In honor of Black History Month, the City of Portage has created a special Black History Month Calendar. Join us each week as we share landmark events and birthdays that appear on the calendar. This week in history…
- February 1: National Freedom Day: Commemorates signing of the 13th Amendment, which abolished slavery in 1865.
- February 2: On this day in 1948, President Truman issued Executive Order 9981, desegregating African Americans, and Executive Order 9808, which broadened civil rights protection.
- February 3: On this day in 1956, Autherine J. Lucy became the first black student to attend the University of Alabama and was expelled three days later in response to threats from a mob. In 1992, she graduated with a master’s degree in education.
- February 4: Birthday of Civil Rights activist Rosa Parks, 1913. On this day in 1986, the US Postal Service issued a commemorative stamp honoring women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth.
- February 5: Birthday of baseball great Henry Louis “Hank” Aaron, 1934. On this day in 1990, Barack Obama became the first African American to be named president of the Harvard Law Review.
- February 6: Birthday of Jamaican Reggae artist Bob Marley, 1945.
- February 7: Birthday of comedian Chris Rock, 1965. On this day in 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week. In 1976, Negro History Week became Black History Month.
- February 8: Birthday of actor Gary Coleman,1968.
Download a copy of the calendar today at portagemi.gov/775 or visit the Office of the City Manager at Portage City Hall, 7900 South Westnedge Avenue, for a printed copy. Join us next week for more events in black history.