These celebrations offer opportunities to engage the campus community in celebratory and educational activities that reflect the heritage of the Cultural Centers on campus. Most events are held at one of the four UI Cultural Centers during these months.
National Hispanic Hertage Month is celebrated each September 15-October 15 in the United States of America to recognize the contributions made by people of Hispanic descent and to celebrate Hispanic culture. Hispanic Heritage Month begins on September 15 because it is the anniversary of five Latin American countries' Independence Day: Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Nicaragua.
Asian and Pacific Islander Month is celebrated in May, but due to the academic schedule students on The University of Iowa campus celebrate it in April. Asian Pacific American Heritage month began in 1978, as Asian American Heritage Week this was chosen because the first immigrants from Japan arrived on May 7, 1843. It has now been expaned to a month long celebration.
Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is celebrated each February in the United States. Because of the timing of the birthdays of two very important individuals in the fight to end slavery, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. Black History Week was originally slated for the second week in February in 1926. In 1976, it was expanded to encompass the entire month of February to recognize the significant achievements made by the African-American community in all aspects of American society.
LGBT History Month is a month-long celebration that occurs in October to observe lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender history. It also honors the history of gay rights. National Coming Out Day is also part of LGBT History Month. LGBT History Month was first celebrated in the United States in 1994. It was first known as Lesbian and Gay History Month, the coordinating committee added bisexual to the title and later transgender. Gay and Lesbian Pride Month is also celebrated in June.
Individuals with disabilities are encouraged to attend all University of Iowa sponsored events. If you are a person with a disability who requires a reasonable accommodation in order to participate in this program, please contact the Center for Student Leadership and Involvement in advance at 319-335-3059.