Commemorative Moments
Remembrance, reflection and community.
Commemorative Moments recognizes events, themes, and people which are central to the identity of the College of Liberal Arts. They provide the framework to consider and reconsider the values of interdisciplinarity—curiosity, creativity, and critical thinking. By appreciating common values and differences, we prioritize inclusion and diversity that enriches the communities in which we live by being engaged and informed citizens.
Commemorative Moments will provide opportunities for:
- Critical analysis of accepted canons and canonical readings of significant past events, people, performance, narratives, symbolism, and experiences
- Reflection on the ways societal values regarding commemorations evolve over time
- Analysis of interpretations and meanings ascribed to significant historical moments
- Assessment of the role commemorative activities play in supporting democratic institutions
Commemorative Moments Calendar
| Moment | Description | Dates |
| Hispanic Heritage Month | Recognition of Hispanic contributions to American history and culture | September 15 to October 15 |
| Labor Day | Opportunity to honor and reflect on the achievement of American, workers | First Monday of September |
| Constitution Day | Significance of the U.S. Constitution in modern democracy, history, politics and culture | Week of September 17 |
| Banned Books Week | Opportunity to study the censorship of literature and of efforts of resistance | Week of September 22 |
| Native American Heritage and Alaska Native Heritage Month | Recognition of Indigenous contributions to American history and culture | November |
| Maryland Emancipation Day | Commemoration of the emancipation of enslaved people in Maryland | November 1, 1864 |
| Maryland Constitution Day | Reflection on the early history of the state and nation | November 3, 1776 |
| Veterans Day | Recognition of American military veterans and the Armistice that ended World War I | November 11 |
| Pearl Harbor Day | Reflection on the impact on individuals and communities at home and abroad | December 7, 1941 |
| Human Rights Day | Opportunity to reflect upon the United Nations’ Universal Declaration of Human Rights | December 10 |
| Martin Luther King Jr. Day | Recognition of American Civil Rights leader's life and activism | Third Monday in January |
| Liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau/International Holocaust Remembrance Day | Commemoration of the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camps by Allied Forces during WWII | January 27 |
| Black History Month | Recognition of African American contributions to American history and culture | February |
| Women’s History Month | Recognition of women’s contributions to American history and culture | March International Women's Day (March 8) |
| Maryland Day | Opportunity to reflect on the various impacts of European settlers in Maryland | March 25, 1634 |
| Genocide Awareness and Prevention Month | A chance to reflect on the history of genocide throughout the world | April |
| National Poetry Month | Opportunity to read, promote, and celebrate poetry and poets | April |
| Earth Day | Time to reflect on the values and goals of the environmental movement, from the late 20th century to the present | April 22 |
| May Day/International Workers Day | Recognition of the labor movement and opportunity to reflect on the history and struggle of workers | May 1 |
| APIMEDA Month | Recognition of Asian, Pacific Islander, Middle Eastern and Desi American contributions to history and culture | May |
| Jewish-American Heritage Month | Recognition of Jewish-American contributions to history and culture | May |
| Maryland Bill of Rights Day | Reflection on the impact of the post-Civil War Constitution | May 8, 1867 |
| Brown v. Board of Education | Opportunity to reflect on the national impact of this ruling | May 17, 1954 |
| Memorial Day | Recognition of military personnel who died while serving in the U.S. Armed Forces | Last Monday in May |
| LGBTQ+ Pride Month | Commemoration of the Stonewall riots and reflection upon the struggles of LGBT communities | June |
| Juneteenth | Commemoration of the end of slavery in the United States | June 19 |
| Disability Pride Month | Recognition of the history, challenges and achievements of the disabled community | July |
| Independence Day | Reflection on democracy and freedom | July 4, 1776 |
Series Administration
The primary administration of this series is in the College Dean’s Office which will maintain the Calendar of Commemorative Moments and related events. Each year, a committee will review and revise the calendar in an effort to emphasize and reinvigorate these significant moments.
A student advisory group will meet at least once each term to provide recommendations for the calendar and will be made up of the Dean’s Student Advisory Council, student representatives to CLA Council, the CLA Committee on Diversity and Inclusion and the CLA Committee on Technology.
Committee Members
- Laura Callahan, LLC
- Joe Davis, English
- Amanda Walter, History
- Nikki DiGregorio, Family Science
- Todd Kenreich, Secondary and Middle School Education (College of Education)
- Jill Max, Baltimore Hebrew Institute
- Brian Hillman, Philosophy and Religious Studies
- Jo-Ann Pilardi, TURFA
- Suat Cubukcu, SOAN
- Vacant, Political Science