African American Inventors
Did you know…?

Elijah McCoy (1843–1929) invented an oil-dripping cup for trains. (the real McCoy)
Lewis Latimer (1848–1928) invented an important part of the light bulb — the carbon filament.
Jan Ernst Matzeliger (1852–1889) invented a shoemaking machine that increased shoe-making speed by 900
Granville T. Woods (1856–1910) invented a train-to-station communication system.
Garrett Morgan (1877–1963) invented the gas mask and the first traffic signal.
Otis Boykin (1920–1982) invented the electronic control devices for guided missiles, IBM computers, and the pacemaker.
Dr. Patricia E. Bath (1949–) invented the Laserphaco Probe and a method of eye. surgery that has helped many blind people to see.
Dr. Charles Richard Drew (904 – 1950) was the first person to develop the blood bank. His introduction of a system for the storing of blood plasma revolutionized the medical profession
 

               
Black History Month

Black History Month is a national celebration that focuses on the achievements of African Americans who have distinguished themselves.  It is celebrated annually in the United States and Canada in the month of February, while in the United Kingdom it is held in the month of October.

It is an opportunity to emphasize the background and achievements of African Americans who may not have been recognized "until the 20th century when they gained a respectable presence in the history books."

Historian Carter G. Woodson established this celebration in 1926, when it was first known as Negro History Week.  Woodson studied at Harvard University in his early 20s, but was perplexed to discover that his history books largely ignored the African American population.  It was then that Woodson decided to take a chance on his ambitions, and figure out a way to write African Americans into the books. 

Woodson chose the second week of February because it marked the birthdays of two Americans who greatly influenced the lives and social condition of African Americans: abolitionist Frederick Douglass and former President Abraham Lincoln

When the tradition of Black History Month was started in the US, many in mainstream academia had barely begun to explore black history. At that point, with the exception of George Washington Carver, most representation of blacks in history books was only in reference to the low social position they held as slaves and their descendants. Therefore, a great part of the intention of Black History Month is to recognize significant contributions to society made by people with African heritage and how this history is integral to mainstream narratives. ; and to demonstrates how all peoples contribute to a culture.

Black History Month is celebrated with parades, speeches, and other events that take place throughout the month and there are art and writing contests that encourage all types of people, mainly students, to study African American history. Disparagers like Morgan Freeman, say that it serves to undermine the contention that black history is American history and some say that we should celebrate African American History all year long and not just one month- the shortest month- of the year.
   
Even so, it’s difficult to take issue with the value of a celebration designed as a time when African Americans, as well as all races and ethnicities, are encouraged to take pride in their backgrounds, and to learn more about their heritage.  Lindsay Laird article adaptation.
                     http://www.ouhsd.k12.ca.us/lmc/ohs/ala/feb/bhist.htm