Heritage Months

In the United States, cultural celebrations like these matter greatly because they help better explain the stories and histories of each ethnic culture. These cultural celebrations provide the opportunity to recognize the complexities and richness of each cultural identity. It is important to understand and appreciate these stories within the greater American narrative.

If you would like to be involved in planning events for a specific heritage or history month, let us know via Google Form here - link is for 2023-24 academic year. Planning for each heritage month typically occurs 4-6 weeks prior to the actual month of celebration. A member of our team will reach out to you to invite you to our planning meetings. For 2024-25 academic year involvement, please see the link here.

Heritage Months

Students sitting around table outside of Holmes for Carne Asada event for Latinx Heritage Month.

Show image: Students sitting around table outside of Holmes for Carne Asada event for Latinx Heritage Month.

Three students from Black Student Union behind podium speaking for Black History Month Dinner.

Show image: Three students from Black Student Union behind podium speaking for Black History Month Dinner.

Five Hawai'ian club members performing for Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Dinner.

Show image: Five Hawai'ian club members performing for Asian, Desi, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Dinner.

Student sitting around table inside Stamm for LGBTQ* Social.

Show image: Student sitting around table inside Stamm for LGBTQ* Social.

Student, staff, faculty sitting around table inside Stamm for LGBTQ* Social.

Show image: Student, staff, faculty sitting around table inside Stamm for LGBTQ* Social.

Students in line grabbing food outside of Holmes for Carne Asada event.

Show image: Students in line grabbing food outside of Holmes for Carne Asada event.

People standing in different areas in Stamm for Indigenous People's Heritage Month Dinner event.

Show image: People standing in different areas in Stamm for Indigenous People's Heritage Month Dinner event.

People lining up for food in Stamm for Indigenous People's Heritage Month Dinner event.

Show image: People lining up for food in Stamm for Indigenous People's Heritage Month Dinner event.

Drum performance for Black History Month Dinner.

Show image: Drum performance for Black History Month Dinner.

People sitting at tables for Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi Heritage month.

Show image: People sitting at tables for Asian, Pacific Islander, Desi Heritage month.

Why are heritage/history months important?

Heritage and History Month celebrations are important in providing the space to teach and learn about cultural history, and also to examine the way in which these cultures are viewed within American discourse. It is important to celebrate cultural heritages and to examine how these groups are continually oppressed and marginalized in society. We should look more closely at how we view groups and subgroups in this country, and what place they have at the table. We must explore the important questions: How are we learning about heritage and culture? How do we interact with people that have different heritages and cultures from our own?

As the demographics of the United States shifts, it is important to frame the way we understand “American” identity. Hispanic/Latino Americans, African Americans, Asian Americans, and Native Americans all shape American identity and collectively make up American history. While there are designated heritage month celebrations, our hope is to continue to acknowledge the contributions made by all groups of people in the United States throughout the year, not just during the heritage month celebrations.

Get involved with Heritage/History Month celebrations at L&C via Google Form here! For 2024-25 academic year involvement, please see the link here.