Deaf History Month - March 13 - April 15, 2019
Deaf History Month occurs annually. This period of time, observed nationwide every year from March 13 through April 15, celebrates
deaf history
and, in particular, contributions made by the deaf community and the hearing impaired to American culture and society.
Deaf History Month appears to have had its genesis March 13, 1996, when two deaf employees at Washington, D.C.'s Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial Library taught sign language to their colleagues. This occurrence evolved into a week of deaf awareness created by the library. Quickly, deaf awareness week evolved into a month-long period dedicated to promoting a greater understanding of the deaf community, this period quickly evolved to last a month.
In 1996, the National Association of the Deaf suggested the week become a full-fledged month, and in 1997, the first annual, nation-wide National Deaf History Month was celebrated from March 13 to April 15. The popularity of Deaf History Month grew over time, and there is currently an effort under way by the American Library Association and the National Association of the Deaf to get the White House to declare it an official national event.
Deaf History Month, by design, spans three key events impacting the deaf community that occurred in American history:
-
March 13, 1988 - Deaf President Now movement succeeds. King Jordan becomes President of Gallaudet University.
-
April 8 - Gallaudet University founded. President Lincoln signed the charter in 1864 establishing a college for the deaf.
This event is known as Gallaudet Charter Day and is usually marked with a luncheon and awards program at Gallaudet
University.
-
April 15 - American School for the Deaf, the first public school for the deaf opened in 1817.
|