RTTUZYUW RUEWMCS0094 1161814-UUUU--RUCRNAD
ZNR UUUUU
R 261814Z APR 14 PSN 273691K28
FM CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
TO NAVADMIN
INFO CNO WASHINGTON DC//N1//
BT
UNCLAS//N05750//
NAVADMIN 094/14
MSGID/GENADMIN/CNO WASHINGTON DC/N1/APR//
SUBJ/2014 DIVERSITY HERITAGE CELEBRATIONS AND NATIONAL OBSERVANCES//
RMKS/1. This NAVADMIN announces the remaining Diversity Heritage
Celebrations and National Observances for calendar year 2014.
2. All commands are strongly encouraged to increase their knowledge and
awareness of Diversity Heritage Celebrations and National Observances by
supporting programs, exhibits, publications, and participating in military
and community events throughout the year.
3. List of Diversity Heritage Celebrations and National Observances:
a. Days of Remembrance/Holocaust Remembrance Day
Theme: Confronting the Holocaust: American Responses
Dates: 27 April-4 May 2014/28 April 2014
The Holocaust was the state-sponsored systematic annihilation of European
Jews by Nazi Germany and its collaborators. Between 1933 and 1945, more than
six million Jews were murdered while Poles, Soviet prisoners of war, gypsies,
Jehovah's Witnesses, political dissidents, the physically and mentally
disabled, and homosexuals suffered grievous persecution under Nazi tyranny.
Established by Congress in 1980 as the nation's annual commemoration of the
Holocaust, the Days of Remembrance includes the observance of "Yom Hashoah,"
or Holocaust Remembrance Day.
b. Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Theme: I Am Beyond
Dates: 1-31 May 2014
Directed by Congress in 1977 and established by presidential proclamation in
1978, Asian/Pacific American Heritage Week was first observed the week of 4
May 1979. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush expanded the observance to
encompass the month of May; and in 1992, Congress passed a law permanently
designating May as Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month. The month of May
is significant for this observance as it commemorates the arrival date of the
first Japanese immigrants to the United States on 7 May 1843 and the
significant contributions from Chinese pioneers completing the first
Transcontinental Railroad on 10 May 1869.
c. Women's Equality Day
Theme: Celebrating Women's Right to Vote
Dates: 26 August 2014
Women's Equality Day commemorates the struggle of women to gain the right to
vote. The movement for women's rights was launched on a national level in
1848 at what is now known as The Seneca Falls Convention, which originally
advertised itself as a "Women's Rights Convention." Voting rights advocates
Elizabeth Cady Stanton and Lucretia Mott, also known as "suffragists," along
with Susan B. Anthony and other activists, formed organizations that raised
public awareness and lobbied the government to grant voting rights to women
making the right to vote a centerpiece of the women's rights movement. It
would take 72 years after the suffrage movement began for these groups to
emerge victorious with the ratification of the 19th Amendment tothe U.S.
Constitution on 18 August 1920, which prohibited any U.S. citizen from being
denied the right to vote on the basis of sex. On Election Day that same
year, more than eight million women across the nation voted for the first
time. In 1971, to honor and commemorate this historic event, Congresswoman
Bella Abzug (D-NY) introduced, and Congress signed, a resolution to designate
26 August as Women's Equality Day recognizing the anniversary of suffrage and
of women's continued efforts toward equal rights.
d. Navy Suicide Prevention Month
Theme: "Every Sailor, Every Day"
Dates: 1 - 30 September 2014
Since 1974, the American Association of Suicidology has recognized the week
of September 10th as National Suicide Prevention Week. Since 2012 the
Department of Defense has expanded this effort, devoting the entire month of
September to promoting sustainable community-wide approaches to suicide
prevention education and awareness. Navy uses Suicide Prevention Month as a
launch-pad for continuous engagement throughout the year, providing Sailors,
leaders, commands and families with the tools to effectively navigate through
stressful times while supporting help-seeking behavior. This year's theme,
"Every Sailor, Every Day," reinforces this ongoing approach by encouraging
all members of the Navy community to reach out to another and take meaningful
actions to promote cohesion, build trust, and help fellow shipmates thrive in
the face of adversity, not just survive. Supporting resources and
communications will be available in September at www.suicide.navy.mil to
support commanders and unit Suicide Prevention Coordinators tailoring local
initiatives. We are stronger together.
e. Hispanic Heritage Month Theme:
Please visit www.hispanicheritagemonth.org for updates.
Dates: 15 September-15 October 2014
Each year, Americans observe National Hispanic Heritage Month from 15
September to 15 October, by celebrating the histories, cultures, and
contributions of American citizens whose ancestors came from Spain, Mexico,
the Caribbean and Central and South America. The observation started in 1968
as Hispanic Heritage Week under President Lyndon Johnson and was expanded by
President Ronald Reagan in 1988 to cover a 30-day period. It was enacted
into law on 17 August 1988, by the approval of Public Law 100-402.
f. National Prisoner of War (POW)/Missing in Action (MIA) Recognition Day
Theme: Please visit www.dtic.mil/dpmo for updates
Date: 19 September 2014
The President of the United States issues an annual proclamation
commemorating this national day of observance. Americans are to offer
remembrance, honor, and reverence to those who were a POW and to over 33,000
Sailors who remain MIA from our nation's wars. It is also a day we remember
the families of POW/MIA and the sacrifices they have endured.
g. National American Indian Heritage Month
Theme:Please visit www.nativeamericanheritagemonth.org for updates.
Dates: 1-30 November 2014
Native American Heritage Month first began with the establishment of American
Indian Day by the governor of New York in May 1916. Later, several
additional states enacted celebrations during the fourth Friday in September,
but the celebration did not gain official national recognition until
President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November
1990 as "National American Indian Heritage Month." Similar proclamations
under different names, including "Native
American Heritage Month" and "National American Indian and Alaska Native
Heritage Month," have been issued each year since 1994.
4. Department of Defense themes are promulgated by the Defense Equal
Opportunity Management Institute (DEOMI). More information, guidance, and
resources on Diversity Heritage Celebrations and National Observances can be
found on the DEOMI website at http://www.deomi.org/SpecialObservance/.
5. Articles, presentations, and other supporting information can be found at
the Naval History Command's website at http://www.history.navy.mil/.
6. Additional information on diversity observances can also be found at the
Navy Diversity and Inclusion website at http://www.public.navy.mil/bupers-
npc/support/21st_Century_Sailor/diversity/Pages/DiversityObservances.aspx.
7. Points of contact are LCDR Raul A. Rojas,(703) 604-5082,
raul.rojas@navy.mil and Ms. Shirley Copeland,(703) 604-5080,
shirley.copeland@navy.mil.
8. This message will be canceled for record purposes on 31 December 2014.
9. Released by Vice Admiral W. F. Moran, N1.//
BT
#7507
NNNN
UNCLASSIFIED//