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2012 National Black History Month Poster

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FEBRUARY MULTICULTURAL CALENDAR All Month February celebrates African American History Month. The designated theme for 2012 is Black Women in American Culture and History. African American History Month was first derived from Dr. Carter Woodson’s week-long institution to celebrate African American’s contributions to United States history and culture, originating the week of Abraham Lincoln’s birthday. February 1 Langston Hughes (1902-1967): African American Hughes emanated as a leader of the Harlem Renaissance in the roaring twenties. He matured into the most influential writer of his time. His audience commended him greatly for his poetry, influenced from traditional Black art forms of spirituals, blues, and jazz. Hughes was also a distinguished writer of fiction, drama, essays, and history. Thomas Lantos (1928-2008): Jewish American Lantos was the sole survivor of the Holocaust to ever serve in the United States Congress. Born and raised in Budapest, Hungary, he was placed in a forced labor camp as a teenager but later escaped to a safe house that was provided by Swede Raoul Wallenberg. Lantos later joined the resistance against the Nazi's in the German occupation of Hungary during World War II. During the year 1947, he emigrated to the United States on an academic scholarship where he attended the University of Washington and the University of California at Berkeley. In his later years, from 1981 unil his death he was a Democrat in the U.S. House of Representatives, representing the California's 12th District where he became chairman of the House Committee on Foreign Affairs in 2007. During his time in the House of Representatives, he battled human rights issues worldwide, advocated for religious freedom in Saudi Arabia, supported the Tibetans' right to cultural and religious freedom, and protested against the Sudanese genocide in Darfur. February 3 Gertrude Stein (1874-1946): Lesbian A known author, Stein was an avant-garde American writer. Her Paris home, which she lived at with her partner Alice B. Toklas, developed into a salon for the leading artists and writers of the time between World War I and World War II. She studied psychology at Radcliffe College with the famous philosopher William James. Her masterpieces in literature brought about engagements to many famous artists, including Pablo Picasso who painted her portrait. February 6 Bob Marley (1945-1981): Jamaican Bob Marley was the most influential star of reggae. Reggae is derived from the Jamaican form of popular music, which draws on Afro-Caribbean dance and American soul music. The combination forms one of the first musical idioms from the Third World to become popular in Europe and the United States. Marley gained the acclaim of international audiences with his consuming, compelling presence fused together with his dynamic messages from his songs. Lantern Festival (Yuan-hsiao): China An awe-inspiring end to the New Year season. A time that the people of the Republic of China create elaborate lanterns to hang in the temples as they hold contests to choose the most extravagantly beautiful lantern. People write riddles on the lanterns as an activity to decorate them. The people hang the lanterns creating a stunning view in public parks. February 11 World Happy Day Join viewers world-wide in the premiere screenings of HAPPY, the latest film from the Academy Award nominated director Roko Belic. The director's goal is to bring people all over the world together on February 11, 2012 to begin conversations about happiness, to activate healthier, happier, and fulfilling lives. For Belic this began with a challenge, the United States of America was ranked as the 23rd in happiness in a New York Times article. The movie travels over the world, and building on the belief that happiness is universal, thus launching World Happy Day. February 12 Lincoln's Birthday: United States This date immortalizes the birth of Abraham Lincoln, one of the most admirable presidents of the United States. Lincoln changed the course of United States history when he preserved the American union during the Civil War, keeping intact the American democracy. In the process, he declared the Emancipation Proclamation paving the way for the 13th amendment of the U.S. Constitution, the monumental movement that ended slavery in the United States. We remember Lincoln not only by his display of his love of country, but also his eloquence and conviction delivered in his famous speeches, such as the Gettysburg Address. On this day of remembrance, wreath-laying ceremonies are held at the Abraham Lincoln Birthplace National Historic Site in Hodgenville, Kentucky, the Lincoln Memorial in Washington D.C., and his tomb in Springfield, Illinois. February 14 Frederick Douglass (1817-1895): African American Douglass was born into slavery in the United States; in his early years he was able to learn to read and write through various resources. Those abilities led to his escape at the age of 21, after which he changed his name and then campaigned for the abolition of slavery. He published his autobiography in 1845, Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass, which led to a lecture tour in England where his friends raised money to buy his freedom. When he returned to the United States he founded a newspaper called the North Star and urged President Lincoln to free the slaves during the Civil War. Later in life he held various federal offices, including the Minister to Haiti. February 21 International Mother Language Day: United Nations This day is observed on February 21st in honor of the international recognition of Language Martyrs’ Day in Bangladesh. It was established by UNESCO on November 17, 1999 to champion linguistic and cultural diversity. International Mother Language Day is dedicated to the nearly six thousand languages spoken in the world today. February 22 Ash Wednesday (beginning of Lent): Christian This day signifies the beginning of Lent, a 40-day period of prayer and fasting that precedes Easter Sunday. It is significant because it is in memory of Jesus’ 40 days of fasting in the desert. It is a time for Roman Catholics and Protestants to choose a favorite food or activity to renounce during this period. The ashes during Lent have many symbolic meanings, but in general the ashes symbolize death. When a priest or minister places ashes on one’s forehead in the shape of a cross, it is to prepare them for the fasting and to help resist temptation during lent. Lent ends symbolically with the renewal of life on Easter. February 22 Pilar Barbosa (1898-1997): Puerto Rican She was the first woman to teach at the University of Puerto Rico, and ultimately started her career there. Later she created the departments of history and social studies. She was a historian and a political activist who mentored generations of Puerto Rican politicians, scholars, and intellectuals. She was widely recognized as the conscience of the New Progressive Party. Barbosa was an authority on Puerto Rican political history and was later named the Commonwealth’s official historian in 1993. She died this day at the ripe age of 99 years old. SOURCES: Diversity Resource Calendar http://www.asalh.org/blackhistorythemes.html Also see our Heritage Month Page Submit your events through our Submission Zone. READ MORE: Diversity Quiz: Asian Americans' Contributions to Life and Society by Barbara Deane Diversity Statistics: Older Americans by Barbara Deane Quote of the Month - Rep. Sally Kerns (R. Oklahoma City) Makes Disparaging Comments About Blacks and Women, Apologizes

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