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Explore with RHPL

Explore Topics by Month

Native American Heritage Month is recognized every November in the United States.

Adult Recommended Reads

Youth Recommended Reads

Arab American Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month

Arab American Heritage Month pays tribute to the contributions of Arab Americans and Arabic-speaking Americans.

Youth Resources
Adult & Teen Resources

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

The Library of Congress, National Archives, National Endowment for the Humanities, and more join in paying tribute to the generations of Asian and Pacific Islanders who have enriched America’s history and are instrumental in its future success. Explore resources with RHPL.

Youth Reads

Teen & Adult Reads

Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Website

Black History Month

Black History Month

In 1925, Historian Carter G. Woodson (founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History – ASNLH) created “Negro History Week” which was first celebrated in 1926 during the week in February that spans both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays. Woodson’s goal was to show African American’s important contributions to history, culture, and society as a whole. The event took off nation-wide with educators, clubs, people of all walks of life who celebrated and affirmed the need for such an event.

By 1950, mayors across the country were issuing proclamations in support of the week and in 1976, in honor of the nation’s bicentennial, the week-long celebration was expanded to a month. President Gerald R. Ford was the first to issue a proclamation marking the occasion and encouraged all Americans to “sieze the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” From 1976 to the present day, every US president has issued a proclamation each February in honor of Black History Month and Woodson’s association, now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), works year-round to honor and advocate for Black history studies every month of the year.

Youth Recommended Reads

Teen & Adult Recommended Reads

Join the Explore Challenge on Beanstack for an interactive approach to our monthly book lists. Find great new books and earn prizes when you explore with RHPL.

Disability Pride Month

Disability Pride Month

July is Disability Pride Month. The month marks the anniversary of the Americans with Disabilities Act which was signed into law on July 26, 1990.
Disability Pride Month celebrates the many achievements of the disability community and highlights the work that still needs to be done by all to support, honor, and remove barriers to access for people with disabilities.

Youth Reads

Teen & Adult Reads

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month

Hispanic Heritage Month recognizes the histories, cultures, and contributions of Americans with roots in Spain, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Central and South America. The unique span of dates over two months marks the independence days of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Nicaragua (September 15), Mexico, (September 16) and Chile (September 18), and includes Día de la Raza (October 12), a holiday that celebrates the cultural diversity of Latin America. Explore the following reads & resources with RHPL:

Youth Resources
Teen & Adult Resources

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day

Indigenous Peoples’ Day is the recognized on the second Monday of October each year. Explore reads & resources with RHPL:

Youth Resources
Adult Resources

International Day of Peace

International Day of Peace

Each year the International Day of Peace is observed around the world on September 21, The UN General Assembly has declared this as a day devoted to strengthening the ideals of peace, through observing 24 hours of non-violence and cease-fire. Explore reads & resources with RHPL:

Youth Resources
Outreach Resources
UN Website

Jewish American Heritage Month

Jewish American Heritage Month

The Library of Congress, National Archives and Records Administration, National Endowment for the Humanities, National Gallery of Art, National Park Service, and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum join in paying tribute to the generations of Jewish Americans who helped form the fabric of American history, culture, and society. Explore resources with RHPL.

Youth Reads

Adult & Teen Reads

Jewish American Heritage Month Website

Juneteenth

Juneteenth

Juneteenth is the oldest nationally celebrated commemoration of the ending of slavery in the United States. It is celebrated on June 19. Explore reads & resources with RHPL.

Reading Lists

Youth Reading List
Adult Reading List

Websites

juneteenth.com

Columbia University: Why do we celebrate Juneteenth?

Mental Health Awareness Month

Mental Health Awareness Month

Each year millions of Americans face the reality of living with a mental illness. In May, RHPL joins the national movement to raise awareness about mental health. Libraries can help fight stigma, provide support options, and educate the public about mental illness. Explore resources with RHPL.

Youth Reads

Teen & Adult Reads

National Alliance On Mental Illness

Youth.gov Resources

National Day of Service

National Day of Service

Martin Luther King Day was signed into law as a federal holiday in 1983 — 15 years after it was first proposed. It was not recognized as a holiday by all 50 states until 2000. The day is observed each year to recognize the accomplishments and contributions Dr. King made to American history and civil rights and to honor his life of service to the American people. Celebrated around the country as “a day on,” it is the only federal holiday officially designated as a call to all Americans to provide service to their communities.

Adult & Teen Reads & Resources

Pride Month

Pride Month

June is Pride Month. To learn more, click on the links below for reads & resources for youth and adults.

Be an Ally: Youth Reading List
Celebrate Pride: Youth Reading List
Adult Reading & Resources List

Library of Congress Resources

Veteran’s Day

Veteran’s Day

Veterans Day is observed annually on November 11 in honor of the 1918 armistice between Allied countries and Germany that effectively ended World War I. On the eleventh hour of the eleventh day of the eleventh month, the fighting ceased, but it wasn’t until June 28, 1919, that the Treaty of Versailles was signed, officially ending “The Great War.”

President Woodrow Wilson first recognized Veterans Day in 1919. Today, the holiday not only reminds us of the significance of the date but calls our attention to the service and sacrifices of our veterans.

Youth Reads

Adult/Teen Resources

Women’s History Month

Women’s History Month

First designated a week-long celebration in 1981 by Congress, Women’s History Month did not become a 30-day celebration until 1987 after a petition from the National Women’s History Project. It was not until 1995 that annual presidential proclamations were issued to formally designate March as Women’s History Month.

The month is set aside each year to highlight the contributions women have made to United States history and culture and to honor and remember the achievements and struggles of women throughout our history and the present day.

Youth Recommended Reading
Adult & Teen Recommended Reading