IT is my honor, my pleasure and my duty to offer the facts and accomplishments during Black History Month to the People of the CNMI. As Dr. King once asked me and others “if not you then who, and if not now then when” as I asked myself when will anyone whole-heartedly promote and embrace Black History Month in the CNMI. Given there hasn’t been any kind of recognition of Black History Month I guess it is up to me to “keep the Dream alive” and to provide the news services in the CNMI with one of the several recognized Black History Month Calendars. I’m sure there are many “good-people-of-color” in the CNMI who can relate to the African-American experience in America and will truly appreciate the many contributions of African-Americans to our great nation that are duly noted in Black History Month.
Black History Month Facts and Accomplishments for February 1st to 7th.
Feb. 1, 1865 – The 13th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution, which abolished slavery, was adopted by the 38th Congress.
Feb. 1, 1902 – Langston Hughes, a famous poet, was born this day in Joplin, Mo.
Feb. 1, 1926 – What is now known as Black History Month was first celebrated on this date as Negro History Week by Carter G. Woodson. It became a month-long celebration in 1976.
Feb. 2, 1862 – District of Columbia abolishes slavery.
Feb. 2, 1914 – Ernest Just, genetic biologist, wins the Spingarn Medal. He received this same medal on this day in 1915 for his pioneering in cell division and fertilization.
Feb. 2, 1948 – President Truman sent Congress a special message urging the adoption of a Civil Rights program, including the creation of a fair employment practices commission.
Feb. 3, 1903 – Jack Johnson wins the Negro Heavyweight title. John Arthur Johnson (March 31, 1878 – June 10, 1946), nicknamed the “Galveston Giant,” who married a white woman at the height of the Jim Crow era and eventually became the first African American world heavyweight boxing champion (1908–1915).
Feb. 3, 1920 – The Negro Baseball League is founded.
Feb. 3, 1965 – Geraldine McCullough, sculptor, wins the Widener Gold Medal Award.
Feb. 4, 1913 – Rosa Parks (born Rosa Louise McCauley) was born on this day.
Feb. 4, 1971 – National Guard mobilized to quell rioting in Wilmington, N.C. Two persons killed.
Feb. 4, 1996 – J. C. Watts becomes the first Black selected to respond to a State of the Union Address.
Feb. 5, 1866 – Congressman Thaddeus Stevens offered an amendment to Freedmen’s Bureau Bill authorizing the distribution of public land and confiscated
Feb. 6, 1820 – “Mayflower of Liberia” sailed from New York City with eighty-six Blacks left New York Harbor aboard the ship the Elizabeth, which was called the Mayflower of Liberia. They were bound for the British colony of Sierra Leone. Note: The heritage of the Potter Family was also traced with DNA Testing to Sierra Leone, male ancestors of Ambrose M. Bennett.
Feb. 6, 1993 – Arthur Ashe dies. The first land to freedmen from slavery and loyal refugees in 40-acre lots and mule. (Note: Peter Potter, the great grandfather of Ambrose M. Bennett, was able to get his “land & a mule” with other slaves in the same area they named “Freetown” that was near what is today Star Mississippi.)
Feb. 5, 1958 – Clifton R. Wharton Sr. confirmed as minister to Rumania. This career diplomat was the first Black to head a U.S. embassy in Europe.
Feb. 5, 1962 – Suit seeking to bar Englewood, N.J., from maintaining “racial segregated” elementary schools filed in U.S. District Court. He was also an African American tennis player to win at Wimbledon.
Feb. 6, 1867 – Robert Tanner Jackson becomes first African American to receive a degree in dentistry.
Feb. 7, 1926 – Negro History Week originated by Carter G. Woodson is observed for the first time.
Feb. 7, 1926 – The first African-American “madear” was officially recognized, as her home is now an official Local, State & National Historic Site for her contributions to African-American Society & the City of Memphis Tn. – the Gladys “MaDear” Bennett House.
