Before Black History Month became a month-long celebration in 1976, it began as "Negro History Week" and was created by an African American historian, scholar, educator, and publisher named Carter G. Woodson. The month of February was chosen for Black History Month because this was the month in which Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln were born.
Here are some baby names that are inspired by great African American Leaders.
W.E.B. Du Bois was the first African-American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University and was known as one of the most intelligent people to ever live.
Barack Hussein Obama was our first African American president.
Martin Luther King Jr. played a big part in the Civil Rights Movement during the 50's and 60's. He won the Noble Peace Prize due to his non-violet approach to things and he also had a great impact on political policies and calls to action.
Macon Bolling Allen was the first African-American to pass the bar and practice law in the United States.
Jane Bolin was the first female African American to become a judge in the United States in 1932 and to earn a law degree from Yale.
Dr Ralph Johnson Bunche received the Medal of Freedom from President John F. Kennedy and was also the African-American to receive the Nobel Peace Price which was given due to his mediation efforts in Palestine.
Christopher Gardner became famous by living off of close to nothing just to finish a brokerage program so his son has a better means of employment when he became older. He was able to finish the brokerage program and purchase his own firm for only $10,000. The movie "Pursuit of Happyness" was based on his autobiography and made over 300 million worldwide.
Eartha Kitt was born on a plantation where her mother was raped by the land owner. She eventually moved to New York with her biological mother where she worked on her career in show business.
Jean Baptiste Point du Sable was Chicago's first recorded president, curator, and founder. His marriage was the first that was recorded in Chicago and he became greatly respected by the native Indian's and under the tutelage of Choctaw.
Henry Louis Gates Jr. was the first African-American to receive the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation Fellowship. He was also a recognized historian, teacher, scholar, editor and public intellectual.
Are you looking for a strong powerful name for your child? Here are some great ideas in celebration of Black History Month.
