This Day In History

 

On February 10, 1976, President Gerald R. Ford issued a message recognizing Black History Month, becoming the first President to do so. The moment was decades in the making. In 1926 historian, author, and activist Dr. Carter G. Woodson introduced “Negro History Week.” Woodson, who had founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, ASALH) ten years earlier, chose the month of February to honor the birthdays of two prominent abolitionists: Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The holiday gained national recognition in the 1960s, when activists of the Civil Rights Movement brought Negro History Week to college campuses across the country. 

Taken from: https://ford.blogs.archives.gov/2024/02/01/recognition-of-black-history-month/

Clara Luper - Oklahoma Civil Rights Activist

 

Clara Luper being arrested at an Oklahoma City Sit - In in the 1950s

Clara Luper was a teacher in Oklahoma in the 1950s who organized Sit - Ins in Oklahoma.  Sit - Ins were a strategy of the non - violent movement in the Civil Rights Movement.  African Americans would sit at the front counter, and refuse to leave till served.  When the younger whites would attack those sitting at the front counter - the African Americans would not fight back and just sit there and take it.  They would be pulled out of their chair and be kicked and punched, food would be dumped on their head, and sometimes even arrested.  I truly do not think we could do that today.  Clara Luper wouls organize sit - ins with kids!

An Oklahoman sit - in organized by Clara Luper.

Below is a video of Clara Luper's Significance. 

This Day In History

 

This Day in Black History: Feb. 9, 1906

Poet Paul Lawrence Dunbar dies in Dayton, Ohio. Also, Leroy “Satchel” Paige nominated to Baseball Hall of Fame.

Taken from: https://www.bet.com/article/qfcy6e/this-day-in-black-history-feb-9-1906

This Day In History

 

On Feb. 8, 1986, figure skater Debi Thomas became the first African-American to win the Women's Singles of the U.S. National Figure Skating Championship competition while studying as a pre-med student at Stanford University.

Taken from: https://www.bet.com/article/ybfhif/this-day-in-black-history-feb-8-1986

This Day In History

 

American basketball player LeBron James became the all-time highest scorer in the NBA, surpassing Kareem Abdul-Jabbar's record of 38,387.

February 7, 2023

Taken from: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/February-7

The Green Book

 

The Green Book was a travel guide that helped African American travelers navigate the United States during the Jim Crow era. It was important because it provided information on businesses that were welcoming to Black travelers, which helped to mitigate the risk of racial violence. 

Youtube video that shows importance of the Green Book:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCvGFlxuce8

This Day In History

 

American tennis player Arthur Ashe, who was the first black man to win a Grand Slam championship, died of AIDS-related pneumonia; he had likely contracted the virus through a tainted blood transfusion received during coronary bypass surgeries.

February 6, 1993

Taken from: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/February-6

This Day In History

 

U.S. Secretary of State Colin Powell appeared before the United Nations Security Council to present evidence that Iraq possessed proscribed weapons of mass destruction and posed an immediate danger.

February 5, 2003

Taken from: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/February-5

This Day In History

 

Rosa Parks

American civil rights activist

born

February 4, 1913
Tuskegee, Alabama
(Birthday tomorrow)

died

October 24, 2005 (aged 92)
Detroit, Michigan

Taken from: https://www.britannica.com/on-this-day/February-4