Bill > CER26-0007

This resolution recognizes and celebrates Black History Month, tracing its origins to Dr. Carter G. Woodson's establishment of "Negro History Week" in 1926 and its evolution into a national observance during the United States Bicentennial in 1976. The resolution highlights Washington, DC's significant role in African American history, acknowledging both the city's painful legacy of slavery and segregation and its importance as a center of African American culture and achievement. It provides historical context by referencing key milestones such as the DC Compensated Emancipation Act of 1862, the founding of Howard University, and notable African American figures like Frederick Douglass, Mary Church Terrell, Duke Ellington, and Martin Luther King Jr. The resolution emphasizes the ongoing impact of historical injustices while also celebrating the resilience, cultural contributions, and achievements of African Americans in the District of Columbia and the United States. By formally recognizing February as Black History Month, the Council of the District of Columbia aims to honor the exceptional contributions of African Americans and ensure their critical role in shaping the nation's history is remembered and celebrated.

https://lims.dccouncil.gov/Legislation/CER26-0007