The Metropolitan King County Council today celebrated the continuing contributions of African-Americans in the United States and throughout the world by proclaiming the month of February Black History Month in King County.

“In a County renamed for one of the greatest African-Americans of the 20th Century and that uses the image of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr as its logo, it is fitting that we celebrate those men and women—the famous and the nameless—who have played a role in the history of our nation,” said Councilmember Larry Gossett. “Today is also an opportunity to remember the achievements of all the people who have contributed to the greatness of our nation, but have not been recognized in our history books.”

African-American History month was the idea of historian and educator Dr. Carter G. Woodson, who hoped to raise awareness of African American’s contributions to civilization. As the founder of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Dr. Woodson created Negro History Week to be celebrated in February, the birth month of Abraham Lincoln and former slave and African American abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

“America was founded on the idea that all people are created equal,” said Vice Chair Reagan Dunn. “Celebrating Black History Month allows us to highlight accomplishments of African-Americans throughout history as well as their continued work in shaping our nation to bring true meaning to the words of our founding fathers.”

“One of the most poignant experiences in my life was meeting Sarah Collins Rudolph, who was gravely wounded in the 1960 Ku Klux Klan bombing of the 16th Street Baptist Church in Birmingham, Alabama, that killed her sister and three other little girls. Meeting and talking with Ms. Rudolph about her life was a powerful reminder that history is not just about the past, but forms a foundation for and shapes today’s life and times,” said Council Vice Chair Rod Dembowski. “As policymakers who work to improve the lives of everyone in our community, I believe we must know the history of every community that together forms the strong and vibrant fabric of America. Black History Month helps us all learn America’s history.”

The first Negro History Week was celebrated in 1926. In 1976, as America celebrated its bicentennial, Negro History Week became Black History Month, a celebration recognized in the U.S. and Canada.

“I’m pleased we’re honoring the history and contributions of African-Americans in our country and in King County. We are enriched by their many influences to our history and culture,” said Councilmember Kathy Lambert. “When I was a teacher, I got to teach about Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and eventually wrote a children’s book about him. My dad as a policeman once guarded Dr. King on a trip to San Francisco. So my family appreciates the contributions, leadership and faith of Dr. King and his example.”

Members of the Board of the Black Heritage Society of Washington, Inc. were on hand to receive the recognition from the Council.

“We want to thank the County Council for joining us in celebrating the contributions of African-Americans not just in this state, but throughout the world,” said Heritage Society Chair Carol Peoples-Procter. “Ours is a history of many challenges, but also many triumphs, this is an opportunity to recognize and remember those challenges that many in our community are still struggling against.”