Tuesday, November 25, 2008

2009 National Black History Theme is "Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas"


[Anna Julia Cooper (1858-1964); 2009 Black Heritage Stamp, U.S. Postal Service]]

February is Black History Month in Canada, Jamaica and the United States. The annual observance was founded in 1926 by the American historian Dr. Carter Godwin Woodson (1875-1950). He also founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), http://www.asalh.org/ The Association's website explains the newest Black Heritage stamp of the United States Postal Service: "During the 93rd annual ASALH convention in Birmingham, AL, a special unveiling was held to honor Anna Julia Cooper, an educator, scholar, feminist, and activist who gave voice to the African American community during the 19th and 20th centuries, from the end of slavery to the beginning of the Civil Rights Movement. The Postal Service's Black Heritage stamp series is truly alive and well." The stamp will be released in January 2009.  A link to the Postal Service press release  on the Cooper stamp can be found at: http://www.asalh.org/usps.html

For a Black History Quiz and information on Black History and Classical Music, see the Black History page at AfriClassical.com  The ASALH website also includes a link for teachers who would like to request a free copy of the DVD Freedom's Song: 100 Years of African-American struggle and triumph: http://www.freedomssong.net/






1 comment:

G. Y. F. said...

Amongst the number and variety of stamps issued during any calendar year I protest the designation of just ONE stamp in one month as "Black Heritage" stamps. These stamps are usually sold out before the end of the year. I've tried buying a sheet of the 2007 issues for the past two months. There certainly is way to issue additional stamps with representations of the history of, not only black Americans, but other sub-sets of American citizens.