Since 1976, Black History Month has been observed every February, but its origins date back half a century before its observance was formally established. In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), designated the second week of February—the week encompassing the birthdays of

The “Festival of Lights,” one of Judaism’s special events though not a biblical holiday, takes place in 2021 from sundown 11/28 – sundown 12/6. The eight-day celebration commemorates a Jewish victory in the second century B.C. over Greek-Syrian oppressors who sought to force the Jewish community to assimilate. It is NOT the “Jewish Christmas,” though there are some similarities. Both holidays celebrate light during a season of darkness, with symbolic candle lighting either from the branches of trees or from a menorah. Both Hanukkah and Christmas are shaped around messages of hope and miracles, a time of wonder meant to bring families together. 

The 1619 Project: A New Origin Story will be published by One World Books on 11/16/19, offering a profoundly revealing vision of the American past and present and a dramatic expansion of a groundbreaking work of journalism.

In late August 1619, a ship arrived in the British colony of Virginia bearing a cargo of twenty to thirty enslaved people from Africa. Their arrival led to the barbaric and unprecedented system of American chattel slavery that would last for the next 250 years. This is sometimes referred to as the country’s original sin, but it is more than that: It is the source of so much that still defines the United States.

November is Native American Heritage Month. The month is a time to celebrate rich and diverse cultures, traditions, and histories and to acknowledge the important contributions of Native people. Heritage Month is also an opportune time to educate the general public about tribes, to raise a general awareness about the unique challenges Native people have faced both historically and in the present, and the ways in which tribal citizens have worked to conquer these challenges. (NCAI.org)

Over the past two decades, Americans have experienced a significant evolution in their understanding and cultural acceptance of transgender people.

Consequently, media coverage of trans issues has moved beyond simplistic political dichotomies and toward more fully realized representations, not only of the diversity of the trans community, but also of trans people’s lives, their families, and their fundamental inclusion in the fabric of American society. Today, transgender people’s stories are more likely to be told in the same way as others — with fairness, integrity, and respect. (glaad.org)

Between 9/15 and 10/15, we celebrate the history and countless contributions that Latinos have made to the US over the years. This month we also honor the cultural richness of Hispanics from Mexico, Central America, South America and the Caribbean.

Multicultural and LGBTQ romance online searches are on the rise. According to our metadata experts, search traffic for the overall Romance category was up 17% in Q1 of 2021. Multicultural Romance and LGBTQ Romance share of traffic has increased considerably in the same time frame. Online search data gives us insight into what consumers are interested in buying.

Bring on the celebration!

Each June in the USA and around the world, celebrations of LGBTQ Month include parades, picnics, parties, workshops, symposia and concerts, and Pride Month events attract millions of participants. As ever, PRH and its distributed clients have a multitude of books to recognize the impact that LGBTQ individuals have had on history locally, nationally, and internationally, including Fiction and Non-Fiction.