Nu Vibez and Roleplay Guide Magazine - February 2014 | Page 52
Black History Month
Li le Known but
Amazing Facts
Compiled By Cobra Momiji
By now most people are aware that
February is Black History Month and why
it is but just in case these facts slipped
through the cracks for any of our readers,
this is a good place to revisit them. Yahoo
answers provides with the following
brief synopsis of Black History 101:
Black History Month" was originated in
1926 by Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson. In
1926, it was called "Negro History
Week." Carter Woodson a ended
college where he earned a B.A. degree in
European history and a Ph.D. in history.
As a new graduate, he managed to earn a
living as a high school teacher; and later
as a professor of history at Howard
University. He had a strong desire to
document Negro history. He co-founded
and financed the "Associa on for the
Study of Negro Life and History" in 1915.
In 1926, Dr. Woodson was able to offer
the Associa on's name to sponsor the
week. He chose the second week in
Februar y because it marked the
birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and
Frederick Douglass. Through Woodson's
promo on of the celebra on in the
"Journal of Negro History" and the
crea on and distribu on of kits for
52 - Nu Vibez Magazine - February 2014
children, "Negro History Week" gained in
popularity.
In 1976, "Negro History Week" expanded
into "B lack History Month." The month is
also some mes referred to as AfricanAmerican Heritage Month. It is
recognized officially in several na ons
including Canada and the UK, and
unofficially in others.
In the U.S., it is recognized officially. In
1975, President Ford issued a Message on
the Observance of "B lack History Week"
urging all Americans to "recognize the
important contribu on made to our
na on's life and culture by B lack
ci zens." In 1976, President Ford issued
the first Message on the "Observance of B
lack History Month." In subsequent
years, Presidents Ford, Carter and Reagan
con nued to issue Messages honoring
"African-American History Month.”
In 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99244 which designated February 1986 as
"Na onal Black (Afro-American) History
Month.” This law noted that February 1,
1986 would “mark the beginning of the
six eth annual public and private salute
to Black History.” The law further called
upon to President to issue a proclama on
calling on the people of the United States
to observe February 1986 as "B lack
History Month" with the appropriate
ceremonies and ac vi es. President
Reagan issued Presiden al Proclama on
5443 which proclaimed that “the