7.01.23 – July 2023 Recognitions

July 2023 Recognitions

Saturday, July 1, 2023

July is French American Heritage Month. Approximately 11.8 million Americans identify as having European French, French-Canadian, Acadian, Brayon, Cajun, or Creole ancestry, with about 2 million speaking French at home. An additional 750,000 French-American citizens were added to those numbers due to the large Creole community, whose language is based on French. California has the most significant French population, followed by Louisiana, with Maine having the highest percentage (25%) of French inhabitants. When we get the opportunity to learn about people who have come from different backgrounds from us, we are given a beautiful lesson about their culture and way of life.

National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month is also observed in July. This cause brings awareness to the unique struggles that racial and ethnic minority communities face regarding mental illness in the United States. Racial and ethnic minorities often suffer from poor mental health outcomes due to the cultural stigma and lack of access to mental health care services. The National Minority Mental Health Taskforce of healthcare workers, patients, friends, and allies obtained the support of House Representatives Albert Wynn and Diane Watson, who signed legislation to create an official National Minority Mental Health Awareness Month in 2006.

Asalha Puja, also known as Dharma Day, is observed on July 3. This day falls on the sixth lunar month and commemorates Buddha’s first sermon after enlightenment, “turning of the wheel of the Dharma.” During the festival, Buddhists reflect on the sermon’s four noble truths:

1. The truth of suffering (dukkha)
2. The truth of the cause of suffering (samudaya)
3. The truth of the end of suffering (nirhodha)
4. The truth of the path that frees us from suffering (magga)

On July 4, we celebrate Independence Day. This year is the 247th anniversary of the United States Declaration of Independence. In 1776, Thomas Jefferson drafted the Declaration of Independence, and all 13 colonies approved it on July 4, 1776. Thomas Jefferson and John Adams, the only two signatories of the Declaration of Independence later to serve as presidents of the United States, both died on the same day: July 4, 1826, which was the 50th anniversary of the Declaration.

July 9, Martyrdom of the BÁB, is of the Baha’ faith and is in observance of the execution in 1850 of Siyyid ‘Alí-Muhammad, the Báb, the prophet-herald of the Bahá’í Faith.

Eid al-Adha is the Muslim holy day on July 10 that honors Abraham’s sacrifice in obedience to God’s command. The sacred festival is celebrated with family time, exchanging gifts, and marks the end of the annual pilgrimage to Mecca.

July 14, Bastille Day, is a national holiday in France and a celebration in America by French Americans for their rights and freedom. Americans honor France being the first country to support the US in the American Revolutionary War.

July 18 is Nelson Mandela International Day. Mandela was the first black president of South Africa and worked to stop apartheid, institutional racism and worked to bring people together. “Do what you can, with what you have, wherever you are.”

National Disability Independence Day is celebrated every year on July 26. It commemorates the signing of the Americans with Disability Act (ADA) in 1990. This act guarantees equal opportunity for people with disabilities. The Americans with Disability Act covers the following areas: public accommodation, employment, transportation, and state and local government services.

Tisha B’Av, on July 26 this year, is an annual fast day in Judaism. It is a time of mourning, contemplation, and prayer, in remembrance of the destruction of the two temples of Jerusalem.

July 27 is National Korean War Veterans Armistice Day, where we recognize and pay tribute to Korean War veterans of the Korean War. In 1950 North Korea invaded South Korea. In 1953, the war ended with the signing of the Korean Armistice Agreement.

We recognize National Support Public Education Day on July 30. We acknowledge education as a fundamental human right, helping to prepare children and unifying diverse populations while promoting equity. Public schools mirror our values and deserve all our support.

We hope your July gives you time to enjoy the summer while connecting in simple ways that bring us together.

In Solidarity,

Chaddrian Calhoun and Rhonda Curtright
APFA Diversity, Equity & Inclusion Committee
[email protected]