Black History Month is a national annual observance 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 and the United Kingdom in the month of October.
The remembrance originated in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson as "Negro History Week".[1] 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. Woodson also founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History.
Black History
The history of African Americans and Black America is given close consideration during Black History Month. National, social, scientific and political contributions by black americans are recognized during Black History Month. Historic accounts related to the civil war era, the civil rights movement of 1955-1968, mainstream technological advances and inventions that have had positive impact on the economy of a nation are often considered. The following lists popular subjects of research, discussion and review during this annual observance.
Abolitionist Movements
African-American History Timeline
African American Scientists
African Americans in Politics
African American Poets
African American Artists
African American Writers
African American Movie Directors
African Amercian Entertainers
Civil Rights Timeline
Civil Rights Heroes
Civil War of of 1861-1865
Famous Civil Rights March on Washington
Famous Firsts by African Americans
Important Cities in Black History
Notable Speeches by African Americans
Reconstruction 1865-1877
Slavery in America
Ten Important Supreme Court Decisions in Black History
Notable Milestones of Black Inventors/Scientist
Excerpt of a list of over 500 African American Inventors with owned Patents
About.com - Black Inventors.[2]
Christopher P. Adams
Patent #5,641,658, 6/24/1997, Method for performing amplification of nucleic acid with two primers bound to a single solid support
Patent Moses T. Asom
Patent #5,386,126, 1/31/1995, Semiconductor devices based on optical transitions between quasibound energy levels
Bertram F Baker
Patent #1,582,659, 4/27/1926, Automatic Cashier
Patricia Bath
Patent #5,919,186, 7/6/1999, Laser apparatus for surgery of cataractous lenses
James A Bauer
Patent #3,490,571, 1/20/1970, Coin Changer Mechanism
William N. Cobbs
Patent #1,780,865, 11/4/1930, Locomotive headlight
James Cooper
Patent #536,605, 4/2/1895, Elevator safety device
Sarah E Goode
Patent #322,177, 7/14/1885, Cabinet bed
Meredith C Gourdine
Over 15 patented inventions relating to Electrogasdynamics
Mary Beatrice Kenner
Patent #3,957,071, 5/18/1976, Carrier attachment for invalid walkers
Patent #4,354,643, 10/19/1982, Bathroom tissue holder
Patent #4,696,068, 9/29/1987, Shower wall and bathtub mounted back washer
Common Observance Related Activities
Activities during Black History Month include the following:
Frequenting museums of black history.
Visiting Town Halls of cities that played a key role in the advancement of blacks in America.
Open discussions of the ethics of ethnic profiling in America.
Skits relating to notable moments in black history
Recitals of famous speeches
Examination, appraisal and aqcuisition of period peice heirlooms related to black history
Collection and presentation of artifacts relating to black history
Studying supreme court decisions relating to those of African decent but having postiive impact on non-African americans.
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. Critical op-ed pieces have appeared in the Cincinnati Enquirer [3] and USA Today.[4]
Some groups, including the Nation of Islam, have criticized Black History Month. Some critics, including Morgan Freeman, contend that Black History Month is irrelevant because it has degenerated into a shallow ritual,[5] and says that it serves to undermine the contention that black history is American history.[citation needed]
See also
References
External links
