[Photo credit: LaGrange.edu]
"Black history is American history." -Actor Morgan Freeman
Black History Month remembers (!) the contributions of African-Americans to the United States and celebrates heritage and culture. In the United States and Canada, Black History Month is celebrated in the month of February and in the United Kingdom, it is celebrated in the month of October. The remembrance originated in 1926 and was created by historian Carter G. Woodson as Negro History Week. Later, sleeping car porters brought the idea north across the border into Canada. It was initiated in Canada by the Ontario Black History Society, which was founded in 1978. Black History in England was first celebrated in 1987. The month of October was selected because it coincided with the Marcus Garvey celebrations and London Jubilee. America's Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: former President Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass. [Source: Wikipedia & BlackHistoryCanada; DiscoverBlackHeritage]
4 comments:
I think it is important to recognize the achievements of key African-American people, both living and deceased. Society has come a long way over the last several decades, and blacks have accomplished more than what most people ever expected. Fifty or so years ago, who would have imagined that there would be a black President of the United States? Clearly, African-Americans have been successful, and are clearly capable of great things.
Immer wieder informativ!
Im excited about it too we have contributed soo much!
In recognition of Black History month and diabetic eye disease awareness, the American Academy of Ophthalmology created a PSA with congressman James E. Clyburn Urging African Americans with diabetes to get an Annual Diabetic Eye Exam in conjunction with the Diabetes Association. This is important information to prevent unnecessary blindness. Link to the PSA: http://www.geteyesmart.org/eyesmart/resources/releases/2010_releases/20100129.cfm
Sincerely,
Christina
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