BHS Celebrates...

During the month of the March BHS joins the nation in celebrating Women’s History Month and Irish American Heritage Month!

Women's History Month had its origins as a national celebration in 1981 when Congress passed Pub. L. 97-28 which authorized and requested the President to proclaim the week beginning March 7, 1982 as “Women’s History Week.” Throughout the next five years, Congress continued to pass joint resolutions designating a week in March as “Women’s History Week.” In 1987 after being petitioned by the National Women’s History Project, Congress passed Pub. L. 100-9 which designated the month of March 1987 as “Women’s History Month.” Between 1988 and 1994, Congress passed additional resolutions requesting and authorizing the President to proclaim March of each year as Women’s History Month. Since 1995, presidents have issued a series of annual proclamations designating the month of March as “Women’s History Month.” These proclamations celebrate the contributions women have made to the United States and recognize the specific achievements women have made over the course of American history in a variety of fields.

The first recorded celebration of Irish-Americans in the United States dates back to 1762 with the first St. Patrick's Day parade in New York City. The parade became an annual event External, which was initially organized by military units. After the War of 1812, Irish fraternal societies took over the parade's organization. In October 1990, Congress passed Public Law 101-418 (104 Stat. 906) establishing March 1991 as Irish-American Heritage Month. In 1991, President George H. W. Bush issued the first proclamation External designating March as Irish-American Heritage Month. In 1992, Congress passed Public Law 102-253 (106 Stat. 70), which designated March of that year as Irish-American Heritage Month. Subsequently, Congress passed laws variously designating March 1993 and 1994 as Irish-American Heritage Month. In October 1994, Congress passed Public Law 103-379 (108 Stat. 3510), which designated March 1995 and 1996 as Irish-American Heritage Month. Since 1997, presidents have issued annual proclamations for the observance and celebration of Irish-American Heritage Month.

Sources: https://womenshistorymonth.gov/about/, https://guides.loc.gov/irish-american-heritage-month-legal-resources/history-and-overview