Finally, it’s the month of February! The month where we move from the 30 or 31-day calendar to the 28 or 29-day calendar. The month where we finally take down our Christmas decorations and take out our Valentine’s day decorations, such as pink and purple lights, cut out hearts and “be mine” candies. The month where we can’t wait for the spring weather to come in the next month. Yes, it’s finally February, but there is one more massive thing in this exciting month. BLACK HISTORY MONTH!!!!
If you’re anything like me, you probably have been slacking on celebrating this month that is dedicated to all the brave and intelligent black men and women that changed the world forever. Still, for this year and on, the slack will not progress anymore because I am here to list six exciting facts in honor of Black History Month! It’s always super fun to learn about new things, so why not learn new things involving the great black individuals we honor this month. Without further ado, let’s get into it!
Did you know that Philis Wheatley was the first African American to publish a book of poetry (Oprah Daily)? Well, you do now! In 1773, she published her poetry book called, Poems on Various Subjects, Religious and Moral. She was born in the Gambia but was forcefully relocated to Boston when sold to the Wheatley family as an enslaved person (Oprah Daily). After writing her poetry book, she was emancipated (Oprah Daily). I want to say that I’m happy to know that a black woman was the first African American to publish one of the things that I love to do!
Did you know that Carter G. Woodson was the creator of Black History Month (Oprah Daily)? Woodson was a historian, and he was often referred to as the “Father of Black History (Oprah Daily). He was the second African American to graduate from Harvard University with a doctorate degree, and he was one of the first scholars to study African American history (Oprah Daily). He is genuinely a significant figure in the eyes of Black History Month!
Did you know that “the Bill Pickett Invitational Rodeo is the only touring African American rodeo in the world” (Oprah Daily)? This rodeo, founded in 1984 (Oprah Daily) by Lu Vason, was started after Vason saw a lack of African American contestants in rodeo competitions (Black past). This rodeo supports and expresses the talents of Black cowboys and cowgirls and continues to reveal the disappearing history of African Americans (Black past). I never knew about this piece of history, but I am glad I know now!
Did you know that the oldest Black female Sorority was founded in 1908 at Howard University (Oprah Daily)? This Greek-letter organization, Alpha Kappa Alpha, was founded by nine women, and since then, the Sorority has increased to almost 300,000 members (aka1908). Did you know that Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, the first Black male fraternity, was founded in 1906 at Cornell University (Oprah Daily)? Seven college men created this Greek-letter organization to unite African American men and create “a strong bond of brotherhood” (apa1906). Greek life is hugely important to Black History because it connects those who felt alone and mistreated.
Did you know that Lisa Gelobter assisted with the creation of Shockwave in 1995 (Oprah Daily)? This new technology led to the development of web animation, or what is widely known as GIFs (Oprah Daily). Yes, the iconic little moving pictures that we share all the time with our friends and family have been created thanks to the help of Lisa Gelobter, an intelligent, strong, black woman!
Did you know that Sylvia Robinson was the first ever to produce a commercially successful rap record called “Rapper’s Delight” (Oprah Daily)? She was dubbed the “Hip-Hop’s First Godmother” by Billboard, and she, with her husband, co-owned the first hip-hop label called Sugar Hill Records (Oprah Daily). This record label had Sarah Jarosz, Corey Smith, and Black Prairie signed to it (Concord). Robinson did so much for the Hip-Hop industry and Black History. She showed what a Black woman could do when she is determined.
That is all with the Black History Facts for now. I hope you learned something new and continue to celebrate Black History Month! Amazingly, all these strong African Americans achieved and created greatness, which led other African Americans to follow in their footsteps. I hope to one day do the same and do something that will make my African American ancestors proud!
Sources I used; feel free to learn more!
https://www.oprahdaily.com/life/a35181062/black-history-facts/