Celebrating Diversity: February is Black History Month!

This article was last modified on February 4th, 2021.

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week (then called “Negro History Week”) nearly a century ago.

The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926, selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14).

That week would continue to be set aside for the event until 1976 when, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month. Since then, U.S. presidents have proclaimed February as National African American History Month.

Here are some amazing books written by black authors.

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Let mgjerde@helendalesd.com know if you are interested in reading one and she will make sure you receive your very own copy free of charge!

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