|
February 12: Happy Darwin Day
Darwin's 200th Birthday will occur on February 12, 2009; it will also be the 150th Anniversary of the publication of his famous book, On The Origin of Species. So, together we can evolve a truly international Celebration to express gratitude for the enormous benefits that scientific knowledge, acquired through human curiosity and ingenuity, has contributed to the advancement of humanity. The objective of Darwin Day Celebration is to encourage existing institutions worldwide, such as municipalities, public and private schools, colleges and universities, libraries, museums, churches, private organizations and individuals to celebrate Science and Humanity every year, on, or near, February 12, Darwin's birthday!
The
origin of Black History Month
In 1915, historian
Carter G. Woodson proposed a "Negro History Week" to honor the history
and contributions of African Americans. Nine years later, his dream
became reality. Woodson chose the second week of February to pay tribute
to the birthdays of two Americans that dramatically affected the lives
of blacks Americans: Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass
(February 14). The week-long observance officially became Black History
Month in 1976.
Black History: African-American Journey
Unlike many African-American sites which start their history in
the New World, World Book begins with the African empires of the
A.D. 300s to the late 1500s. These wealthy countries of the Western
Sudan Ghana, Mali, and Songhai had economies based
on farming, gold mining, and trading with the Arabs of northern
Africa. Most African Americans can trace their roots to these large
empires.
Encyclopedia Britannica Guide to Black History
With over 600 articles, hundreds of photographs, and a dozen film
and sound clips, this online guide is extensive. Eras in Black History
examines five centuries of black heritage through five distinct
time periods. Timeline of Achievements traces the yearly contributions
of African Americans in politics, industry, arts, religion, sports,
and education. The site can also be browsed alphabetically through
the Articles A to Z index, with links to biographies and institutions.
The
Internet African History Challenge
The American Internet African History Challenge is an interactive
quiz that helps you sharpen your knowledge of 19th century African
American History. It's an open-book test, so if you're not sure
of an answer, you can check the reference material for help. Level
I is the easiest and has seven questions, while levels II & III
have ten questions each and are a bit more challenging. Short bios
are included on a dozen black leaders of the 1800s, including Harriet
Tubman, Sojourner Truth, and Nat Turner.
The
Martin Luther King You Don't See On TV
It's become a TV ritual: Every year in mid-January, around the time
of Martin Luther King's birthday, we get perfunctory network news
reports about "the slain civil rights leader." The
remarkable thing about this annual review of King's life is that
several years -- his last years -- are totally missing, as if flushed
down a memory hole.
The
Forgotten Teachings of Martin Luther King
Every year America pays tribute to the memory of Martin Luther King,
Jr. Even little children can recite an oft-repeated phrase about
"the content of our character." Few Americans, however,
are familiar with King's profound teachings on the very issue that
is tearing our country apart affirmative action. Without
fear of accountability, politicians distort King's message and invoke
his name for their own political gain.
Towards
The Creation Of An Institute Of The Black World
The State of the Black World Conference, which was convened in Atlanta,
is now history. It was one of the most powerful gatherings of people
of African descent in the last half-century.
The
other King
King,
the man, is, along with Mohandas Gandhi, one of the two most internationally
revered symbols of nonviolence in the 20th century. He spent his
too-brief adult life defying authority and convention, citing a
higher moral authority, and gave hope and inspiration for the liberation
of people of color on six continents.
African
/ Black Studies
It is important to keep in mind is that not all Black people are
"African American."
The
term "African American," when used as a catch-all phrase belies
the incredible diversity that exists among Black people.
While
diversity among White racial groups is generally recognized, i.e.,
German, Italian, Polish, etc., Blacks of all nationalities are often
lumped together as "African American," with no regard for Blacks
who identify as Guianese, Jamaican, Senegalese, South African, or
otherwise.
Similarly,
few White people would care to be stripped of their individual racial
identities, nationalities and cultural heritage as Germans, Poles,
Italians, or Swedes, and simply be called "European Americans."
In
the end, the only thing we all share in common are our differencesone
from the other. Those unique characteristics are our cause to celebrate.
Africa
Online
| Africa Server
| Africa
Related Websites | Biography
| Black
Voices | Black
Quest | Reference
| Calendar of Holidays and Events |
| First Week |
|
| Occasion |
Link |
| National Patient Recognition Week |
n/a |
| Fourth Week |
|
| Occasion |
Link |
| National Engineers Week |
National Society of Professional Engineers of America |
|