February 2022 Black History Month

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The 2022 theme for Black History Month considers activities, rituals, and initiatives that Black communities have done to be well throughout American history and in our time, especially through self-determination, mutual aid, and social support initiatives. This month, we’ll explore this history and ways that parks and public lands can play an important role in physical, emotional, and spiritual wellness.

  • Use the month to spotlight the African American member of the Lewis and Clark Expedition, York.
  • Showcase objects or artifacts in your museum collection important to the African American experience.
  • Share trip ideas that visitors can use to learn about African American history within parks or communities.

Featured NPS.gov/lecl Webpages

York This page features several articles on York. Each of these would be a great feature to share on your social media channels. If you post the text below onto Facebook, the link should include the photograph from the article.

Ready-Made Posts

Sample posts:York, the enslaved body servant of William Clark, is a remarkable yet mysterious part of the Expedition. Little is actually known about him, and what we do know is primarily revealed through the journals or correspondence by Clark. #LewisandClarkTrailRead more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-s-early-life.htm

In 1784, an enslaved boy was assigned to be 14-year-old William Clark’s personal “body servant.” Like many enslaved persons, the boy didn’t have a legal right to a last name, so he was known just as York. #LewisandClarkTrailLearn more: https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-as-clark-s-body-servant.htm

York, the enslaved body servant to William Clark, is noted several times in the journal writings as being a concerned caregiver. He not only nursed Charles Floyd prior to the sergeant’s untimely death in August 1804, he is also documented as helping his master in June 1804. #LewisandClarkTrailMore: https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-cares-for-clark.htm

Despite his many contributions to the Lewis and Clark Expedition, Clark refused to release York from bondage upon their return to St. Louis in 1806. What do we know about York after the expedition? #LewisandClarkTrail https://www.nps.gov/articles/york-after-the-lewis-and-clark-expedition.htm

Lewis and Clark Events That Happened This Month

(Ready-Made Posts)

On February 28, 1803, Meriwether Lewis received his “passport” from Great Britain, allowing him to safely pass should he and his party encounter British subjects throughout their western expedition.More: Lewis Receives Passport from Great Britain (U.S. National Park Service) (nps.gov)

Social Media hashtags: #LewisandClarkTrail #BlackHistoryMonth #FindYourPark

More February Themes and Activities

February 4: Birthday of Rosa Parks

February 8: National Boy Scouts Day

February 11: International Day of Women & Girls in Science

  • Science (NPS.gov tag: science)
  • Social media hashtag: #WomenInScience

February 14: Frederick Douglass' Birthday

February 16: National Innovation Day

February 18–21: Great Backyard Bird Count

February 21: Washington's Birthday / Presidents' Day

  • Presidents (NPS.gov tag: presidents)
  • Social media hashtag: #PresidentsDay

February 20–26: Engineers Week

February 20: Birthday of Ansel Adams

February 22: Digital Learning Day

February 28–March 4: National Invasive Species Awareness Week

Last updated: February 1, 2022

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