Heritage Months
Hispanic Heritage Month
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from September 15 to October 15, by celebrating the histories, cultures and contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968 as Hispanic Heritage Week and was expanded in 1988 to cover a 30-day period starting on September 15 and ending on October 15. The day of September 15 is significant because it is the anniversary of independence for Latin American countries Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua. In addition, Mexico and Chile celebrate their independence days on September 16 and September 18, respectively.
Past UTSA Hispanic Heritage Month programs.
LGBTQIA + History/Pride Month
In 1994, a Missouri high school teacher, believed a month should be dedicated to the celebration and teaching of gay and lesbian history, and gathered other teachers and community leaders. They selected October because public schools are in session and existing traditions, such as Coming Out Day (October 11), occur that month.
LGBTQIA+ History Month was endorsed by GLAAD, the Human Rights Campaign, the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force, the National Education Association and other national organizations. In 2006 Equality Forum assumed responsibility for providing content, promotion and resources for LGBTQIA+ History Month.
Past UTSA LGBTQIA+ Pride Month programs.
Black History Month
Black History Month is an annual observance originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom. In conjunction with other national celebrations, we recognize the contributions made and the important presence of Black Americans to UTSA, Texas and the United States.
President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." That year, fifty years after the first celebration (originally called Negro History Week in 1926), the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) held the first African American History Month. By this time, the entire nation had come to recognize the importance of Black history in the drama of the American story. Since then each American president has issued African American History Month proclamations. And the association continues to promote the study of Black history all year.
Past UTSA Black History Month programs.
Women's History Month
March is Women's History Month. Women's History Month commemorates and celebrates women and their accomplishments to our cultura and society.
Women’s History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.
Past UTSA Women's History Month programs.
Native American Heritage Month
November is Native American Heritage Month – a celebration of Native Americans and Indigenous people in the United States. Native American Heritage Month celebrates the rich cultures, accomplishments, contributions, and heritage of native people in the United States.
In 1990 Congress passed and President George H. W. Bush signed into law a joint resolution designating the month of November as the first National American Indian Heritage Month (also known as Native American Indian Month).
Asian, Asian-American, Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month
May is Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month – a celebration of Asians and Pacific Islanders in the United States. A rather broad term, Asian/Pacific encompasses all of the Asian continent and the Pacific islands of Melanesia, Micronesia, and Polynesia.
In 1978, a resolution proposing that the President should "proclaim a week, which is to include the seventh and tenth of the month, during the first ten days in May of 1979 as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was passed. During the next decade, presidents passed annual proclamations for Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week until 1990 when the observance was expanded to a month.
The month of May was chosen to commemorate the immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants. Because of the academic calendar; UTSA traditionally celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in April.
More Heritage Month Commemorations
Look for events honoring and recognizing Indigenous, Native American, American Indian and Alaskan Native Heritage, Homeless Youth Awareness, Hunger Awareness, Veteran and Military Families Awareness, and International Education Week held on nationally recognized dates throughout the year.
