The month of February is Black History Month–a time to remember and celebrate the rich history of African Americans and the achievements of the civil rights movement.
Black History Month dates back to 1926, when historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans dedicated the second week in February as “Negro History Week” to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. In 1976, the celebration was officially recognized and expanded and every U.S. president since then has celebrated Black History Month during the month of February.
This month, the UFCW will highlight milestones in the civil rights movement on our website—including the 50th anniversary of the Memphis sanitation strike. We will also celebrate the 25th anniversary of the UFCW’s Black History Month program, and pay tribute to African American labor leaders who fought for fair wages, dignity in the workplace, and the freedom to organize in spite of considerable barriers.
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