February is upon us. The second month of the new year brings us closer to spring and the celebration of love on Saint Valentine's Day. Thanks to historian Carter G. Woodson and the establishment of Black History Week in 1926, his love for the history of African Americans ushered in a month-long celebration recognized by President Gerald Ford in 1976, Black History Month. ***Spoiler alert*** if you are black, Black History Month is every day of the year. The list of contributions, accomplishments, inventions, and major milestones made by African Americans is extensive and highlights the paragon of the culture a.k.a. Black Excellence!
A few notable historical moments: January, the birth of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on January 15. Also, the world just witnessed history with the swearing-in of the first woman of color Vice President of the United States, Kamala Devi Harris. February, the NAACP, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People was founded in 1909. March, Crispus Attucks was the first African American to die in the Revolutionary War in 1770. April, the A.M.E. Church, African Methodist Episcopal Church, was founded in 1816. May, A. Philip Randolph organized the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters in 1925. June, Juneteenth, the last enslaved people in Galveston, Texas gained their freedom in 1865. July, Vermont became the first colony/state to abolish slavery in 1777. August, the Universal Negro Improvement Society, founded by Marcus Garvey, held its first international convention at Madison Square Garden in New York City in 1920. September, Booker T. Washington delivered his "Atlanta Compromise" speech at the Cotton States International Exposition in Atlanta, Georgia in 1895. October, The Black Panther Party was founded by Huey P. Newton and Bobby Seal in Oakland, California in 1966. November, the African Free School of New York, a school for children of enslaved and free blacks, opened in 1787. December, the Thirteenth Amendment was passed by the U.S. Congress in 1865, abolishing slavery. Our history is rich and full of remarkable accomplishments and should not be limited to one month of the year.
Black history is American history and actually extends beyond our borders and is a global history that pre-dates 1619. In the spirit of diversity and inclusion, African American history and culture is worthy of celebration all year long. Happy Black History 365 days a year!