TheĀ City of Jersey City,Ā Mayor Steven Fulop, theĀ Municipal Council MembersĀ and theĀ Office of Cultural Affairs were proud and honored to celebrate the African American History Month during the flag raising on Wednesday, February 1, 2023.
Ā African American History MonthĀ is an annual observance originating in theĀ United States. ItĀ was first recognized in 1976 as an expansion of Negro History Week, which was first established in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. In February 1969, Black History Month was first proposed by black educators and theĀ Black United StudentsĀ atĀ Kent State University. The first celebration of Black History Month took place atĀ Kent StateĀ one year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970.Ā In 1976, the celebration expanded to include the entire month of February, the birth month of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, an American social reformer,Ā orator,Ā writer, and statesman.
Ā While African American History Month is synonymous with prominent figures such asĀ Martin Luther King Jr.,Ā Harriet Tubman,Ā Rosa Parks,Ā Muhammad Ali,Ā Jackie Robinson,Ā Langston Hughes,Ā Maya Angelou,Ā George Washington CarverĀ andĀ Barack Obama, there are countless other African Americans whoāve made a profound impact in history: self-made millionaireĀ Madam C.J. Walker, astronautĀ Mae C. Jemison, open-heart surgeonĀ Daniel Hale Williams, inventorĀ Garret Morgan, media mogulĀ Oprah WinfreyĀ and āFather of Black HistoryāĀ Carter G. Woodson, who lobbied extensively to establish African American History Month as a nationwide celebration, among many others.
Ā African American History MonthĀ has received official recognition from governments in the United States and Canada, and more recently has been observed inĀ Ireland, the Netherlands, and theĀ United Kingdom. It began as a way of remembering important people and events in the history of theĀ African diaspora. It is celebrated in February in the United StatesĀ and Canada,Ā while in Ireland, the Netherlands, and the United Kingdom it is observed in October.
Mayor Fulop and the City Council are joined by community members
To view the flag raising on YouTube please,Ā CLICK HERE
