Black History Month 2021
Monday, February 1, 2021
Black History Month began as Negro History Week.
Tuesday, February 2, 2021
Stevie Wonder helped make Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday a national holiday with the assistance of special lyrics from his “Happy Birthday” song.
Wednesday, February 3, 2021
The dance form of stepping originated in Africa. The African gumboot dance is credited as being stepping’s biggest influence.
Thursday, February 4, 2021
In 2008, Usain Bolt became the first man to win three world records at a single Olympics event.
Friday, February 5, 2021
The Black Panther character first appeared in comics in 1966.
Saturday, February 6, 2021
A full-time nurse named Marie Van Brittan Brown invented the first home security system.
Sunday, February 7, 2021
Countries like the United Kingdom and the Netherlands celebrate Black History Month in October.
Monday, February 8, 2021
One of the most prominent doctors of his time, Dr. Charles Drew created the first major blood banks, blood plasma programs, and bloodmobiles.
Tuesday, February 9, 2021
The Black Panthers launched programs such as free dental care, free breakfast, and drama classes in underserved black communities.
Wednesday, February 10, 2021
Lisa Gelobter is the computer scientist who developed the animation used to create GIFs. Thank her for making your tweets so funny!
Thursday, February 11, 2021
Lincoln University in Pennsylvania became the first degree-granting institution of higher education for African Americans. It paved the way for Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs).
Friday, February 12, 2021
Cathay Williams became the first and only female Buffalo soldier in 1866. She would pose as a male for two years until a doctor discovered that she was a woman, which led to her immediate discharge.
Saturday, February 13, 2021
John Mercer Langston became one of the first African American lawyers in the United States when he passed the bar in 1854. He’s also the great-uncle of famed Harlem Renaissance poet Langston Hughes.
Sunday, February 14, 2021
Hiram Rhodes Revels became the first African American person elected to the U.S. Senate. She served from February 1870 to March 1871.
Monday, February 15, 2021
Elijah McCoy is regarded as one of the most prominent black inventors ever. He’s credited for inventing over 50 devices in his career, including a “lubricating cup,” which automatically dripped oil when needed.
Tuesday, February 16, 2021
Mathematician and scientist Benjamin Banneker is credited for designing the layout of Washington, D.C.
Wednesday, February 17, 2021
Politician and educator Shirley Chisholm survived three assassination attempts during her campaign for the Democratic nomination for the United States presidency in 1972.
Thursday, February 18, 2021
The largest women’s organization is the National Council of Negro Women, which was founded by educator and political leader Mary McLeod Bethune.
Friday, February 19, 2021
Xavier University, a historically black college in Louisiana, has one of the highest success rates in the country for getting their graduates into medical school.
Saturday, February 20, 2021
Thomas L. Jennings (1791-1859) was the first African American person to receive a patent in the U.S.
Sunday, February 21, 2021
Allensworth is the only California community to be founded, financed and governed by African Americans. Created by Allen Allensworth in 1908, the town was built with the intention of establishing a self-sufficient, all-black city where African Americans could live their lives free of racial discrimination.
Monday, February 22, 2021
Halle Berry was the first African American to win an Academy award for Best Actress for her role in Monster’s Ball.
Tuesday, February 23, 2021
In 2018, Kobe Bryant became the first athlete and the first black person to win an Oscar for Best Animated Short for his film, Dear Basketball. He was a credited writer for the project.
Wednesday, February 24, 2021
Aretha Franklin was not only the first African American woman inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, but the first woman, period.
Thursday, February 25, 2021
Hattie McDaniel, the first African American to win an Oscar, was not allowed to attend the national premiere of Gone With The Wind, the film featuring her award-winning performance, because she was black.
Friday, February 26, 2021
Nat King Cole was the first African American to reach #1 on the Billboard charts and the first African American to host his own television show.
Saturday, February 27, 2021
In 1921, an entire city in Oklahoma was burned to the ground due to a racial disturbance and retaliation. This was the Tulsa Race Riot.
Sunday, February 28, 2021
Quincy Jones is the most Grammy-nominated artist in the history of the awards show with 79 nominations and 27 wins.
