Bill > SR214

This resolution formally recognizes the month of February 2026 as "Black History Month" in Pennsylvania, acknowledging the profound and diverse contributions of African-American citizens to the Commonwealth across various professions and spheres of influence. It traces the origins of this observance back to 1915 when historian Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), to address the lack of public information about Black achievements. In 1926, Dr. Woodson initiated "Negro History Week" in February to coincide with the birth months of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, and this observance later evolved into "Black History Month" with broader recognition, including official endorsement by President Gerald Ford in 1976. The resolution also highlights the current year's ASALH theme, "A Century of Black History Commemorations," and emphasizes that Black History Month serves as an important opportunity for all Pennsylvanians to commemorate the historical hardships, achievements, sacrifices, and invaluable contributions of African Americans to both domestic and global society.

Government Affairs

https://www.palegis.us/legislation/bills/2025/sr214