February 2009

February:
African-American History Month
In 1926, Dr. Carter Woodson initiated a week-long celebration of the contributions of African-Americans to history.  Dr. Woodson chose the week of Abraham Lincoln's birthday (February 12).  In 1976, the month was expanded to the entire month of February.  Each year, the Association for the Study of African-American Life and History sets the theme for the month; the theme for 2008 is 'Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism'.

February 15, 1820:
Birthdate of Susan B. Anthony, American suffragette
Born in Adams, Massachusetts, Anthony was a leader of the movement to gain women the right to vote.  Along with Elizabeth Cady Stanton, she secured the first laws in New York State giving women control over their children, property, and wages. 

February 16, 1994:
Death date of Randy Shilts, gay American author and journalists
The national correspondent for the San Francisco Chronicle, Shilts was one of the first openly gay journalists hired at a major newspaper.  One of his best-selling books, And the Band Played On: Politics, People and the AIDS Epidemic, was made into a docudrama that was broadcast on HBO on September 11, 1993; it has been translated into seven languages and released in 16 nations.    

February 26 - March 1:
Festival of Ayyám-i-Há (Baha'i)
During this period, members of the Baha'i faith observe the holiday with gift-giving, special acts of charity, and preparation for fasting that precedes the new year.