Prior Months
- May - Jewish American Heritage Month
- May - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
- June - PRIDE Month
- June - African-American Music Appreciation Month
May - Jewish American Heritage Month
Jewish American Heritage Month
Local History
In 1891, Baron Hirsch supported the settlement of Jewish farmers in CT. Many of the 5000 families settled in Eastern CT (Ellington, Somers, Vernon etc.). To read more about this click here.
In 1913, the Congregation Knesseth Israel synagogue was built and was originally located at the corner of Middle Road and Abbott Rd. In 1954, the building was moved to its current location on Pinney St. The building is on the National Register of Historic Places.
The Jewish Community of Ellington, CT
More resources
Jewish Holidays and Celebrations
Jewish American Heritage Month
National Museum of American Jewish History
White House Proclamation on Jewish American Heritage Month (2021)
Being Jewish in the United States
Fighting Antisemitism and Hate
May - Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Resources
What I hear when you say What Are You?
Eleven Artists on What it Means to Be Asian American
Celebrating Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Unsung Heroes: A Symposium on the Heroism of Asian Pacific Americans During World War II Part 1 Part 2
Books
For Adults
Go Home! (Asian diasporic writers—including Alexander Chee, Gaiutra Bahadur, Mia Alvar, Chang-Rae Lee, and more—meditate on the meaning of “home” through short stories, essays, and poetry in this timely, well-curated collection.)
The Good Immigrant (Emulating the original UK text, this new edition features writing by first- and second-generation immigrant authors as they reflect on America in the wake of the 2016 election. Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) voices shine throughout this compelling collection.)
Five Books by Asian American Authors to Add to Your Reading List:
-Arsenic and Adobo by Mia Manansala
-First Comes Like by Alisha Rai
-If I Had Your Face by Frances Cha
-We Are Not Free by Traci Cee
-Things We Lost To The Water by Eric Nguyen
For Children
When Lola Visits
Eyes that Kiss in the Corners
Paper Son
Hair Twins
My Tree
I Dream of Popo
Ten Little Dumplings
It Began With a Page
Leila in Saffron
Drawn Together
Laxmi's Mooch
Virtual Conversations
The Future of Asian Food in America (May 19th)
Asian Food Beyond Misnomers and Myths (June 9th)
Quotes
"To fly we have to have resistance" . (Maya Lin)
"To me, the American Dream is being able to follow your own personal calling. To be able to do what you want to do is incredible freedom". (Maya Lin)
June - PRIDE Month
June is
PRIDE Month
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual and Transgender Pride Month (LGBT Pride Month) is celebrated annually in June to honor the 1969 Stonewall riots, and works to achieve equal justice and equal opportunity for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and questioning (LGBTQ) Americans. In June of 1969, patrons and supporters of the Stonewall Inn in New York City staged an uprising to resist the police harassment and persecution to which LGBT Americans were commonly subjected. This uprising marks the beginning of a movement to outlaw discriminatory laws and practices against LGBT Americans.
Today, celebrations include pride parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and LGBT Pride Month events attract millions of participants around the world. Memorials are held during this month for those members of the community who have been lost to hate crimes or HIV/AIDS. The purpose of the commemorative month is to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally.
Federal and local policies and practices are increasingly acknowledging and focusing on LGBTQ youth and numerous national advocacy and other organizations are also giving greater attention to LGBTQ youth in their work. Encouraging greater acceptance and support for all youth, including those who are or are perceived to be LGBTQ, will make communities, schools, and other settings safer, better places for all youth. (youth.gov)
Resources
Proclamation on Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer Pride Month, 2021
Obama: Supreme Court Same-Sex Marriage Ruling 'A Victory for America'
Children's Resources (Website and Books)
5 Everyday Ways To Teach Your Kid To Be A Proud LGBTQ Ally
Rainbow - A First Book of Pride
Our Rainbow
Julian is a Mermaid
Jack, Not Jackie
My Princess Boy
My Rainbow
Jacob's New Dress
A Fire Engine for Ruthie
And Tango Makes Three
Love Makes a Family
Pride: The Story of Harvey Milk and the Rainbow Flag
Influential Members of the LGBTQ+ Community
Megan Rapinol
Anderson Cooper
Elton John
Lady Gaga
Harvey Milk
Michael Sam
Jazz Jennings
Keith Haring
June - African-American Music Appreciation Month
June is
African-American Music Appreciation Month
African-American Music Appreciation Month is the annual celebration of African-American music in the United States. It was initiated as Black Music Month by President Jimmy Carter who, on June 7, 1979, decreed that June would be the month of black music.
In 2009, President Barack Obama further defined June as African American Music Appreciation month declaring the start of summer as a celebration of all the black “musicians, composers, singers and songwriters [who] have had enormous contributions to our culture.” In his 2016 proclamation, President Obama noted that African-American music and musicians have helped the country “to dance, to express our faith through song, to march against injustice, and to defend our country’s enduring promise of freedom and opportunity for all.” Derived from https://dstbx.org/african-american-music-appreciation-month/
History
First came the Blues, rooted in African spirituals and work songs from the time of slavery. Then ragtime brought recognition to musicians like Scott Joplin. The rise of jazz in the 1920s helped bridge racial gaps as an art form enjoyed by people of all origins.
The beats and sounds of these genres then influenced rock, soul, gospel, swing, be-bop, boogie-woogie, and so many more! Many famous rock artists, including the Rolling Stones and the Beatles, credit the Blues and jazz as major influences. Several of Elvis Presley’s songs were originally by Black artists. In more recent decades, funk, motown, and hip-hop gained popularity, bringing with them new styles of dance and song. Derived from https://www.hoffmanacademy.com/blog/african-american-music-appreciation-month/
What music genres came from black culture?
negro spiritual, gospel, rumba, blues, bomba, rock and roll, rock, jazz, salsa, R&B, samba, calypso, soul, cumbia, funk, ska, reggae, dub reggae, house, Detroit techno, hip hop, pop, gqom, afrobeat, and others.
Other Resources
https://nmaahc.si.edu/blog-post/celebrating-black-music-month
The Birth of Black Music Month https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8j66ENeM1_Y
Black Music Month; Music Mix https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KkYKFYTPSpg