The last day of school in Okaloosa County is May 25th.
The Library will be closing at 3 PM on May 22nd to participate in the Billy Bowlegs Parade.
The Library will be closed on Monday, May 29th for Memorial Day.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month. Filipinos were the first Asians to arrive in North America, landing in California in 1587. In 1977, Representatives Frank Horton and Norman Y. Mineta introduced a resolution to proclaim the first 10 days of May as Asian-Pacific Heritage Week. May was sought because in May 1843, the first Japanese immigrant arrived in North America and in May 1869, the golden spike was driven into the transcontinental railroad, completed using Chinese labor. In May 2009, President Barack Obama recognized the month as AAPI Heritage Month. During the month, communities celebrate achievements and contributions with festivals and educational activities.
The UN declared May 3rd to be World Press Freedom Day to raise awareness of the importance of freedom of the press and remind governments to respect and uphold the right to freedom of expression. UNESCO gives the UNESCO/Guillermo Cano World Press Freedom Prize to an individual or organization that's contributed to the defense of press freedom, especially in the face of danger. The Prize is named for Guillermo Cano Isaza, a journalist assassinated in 1986. UNESCO brings together media professionals, press freedom organizations, and UN agencies to assess the state of press freedom and discuss solutions for challenges.
National Missing Children's Day was first proclaimed by President Ronald Reagan on May 25, 1983. In 2001, it was expanded to be International Missing Children's Day. On May 25, 1979, Etan Patz was 6 when he disappeared. At the time, missing children rarely garnered national media attention, but his case received extensive coverage. The resulting search and media attention focused the public's attention on the problem of child abduction and the lack of plans to address it.
Click here to view more information about Fort Walton Beach Library Newsletter - May 2023
