This Month in History: May
Extend your social studies instruction with informative and inspiring content from HMH®, The HISTORY Channel, and the Center for Civic Education. Each month we bring you videos, articles, and current events designed to build cultural awareness, media literacy, and a deeper understanding of significant historical figures and events.
Classroom Resources from HMH
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month
Month of May
Since 1992 we have celebrated Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May. It is a time to commemorate and celebrate the contributions that people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent have made to the United States.
The month of May was chosen because of two events in Asian-American history: the first Japanese immigrants arrived in the U.S. on May 7, 1843; and the transcontinental railroad, which was largely built by Chinese workers, was completed on May 10, 1869.
Asian Pacific American Heritage Month began as a week-long celebration in 1978, when President Jimmy Carter signed a resolution designating the first ten days of May as Asian-Pacific American Heritage Week. The week was extended to a month when President George Bush signed it into law on October 28, 1992.
The month is celebrated with festivals, parades, community events, and cultural performances meant to honor and teach about Asian American history and culture.
Related Links
Asian Nation: Asian American History, Demographics, and Issues (External Link)
Discusses the history of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, as well as how it is celebrated. Includes links to information about the history of people of Asian and Pacific Islander descent in the U.S.
Memorial Day
May 27
On the last Monday in the month of May, Americans will have the day off work and school. Some will attend picnics or even parades, maybe take in a baseball game, go swimming, or just relax and enjoy the three-day weekend and the start of summer.
But others will get up early on their day off and go out to local cemeteries. There they will pay their respects to those American military personnel who died serving their country. In attendance at these ceremonies, there will be many veterans of the U.S. military from all generations. Officially, however, the day is set aside not so much to praise the living veterans (they are honored on Veterans Day, November 11), but rather those who died in battle or from wounds received in battle in any of America’s wars or armed conflicts.
Related Links
History of Memorial Day (External Link)
From pbs.org, a short history on the origins of Memorial Day.
Resources from the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Free Virtual Conference for Educators in June
2024 BELFER NATIONAL CONFERENCE FOR EDUCATORS
United States Holocaust Memorial Museum
Free, Virtual Conference Monday, June 24–Wednesday, June 26
Registration is open for the 2024 Belfer National Conference for Educators, taking place June 24–26. At this free, virtual professional learning conference, educators will explore the latest practices in accurate, meaningful teaching about the Holocaust with leading historians and educators. They will discover thought-provoking resources that provide students with historical context and opportunities to advance media literacy skills.
Learn how to use classroom resources, find inspiration in new ideas, and grow with peers dedicated to teaching about the Holocaust.
- Engage with leading experts in real time through multiple live interactive sessions.
- Watch sessions at your convenience on demand following the conference.
- Access historically accurate, classroom-ready lessons and resources based on the Museum’s extensive collections.
- Get a first look at the Museum’s newest teaching tools.
- Hear directly from Holocaust survivors and experienced educators.
- Connect with a community of educators dedicated to teaching and learning about the Holocaust
Don’t forget, educators earn 24 state-certified professional development hours in most states and receive free books and resources.
Classroom Resources from The HISTORY Channel
Cinco de Mayo
Cinco de Mayo—or the fifth of May—commemorates the Mexican army’s 1862 victory over France at the Battle of Puebla during the Franco-Mexican War (1861-1867). A relatively minor holiday in Mexico, in the United States Cinco de Mayo has evolved into a celebration of Mexican culture and heritage, particularly in areas with large Mexican-American populations. Cinco de Mayo traditions include parades, mariachi music performances and street festivals in cities and towns across Mexico and the United States.
Related Links
Video: Why is Cinco de Mayo Celebrated in the US? (External Link)
Video: What is Cinco de Mayo? (External Link)
Memorial Day
Memorial Day, an American holiday observed on the last Monday of May, honors men and women who died while serving in the U.S. military. Originally known as Decoration Day, it originated in the years following the Civil War and became an official federal holiday in 1971. Many Americans observe Memorial Day by visiting cemeteries or memorials, holding family gatherings and participating in parades. Unofficially, at least, it marks the beginning of summer.
Related Links
Read more about Memorial Day (External Link)
Video: Learn about one of America’s Vet Dogs (External Link)
Video: It’s never too late to thank a Vet (External Link)
Students Take Action
from the Center for Civic Education
The Students Take Action service-learning feature relates stories of students who have participated in the Center for Civic Education’s Project Citizen program, which encourages students to take part in state or local government and learn how to monitor and influence public policy. Help your students become active and engaged citizens in their own communities with these resources.
Students Take Action
Inspiring a Village
Students Take Action
Working to Create New Laws
Inspiring a Village
Working to Create New Laws
Students Take Action
Working to Improve the Environment
Students Take Action
Reforesting Land
Students Take Action: Working to Preserve the Past
Students Take Action: Working to Preserve the Past
Students Take Action: Preserving History
Helping the Elderly
Helping the Elderly
Educating the Public
Educating the Public
Working to Change Government Policies and Practices
Providing Emergency Care
Students Take Action: Writing a Law
Students Take Action: Working to Fight Crime
Students Take Action from the Center for Civic Education
Establishing Smoke-Free Zones
Students Take Action
Restoring School Recess
Students Take Action from the Center for Civic Education
Working to Change School Policies
Students Take Action
Righting a Wrong
Students Take Action
Working to Improve Community Health
Students Take Action
Encouraging Safe Exercise
Students Take Action
Working to Promote Health and Fitness
Students Take Action
Restoring School Recess
Students Take Action
Creating A Library