History of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month
From a unanimous House vote in 2005 to 20 years of Presidential Proclamations — the story of how June became Caribbean-American Heritage Month.
How NCAHM Became Law
June is designated by the United States Congress as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month — a recognition of the lasting, irreplaceable contributions of Caribbean people to the United States since the nation's founding.
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June 27, 2005The House of Representatives unanimously adopts H. Con. Res. 71, recognizing the significance of Caribbean people and their descendants in the history and culture of the United States.
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February 14, 2006The Senate adopts the resolution, completing a bipartisan, bicameral effort.
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June 5, 2006President George W. Bush signs Proclamation 8026, officially establishing June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. The first annual presidential proclamation is issued.
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2006 – 2025Every sitting President issues an annual proclamation recognizing June as National Caribbean-American Heritage Month — with one notable exception in 2025. The observance grows into a nationwide celebration of Caribbean culture, history and contributions.
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June 2026 🎉The 20th Anniversary. Two decades of Congressional recognition. We celebrate the water people — 44 nations, one Caribbean family and millions of American stories.
What is the "Greater Caribbean"?
CACCE-GWAN recognizes the Greater Caribbean — 44 nations — every country that touches the Caribbean Sea culturally, historically, ideologically or physically. From Jamaica and Trinidad to Cuba, Haiti, and Curaçao; from Belize to Colombia and Venezuela. We are a water people and the sea unites us.
The term "Greater Caribbean" is recognized across scholarly and institutional sources as a region extending beyond the island archipelago to encompass the Caribbean Basin and adjacent mainland territories — including Central America, Colombia, and Venezuela. See: Wikipedia — Greater Caribbean; Library of Congress / ACRL — Caribbean Area Definition; The Florida Geographer — What and Where is the Caribbean?
119th Congress — H.Res.547
The current Congress has introduced a resolution recognizing the significance of National Caribbean-American Heritage Month. View H.Res.547 at congress.gov →
About CACCE-GWAN
NCAHM 2026 is presented by CACCE-GWAN — the Caribbean-American Chamber of Commerce, Greater Washington Area Network.
Our Mission
CACCE-GWAN represents Caribbean-American businesses, nonprofits and institutions across the greater Washington DC area, advancing the economic, civic and cultural interests of the Caribbean-American community.
NCAHM 2026 Tagline
Vital to American history. Visible in every community. Viable as a recognized, celebrated and economically powerful national community.