Many contributed to growth of Black History Month

February is Black History Month, a nation-wide celebration that provides the opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African-Americans have played in the shaping of U.S. History. Throughout the month, Ohlone’s African American Student Alliance has celebrated the history of African Americans and the path former activists paved for the the future. Events such as the Black History Awareness Month opening ceremony and the upcoming Soul Surge – Open Mic, Thursday, Feb. 25 have greatly influenced Ohlone’s awareness of Black History Month.It is the time of the year when African-Americans can celebrate the past and present, reflect on their heritage, culture and how far we have come in understanding the struggles and sacrifies others have made. The roots of Black History Month can be traced back to the early part of the 20th century.

In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, “Father of Black History” also author, publisher, editor, educator and an African-American historian, promoted the observance of “Negro History Week” during the second week of February.

Woodson, the son of a former slave, was the second African-American to earn a doctorate in history from Harvard University in 1912. He chose February as the month to honor two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social conditions of African-Americans. The people he chose were former President Abraham Lincoln, who was born on Feb. 12 and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass who was born on Feb. 14 because their birthdays were close together. Woodson also chose this month because of its significant number of historical events that have occurred in the month of February. For example, on Feb. 3, 1870 the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified, granting African-Americans the right to vote. Feb. 1, 1960 a group of college students in Greensboro, North Carolina began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter. On Feb.12, 1909 the established of the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) was founded in New York City. On Feb. 21, 1965 Malcolm X, a militant leader who fought for nationalism, was shot to death by three black Muslims. On Feb. 23, 1869 Dr. W.E.B. DuBois civil rights leader and founder of NAACP was born and on Feb. 25, 1870 the first African-American U.S. Sen. Hiram Revels took office. Woodson was an active promoter of black education and founded The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and The Association Publishers on Sept. 19, 1915. The Association is now known as The Study of African-American Life and History and continues to promote the study of Black History all year to honor Dr. Woodson’s legacy. In 1976, this celebration was renamed Black History Month which we celebrate today. It’s important for students to not only understand past history of African-Americans but to use this history to help move forward and to make contributions. In addition, it’s important for everyone to understand human rights for all people. Society needs to remember how much African-Americans have affected the culture and history of the United States. However, it’s extremely significant for everyone to find a way to honor it in a manner that is meaningful to them, such as going to a church event, a parade or just a moment of silence to reflect on the world and how you impact it. The main question African-Americans are asking themselves is, “How I am going to celebrate Black History Month?” Either way, celebrating this month is important to everyone. African-Americans have contributed and made great progress over the years. The election of Sen. Barack Obama as America’s 44th President demonstrates that Americans as a whole are willing to come together and advance the cause of racial equality. As Marty Meehan said, “As we celebrate Black History Month, we should be grateful for the achievements they made and inspired by their legacies to continue their work.” February is Black History Month, a nation-wide celebration that provides the opportunity for all Americans to reflect on the significant roles that African-Americans have played in the shaping of U.S. History.Throughout the month, Ohlone’s African American Student Alliance has celebrated the history of African Americans and the path former activists paved for the the future.Events such as the Black History Awareness Month opening ceremony and the upcoming Soul Surge – Open Mic, Thursday, Feb. 25 have greatly influenced Ohlone’s awareness of Black History Month.It is the time of the year when African-Americans can celebrate the past and present, reflect on their heritage, culture and how far we have come in understanding the struggles and sacrifies others have made.The roots of Black History Month can be traced back to the early part of the 20th century.In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, “Father of Black History” also author, publisher, editor, educator and an African-American historian, promoted the observance of “Negro History Week” during the second week of February.Woodson, the son of a former slave, was the second African-American to earn a doctorate in history from Harvard University in 1912.He chose February as the month to honor two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social conditions of African-Americans.The people he chose were former President Abraham Lincoln, who was born on Feb. 12 and abolitionist and former slave Frederick Douglass who was born on Feb. 14 because their birthdays were close together.Woodson also chose this month because of its significant number of historical events that have occurred in the month of February. For example, on Feb. 3, 1870 the Fifteenth Amendment was ratified, granting African-Americans the right to vote.Feb. 1, 1960 a group of college students in Greensboro, North Carolina began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter.On Feb.12, 1909 the established of the National Association for the Advancement of Color People (NAACP) was founded in New York City.On Feb. 21, 1965 Malcolm X, a militant leader who fought for nationalism, was shot to death by three black Muslims.On Feb. 23, 1869 Dr. W.E.B. DuBois civil rights leader and founder of NAACP was born and on Feb. 25, 1870 the first African-American U.S. Sen. Hiram Revels took office.Woodson was an active promoter of black education and founded The Association for the Study of Negro Life and History and The Association Publishers on Sept. 19, 1915.The Association is now known as The Study of African-American Life and History and continues to promote the study of Black History all year to honor Dr. Woodson’s legacy.In 1976, this celebration was renamed Black History Month which we celebrate today.It’s important for students to not only understand past history of African-Americans but to use this history to help move forward and to make contributions.In addition, it’s important for everyone to understand human rights for all people.Society needs to remember how much African-Americans have affected the culture and history of the United States.However, it’s extremely significant for everyone to find a way to honor it in a manner that is meaningful to them, such as going to a church event, a parade or just a moment of silence to reflect on the world and how you impact it.The main question African-Americans are asking themselves is, “How I am going to celebrate Black History Month?” Either way, celebrating this month is important to everyone.African-Americans have contributed and made great progress over the years.The election of Sen. Barack Obama as America’s 44th President demonstrates that Americans as a whole are willing to come together and advance the cause of racial equality.As Marty Meehan said, “As we celebrate Black History Month, we should be grateful for the achievements they made and inspired by their legacies to continue their work.”