African-American History Month, celebrated nationally in February, has evolved in San Diego into an observance of activities designed to recognize the contributions of black Americans.

The national celebration, first a designated week, then a month, began in the 1920s, promoted by scholar Dr. Carter G. Woodson. February was chosen because it contained the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, who wrote “The Narrative of the Life of Frederick Douglass An American Slave,” now a classic in American history.

February has proved to be significant for other reasons in black American progress, and therefore is an even more appropriate month for the observance:

• Feb. 23, 1868, was the birth date of W. E. B. DuBois, an important civil rights leader and co-founder of the NAACP.
• Feb. 8, 1870, the 15th Amendment was passed, granting blacks the right to vote.
• Feb. 25, 1870, the first black U.S. senator, Hiram R. Revels (1822-1901), Republican from Mississippi took his oath of office.
• Feb. 12, 1909, NAACP was founded by a group of concerned black and white citizens in New York City.

San Diego Metropolitan looks at just a few of the city’s many African-American achievers.

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