Holocaust and Human Rights Center of Maine - HHRC

06/01/2026

In 1999 President Clinton issued a proclamation designating June as Gay and Le***an Pride Month. In the spirit of honoring equality and freedom, the President said, “I encourage all Americans to observe this month with appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities that celebrate our diversity, and to remember throughout the year the gay and le***an Americans whose many and varied contributions have enriched our national life.”

Celebrate Pride Month in Maine with festivities happening statewide, including the Pride Portland! Parade & Festival on June 20th, and the Pride Parade & Festival on the Bangor Waterfront on June 27th. There are festivals, celebrations and performances to honor the LGBQT+ community across Maine. For a complete list, visit the out maine website

Show your support for LGBTQ+ youth by buying a Pride flag and other Pride Month swag. Shop OUT Maine merch, find Pride events, art shows, walks, and more.

05/25/2026

Dismantling Democracy: 53 Days in N**i Germany
Auburn Public Library - May 27th at 4:00

We will be offering our community program in Auburn on Wednesday, May 27th at 4:00. Dismantling Democracy: 53 Days in N**i Germany explores the critical weeks following Hitler’s appointment as chancellor in 1933, when the N**i Party legally and systematically dismantled the democratic foundations of the Weimar Republic, a reminder of how quickly democratic institutions can erode. This program has been popular in libraries around the state. Here are just a few comments from participants:

"What a thorough and terrifying presentation that very clearly illustrated the N**i takeover—this presentation is so important. We should all hear and learn."

"Outstanding presentation. Knowledgeable speaker. Would recommend this program. Pace, modulation of speaker was wonderful."

"Excellent program - very informative and interesting. I learned a great deal."

"Thank you Erica! Well presented, very comprehensive, very informative."

We hope to see you there!

05/20/2026

Join us at the Michael Klahr Center on May 29th at 12:30 for a student art opening and exhibit viewing. Meet the inspiring students who have been studying, reflecting, and creating for months. What distinguishes this collection is the care and seriousness with which these students approached difficult history. Their work reflects not only an effort to understand the past, but also a willingness to ask what it means to bear witness in the present. Through art, reflection, and inquiry, these students demonstrate that learning history is not simply an act of remembrance, but an act of engagement, empathy, and responsibility. Register here:

Students from Ashland District School will show their projects centered on tolerance and an understanding of humankind.

05/20/2026

Join us at the Michael Klahr Center on May 29th at 12:30 for a student art opening and exhibit viewing. Meet the inspiring students who have been studying, reflecting, and creating for months. What distinguishes this collection is the care and seriousness with which these students approached difficult history. Their work reflects not only an effort to understand the past, but also a willingness to ask what it means to bear witness in the present. Through art, reflection, and inquiry, these students demonstrate that learning history is not simply an act of remembrance, but an act of engagement, empathy, and responsibility. Register here:

https://www.eventbrite.com/e/a-student-art-opening-tickets-1989003058691?aff=oddtdtcreator&keep_tld=true

05/17/2026

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/05/17/opinion/holocaust-france-photographs-1941.html

A new collection of photographs gives us a new picture of the Holocaust in France.

05/12/2026

We are thrilled to be working with this inspiring teacher and students! Join us on May 29th at 12:30 to see their artwork and join a conversation with these thoughtful, creative young people. The article below describes the journey that this educator, and class, have been taking together. It's a wonderful story, and we feel honored to be collaborating with them!

05/05/2026

Today is Cinco de Mayo which commemorates the Mexican army's unlikely victory over French forces at the Battle of Puebla on May 5, 1862. Led by General Ignacio Zaragoza, a smaller, poorly equipped Mexican force defeated the French army, becoming a powerful symbol of resistance and national unity. In the United States, it involves widespread celebration of Mexican-American culture, heritage, and community.

Cinco de Mayo is a Mexican holiday that marks Mexico’s victory over France on May 5, 1862. Learn the meaning, history...

05/01/2026

Today is International Workers' Day. Celebrated on May 1st, it is a global holiday honoring labor movements and the working class. Originating from the 1886 Haymarket Affair in Chicago in 1886, when a general strike on May 1st demanding an eight-hour workday escalated into violence, resulting in deaths and the martyrdom of several labor leaders. It is marked worldwide by rallies, marches, and demonstrations advocating for workers' rights, social justice, and fair labor standards. It's an official public holiday in many nations across Europe, Asia, Africa, and Latin America. Learn more:

International Workers Day is a public holiday celebrated in over 80 countries that typically takes place on May 1st of every year.

05/01/2026

Jewish American Heritage Month (JAHM) is celebrated every May to honor the contributions, history, and culture of Jewish Americans, which have shaped the United States for over 370 years. Established in 2006, it highlights achievements in science, arts, government, and civil rights while addressing antisemitism. Common ways to participate include attending local community events, exploring online exhibits about Jewish history, and supporting institutions that preserve Jewish American culture. This website offers lots of ideas, programs and resources:

Photo of 6 Army Nurse Corps members, with Martha G. Metter on the bottom left National Museum of American Jewish History, 2012.33.147. Gift of Martha G. Metter Fritz.

05/01/2026

May is Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. 2026 will celebrate the history, culture, and contributions of AANHPI communities with a theme of "Power in Unity: Strengthening Communities Together." Throughout May, nationwide events will include performances, workshops, and film screenings, highlighting the 250th anniversary of the United States and the central role AANHPI communities have played in building the country's arts, sciences, government, and commerce. Learn more here:

Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month May In the month of May we take time to reflect and celebrate the important role that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have played in our nation's shared history. Take part in online and in-person events an...