Here’s the history on Black History Month ….
1926: The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be “Negro History Week”.
At the time of Negro History Week’s launch, Woodson contended that the teaching of black history was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual survival of the race within broader society: “If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated …”
This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass on February 14, Black communities had celebrated both dates together since the late 19th century.
1969-1970:The expansion of Black History Week to Black History Month was first proposed by the leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of the Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, in February 1970.
1976: As part of the United States Bicentennial, Black History Month was officially recognized by the U.S. government.
1987:Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom; it is now celebrated annually in October.
1995: In December 1995 the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada.
Other Commemorative Dates and Days
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 Lincoln MacCauley Alexander, PC CC OOnt CD QC (January 21, 1922 – October 19, 2012) • The first black Member of Parliament in the House of Commons; and • The first black federal Cabinet Minister, serving as federal Minister of Labour; and • The 24th Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1985 to 1991; and On 21 January 2015, Lincoln Alexander Day was observed for the first time across Canada. More about Lincoln Alexander |  January on the 3rd Monday: Martin Luther King Jr. Day in 2024 is January 15th. “If I cannot do great things, I can do small things in a great way.” Martin Luther King Jr. (January 15,1929 - April 4, 1986). One could write thousands of words about his life, dedication, commitment, leadership, but perhaps, that at age 35, he was the youngest man to have received the Nobel Peace Prize, is testament that we are all grateful for his life's work and dedication in the fight for civil rights. Nobel Peace Prize 1964 | ||||
 March 1st: ZERO Discrimination Day to highlight the urgent need to take action to end the inequalities surrounding income, sex, age, health status, occupation, disability, sexual orientation, drug use, gender, identity, race, class, ethnicity and religion that continues to persist around the world. |
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|  March 25th: International Day of Remembrance of the Victims of Slavery and the Transatlantic Slave Trade to honour and remember those who suffered and died at the hands of the brutal slavery system. For over 400 years, more than 15 million men, women and children were the victims of the tragic transatlantic slave trade, one of the darkest chapters in human history. Shown on the left, unveiled in 2015; The Ark of Return by Rodney Leon, an American architect of Haitian descent, to permanently honour the victims. | ||
Image: Pam Sharpe, Unsplash |  | ||||
 |  August 1st: Emancipation Day in Canada In March 2021 MPs in Canada's House of Commons voted unanimously to designate August 1 as Emancipation Day across Canada. Emancipation Day in Canada: Past, Present and Future Image: The Creative Exchange, Unsplash | ||||
