American Heritage Month

American Heritage Month

In 1993, AHEF partnered with Houston ISD to initiate and celebrate the first American Heritage Month (AHM), which is now celebrated in HISD every November. American Heritage Month supports the teaching and understanding of the founding history, philosophy, documents, and principles of the United States of America. American Heritage Month allows teachers to focus on learning activities and topics in the classroom that strengthen students’ grasp of America’s founding ideas. During AHM, schools acknowledge the diverse backgrounds of American citizens and emphasize the unity of Americans as one people held together by the foundational ideas of one nation. In 2004, Mayor Bill White endorsed AHM in his American Heritage Month Proclamation. See American Heritage Month Proclamation.

In conjunction with American Heritage month and Veterans Day on November 11, Houston ISD initiated the annual American Heritage Month Exemplary Citizenship Award to recognize citizens for their outstanding service and contributions in the community. In 2004, AHEF Co-founder Eugenie Gonzalez was honored with HISD’s inaugural American Heritage Month Exemplary Citizenship Award, themed “We the People,” for her initiative on AHM and for her contributions in the community.