2012 National Black History Month Theme

2012 National Black History Month Theme

M-DCPS’ Department of Social SciencesM-DCPS’ Department of Social Sciences

National African American History Month celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our nation's history.

African American History Month African American History Month National African American History Month had its National African American History Month had its

origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. of Negro Life and History.

This organization is now known as the This organization is now known as the Association Association for the Study of African American Life and for the Study of African American Life and HistoryHistory (ASALH). Through this organization, Dr. (ASALH). Through this organization, Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included the birthdays of Abraham February that included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two key figures in the history of African Americans.the history of African Americans.

African American History MonthAfrican American History Month

In 1975, President Ford issued a In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on the Message on the Observance of Black History WeekObservance of Black History Week urging all Americans urging all Americans to "recognize the important contribution made to our to "recognize the important contribution made to our nation's life and culture by black citizens.“nation's life and culture by black citizens.“

In 1976, this commemoration of black history in the United In 1976, this commemoration of black history in the United States was expanded by ASALH to Black History Month, States was expanded by ASALH to Black History Month, also known as African American History Month. President also known as African American History Month. President Ford issued the first Ford issued the first Message on the Observance of Message on the Observance of Black History MonthBlack History Month that year. In subsequent years, all that year. In subsequent years, all U. S. Presidents have continued to issue messages U. S. Presidents have continued to issue messages honoring African American History Month. honoring African American History Month.

African American History MonthAfrican American History Month

Since 1996, Presidents have issued Since 1996, Presidents have issued annual proclamations for National African annual proclamations for National African American History Month.American History Month.

As of the publishing of this Power Point, As of the publishing of this Power Point, this year’s Presidential proclamation for the this year’s Presidential proclamation for the 2014 African American History Month was not 2014 African American History Month was not yet available. Check: yet available. Check: http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room for http://www.whitehouse.gov/briefing-room for updates accordingly. updates accordingly.