Join us this month to learn about some of the stories of Black history commemorated across the National Mall: Sunday, February 4, 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Against Two Foes: Chicago’s African American Soldiers in the Great War Location: World War I Memorial (meet by the statue of General Pershing) When the United States entered World War I in 1917, African Americans joined the military in large numbers. They found themselves in an army governed by the racist laws and attitudes of Jim Crow. Despite this, many pushed back against the system, fighting injustice in America before fighting the Germans in France. Come visit the World War I Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street and hear the story of Chicago’s African American National Guardsmen. Saturday, February 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. The First Battalion: African Americans of Washington in World War I Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial The African Americans of Washington, DC have served their country for many years, and World War I was no exception. Many joined its National Guard on the eve of the conflict, eager to aid their nation in the event of crisis. With the declaration of war in 1917, the men soon found themselves in a new world, caught between the politics of Jim Crow and their new German enemy. Saturday, February 10, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. Paul Cuffe: The Abolitionist Location: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (meet at the bookstore at the memorial entrance) While the American Revolution was underway, black abolitionist Paul Cuffe helped ferry supplies to the embattled patriots in New York. On this day in 1780, Paul Cuffe and six others petitioned the Massachusetts legislature to allow them to vote. Come hear his story. Sunday, February 11, 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. Against Two Foes: Chicago’s African American Soldiers in the Great War Location: World War I Memorial (meet by the statue of General Pershing) When the United States entered World War I in 1917, African Americans joined the military in large numbers. They found themselves in an army governed by the racist laws and attitudes of Jim Crow. Despite this, many pushed back against the system, fighting injustice in America before fighting the Germans in France. Come visit the World War I Memorial on Pennsylvania Avenue and 15th Street and hear the story of Chicago’s African American National Guardsmen. Wednesday, February 14, 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. The Life of Solomon Brown Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (meet inside the bookstore) The Smithsonian Institution employed Solomon Brown for 54 years, starting in 1829. In addition to collaborating with Frederick Douglass on the Emancipation Memorial to President Lincoln, he also worked to ship science specimens to other scientists around the world. Friday, February 16, 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Remembering Black Journalists Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (meet inside the bookstore) In honor of this day in history, we remember journalists who went to great lengths for human rights, such as W.E.B DuBois, Frederick Douglass, A. Phillip Randolph, Gwen Ifill, and Dorothy Butler Gilliam. Sunday, February 18, 2024, 5 p.m. – 5:30 p.m. African Americans in World War I: The 92nd Division in Combat Location: World War I Memorial (meet at the statue of General Pershing) African Americans served their country in World War I, many of them with the 92nd Division. Its men faced not only their German enemies, but also the racist policies of Jim Crow. Come to the World War I Memorial and hear about how African Americans contributed to victory in World War I. Monday, February 19, 4 p.m. – 4:30 p.m. Emancipation Proclamation Act Location: Lincoln Memorial plaza Come and learn about the Emancipation Proclamation Act. Friday, February 23, 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. W.E.B. Dubois and the Pan African Conference of 1919 Location: Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial (meet at the bookstore) In 1919, W.E.B. Dubois convened a Pan African conference in France while President Wilson was inventing the League of Nations, and Franklin Delano Roosevelt was paying bills for the Navy. What kept them apart? Saturday, February 24, 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. The First Battalion: African Americans of Washington in World War I Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial The African Americans of Washington, DC have served their country for many years, and World War I was no exception. Many joined its National Guard on the eve of the conflict, eager to aid their nation in the event of crisis. With the declaration of war in 1917, the men soon found themselves in a new world, caught between the politics of Jim Crow and their new German enemy. Sunday, February 25, 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. All the King’s Books Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial(meet in the bookstore) Martin Luther King’s books tell us all we need to know about why he’s an American hero; and each is still a page-turner. His memorial reflects his key points. Monday, February 26, 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Unrecognized Valor: African Americans in Naval Service in World War II Location: World War II Memorial African American sailors served in large numbers in the US Navy during the Second World War. The story of the courage and overall contribution to victory has been largely ignored. Explore some of the stories of these heroic sailors. Wednesday, February 28, 10:30 a.m. – 11 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Thurgood Marshall Remembered Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (meet inside bookstore) Thurgood Marshall went to college with Kwame Nkrumah, Cab Calloway, and Langston Hughes. What were those dorm conversations like? Thursday, February 29, 10 a.m. – 10:30 a.m. and 2:30 p.m. – 3 p.m. Ella Baker: Activist for Human Rights Location: Martin Luther King, Jr. Memorial (meet in the bookstore) Ella Baker was Martin Luther King, Jr.'s executive secretary after years of working for the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP). She was an important advisor to the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committe and the Missippi Freedom Democratic Party. Among her many slogans was "strong people don't need strong leaders." Thursday, February 29, 11 a.m. – 11:45 a.m. and 3 p.m. – 3:45 p.m. Unrecognized Valor: African Americans in Naval Service in World War II Location: World War II Memorial African American sailors served in large numbers in the US Navy during the Second World War. The story of the courage and overall contribution to victory has been largely ignored. Explore some of the stories of these heroic sailors. |
Last updated: February 2, 2024