Features
BLACK HISTORY MONTH By Devyn Auxier Students often look forward to holidays, but they often seem to overlook the true importance of them. For instance, February is Black History Month. Black History Month celebrates all of the accomplishments of African-Americans, from the fight for equality, to enhancing the arts and humanities. Do you ever think about how the celebration came about? The month’s celebration traces back to Dr. Carter G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson was the son of former slaves, and grew up employed by a coal mine in Kentucky. Woodson graduated high school at the age of twenty-two, then proceeded to graduate from Harvard with a Ph.D. During his time at Harvard, Dr. Woodson noticed that there was a lack of ethnic diversity in the books he had studied. But, unlike what most would do, Woodson decided to do something about it. On September 9, 1915, Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (which is now the Association for the Study of AfroAmerican Life and History). The ASALH researches and informs the world of “black life”. In 1916, Dr. Woodson also established the Journal of Negro History. Then, in 1929, he formed Negro History Week to nationally celebrate the contributions of African-Americans throughout history. This historic week was placed during the second week of February due to the two birthdays of highly influential figures; Abraham Lincoln (February 12), who abolished slavery, and Frederick Douglass (February 14) who escaped slaves through the Underground Railroad, and wrote about it. During the early 1970’s, Negro History Week became Black History Week, and in 1976, Black History Week then turned into Black History Month. Each year Black History Month is celebrated across the nation with a new theme each year chosen by the ASALH. As the month rolls by, one can see commemorations all going on, as well as documentaries, magazine articles, and museum exhibits across the states month that featuring the prosperous history of African-Americans. So this year, instead of just being aware of the holiday, reach out and learn about the true meaning behind it. You’ll be surprised what you learn!
Groundhogs Day by Jourdain Brooks The legend of the groundhog is based on an old Scottish couplet. “If Candlemas Day is bright and clear, there’ll be two winters in the year.” Candlemas Day was the Scottish version of what the United States refers to as Groundhogs Day. Every February 2, people gather at the Gobbler’s Knob, a wooded knoll just outside of Punxsutawney, Pennsylvania for a celebration that has been going on since 1887. It wasn’t until 1966, though, that the ceremony finally became public, and has since become a national media event. It is said that Phil, the groundhog of Punxsutawney, has been right in his predictions 90% of the time since 1887. With groundhogs just around the corner the question everyone is wanting to is, will there be 6 more weeks of winter? We will soon find out.
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