The idea of having a
certain date to celebrate the achievements by black American people started in
1926. At the beginning it was just a week (second week of February) of
celebration known as ‘’Negro History Week’’ created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson
(He established the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History
in 1915). He said that this should always be in the second week of
February because it was between the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham
Lincoln. Later, in 1976, it expanded and February was designated as the month
of black history by the President Gerald R. Ford. Other countries as Canada and
UK also devoted a month to celebrate it. Since then, American presidents
designate February as Black History Month and each year has a theme, this year’s
was: A Century of Black life, History and Culture.
During the month, people
emphasize the promotion of the teaching of African American history in Schools
and Universities. They establish history clubs and host lectures. Also, there
are a lot of events that commemorates Afro-American. For example, in New York
people make different events, some of them are free and in other ones you have
to pay. They make talks, documentaries, live shows of dances and music, etc.
Some of the things
that happened in February (Besides the birthdays of Douglass and Lincoln) :
February
23, 1868:
W. E. B. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born.
W. E. B. DuBois, important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP, was born.
February 3, 1870:
The 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote.
The 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote.
February
25, 1870:
The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office.
The first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), took his oath of office.
February 12, 1909:
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City.
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City.
February 1, 1960:
In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of black Greensboro, N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
In what would become a civil-rights movement milestone, a group of black Greensboro, N.C., college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth's lunch counter.
February 21, 1965:
Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death by three Black Muslims.
(http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html)
Malcolm X, the militant leader who promoted Black Nationalism, was shot to death by three Black Muslims.
(http://www.infoplease.com/spot/bhmintro1.html)
A man and his son watching the bus where Rosa Parks
refused to give up her seat to a white person in 1955.