G overnment Originally born a slave, Joseph
Rainey became politically active after the Civil
War, working tirelessly for civil rights. In 1870 hebecame the first black U.S. Representative, eventually serving five terms as the representative forSouth Carolina.
S cience and M edicine In 1940, Charles Drew invented the blood bank, the method for collecting
and storing large amounts of blood plasma forlater use. In 1941 Drew also became the director of the first American Red Cross Blood Bank.
L iterature and P ublishing In 1773, Phillis Wheatley published her book Poems on Various Subject,Religious and Moral. She is considered the founder of African-American literature.
F ilm In 1919, Oscar Micheaux wrote, directed,
and produced the film The Homesteader. Between 1919 and 1948, Micheaux produced anddirected more that 45 films, and was one of thefew independent filmmakers to have such a longand successful career outside of Hollywood.

Joseph Rainey
Todd Duncan

M usic In 1945, Todd Duncan became the first
African-American singer in the New York City Opera. He later went on to create the role of Porgy
in Gershwin’s famous musical Porgy and Bess.
A ir and S pace Robert H. Lawrence became thefirst black astronaut in 1967, but died in a planecrash before his first trip into space. In 1983,
Guion Bluford became the first black astronaut totravel into space.

Phyllis Wheately
William Carney

M ilitary Sergeant William H. Carney received
the Congressional Medal of Honor for bravery
during the Civil War. During the battle at Fort
Wagner, South Carolina, in 1863, Carney took
over the position of flag-bearer from a woundedsoldier, safely delivering the flag through thebattle. His deed is depicted on the Saint-Gaudens
Monument in Boston, Massachusetts.
S ports Jackie Robinson became the first black
major league baseball player in 1947, when hejoined New York’s Brooklyn Dodgers. In 1962,Robinson also became the first African American
to be elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame.

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LACK HISTORY MONTH is one of
the most widely-celebrated of federal
months. It was originally established in
1926 as Negro History Week by noted African-American author and Harvard University scholar, Dr. Carter
G. Woodson. Dr. Woodson’s hope was that this special
observance would remind all Americans of their ethnicroots, and that the commemoration would increase
mutual respect. In 1976 the celebration was expanded
to include the entire month, and it became known asBlack History Month, also called African American
History Month. The month of February was chosen
since it contains the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln
and Frederick Douglas. Lincoln is honored because ofthe Emancipation Proclamation (see page 16) that
freed the slaves, and Douglas is honored as one of themost influential moral leaders, orators, and authors ofAmerican history.
One aim of Black History Month is to expose theharmful effects of racial prejudice; another is to recognize significant contributions made by people with African heritage, including artists, musicians, scientists,political figures, educators, and athletes. During February, cities, communities, and educational establishments feature speakers and community events, often
focusing on the Civil Rights Movement. In classrooms,
the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King (see page 7) iscommonly a part of the curriculum. Dr. King focusedhis energy on organizing peaceful protest demonstrations and marches, mostly in the American southernstates. He led the great march on Washington, D.C. in
1963 where he gave his famous “I Have A Dream”
speech (see page 9). Dr. King advocated a non-violent
approach to social change following the philosophy ofrecognition MontHs

Mohandas Gandhi. Another community activist whoselife is often a part of school curricula is Rosa Parks(see pages 7–8 ). In 1955, Rosa Parks refused to surrender her seat on the bus to a white passenger. By
forcing the police to remove her, and then arrest andimprison her, she brought national attention to thecivil rights movement. This incident later became atest case for repealing segregation laws.
Glossary
noted: adj. importantroot(s): n. origin
mutual: adj. two or more people feeling the same thingor doing the same thing to each otherorator(s): n. a person who gives skillful or effective
public speeches
expose: v. to uncover; to allow to be seen
feature: v. to include as a special item
activist: n. a person who actively works for a politicalparty or for political change
surrender: v. to give up
repeal(ing): v. to make a law no longer have any legal
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