Caribbean-American Heritage Month

We celebrate America’s rich and diverse culture each June with National Caribbean American Month. We would like to honor and recognize the contributions of all Caribbean-American people and take this opportunity to teach people more about their culture and history.

Show you support by tagging: #CaribbeanAmericanHeritage #parklandcommunitylibrary #caribbean #whatlibrariesdo

About:

In June 2005, the House of Representatives unanimously adopted H. Con. Res. 71, sponsored by Congresswoman Barbara Lee, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States. On February 14, 2006, the resolution similarly passed the Senate, culminating a two-year, bipartisan and bicameral effort. The Proclamation was issued by President George W. Bush on June 6, 2006. 

Since the declaration, the White House has issued an annual proclamation recognizing June as Caribbean-American Heritage Month. This year marks the fourteenth celebration of June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month. 

The campaign to designate June as National Caribbean American Heritage Month was spearheaded by Dr. Claire Nelson, Founder and President of the Institute of Caribbean Studies. Through the commemoration of this month, we hope to ensure that America is reminded that its greatness lies in its diversity, with Caribbean immigrants from founding father Alexander Hamilton, to journalist Malcolm Gladwell, who have shaped the American dream.

–Information courtesy of caribbeanamericanmonth.com

Additional Resources:

Read the White House Proclamation here. • National Caribbean-American Heritage Month stats from the United States Census Bureau.