Black History Month
Black History Month focuses on
recognizing the key role of African Americans in United States history. The month began as Negro History Week,
originated by Harvard-trained historian, Carter G. Woodson, and other prominent
African Americans. Black History Month
has been commemorated since 1976 in the United States. It is also celebrated in other countries,
including Canada and the United Kingdom.
In September of 1915, the well-known
historian, Carter G. Woodson, and the minister, Jesse E. Moorland, founded the
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization
that studied and promoted accomplishments by black Americans and those of
African descent. In 1926, the group held
a national Negro History Week. The
second week of February was chosen to correspond with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. The event grew as schools and communities
throughout the country began to hold local celebrations and form history
clubs. President Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History
Month in 1976 encouraging Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the
too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of
endeavor throughout our history.” The
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History is now known as the
Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH).
Here are some ideas on
how to commemorate this month:
● Contact local cultural
clubs, centers, and organizations
● Invite members from the
community to share at your PTA meeting
● Invite parents and families
to share their experiences at your meeting or a special event
● Provide activities to
help educate and give a better understanding
Complete the following
quiz and email your answers to D-I@ohiopta.org by March 1st
for a chance to win a prize! Please include your name, unit name, and phone
number along with your answers.
African-American Firsts Quiz
1.
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a.
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John
Mercer Langston
|
|
2.
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First
African-American man to hold the World Heavyweight Champion boxing title
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b.
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Thurgood
Marshall
|
3.
|
First
African-American woman elected to the House of Representatives; first major
party African-American candidate and the first female candidate for president
of the United States
|
c.
|
|
4.
|
First
black man to become a lawyer in Ohio and one of the first African Americans ever elected to
public office in America
|
d.
|
Jack
Johnson
|
5.
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First
African-American woman to go into space
|
e.
|
Hattie
McDaniel
|
6.
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f.
|
Hiram
Rhodes Revels
|
|
7.
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First
African-American performer to win an Academy Award
|
g.
|
Sources: History.com and infoplease.com