Friday, February 1

February is Black History Month

February is Black History Month in the Canada and the US. It is the one month of the year when we celebrate and commemorate the contributions to our nations by people of African descent.

The first recognition of contributions of these individuals in the US took place on February 12, 1926, the birthday of former President Abraham Lincoln. Thereafter, the second week of February was set aside to recognize these contributions.

When the US celebrated its bicentennial in 1976, the celebration was expanded to one month. February was chosen because it was the birth month of both Fredrick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

President Bill Clinton proclaimed February as National African American History Month in 2000.

Canada has celebrated Black History Month since the 1950s, when it was established by the Canadian Negro Women's Association in Toronto. However, it wasn't officially recognized until 1978.

African Canadians have been contributing to Canadian society since 1605. The government of Canada chose February to recognize the achievements, contributions and successes of African Canadians.

Please join me throughout the month of February in celebrating Black History Month. Throughout the month I will be posting articles on noted figures in Black History to promote awareness of the contributions that those of African descent have made to the nations of Canada and the US.

If you would like to read my article, The Eagles of Squamish, please follow this link to my Treasures to Me blog.

11 comments:

  1. This is awesome of you to do this, bless you.

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  2. Looking forward to your posts. Are you reading a Black History book for the Back to History Challenge? I may have to fit one in...

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  3. Good Morning Mary,
    "THANK YOU" for doing some post's about Black History Month. I think that is such a neat thing to do. I know our girls will be learning things about African Americans in School. They usually do it every year. Last month, here in the US, they celebrated Martin Luther King Day. I can't remember what day it was, but it is always celebrated in January. I am looking forward to learning more about the African culture from Canada. Take care my friend and have a great day. May God Bless You and Yours.

    Love & Hugs,
    Karen H.

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  4. Mary, you are always so thoughtful of others in real need around you. It's amazing that you "notice" those who are valiant and self-sacrificing. You must be that way in order to recognize it for what it is, is my guess.

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  5. Love this...great idea, Mary!

    As you know, I home school, and I always try to spotlight important African Amercians throughout history, especially in this month. And in January, we always read about Martin Luther King...

    Thank you for doing this, and have a wonderful weekend!

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  6. Hello dear Mary,

    I'm so glad that you received the two beanie bears already..Canada Post was fast for a change! lol Thank you for posting about Black History Month, it's certainly important to educate others about it!! Weren't those winds just wicked the other day? Gosh, I hadn't heard about the transport flipping on its side on the Skyway bridge. We always cross that bridge when heading to Niagara Falls and we've been on it on some windy days and it IS scary...I can just imagine what it's like when it's REALLY windy! I was talking to Steve last night on the phone and we're so itching to get back to NF but he knows I won't travel in the winter...not until April at least. He lives in Barrie so it's a 3 1/2 hour drive for me to get to his place. I am SO looking forward to meeting you this year...we'll have to make plans:-) xoxo

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  7. I found your post very informative and interesting from a Candian's perspective. Thank you. :)

    Also, I wanted to let you know that there is an award on my blog for you. Please stop by when you can and pick it up. :)

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  8. You will certainly recieve extra Blessings for caring enough to do this...Smiles my friend...

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  9. My father's mother was a "woman of colour", married to a Dutchman. She endured a lot of racial prejudice in small town Ontario in the 1940's and 50's. Things have changed a lot for the better and my daughters' generation is far more integrated.

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  10. Mary,

    What a wonderful idea to publish stories about African American contributions to Canadian and US history and society. I look forward to reading them.

    hugs,
    Tina

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