dotlah! dotlah!
  • Cities
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Science
  • About
Social Links
  • zedreviews.com
  • citi.io
  • aster.cloud
  • liwaiwai.com
  • guzz.co.uk
  • atinatin.com
0 Likes
0 Followers
0 Subscribers
dotlah!
  • Cities
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Science
  • About
  • People

Why Do We Celebrate Black History Month?

  • February 11, 2020
Total
0
Shares
0
0
0

February is Black History Month. This event serves as an annual celebration of the accomplishments of African Americans, including the central role of blacks in the history of the United States.

How was the Black History Month established? Let’s find out.

The origins

It was 1 February 1868 when the 13th Amendment that formally removed slavery was made official.

This happened two years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation which freed those who were enslaved. The signing of the 13th Amendment solidified this proclamation.

Fast forward to 1926, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) sponsored a national Negro History Week. At the time, the second week of February was chosen so it would coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and the prominent activist Frederick Douglass.

On 25 January 1949, President Harry Truman signed a  bill which made 1 February National Freedom Day. Prior to this, civil rights advocate and author Richard Wright lobbied for the creation of the National Freedom Day. Unfortunately, he died in 1947, just a few years before President Truman signed the bill.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford recognized February as Black History month. He called upon the country to use this month as an opportunity to celebrate the achievements of black Americans which were pretty much neglected for the most part.

Black History Month 2020

The 2020 theme is “African Americans and the Vote,” since 2020 marks the 100th year the Nineteenth Amendment was created, granting black women the right to vote. At the same time, this year is also the 150th year since black men were given the right to vote.

“Yet, as we celebrate those constitutional milestones, history teaches us to be mindful of their limits—to recognize both the strides and the setbacks for African American men and women,” according to Evelyn Brooks Higginbotham, President of Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in a message.

Higginbotham noted that black men and women lost their lives simply by trying to vote or even get registered. If not death, to vote ended up in beatings or loss of economic livelihood. With this, she encouraged everyone to champion the people who have courageously stood up for their rights to vote.

She also urged African Americans to emulate the past generations who have made their voices be heard through the manner of votes. Given that 2020 is an election year, she implored everyone to exercise the same unyielding commitment to make their votes count.

We should all learn from the past and leave behind the mentality that discriminates against race or identity in general.

We have made huge strides to remove inequalities in our society but it is undeniable that gaps are still very much present. We should continue building a world that will eliminate the deeply entrenched barriers that prevent everyone from equitably moving forward.

More than just celebrating the achievements of African Americans, we should continue fighting for a world that will not stop them from achieving even greater things.

Total
0
Shares
Share
Tweet
Share
Share
Related Topics
  • African Americans
  • Black History Month
  • Black People
dotlah.com

Previous Article
  • Society

7 Dangerous Myths About Coronavirus Busted By The World Health Organization

  • February 11, 2020
View Post
Next Article
  • Technology

NEA Call Tender For Virtual Reality Solutions To Enhance Training For NEA Enforcement Officers

  • February 12, 2020
View Post
You May Also Like
View Post
  • People
  • Working Life

About 23,000 community care sector employees could get at least 7% pay raise as part of new salary guidelines

  • dotlah.com
  • February 18, 2026
View Post
  • People
  • Technology

This is what the new frontier of AI-powered financial inclusion looks like

  • dotlah.com
  • January 2, 2026
View Post
  • People
  • Working Life

Skills development is critical to bridging the global digital talent gap

  • dotlah.com
  • December 22, 2025
Points, Lines and a Question
View Post
  • Engineering
  • Op-Ed
  • People

What Is The Point In Making Points?

  • Dean Marc
  • November 27, 2025
View Post
  • Cities
  • People

We must empower local leaders to meet global goals – here’s why

  • dotlah.com
  • November 4, 2025
View Post
  • People

Singapore’s national identity excludes those who don’t look like a ‘regular family’

  • dotlah.com
  • October 9, 2025
View Post
  • People
  • Politics

Singapore PM Wong arrives in Malacañang

  • dotlah.com
  • June 4, 2025
View Post
  • Featured
  • Features
  • People

Conclave: How A New Pope Is Chosen

  • Dean Marc
  • April 25, 2025


Trending
  • 1
    • Lah!
    Strengthened Active Mobility Regulations for Better Safety and Connectivity
    • May 28, 2020
  • 2
    • Cities
    • People
    How Pandemics Have Changed American Cities – Often For The Better
    • June 25, 2020
  • 3
    • Cities
    The Impact Of COVID-19 On Future Mobility Solutions
    • May 16, 2020
  • 4
    • Cities
    • Lah!
    ST Engineering Receives AML-STC For The Installation Of Aviation Clean Air’s Proactive Air Purification Solution On Airbus Platforms
    • November 27, 2021
  • 5
    • Lah!
    • Technology
    Unlocking The Full Potential Of Digital Revolution
    • August 10, 2021
  • 6
    • Lah!
    SMU Lee Kong Chian School Of Business Ranked 8th Among Asia Business Schools In Financial Times’ EMBA Ranking 2020
    • October 28, 2020
  • 7
    • Lah!
    Close To 800 F&B Establishments On GrabFood Now Available For Islandwide Delivery
    • April 17, 2020
  • 8
    • Lah!
    • Technology
    DBS And Trafigura Collaborate With IMDA To Launch Open-Sourced Blockchain Trade Platform
    • November 8, 2019
  • citiio-allegiant-raiders-stadium-manica-architecture-1704x733 9
    • Cities
    • Features
    • Technology
    • World Events
    Allegiant Stadium: A Technological Marvel in the Heart of Las Vegas
    • February 11, 2024
  • 10
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Machine Learning
    • Science
    • Technology
    AI in the Classroom: Amii’s K-12 Pilot Program
    • October 23, 2023
  • 11
    • Lah!
    Singapore’s Greening Journey: 200 Years And Beyond – An Exhibition On Singapore’s Transformation Into One Of The World’s Lushest Cities
    • August 7, 2019
  • 12
    • Cities
    Singtel Rallies Singapore Against COVID-19
    • March 31, 2020
Trending
  • 1
    3 lessons on the energy transition in an age of crisis
    • April 7, 2026
  • 2
    Samsung Unveils Galaxy A57 5G and Galaxy A37 5G, Packing Pro-Level Features at Awesome Price
    • March 25, 2026
  • 3
    The global price tag of war in the Middle East
    • March 24, 2026
  • Samsung Odyssey 4
    Samsung Showcases Glasses-Free 3D and HDR10+ GAMING With Acclaimed Game Titles at GDC 2026
    • March 9, 2026
  • 5
    How the Iran war could create a ‘fertiliser shock’ – an often ignored global risk to food prices and farming
    • March 6, 2026
  • 6
    About 23,000 community care sector employees could get at least 7% pay raise as part of new salary guidelines
    • February 18, 2026
  • 7
    U.S. Ski & Snowboard and Google Announce Collaboration to Build an AI-Based Athlete Performance Tool
    • February 8, 2026
  • 8
    IBM to Support Missile Defense Agency SHIELD Contract
    • February 5, 2026
  • Smartphone hero image 9
    Zed Approves | Smartphones for Every Budget Range
    • January 29, 2026
  • 10
    Zed Approves | Work From Anywhere, Efficiently – The 2026 Essential Gear Guide
    • January 20, 2026
Social Links
dotlah! dotlah!
  • Cities
  • Technology
  • Business
  • Politics
  • Society
  • Science
  • About
Connecting Dots Across Asia's Tech and Urban Landscape

Input your search keywords and press Enter.