The first “Negro History Week” was celebrated in 1926, and has since evolved into an entire month of remembrance of struggles and celebration of freedoms. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the son of former slaves, devoted his life to making black history real. Graduating high school when he was 22, Dr. Woodson got his Ph.D. from Harvard. Credited with not only establishing the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History) in 1915, Dr. Woodson also founded the Journal of Negro History. He chose the second week in February to celebrate black history because it marked the birthdays of both Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
February has also seen many other historically important events in black history. W. E. B. Dubois, known for his work as a civil rights leader and as a co-founder of the NAACP, was born on Feb. 23, 1868. On Feb. 3, 1870, the Fifteenth Amendment gave black men the right to vote.

On Feb. 25, 1870 Hiram R. Revels took his oath to become the first black U.S. Senator. The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) was founded in New York City on Feb. 12, 1909. A group of black college students began a sit-in at a segregated Woolworth’s lunch counter on Feb. 1, 1960 in Greensboro, N. C.; a milestone for civil rights. On Feb. 21, 1965, Malcolm X was shot to death.

For these reasons and many more, black history month is worthy of celebration. MHCC is getting on the bandwagon with many black history events. Tuesday, the College Center was host to a presentation of quotes, speeches, and biographies of prominent civil rights activists. Wednesday, there was a screening of “Amistad” starring Anthony Hopkins, Morgan Freeman and Matthew McConaughey, in room 1575.

If you missed these events don’t worry, there are more coming up. Every Wednesday for the rest of the month, the geography and criminal justice departments will be showing movies in Room 1575 from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m., the next of which is “Separate But Equal.” In the following weeks, “10,000 Men Named George” and “The Underground Railroad” will be shown. For details contact Chris Gorsek at 503-491-7321.