American Indian Heritage and Great American Smokeout
Fact Sheets
PowerPoint Presentations
Activities
Tailored Media
General Information
The purpose of National American Indian Heritage Month is to honor and recognize the original peoples of this land. American Indian Heritage Month is a time to learn more about the history, heritage and cultures of our continent's original inhabitants-tribal people. Although the first "American Indian Day" was declared by the State of New York in 1916, and "American Indian Heritage Week" was celebrated for four consecutive years in the 1980s, a month-long recognition of Native Americans was not achieved until 1990.
The Great American Smokeout is an annual day set aside to encourage smokers to go 24 hours without smoking a cigarette. It is sponsored by the American Cancer Society (ACS) and held annually on the third Thursday in November. The next event will be Thursday, November 18, 2010. The ACS provides assistance and resources to help smokers use the Smokeout as an opportunity to quit smoking for good.