February is Black History Month!

Black History Month is an annual event where we recognize and raise awareness of the contributions and achievements of African Americans. It happens throughout February. People also celebrate African-American history during the month. This story covers some history of the month and what you can do to celebrate it.

“It’s important for everyone to realize we always talk about what happened in history like Founding Fathers and things like that and I think it’s important to recognize African-American pioneers today as well.”

Angela Yarrel, Sponsor of Penn’s Black Student Union

The celebration began in 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, where it only lasted a week. Woodson chose to hold Black History Week in February because February held the birthdays of prominent figures in Black history such as Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. In the mid-1960s, an activist known as Fredrick H. Hammurabi started celebrating it as a month. It was recognized as a month from then on.

Here at Penn, we have the Black Student Union and Dr. Galiher working together to read quotes over the announcements, decorate the bulletin boards, and all sorts of community events.

You can take part in Black History Month in several ways. Some examples include learning about African-American history or supporting African-American businesses. Here at Penn, you can join the Black Student Union to discuss African-American history and culture. Anything you do can help, so don’t forget to celebrate, and join today!