Filipino American History Month
Filipino American History Month (FAHM) celebrates Filipino heritage and culture, and recognizes the contributions of Filipino Americans to American history. The Filipino American National Historical Society introduced FAHM in 1992, and Congress officially recognized FAHM in 2009. FAHM is celebrated in October to commemorate the arrival of the first Filipinos to America (California) on October 18, 1587. In addition, October is the birth month of Larry Itliong, a Filipino American who emigrated from the Philippines at the age of 15. He became an organizer and community leader, who played an important role in the farm labor movement, including the Delano Grape Strike of the 1960s. The five-year strike remains an iconic 20th century labor struggle that led to an international grape boycott, won better pay and benefits for agricultural workers, and led to the eventual formation of the United Farm Workers union.
In 2021, BosFilipinos interviewed Richard Chu from the University of Massachusetts Amherst and Mary Talusan from California State University Dominguez Hills in a podcast entitled “The History of Filipinos in Boston.” In this approximately 22 minute segment, Chu and Talusan discuss when and why Filipinos first came to Massachusetts and the various organizations that help bind the community together.
Italian American Heritage Month
Italian American Heritage Month is celebrated in October to recognize the contributions and achievements of Italian immigrants and their descendants living in the United States, and reflect on their histories, traditions and culture. More than five million Italians immigrated to the United States between 1820 and 2000, and there currently are over 26 million Americans of Italian descent residing in the United States. Since 1989, Italian American Heritage month is recognized by proclamation each year by the Governor, President, and Congress.
The city of Springfield raises an Italian American flag each October in honor of Italian American Heritage Month. You can watch a recording of this year’s Springfield Italian American Flag Raising, captured by WWLP on October 3.
Polish American Heritage Month
Polish American Heritage month celebrates the positive impact Polish Americans have had and continue to have on the United States, as well as Polish history and culture. Originally celebrated in August, Polish American Heritage Month is now observed in October to commemorate the arrival of the first Polish settlers in Jamestown, VA in October 1608 as well as the death of Casimir Pulaski, the father of American cavalry. First celebrated by the Polish American Cultural Center in Philadelphia in 1981 under the leadership of the Center’s President, Michael Blichasz, Polish American Heritage Month is now recognized nationally by the President and Congress.
Want to learn more about Polish American culture and history? Visit the Polish Center of Discovery and Learning in Chicopee, a living monument that celebrates the many contributions, both past and present, made to the economy, arts, and sciences of our nation by Polish people and their descendants.