Black History Month's History

I read something about 100 years of Black History Month, so I looked it up. In 1926, historian Carter G. Woodson (pictured) along with the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), created "Negro History Week" for the second week of February, coinciding with the birthdays of Lincoln (Feb. 12) and Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14). African-American communities were already observing those days. In the 1930s, Negro History Week was a helpful antithesis to the growing southern "lost cause" idea that slaves had been well treated. Then, in 1969, black students and teachers at Kent State University proposed a Black History Month. The first such month happened at Kent State the following year. The observation caught on and soon was celebrated across the country. President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976 during the national Bicentennial.

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Happy Birthday, Fayette County, Illinois

Fayette County, Illinois, where I was born and raised, was established 205 years ago, February 14, 1821. Here is part of the 1821 law. From parents to a few 4th-great-grandparents, I have 36 ancestors buried over there (42 if I include folks who may be buried there but have no stones), and lots of other relatives. Lots of living relatives, too!  The county is one of MANY places in the country named in honor of the Marquis de Lafayette. .... Regarding the law: the reason for the need to establish a county seat for Bond County, is that when Fayette was created, the Bond County seat--Perryville--was consequently within the bounds of Fayette. Thus Greenville became the Bond County seat, and Perryville (in the southwest corner of Fayette) soon became a ghost town.... Illinois was settled south to north. Like many counties of the time, Fayette was larger than it became and extended into northern, sparsely settled land: https://genealogytrails.com/ill/1825map.html

Zitkala-Ša : 150 Years

So interesting to learn about this woman this evening. Zitkala-Ša, who also used the name Gertrude Simmons Bonnin, was a Yankton Dakota writer, editor, translator, musician, educator, and political activist who wrote about Dakota culture, cultural identity, and Native American stories. She co-founded the National Council of American Indians, that fought for citizenship and civil rights for Native Americans. She also took issue with the boarding school system. Zitkala-Ša studied and played the violin at the New England Conservatory of Music in Boston and taught music to Native children. She also wrote the libretto and songs for the first American Indian opera, The Sun Dance Opera (1913). Zitkala-Ša was born February 22, 1876.

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Happy Birthday, Rashi

Born February 22, 1040, French rabbi Rashi (an acronym for Rabbi Shlomo Yitzchaki) wrote commentaries on the Torah, Tanakh, and Talmud. He is still a key author in Jewish religious literature. He was known for elucidating the simple meaning of the biblical or talmudic text, thus appealing to both beginners and scholars. Since the 16th century, Rashi's commentary has been part of the Talmud text, printed beside the Mishnah and Gemara, the oldest writings therein. His work is also one of the major commentaries in the Torah edition called the Mikraot Gedolot. Rashi translated many Hebrew works into French, extending his influence. His writings were even translated into Latin and German by Christian scholars. Tragically, he lost family and friends in the orgies of anti-Jewish violence committed by Crusaders in 1096. Rashi died in northern France in 1105.

Anniversary of the Birth of the G.O.P.

On February 22-23, 1856, the first Republican National Convention was held in Lafayette Hall, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The delegates formally organized the party on a national basis, elected the first National Committee, and set the stage for the party's first nominating convention held later in June 1856. At that June meeting, the party nominated John C. Frémont as the first Republican presidential candidate.... Meanwhile, on February 22-25, 1856, the American Party held their first national convention. Formerly the nativist Know-Nothing party, the new party included many former Whigs. This convention nominated former president Millard Fillmore for the 1856 presidential race.... Meanwhile, the Illinois Republican Party took first steps toward organization at their "Editorial Convention" on February 22, 1856. They met at Decatur, Illinois' Cassell Hotel, later called the St. Nicholas Hotel. Lincoln was at this meeting. He gave a speech.

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Four Religious Days This Week

 This year, Ash Wednesday falls on February 18. Observed by many Western churches as the beginning of Lent, Ash Wednesday is 40 days (minus the Sundays) before Easter, reflecting the 40 days of Jesus' fast in the wilderness, as recorded in the Synoptic Gospels. The imposition of ashes--the burned remains of palm branches of the previous year's Palm Sunday--reflect the following biblical passages. "[T]hen the Lord God formed [the human] from the dust of the ground, and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life; and the man became a living being" (Genesis 2:7). "By the sweat of your face you shall eat bread until you return to the ground, for out of it you were taken; you are dust, and to dust you shall return" (Genesis 3:19). "All go to one place; all are from the dust, and all turn to dust again" (Ecclesiastes 3:20). There is a pun in the Hebrew language: "adam" means “human", and "adamah" means "soil". By reminding us of our mortality and connection to the earth, we are called to reflect upon and seek renewal of our relationship with God, who has given us physical life and promises eternal life.

The month of Ramadan begins today (depending on the sighting of the crescent moon) and lasts until March 19. Prayers for Muslim friends during this month and all year! As this says, Muslims fast from food and drink from pre-dawn to sunset. "The ultimate goal of fasting is gaining greater God-consciousness, known in Arabic as taqwa, signifying a state of constant awareness of God. From this awareness, a person should gain discipline, self-restraint, and a greater incentive to do good and avoid wrong. In commemoration of the revelation the Qur’an, which began in the month of Ramadan, Muslims attempt to read the entire book during Ramadan. The entire Qur’an is also recited during special nightly prayers." https://ing.org/resources/for-all-groups/calendar-of-important-islamic-dates/ramadan-information-sheet/?fbclid=IwY2xjawQCy19leHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEegV9-1fn925w-_OVdqJ1JYWrr4liaOTWe2jm4uKXV7IeIoJno_WeniGbfwXE_aem_m2jyf7QBbAJAejGvJcdsRg

The Lunar New Year began on February 17th!  https://www.bbc.com/news/live/cgqg0pwkq2kt?fbclid=IwY2xjawQCy5lleHRuA2FlbQIxMQBzcnRjBmFwcF9pZBAyMjIwMzkxNzg4MjAwODkyAAEeJxOnYQn1OQrtudoVzXmh4UQ1bejIOvokD4M2DTYkOle9WlKI_-_unAJkenk_aem_O3kqshnGCdHPFyfDqOQaPg It's very uncommon for Ash Wednesday, the beginning of Ramadan, and the Lunar New Year to happen about the same time like this. 

In Judaism, February 17 was Rosh Chodesh Adar, the beginning of the month of Adar that contains the joyous holiday Purim, brightening the whole lunar month with joy.

Remembering Margo Frank on Her 100th Birth Anniversary

 Born February 16, 1926, Margot Betti Frank was the older sister of Anne Frank. It's the 100th anniversary of her birth in Frankfurt. Margo received a deportation order from the Gestapo in 1942, the reason that the family went into hiding. Anne wrote that Margot also kept a diary, but it has never been found. So we learn her story via Anne's. She and Anne died of typhus at Bergen-Belsen in February or March 1945.

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