Happy Black History Month
- Jordan Doll
- Feb 6, 2017
- 2 min read
I might be six days late, but I mean who's really counting?
Happy Black History Month, a month to educate ourselves and recognize the powerful history of all of the great Black/African-Americans who came before us. Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. It wasn’t until the year 2000 that all 50 states officially observed Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
During the month of February, I will dedicate a part of my daily posts to BHM (Black history month) and share some history with you. It could be about Black activists, the culture, or even some inventions. Some we know, some will be a shock to you and me as I do more research.
To be cliché, I will first start off with Martin Luther King Jr., the leader of civil rights.
1. The civil rights leader was born on January 15, 1929. That means he's a Capricorn, just like me. I knew I liked that guy.
2. His "I Have a Dream" speech was not his first at the Lincoln Memorial. His first was during the Prayer Pilgrimage for Freedom on May 17, 1957. He gave a speech about voting rights before a crowd of 15-30 thousand people. You go Martin! If thats even your real name...
3. Martin was named Michael, after his father. But in his father's travels to Germany, he was inspired by a Protestant reformation leader by the name of Matin Luther, THUS, the name change happened to both father and son.
4. He was almost assassinated about a decade before he died. While on a book tour signing in 1958, a woman approached him and asked him if he's MLK Jr. When he responded yes, she took out a letter opener and stabbed him in the chest.
5. He's the youngest male to win a Nobel Peace Prize. He won it in 1964 at the age of 35. Actually, when he won it he was the youngest between males and females. Malala Yousafzai won it in 2014 at the age of 17.
Stay tuned for what's to come in the week!
February is also the month of love so let's spread it.
Live life,
Jordan
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