Very Brief History of Black History Month and Upcoming Programs

The story of Black History Month begins in Chicago during the late summer of 1915. Like thousands of other African Americans, Carter G. Woodson traveled from Washington, DC to participate in a national celebration of the 50th anniversary of emancipation sponsored by the State of Illinois. While there, he was inspired to do more to highlight the role of African Americans in the story of the United States.

Woodson selected February to honor the birthdays of two great Americans, Abraham Lincoln (February 12, 1809) and Frederick Douglass (chosen date February 14, circa 1818), both of whom played a prominent role in shaping black history. Well aware of the pre-existing birthday celebrations for these two men within the Black community, Woodson built Negro History  Week around traditional days of commemorating the black past. His goal was that the public would extend their study of black history and celebrate the contributions of Africans to American history. He wanted to make sure that achievements of Black men and Black women would be acknowledged and promoted.

The first Negro History Week was held in February 1926. As the modern Civil Rights movement gained momentum through the 1940s- 1970s, interest in studying the African-American experience also gained momentum.  In 1976, 50 years after the first celebration, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) used its influence to get a Presidential Proclamation of Black History Month.

Each year tends to have a theme. On account of 2020 being the 100th anniversary of Women's Suffrage, this year's focus is on voting rights.

To honor the contributions of Black people to local history, the Beaufort District Collection is holding two programs during February, one at Hilton Head Branch Library and the other at St. Helena Branch Library. Both are free to attend.  The family history workshop requires advance registration due to space and equipment limitations while the Gullah Days talk is first come, first seated.

 

Monday, February 10, 2020 at Hilton Head Branch Library, 11 AM

Three well-known and respected members of the community, Tom Barnwell, Emory Campbell, and Carolyn Grant, will share their memories and research about daily life on Hilton Head Island before the bridge connected it to the rest of Beaufort County. 

Beaufort was ground zero for men enlisting in the United States Colored Troops because of the Union army occupation. More than 5,000 men from South Carolina served in the United States Colored Troops, the majority of them from the Lowcountry. Popular and experienced genealogist Toni Carrier, Executive Director of the International African American Museum's Center for Family History will show participants how to find their USCT veteran ancestor from the records of their enlistment all the way until their death. There are abundant record sets for documenting USCT veteran ancestors and we'll look at each one, the information each contains and how to use it in your research. Part 1: Lecture by Toni Carrier; Part 2: Guided Practice with Toni & Grace to assist you.

 

Saturday, February 15, 2020 at St. Helena Branch Library, 1 PM - 4 PM

                                               Registration required: Call 843-818-4587