It’s National Deaf History Month! Did you know that the football huddle was invented by someone who was Deaf? It was! Football players at a university for the Deaf started to huddle up to keep opposing teams from seeing what plays they were signing to each other.
Deaf History Month spans from March 13 through April 15, during which time we celebrate the accomplishments and achievements of people who are Deaf and hard of hearing. These dates were selected because they encompass three significant anniversaries in Deaf history. The first is the opening of America’s first public school for the Deaf (April 15, 1817). Next came the founding of the world’s first institution dedicated to higher education for the Deaf, Gallaudet University (April 8, 1964). Finally, we recognize the significance of Gallaudet hiring their first Deaf president (March 13, 1988).
You can learn more about Deaf history, sign language, culture and lived experience this month at one of our activities.
Here are some of our staff recommendations featuring a cast of Deaf and hard of hearing characters:
