Tech talks Black History Month: Repost

Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in America, is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States[1] and Canada[2] in February and the United Kingdom[3] in October. Wikipedia

Carter G. Woodson

Tech back again to celebrate Black History Month.  Who knew that not only Canada celebrated it but also that the United Kingdom does in October.  Where did it all start?  Well, it wasn't even a month at first, it started of as just a week, the second week in February and it was called Negro History week.  Historian, author, journalist, and founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History Carter G. Woodson announced the celebration and said that the week was chosen because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass (dates that were already celebrated together in black communities).  

Woodson believed that teaching black history was essential in preserving the value of the black race in 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. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization."

From the initial start up, the enthusiasm to learn and celebrate the accomplishments of blacks grew with mayors across the US endorsing it as a holiday.  Black History Week became Black History month when leaders of the Black United Students at Kent State University proposed it in 1969.  The first celebrated month took place there in 1970. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the whole month of February as Black History Month.

Before in another blog, I highlighted African Americans who change the world through technology:

Gerald A. Lawson
 Created the first home Video Game System

Mark Dean
Launched Modern Computer Age

James E. West
Developed microphone tech

Roy L. Clay Sr.
The Black godfather of Silicon Valley
Build HP's first marketable Computer

Marc Hannah
Invented the Geometry Engine
(Used for CGI Special Effects)

To get more details on each of these guys check out the  blog post by Clicking Here!