The celebration of Black History was first established by Carter G. Woodson an American historian, author, journalist and the founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Referred to as the "father of black history," he is credited for the establishment of Black History Week in 1926 having designated the second week in February for the celebration of contributions by blacks to the United States. The month of February was chosen for this celebration in an effort to honor two seminal figures in the history of blacks in America and having to do with the abolishment of slavery, Fredrick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Both men, having birthdays in the month of February, Lincoln on the 12th and Douglas on the 14th made the selection of February the obvious choice.
Later in our country's history, our 38th President, Gerald R. Ford (R) would on February 10th, 1976, declare the month of February, Black History Month. This would become the culmination of dedicating an entire month to celebrate the history, sacrifice and accomplishments of Black people throughout our nation's history as well acknowledging the indignities suffered by Blacks at the hands of those who would subjugate them. Many in government since Lincoln have promoted the lifting up of making equal the rights newly obtained by Blacks. Ulysses S. Grant formed the US Department of Justice to enforce basic rights for Blacks. Franklin D. Roosevelt, in June of 1941, issued Executive Order 8802 that established the Fair Employment Practice Committee in an effort to support the rights of Blacks. Dwight D. Eisenhower signed into law a bill sent up by the 85th US Congress on September 9, 1957 that sponsored the first Civil Rights Act legislation. John F. Kennedy, in February 1963, sent legislation to Congress to secure black voting rights. Lyndon Johnson would take up the mantle of further establishing a Civil Rights Bill picking up where Kennedy left off in 1964.
Presidential intervention notwithstanding, there were many prominent Blacks throughout their history to be a resounding voice of protest for equal rights for Blacks. The list and recount of these men and women are long and distinguished according to their affect on civil rights and the course of our nation's history. The contributors to our journey include but are not limited to, Sojourner Truth, Harriet Tubman, Fredrick Douglas, Booker T. Washington, W.E.B. DuBois, Malcom X, Martin Luther King Jr., John Lewis, Medgar Evers, Thurgood Marshall, Jesse Jackson, Harry Belafonte, Muhammad Ali, Marcus Garvey, Barbra Jordan, and Rosa Parks just to name a few. They, and all they led and or inspired made great strides in the rights and opportunities that we, as Black Americans currently enjoy. Still there is a journey to travel for although we as a people have had great gains, there is still a way to travel. Nothing worth having is rarely easily gained. They often come with protests, advocacy and appealing to our collective better angels. Interestingly and often enough, when rights are granted to one group, it improves the standing for all. So in remembrance of Black History Month, let us not focus on what has been obtained but on what is still out there to be improved upon and or had. Let us all remember our history good and bad, learn from it so we do not repeat the mistakes of the past and improve the quality of life for us all.
Submitted by:
COMO David G. Porter
National Diversity & Inclusion Directorate
US Coast Guard Auxiliary