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Previous Issues > February 2007 > Kidsville Connections > Historical February
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 Kidsville Connections
Historical February
Sure, February is a great time for valentines, sweets and treats, but it is also a terrific month to learn about history! Presidents Day is celebrated in February, and the entire month is Black History Month.
Presidents Day is a special day for honoring George Washington, Abraham Lincoln and all Presidents who have served the United States. This year, Presidents Day is on Monday, February 19.
The original holiday was observed to celebrate George Washingtons birthday (February 22). It was first celebrated as a holiday in 1796, which was the last year of Washingtons presidency. In 1865, the year after President Abraham Lincoln (the 16th President) was assassinated, a holiday was observed to commemorate his birthday (February 12). This became a legal holiday in many states.
 Then, in 1968, a law was passed that changed the way many holidays were
celebrated. In order to simplify the calendar of holidays and give employees three-day weekends, the observance of George Washingtons Birthday was moved to the third Monday in February. Although the holiday has come to be known as Presidents Day and to include Abraham Lincoln and all other presidents, the holiday that we celebrate is still officially known as George Washingtons Birthday.
Black History Month
February 2007 has been proclaimed National African American History Month, also known as Black History Month. This month is set aside to recognize the achievements and contributions by African Americans. The observance of this special period dates from
February 1926, when it was established as Negro History Week by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a noted African-American author and scholar. Dr. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) in 1915. He established the week during the period of February, which contains the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, the month of
February was established as Black History Month.
Frederick Douglass was one of the leaders of the abolitionist movement, which sought to end slavery in the United States decades before the Civil War. During the Civil War, Douglass served as an adviser to President Abraham Lincoln. He fought for the adoption of constitutional amendments that would guarantee voting rights and other civil liberties for
African Americans.
Other Historical Notes for February:
Susan B. Anthony Day is February 15. This day honors one of the first womens rights advocates who worked hard for voting rights for women. Susan B. Anthony was born on February 15, 1820.
Charles Dickens, author of Oliver Twist and A Christmas Carol, was born on February 7, 1812.
Nicolaus Copernicus was born on February 19, 1473. This Polish astronomer and priest came up with the Copernican Theory, which placed the Sun as the center of our solar system, rather than Earth.
Iwo Jima day is February 23. This marks the anniversary of the day in 1945 that the US flag was raised by Marines on the Pacific island of Iwo Jima.
February 27 is the 200th birthday of Henry Wadsworth Longfellow. This American poet is best known for his poems The Song of Hiawatha and Paul Reveres Ride.
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