Know Your History!
The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of American blacks in the nation’s public schools.
I think that many black people don’t celebrate their heritage or history in this country enough and conform and assimilate to the euro centric standard. How many black people know what tribe they descended from? How many black people celebrate Kwanzaa? How many black people know of Huey P. Newton, Alex Haley and others? How many black people know in detail of the Trans Atlantic Slave trade? Not many and not enough.
African-American Facts for Week of: October 19th
October 19th
US Navy accepted black women, 1944
Negro Women were accepted in Women’s Reserve, U.S. Naval Reserve.The plan called for the immediate commissioning of a limited number of especially qualified Negro women to serve as administrative officers.
October 20th
Enolia Pettigen McMillan born
Born October 20, 1904 in Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Enolia Pettigen McMillan became the first female president of the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP).
October 21th
The first African American to enter the US Naval Academy.
The first African American to enter the US Naval Academy, was John H Conyers, in 1872.
October 21th
Famed Musician, John Birks “Dizzy” Gilespie.
The famed musician, John Birks “Dizzy” Gilespie, born on this Date in1917. John Birks “Dizzy” Gillespie was an American jazz trumpeter, bandleader, composer and occasional singer.
October 22nd
225,000 people boycott Chicago Public Schools
225,000 people boycott Chicago schools to protest segregation, in 1963. Many Chicago organizations that were part of the Coordinating Council of Community Organizations (CCCO) staged a school boycott. 250,000 students did not attend school, and at least 20,000 marched on the streets of Chicago.
October 23rd
The NAACP petitions the United Nations
The NAACP petitions the United Nations about racial injustices, on this Date in 1947.
October 24th
Zambia proclaimed independent
Zambia proclaimed independent. The Zambia Independence Act 1964 (1964 c. 65) was an Act of the Parliament of the United Kingdom which granted independence to Zambia.
October 24th
In New Orleans, 25,000 Black workers strike.
In New Orleans, 25,000 Black workers participated in a strike on this Date in 1892.
October 25th
Benjamin O Davis becomes the first Black general in US Army.
Benjamin O Davis becomes the first Black general in US Army, on this Date in 1940. Benjamin Oliver Davis Jr. (December 18, 1912 – July 4, 2002) was an American United States Air Force general and commander of the World War II Tuskegee Airmen.
He was the first African-American general officer in the United States Air Force. On December 9, 1998, he was advanced to four-star general by President Bill Clinton. During World War II, Davis was commander of the 99th and the 332nd Fighter Group, which escorted bombers on air combat missions over Europe. Davis himself flew sixty missions in P-39, Curtiss P-40, P-47 and P-51 Mustang fighters.
About Annette
To me, the omission of any group from history teachings results in a limited understanding of history’s relationship with the present and future. Know your history.
Comments, I can be reached at:
Twitter: @Annette92J
