Black History Month
See other Holidays » Black History Month
Black history cannot be separated from American history as a whole, from colonial times to the Civil War through the civil rights campaign and beyond. But it was Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson who essentially revolutionized the field, countering what he saw as the prevailing scholarly neglect or misrepresentation of his people. He established the second week of February 1926 as the first annual Negro History Week and fifty years later it expanded into a monthlong commemoration. The idea spread to South America, the West Indies, Africa, the Philippines, the Virgin Islands and the UK (where it is observed in October).
In some ways, the question of whether there should even be a Black History Month — and there are passionate black voices on both sides of the debate — is reminiscent of a question that has long been central to the African-American experience: should the community stress its African heritage and strive toward segregated churches and schools, or embrace its American identity and demand full political, social and educational integration?
Black Americans are activists and victims, martyrs and heroes — and even, as of January 2009, president of the United States — and their history is full of tragedy, triumph and ongoing struggle. Suggested topics for further study include: Atlantic slave trade, Amistad, Dred Scott v. Sandford, NAACP, Tuskegee experiment, Timeline of the American civil rights movement, Juneteenth, hip hop, Million Man March.
Written by 
Chase's Calendar of Events:
Top
National Black History Month
Feb 1–28. Traditionally the month containing Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (Feb 12) and Frederick Douglass’s presumed birthday (Feb 14). Observance of a special period to recognize achievements and contributions by African Americans dates from February 1926, when it was launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. The 2011 theme: “African Americans and the Civil War.” Variously designated Negro History, Black History, Afro-American History, African-American History, the observance period was initially one week, but since 1976 the entire month of February. The ASALH will host its annual Black History Luncheon on Feb 26, 2011, at the Renaissance Washington DC Hotel, Washington, DC. For info: Assn for the Study of African American Life and History, Inc, Howard University, C.B. Powell Building, 525 Bryant St, Ste C142, Washington, DC 20059. Phone: (202) 865-0053. Fax: (202) 265-7920. E-mail: info@asalh.net. Web: www.asalh.org.
See more events for Feb 1, 2011.
February
Black History Month grew out of Negro History Week, which was established in February 1926 by African-American historian Carter G. Woodson, who founded the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History. Expanded in 1976 to a month-long observance, this celebration of the contributions and achievements of African Americans was initially designed to encompass the birthday of the abolitionist orator and journalist Frederick Douglass (1817-1895) on February 14 as well as Abraham Lincoln's Birthday. The event is widely observed by schools, churches, libraries, clubs, and organizations wishing to draw attention to the contributions of African Americans.
Douglass was a fugitive slave who assumed this name when, by posing as a sailor, he escaped to New Bedford, Massachusetts. His former master's wife had secretly taught him to read and write, and after his escape Douglass became a skilled orator who lectured widely in favor of abolition. He settled for a while in Rochester, New York, where he founded an anti-slavery newspaper, and eventually ended up in Washington, D.C., where he held a number of government positions. One of his former residences there now houses the Museum of African Art and the Frederick Douglass Institute.
CONTACTS
The Association for the Study of African-American Life and History
CB Powell Bldg.
525 Bryant St., Ste. C142
Washington, D.C. 20059
202-865-0053; fax: 202-265-7920
www.asalh.org
Wikipedia on Answers.com:
Top
Black History Month
For the song, see Black History Month (song).
| Black History Month | |
|---|---|
 United States Navy sailors and Marines watching a dance performance in celebration of Black History Month |
|
| Also called | African-American History Month |
| Observed by | United States, Canada, United Kingdom |
| Type | Secular, national, cultural, ethnic |
| Significance | Celebration of African-American history |
| Date | Month of February |
Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month, is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in February[1][2] and the United Kingdom in October.[3]
|
Contents
|
History
Black History Month had its beginnings in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week". This week was chosen because it marked the birthday of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.[1] Woodson created the holiday with the hope that it eventually be eliminated when black history became fundamental to American history.[4] Negro History Week was met with enthusiastic response; it prompted the creation of black history clubs, an increase in interest among teachers, and interest from progressive whites. Negro History Week grew in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the United States endorsing it as a holiday.[1]
In 1976, the country's bicentennial, Negro History Week was expanded to Black History Month. Gerald Ford spoke in regards to this, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history."[5]
Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in 1987. This establishment of Black History Month is generally attributed to the work of Ghanaian analyst Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, as well as the Greater London Council.[3]
In 1995, after a motion by politician Jean Augustine, Canada's House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month. In 2008, Senator Donald Oliver moved to have the Senate officially recognize Black History Month, which was unanimously approved.[2]
Criticism
Black History Month sparks an annual debate about the continued usefulness and fairness of a designated month dedicated to the history of one race. Many people hold concerns about black history being delegated to a single month and the "hero worship" of some of the historical figures often recognized.[6] Morgan Freeman, a critic of Black History Month, said "I don't want a black history month. Black history is American history."[4]
See also
References
- ^ a b c "About African-American History Month". Library of Congress. http://www.africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about.html. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ a b "About Black History Month". Citizenship and Immigration Canada. http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/multiculturalism/black/background.asp. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Black History Month FAQ". Black History Month. http://www.black-history-month.co.uk/sitea/BHM_FAQ.html. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ a b "Freeman calls Black History Month ‘ridiculous’". MSNBC. 15 December 2005. http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/10482634/ns/today-entertainment/t/freeman-calls-black-history-month-ridiculous/#.TzrCrUxWrTw. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ "President Gerald R. Ford's Message on the Observance of Black History Month". Gerald R. Ford Presidential Library and Museum. University of Texas. http://www.ford.utexas.edu/library/speeches/760074.htm. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
- ^ Hirsch, Afua (30 September 2010). "Black History Month has to be more than hero worship". The Guardian. http://www.guardian.co.uk/commentisfree/2010/oct/01/black-history-month-hero-worship. Retrieved 14 February 2012.
External links
This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)
Post a question - any question - to the WikiAnswers community:
Copyrights:
Chase's Calendar of Events
Chase's Calendar of Events 2011. Copyright © 2010 by McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. All rights reserved.
Read more
Holidays, Festivals & Celebrations of the World
Holidays, Festivals, and Celebration of the World Dictionary. Copyright © 2010 by Omnigraphics, Inc. All rights reserved. Read more
Mentioned in
Celebrate the Heritage of Gospel
(1999 Album by Various Artists)
American Dad!: Black Mystery Month
(2007 Film)
Romance Bloody Romance: Remixes & B-Sides
(2005 Album by Death from Above 1979)
Heroes of Black Comedy
(2002 TV Series)
Unchained Memories: Readings from the Slave Narratives
(2002 History Film)
» More