Filipino American History Month
Encyclopedia
Filipino American History Month, also known as the Filipino American Heritage Month, is celebrated in the United States
during the month of October. The Filipino American National Historical Society
established Filipino American History Month in the year 1988. In California
and Hawaii
, where a large number of Filipino American
s reside, Filipino American History Month is widely celebrated. Many Filipino American organizations in these states often initiate their own independent celebrations.
This month is also officially recognized by the California Department of Education. Year 2006 was a pivotal year as it marked the centennial celebration of Filipino migration to the United States.
WHEREAS, efforts must continue to promote the study of Filipino American history and culture, so mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino American National Historical Society, because the role of Filipino Americans and those of other People of Color have been overlooked in the writings, teachings and learnings of United States History; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative for Filipino American youth to have positive role models and to instill in them the importance of education, complemented with the richness of their ethnicity and the values of their legacy; and
WHEREAS, the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the Continental United States falls on October 1587, more recently published by Lorraine Jabocs Crouchett in her book, Filipinos in California (1982), annotating John Walton Caughey in his book, California (1953), and that definitive dates of written landings on the shores of California have been recorded with the earliest on October 18, 1587, according to Crouchett, annotating H.R. Wagner’s Unamuno’s Voyage to California in 1587 in the Quarterly of the California Historical Society (July 1923), among others.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Trustees of the Filipino American National Historical Society establish Filipino American History Month and that it be observed annually and nationally throughout the United States and its Territories during the Month of October commencing in the Year 1992 to mark the 405th Anniversary of the Presence of Filipinos in the Continental United States as a significant time to study the advancement of Filipino Americans in the history of the United States, as a favorable time of celebration, remembrance, reflection and motivation, and as a relevant time to renew more efforts toward research, examination and promulgation of Filipino American history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all Americans to learn and appreciate more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to our nation, these United States of America.
in February, Women's History Month
in March, and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
in May. This is evidenced by the fact that no United States Congress
has ever resolved to recognize Filipino American History Month. However, the House of the 111th Congress has introduced a House Resolution 155 (H.R. 155) to officially recognize this month for Filipinos. On November 2009, Congress passed the bill, officially recognizing October as Filipino American History Month.
While Filipino American History Month celebratory events take place all over the United States, they often are attended by members of the immediate Filipino and Filipino American community.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
during the month of October. The Filipino American National Historical Society
Filipino American National Historical Society
The Filipino American National Historical Society was created out of a need to document Filipino American history for succeeding generations...
established Filipino American History Month in the year 1988. In California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
and Hawaii
Hawaii
Hawaii is the newest of the 50 U.S. states , and is the only U.S. state made up entirely of islands. It is the northernmost island group in Polynesia, occupying most of an archipelago in the central Pacific Ocean, southwest of the continental United States, southeast of Japan, and northeast of...
, where a large number of Filipino American
Filipino American
Filipino Americans are Americans of Filipino ancestry. Filipino Americans, often shortened to "Fil-Ams", or "Pinoy",Filipinos in what is now the United States were first documented in the 16th century, with small settlements beginning in the 18th century...
s reside, Filipino American History Month is widely celebrated. Many Filipino American organizations in these states often initiate their own independent celebrations.
This month is also officially recognized by the California Department of Education. Year 2006 was a pivotal year as it marked the centennial celebration of Filipino migration to the United States.
The Resolution
WHEREAS, the Filipino American National Historical Society had declared the Year 1988 to be the 225th Anniversary of the Permanent Settlement of Filipinos in the Continental United States and had set into the motion its year-long, national observance in order to focus on the story of our nation’s past from a new perspective by concentrating on the critically economic, cultural, social and other notable contributions Filipino Americans had made in countless ways toward the development of United States History; andWHEREAS, efforts must continue to promote the study of Filipino American history and culture, so mandated in the mission statement of the Filipino American National Historical Society, because the role of Filipino Americans and those of other People of Color have been overlooked in the writings, teachings and learnings of United States History; and
WHEREAS, it is imperative for Filipino American youth to have positive role models and to instill in them the importance of education, complemented with the richness of their ethnicity and the values of their legacy; and
WHEREAS, the earliest documented proof of Filipino presence in the Continental United States falls on October 1587, more recently published by Lorraine Jabocs Crouchett in her book, Filipinos in California (1982), annotating John Walton Caughey in his book, California (1953), and that definitive dates of written landings on the shores of California have been recorded with the earliest on October 18, 1587, according to Crouchett, annotating H.R. Wagner’s Unamuno’s Voyage to California in 1587 in the Quarterly of the California Historical Society (July 1923), among others.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Trustees of the Filipino American National Historical Society establish Filipino American History Month and that it be observed annually and nationally throughout the United States and its Territories during the Month of October commencing in the Year 1992 to mark the 405th Anniversary of the Presence of Filipinos in the Continental United States as a significant time to study the advancement of Filipino Americans in the history of the United States, as a favorable time of celebration, remembrance, reflection and motivation, and as a relevant time to renew more efforts toward research, examination and promulgation of Filipino American history and culture in order to provide an opportunity for all Americans to learn and appreciate more about Filipino Americans and their historic contributions to our nation, these United States of America.
Criticism
Some argue that October as Filipino American History Month has not yet attained the prestige of other similar minority celebrations, such as the Black History MonthBlack History Month
Black History Month is an observance of the history of the African diaspora in a number of countries outside of Africa. Since 1976, it is observed annually in the United States and Canada in February, while in the United Kingdom it is observed in October...
in February, Women's History Month
Women's History Month
Women's History Month is an annual declared month worldwide that highlights contributions of women to events in history and contemporary society. March has been set aside as this month in the United Kingdom and in the United States...
in March, and the Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month , officially proclaimed "Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month" by President Barack Obama, is a celebration of the culture, traditions, and history of Asians Americans and Pacific Islanders in the United States...
in May. This is evidenced by the fact that no United States Congress
United States Congress
The United States Congress is the bicameral legislature of the federal government of the United States, consisting of the Senate and the House of Representatives. The Congress meets in the United States Capitol in Washington, D.C....
has ever resolved to recognize Filipino American History Month. However, the House of the 111th Congress has introduced a House Resolution 155 (H.R. 155) to officially recognize this month for Filipinos. On November 2009, Congress passed the bill, officially recognizing October as Filipino American History Month.
While Filipino American History Month celebratory events take place all over the United States, they often are attended by members of the immediate Filipino and Filipino American community.