Irish-American Heritage Month
Irish-American Heritage Month is a special proclamation issued yearly by the United States President or Congress to honor the achievements and contributions of Irish immigrants and their descendants living in the United States of America. March is the Irish-American Heritage Month due to March 17 being the traditional Saint Patrick's Day. Heritage Months are usually proclaimed to celebrate centuries of contributions by a group to a country, some of which include the US, Canada, and the UK.
St. Patrick’s Day is a religious holiday to honor St. Patrick who introduced Christianity to Ireland in the early 5th century, but the holiday has evolved into a celebration for all things Irish. Boston and New York City both claim the world’s first St. Patrick’s Day parade, according to one's definition of parade. In New York City, it occurred on March 17, 1762, featuring Irish soldiers serving in the British military protecting the Colonies during the French and Indian War. In 1948, President Harry S. Truman, of Scotch-Irish descent, attended the New York St. Patrick's Day parade and gave a speech to attendees. This was a proud moment for the many Irish whose ancestors had to fight stereotypes and prejudice to find acceptance in America. The proudest moment for many people of Irish Catholic descent came in 1961 when one of their own, President John F. Kennedy reviewed the parade.
In tribute to all Irish-Americans, the US Congress, by Public Law 101-418, designated March 1991 as "Irish-American Heritage Month"[1] Congress again proclaimed March as Irish-American Heritage Month for 1995 and 1996.[2]
Within the authority of the Executive Branch, the President of the United States has also issued a proclamation each year since 1991.[3][4]
Contents |
[edit] George H.W. Bush Irish-American Heritage Month Proclamations
Proclamation 6259 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1991 March 12, 1991
Proclamation 6408 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1992 March 4, 1992
[edit] William J. Clinton Irish-American Heritage Month Proclamations
Proclamation 6533 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1993 March 6, 1993
Proclamation 6656 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1994 March 8, 1994
Proclamation 6771 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1995 February 23, 1995
Proclamation 6868 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1996 March 1, 1996
Proclamation 6974 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1997 February 27, 1997
Proclamation 7070 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1998 February 27, 1998
Proclamation 7169 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1999 March 1, 1999
Proclamation 7279 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2000 March 1, 2000
[edit] George W. Bush Irish-American Heritage Month Proclamations
Proclamation 7409 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2001[5]
Proclamation 7526 - Irish-American Heritage Month 2002[6]
Proclamation 7649 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2003[7]
Proclamation 7760 - Irish-American Month, 2004[8]
Proclamation 7873 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2005[9]
Proclamation 7983 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2006[10]
Proclamation 8107 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2007[11]
Proclamation 8223 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2008[12]
[edit] Barack Obama Irish-American Heritage Month Proclamations
Proclamation 8350 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2009[13]
Proclamation 8479 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 2010[14]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ George Bush: Proclamation 6259 - Irish-American Heritage Month, 1991
- ^ H.J. Res. 401/Public Law 103-379 Designating the months of March 1995 and March 1996 as ``Irish-American Heritage Month
- ^ US Census Press Releases
- ^ The American Presidency Project
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Feb 26, 2001
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Mar 4, 2002
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Feb 28, 2003
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Mar 6, 2004
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Mar 4, 2005
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Feb 24, 2007
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Feb 26, 2007
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, Feb 29, 2008
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, March 2, 2009
- ^ White House Press Release: Irish-American Heritage Month, March 1, 2010
