During the month of February, our Nation formally celebrates the many contributions African-Americans have made to their heritage. Dr. Carter G. Woodson, noted Black scholar and historian, initiated Black History Week on February 12, 1926.

For many years, the 2nd week of February (chosen so as to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln) was celebrated in the United States. In 1976, as part of the nation's Bicentennial, Black History Week was expanded and became established as Black History Month, and now, the month of February is used to celebrate the many contributions African-Americans have made to our country. The theme for the year 2002 invites sober reflection and critical examination of the fundamental elements of the African-American community.

These elements are presented within the broad historical legacy of the African-American experience in the evolving context of the new century.

During the month of February, National Park Service sites will have activities that are associated with African-American History month. Activities listed below:

WASHINGTON, DC
193rd ABRAHAM LINCOLN BIRTHDAY OBSERVANCE
February 12 at 12:00 noon (actual birthday)
Lincoln Memorial, Washington DC
Presidential wreath-laying honors the "Great Emancipator". Features military band, wreaths from Civil War and patriotic organizations and a dramatic reading of Lincoln's "Gettysburg Address". For further information call 202-619-7222.

FREDERICK DOUGLASS BIRTHDAY CELEBRATION
February 14 at 10:00am (actual Birthday)
Frederick Douglass National Historic Site, Washington, DC
Come out and celebrate the 184th anniversary of the great civil rights leader, who was born into slavery on Feb. 14, 1818. Student winners of a recent oratorical contest featuring excerpts from a speech written by Douglass, will deliver their orations at the ceremony. Area school choirs
will present musical selections and a guest speaker will do reflections on the life of Frederick Douglass. Wreaths will be laid by different organization. Representative Jessie Jackson, Jr., will deliver the keynote address. For more information call 202-426-5961.

BLACK GEORGETOWN TOURS
Date and time to be announced
Old Stone House, Washington, DC
Aside from Georgetown's historically black churches, few reminders remain of the large African-American population, both enslaved and free, that called the area home. Join a park Ranger for a walking tour of this part of the neighborhood. Meet at the Old Stone House. Please dress for
the weather. For further information call 202-426-6851.

ATLANTA
STORYTELLERS
February 4 - 28
Martin Luther King National Historic Site, Atlanta, GA
This program on the civil rights struggle for local school groups is conducted every Wednesday throughout the month of February. In addition, puppet shows on Martin Luther King, Jr. and other African-American heros are presented every Tuesday and Thursday. These programs are a big hit with schools from the metro area.

KING WEEK AT EMORY: ONGOING EXHIBIT - A DREAM DEFERRED: AFRICAN AMERICANS
AT EMORY AND OXFORD COLLEGE, 1836-1968
January 22 - May 15
Emory University, Robert W. Woodruff Library, Atlanta, GA
Sponsored by: Program in African American Studies, Woodruff Library, the Emory Center for Myth and Ritual in American Life and the Southern Studies Program at Oxford College.

MISSOURI
THE LIFE OF VIETTA GARR
January 30-March 30
Harry S. Truman National Historic Site, Independence, MO
Exhibit highlighting the life of Vietta Garr, the Truman's cook for over 35 years. Interpretive text, related artifacts, documents, and photos chronicle Garr's family history; her role in the Truman family before, during, and after Truman's presidency; and her role in the the black community in Independence.

145th ANNIVERSARY OF THE DRED SCOTT CASE
March 9
Jefferson National Expansion Memorial, St. Louis, MO
This event will focus on the Supreme Court's Dred Scott Decision and its role in America's most famous political debate. Fritz Klein will portray Abraham Lincoln, and Kevin Griffin will portray Stephen Douglas as these two fine actors recreate the Lincoln-Douglas Debates. A Dred Scott Mock Trial will follow.

THE LIFE OF HARRIET TUBMAN
February 2
George Washington Carver National Monument, Diamond, MO
Special guest Gloria Faine from Missouri Southern State College will present a first person living history program on the life of famous African-American Harriet Tubman.

AFRICAN - AMERICAN TRAILBLAZERS
February 23
George Washington Carver National Monument, Diamond, MO
Join a park ranger for a program that highlights the lives of several lesser-known African-Americans who made a positive impact on our society.

VIRGINIA
CHILDREN'S STORY TIME
February 2 at 11:00am
Booker T. Washington National Monument, Hardy, VA
Young children and their parents are invited to listen and learn about fascinating African American folktales, stories about the Underground Railroad, and real life heroes like Harriet Tubman, George Washington Carver, and Booker T. Washington.

SEEDS OF DESPAIR
February 16 at 2:00pm
Booker T. Washington National Memorial, Hardy, VA
Please come and learn about tobacco and its influences on free and enslaved people who lived on small-slaveholding Virginian plantations in the mid-1800's.

THROUGH A WOMEN'S EYES: ANOTHER PERSPECTIVE OF SLAVERY
February 17 at 2:00pm
Booker T. Washington National Memorial, Hardy, VA
Mr. Washington wrote about slavery in his autobiography, Up from Slavery. Washington was a slave for nine years on the Burroughs plantation in Franklin County. His autobiography shares a male perspective of slavery but what about the female perspective of slavery? Park Ranger Betsy Haynes will share stories about female slaves such as Harriet Jacobs who wrote, "When they told me my new-born babe was a girl, my heart was heavier than it had ever been before. Slavery is terrible for men; but it is far more terrible for women." Ranger Haynes will also discuss plantation mistresses and the relationships affected by the institution of slavery.

THE LEGACY SERVIES: FREDERICK DOUGLASS
February 24 at 3:00pm
Booker T. Washington National Memorial, Hardy, VA
In 1907, the most influential and powerful African American leader look backwards at a pasted statesman to assist himself with looking forward into the face of segregation and racial strife. Booker T. Washington wrote the book Frederick Douglass to give honor to and help explain the life and trials of the man that helped usher in the era of freedom. Park Ranger Tim Sinclair will examine life of Douglass and Washington's tribute to the leader about which he proclaimed, "No Negro can read and study the life of Frederick Douglass without deriving from it courage to look up and forward."

THE SWEETEST SOUND
February 16 at 11:00am
Colonial National Historical Park, Jamestown, VA
In recognition of the cultural contributions of African-Americans to the development of Jamestown and the Virginia colony, a performance highlighting music in the African-American experience will be given by storyteller Sylvia Tabb-Lee. Entitled "The Sweetest Sound," Ms. Tabb-Lee will utilize reproduced instruments and clothing to demonstrate how African-Americans in colonial Virginia used storytelling, music and dance to preserve their unique cultures while instilling morals and values in their children. Ms. Tabb-Lee immerses herself in the essence of slavery, utilizing folklore to help us understand the African-American experience through artistry and storytelling.