Board Observes
African American History Month

SAN JOSE, CA — A resolution recognizing the month of February 2010 as National African American History month was approved by the Santa Clara County Board of Education at its February 3 meeting.

The Santa Clara County Office of Education "recognizes the significant contributions and huge advances African Americans have made, and continue to make in our community, state and the world, in such areas as education, medicine, art, culture, public service, economic and development, politics and human rights," the resolution read in part.

The forerunner of African American History Month began in February 1926 in the United States as a supplement to school curriculum, through the work of scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson. His aim was to encourage a greater awareness and understanding of the African experience and contributions in America, Africa and throughout the world.

In the 1960s the week expanded into Black History Month, celebrated through the month of February, the birth month of African American leader Frederick Douglass (February 15) and Abraham Lincoln (February 12).

Links to the board resolution and more information on African American History Month can be found at www.sccoe.org.

Date last updated: February 4, 2010