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Veteran's Day Veterans Day is a federal holiday in the United States observed annually on November 11. It honors military veterans of the United States Armed Forces and marks the end of World War I, which formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918. It is observed as Armistice Day and Remembrance Day in countries such as Belgium, France, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Serbia, Romania, Bulgaria, and many others. Veterans Day is distinct from Memorial Day, which is also a US federal holiday, as Veterans Day commemorates the service of all U.S. veterans. At the same time, Memorial Day (observed on the last Monday of May) explicitly honors those who have died while in military service. Another military holiday in May, Armed Forces Day, honors those serving in the U.S. military. Additionally, Women's Veterans Day is recognized on June 12 in several states across the US, which marks the anniversary of the Women’s Arms Services Integration Act, a law signed by President Harry S. Truman on June 12, 1948, that allowed women to serve as permanent members of the U.S. military. New York State offers veterans and active military personnel a variety of discounts and free admission to attractions across the state—not only on Veterans Day but throughout November and year-round. For a listing of these discounts, visit Iloveny.com. To all who have served in the military to protect our nation, thank you for your service. National Native American Heritage Month National Native American Heritage Month is celebrated each year in November to honor the history, culture, and contributions and celebrate traditions, languages, and stories of Native American, Alaska Native, Native Hawaiian, and affiliated Island communities and ensure their rich histories and contributions continue to thrive with each passing generation. In 1990, President George H. W. Bush approved a joint resolution designating November 1990 “National American Indian Heritage Month.” Similar proclamations under variants of the name (including “Native American Heritage Month” and “National American Indian and Alaska Native Heritage Month”) have been issued each year since 1994. Among the many notable contributors to society from Native American and Indigenous communities are artists, including sculptor and painter Allan Houser (Chiricahua Apache); influential writer and first Native American U.S. Poet Laureate Joy Harjo (Muscogee); environmental activist Winona LaDuke (Anishinaabe); and architect Johnpaul Jones (Cherokee-Choctaw), who co-designed the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian to reflect Native and Indigenous influence. This year, the 2024 White House Proclamation on National Native American Heritage Month presents President Biden's recommitted to respecting Tribal sovereignty and self-determination and working in partnership with Tribal Nations to bring new prosperity and security to Native peoples. Explore the Smithsonian’s National Museum of the American Indian and additional Smithsonian events, resources, exhibitions, and podcast episodes. Also, review events that are happening in NYCfor learning opportunities dedicated to Native American heritage. Transgender Awareness Week & Transgender Day of Remembrance Transgender Awareness Week (November 13 – 19) is a week when transgender people and their allies take action to bring attention to the trans community by educating the public about who transgender people are, sharing stories and experiences, and advancing advocacy around issues of prejudice, discrimination, and violence that affect the transgender community. Trans Awareness Week occurs the week before Transgender Day of Remembrance (TDOR) on November 20, which honors the memory of the transgender people whose lives were lost in acts of anti-transgender violence that year. In its 2023 report, the Human Rights Campaign Foundation shares that at least 33 transgender or non-conforming people have been killed in the United States. From barriers in receiving medical treatment to discriminatory housing and employment practices to a lack of adequate and appropriate representation, trans folks continue to face many confounding (and compounding) challenges. For more about how GLAAD has observed Transgender Awareness Week this year and through the years, check out https://glaad.org/tag/trans-awareness-week and how the Human Rights Campaign educates and honors Transgender Awareness Week. NYC Pride will be hosting an open house & Transgender Awareness Week Commemoration on Wednesday, November 13 · 7 - 9 pm EST, and also visitThe NYC Commission on Gender Equity for resources ALANYC stands with the LGBTQIA+ community and creates an environment where people from all walks of life can live freely and in community with one another. |