on Washington. The first march was in October, 1979, and drew over 200,000, and the second in October 1987, which drew over 500,000 and had the first public viewing of the NAMES Project AIDS Quilt. The Gay and Lesbian Alliance Against Defamation, Human Rights Campaign, National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, and other national organizations all endorse this historical month. For more information, contact the LGBT Awareness Office.

ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH: February  

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is typically celebrated in May. However, due to calendar restraints, Bucknell University celebrates this month during February. During the month many ethnic groups with diverse backgrounds, histories, languages, and cultures celebrate and attempt to recognize cultural, linguistic, and ethnic diversity while celebrating common historical experiences in Asian Pacific American history. President George Bush declared Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in 1992. For more information on Asian Awareness Week, contact Students for Asian Awareness at Bucknell (SAAB).

BLACK HISTORY MONTH: February  

Black History Month was implemented in 1976 as a month long celebration for Americans to recognize the diversity and richness of African American history and achievement. It first began in 1926 as Negro History Week and was celebrated to honor Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Carter G. Woodson, who was upset that schools did not teach Black education, is responsible for the founding of this historical month.

WOMEN'S HISTORY MONTH: March 

Women’s History Month began in 1987 when the National Women's History Project petitioned Congress to declare a month in which women are remembered and recognized for their accomplishments. This month is a time for schools, workplaces, and communities to obtain more detailed information and offer programs recognizing women's history. For more information, contact the Women's Resource Center. 

For more information on any of the heritage month events or to contact affiliated student groups call  570.577.1095

*The MSS Office publishes a Heritage Month Booklet, which gives more detailed information about each Heritage Month and other Diversity Weeks Bucknell University celebrates. For a copy of this booklet, call 570.577.1095