What is Black History Month?
Feb 01, 2019
February 1st marks the beginning of Black History Month 2019!
Black History Month dates all the way back to 1926 when it was known as ‘Negro History Week’, created by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. This month was chosen by Dr. Woodson because it was the birthday months of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln.
“The mission of the Dr. Carter G. Woodson African American Museum is two-fold:
1) To preserve, present, and interpret African American history and to engage a broad and diverse audience through these activities.
2) To promote an understanding among various groups that comprise the St. Petersburg community to enhance our ability as a society to respect, value diversity, and foster equal rights and social justice.”
In 1976, Gerald Ford announced that Black History Month would be observed nationally. He stated the following:
“In the Bicentennial year of our Independence, we can review with admiration the impressive contributions of black Americans to our national life and culture.
One hundred years ago, to help highlight these achievements, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. We are grateful to him today for his initiative, and we are richer for the work of his organization.
Freedom and the recognition of individual rights are what our Revolution was all about. They were ideals that inspired our fight for Independence: ideals that we have been striving to live up to ever since. Yet it took many years before ideals became a reality for black citizens.
The last quarter-century has finally witnessed significant strides in the full integration of black people into every area of national life. In celebrating Black History Month, we can take satisfaction from this recent progress in the realization of the ideals envisioned by our Founding Fathers. But, even more than this, we can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.
I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us."
- Gerald Ford
Join Sister Sky, as we celebrate Black History Month. We will continue our celebration throughout the month of February with great informational blogs directly related to Black History Month.
https://www.fordlibrarymuseum.gov/library/speeches/760074.htm
