Cultural Celebrations

Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month was first established in 1977 when resolutions were introduced asking the President to declare the first 10 days of May as Asian/Pacific Week. In 1978 Asian/Pacific Week became an annual event and in 1990, the entire month of May was proclaimed Asian Pacific Heritage Month.

APIH is celebrated during April at the University of Miami. The Asian American Students Association (AASA) and the Filipino Students Association (FSA) co-chair the month’s events which commemorate, recognize, and celebrate the diverse contributions Asian/Pacific Americans have made.

Black History Month began as "Negro History Week," which was created in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson. It became a month-long celebration in 1976. The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Black Awareness Month (BAM) is coordinated by United Black Students (UBS) and is chaired by the 2nd Vice President of UBS. The month is filled with a variety of special events that commemorate the extraordinary historical achievements and contributions of the African Diaspora.

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Martin Luther King, Jr. Day is observed on the third Monday of January each year. It is one of three United States federal holidays to commemorate an individual person. Dr. King is remembered as an important historical figure in the civil rights movement which protested racial discrimination. The King Holiday was signed into law in 1983 and for the first time in 2000 was officially observed in all 50 states.

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration (MLK Celebration) is coordinated by United Black Students (UBS) and is chaired by the 1st Vice President of UBS. The committee is representative of the campus community and all are welcome to participate in any of the events commemorating the life of Dr. King.

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National Hispanic Heritage Week started in 1968 and in 1988 was expanded to 30 days, from September 15 to October 15. The dates of Hispanic Heritage Month were selected to include the Independence Day celebrations of seven Latin American countries, as well as to incorporate Día de la Raza.

The University of Miami coordinates several activities during the month that provide an opportunity for the university community to celebrate the achievements and contributions of Hispanic Americans.

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Native American Heritage Month was established in 1996, by President Bill Clinton, who proclaimed November as the official month for the celebration. He urged all Americans alike to observe the month with commemoration, education, and awareness, so as to help each other fully understand the Native American Culture. Native American Month honors and recognizes the significant contributions the first Americans made to the establishment and growth of the U.S.

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During the month of November, the Office of Multicultural Student Affairs (MSA) in partnership with Unity Roundtable Consortium hosts its annual Diversity Week, featuring daily programming designed to celebrate every identity and drive thoughts and dialogue about diversity and inclusion at the University of Miami and beyond.

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