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Commemorative months in the United States play a pivotal role in shaping the national narrative and fostering a deeper understanding of ethnic identities. These observances offer an important opportunity to recognize the histories, struggles, and contributions of marginalized groups, thereby providing a platform for educating the public about their cultural complexities. Beyond celebratory events, heritage months serve as occasions to reflect critically on how these communities are viewed and treated within American society, often in the context of historical oppression.

HISTORY

The first commemorative month was the US Black History Month which was officially created in 1976 to recognize and honor Black Americans’ contributions to United States history that were often forgotten or neglected. Within this month, notable leaders are often spotlighted including Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., who was a political activist fighting for equal rights, Rosa Parks, honored as ‘the first lady of civil rights’, Mae Jemison, who was the first female African American astronaut, and Barack Obama, who was the first African-American President in 2009.

Despite its positive intentions, there was some controversy with the creation of these months of recognition. One of the people most vocal about these changes was Morgan Freeman, who is a well-known actor, who objected to the idea. Morgan Freeman said in an interview with the UK, “You’re going to relegate my history to a month?… My history is American history… the one thing in this world I am interested in, beyond making money, having a good time and getting enough sleep.”

However, in spite of the various criticisms, all commemorative months seek to spread awareness of the differences that are both visible and invisible to others that history may be foreign to. Without the yearly recognition that these months serve, the diversity and noting the differences in perspectives would begin to fade into the background and potentially be forgotten to the younger generations.

From the creation of Black History Month, other historically significant cultures, identities, and ancestry began being recognized including: Women’s History Month, Hispanic Heritage Month, Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and Military Family Appreciation Month.

DESIGNATION PROCESS

Commemorative measures have a broad history of both observation and designation, and they include anything from National Ice Cream Day celebrated on the third Sunday of July to Women’s History Month in February. The designation process varies significantly even between nationally recognized dedicative months, which results in the expiration of some commemorations.

Date-specific commemorations are divided into three categories: federal holidays, patriotic and national observances, and recognitions. Federal holidays and observances require legislation, but recognitions require only a simple resolution by the House or Senate or a concurrent resolution between the two. This system worked well, leading to the establishment of several popular dedicated months, until a shift in the process during the 104^th Congress (1995-1996). House Rule XII, clause 5, banned the introduction of commemorative measures as part of a larger initiative to declutter the legislative calendar. The Senate did not follow suit, however, so many commemorative proposals have since come to fruition there.

Since the 104^th Congress, many presidents have worked around the proposal ban by issuing presidential proclamations to officially recognize certain communities. These symbolic declarations are valid only for the duration of their term and must be renewed by subsequent leadership. Some commemorative months established by proclamations include Pride Month (1999), Caribbean American Heritage Month (2006), and National Arab American Heritage Month (2021).

The commemorative months that we now nationally recognize came from smaller beginnings. Many originated as commemorative weeks recognized locally or federally, like Women’s History Week (in Sonoma County, CA, in 1978) or Hispanic Heritage Month (through Congressman Edward Roybal in 1968), respectively. Some designations were declared after years of lobbying from citizens or advocacy groups. For instance, Black History Month stemmed from historian Carter G. Woodson’s 1926 naming of Negro History Week, which was then supported by activists until President Ford’s proclamation fifty years later. Still other months have particularly tense histories of protest; Pride Month, for example, was first designated in recognition of the 1969 Stonewall Riots. The breadth of commemorative months’ histories is enough to show that the efforts of individuals and advocacy groups are crucial to building a more inclusive nation.

The following is a (non-exhaustive) designation timeline of federally recognized commemorative months:

• 1976: President Ford designates February as Black History Month.
• 1987: Congress designates March as Women’s History Month.
• 1988: President Reagan nominates & Congress legislates September 15 – October 15 as Hispanic Heritage Month.
• 1990: President Bush Jr. designates November as National American Indian Heritage Month.
• 1992: Congress designates May as Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
• 1999: President Clinton issues a Proclamation recognizing June as Gay & Lesbian Pride Month.
  • Expanded in 2009 by President Obama to be LGBT Pride Month
  • Expanded in 2021 by President Biden to be LGBTQ Pride Month
• 1999: Congress designates May as National Military Appreciation Month.
• 2006: President Bush Sr. nominates & Congress passes concurrent resolution recognizing May as Jewish American Heritage Month.
• 2006: President Bush Sr. issues a Proclamation recognizing June as Caribbean American Heritage Month.
• 2014: President Obama issues a Proclamation recognizing June as National Immigrant Heritage Month.
• 2021: President Biden issues a Proclamation recognizing April as National Arab American Heritage Month.

IMPACTS AND SIGNIFICANCE

As demographic shifts continue, it becomes increasingly important to reconsider the concept of “American” identity. Hispanic/Latino Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans each contribute significantly to the nation’s history, and their stories are essential to understanding both the past and the future of the United States. These monthly celebrations go beyond heritage to also honor women and the LGBTQ+ community. Therefore, commemorative months are not only occasions for celebration, but also for engaging with these histories and critically examining the ongoing challenges these groups face.

For example, Black History Month started as a week before it was designated as an entire month. In 1915, Dr. Carter G. Woodson was inspired to create an organization to promote the study of Black history, leading to the founding of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. In 1926, he launched Negro History Week, later becoming Black History Month. Chosen to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, February continues to celebrate African American achievements, culture, and history year-round.

FINAL THOUGHTS

It is crucial to recognize that these observances should be part of a broader, year-round commitment to inclusion. As Morgan Freeman said, “My history is American history…”, emphasizing the importance of honoring marginalized groups throughout the year. The celebration of cultural legacies should not be confined to specific months but should be an ongoing effort to recognize and learn from the diverse experiences that constitute the American story. While the commemorative month calendar serves as a useful reminder, it is only one tool in ensuring that all cultural identities are acknowledged and valued within the larger discourse on American identity and history.

Tia Wisco, McKenna Hall, and Aspen Delis | Journalism Interns, University of Utah Honors College