ACPS Celebrates National Caribbean American Heritage Month

The theme for National Caribbean American Heritage Month this year is "Celebrating Caribbean Contributions to American History, Culture and Life.” The month-long celebration, which takes place in June, recognizes the contributions of Caribbean Americans to American history, culture and society. These contributions include areas such as politics, sports, music, literature and cuisine.

The campaign to have National Caribbean American Heritage Month in June came in 2004. Resolutions were passed in the House of Representatives and the Senate, and a proclamation signed by President George W. Bush in June of 2006 made the resolution official.

June was chosen to celebrate Caribbean Americans because the first documented Caribbean immigrants arrived in the United States at Ellis Island on June 2, 1898. The celebration honors the unique and multifaceted people of the Caribbean islands, who have brought their own background and essence into American life over the past centuries.