10 things I bet you never knew - January 31

Melaine Warren

Tuesday, January 31, 2012

TOMORROW marks the beginning of a very important event in history. Originally celebrated in the US, Black History Month has created a buzz worldwide and what better way to start the month than to give a few facts stemmed around this occasion.

1. Black History Month was developed by Dr Carter Woodson, who at first, started the 'Negro History Week' in 1925 to focus people's attention and bring to their notice the role and contribution of African Americans in the American history.

2. February was chosen as the month to celebrate the event because it marks the birthdays of two great personalities of American history, who had a very big influence on changing the social standing and condition of African Americans. These two personalities were former president of the United States, Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist Fredrick Douglass.

3. In the early 1970s, Negro History Week was rechristened Black History Week to reflect the changing language used to describe African-Americans. Then, in 1976, as America observed its bicentennial, Black History Week was expanded to the full month celebrated today.

4. Rosa Parks is one of the most famous women in American and black history, who stood for her rights and refused to give up a seat on the bus to a white man which sparked off the civil rights movement. Rosa Parks went to jail for her refusal, but ultimately came out a winner in the case against the state.

5. Jesse Owens became an American hero after an amazing performance at the 1936 Summer Olympics in Berlin, Germany. At the time, Germany was ruled by Adolph Hitler who absurdly believed that blacks, Asians and other races were inferior to whites. Jessie proved how wrong Hitler's racist ideas were by winning four gold medals.

6. Martin Luther King Jr is one of the most influential personalities who rigidly practised the teachings of Mahatma Gandhi. Martin Luther King Jr led anti-violence demonstrations against racial discrimination, one of which was to Washington.

7. Despite the official celebration being February, Black History in England was first celebrated in 1987 in the month of October. October was selected because it coincided with the Marcus Garvey celebrations and London Jubilee.

8. George Washington Carver changed lunchtime sandwiches forever when he invented peanut butter. Born a slave, Carver didn't attend college until he was 30 years old, but he went on to create 400 new uses for peanuts, soybeans, sweet potatoes, and pecans.

9. Jackie Robinson was the first black player to play in Major League Baseball. Even though he had to face the wrath of people, Jackie Robinson emerged winner when he was awarded rookie of the year in his second season

10. Ever heard the term "the real McCoy?" It comes from an invention made by black Canadian Elijah McCoy. His invention allowed trains and other machines to be lubricated while running, and when many imitations showed up, people insisted on the real McCoy.

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10 things I bet you never knew - January 31