February 2012 -- Black (African-American) History Month

To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week. The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for this celebration to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist/editor Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. In 1976, as part of the nation's bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month. Each year, U.S. presidents proclaim February as National African-American History Month.

• In 1895 an African American baker from Boston, Joseph Lee, invented the automatic bread-making maching which allowed for increased production while dropping costs as it eliminated the labor intensive need in stores for the bread to be hand-made;
• As World War I ended, Bessie Coleman was professionally undeterred by the fact that no flying school would take her because she was female and because she was Black. She learned French, went to France and earned her international flying license two years before Amelia Earhart, becoming the only licensed black pilot in the world;
• In 1939 Janie Bolin was sworn in to a ten-year term with New York City's Domestic Relatios Court and became the first African American woman to be appointed judge;
• Garrett Morgan was the son of former slaves to whom thousands of Americans owe their lives: Mr. Morgan invented the gas mask, which was originally used by firemen and then extensively by soldiers in World War I; and, ater witnessing a collision he invented an automatic traffic signal.

Source: Profile America Facts for Features, U.S. Census Bureau, Public Information Office | PIO@census.gov

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Civil Rights in the United States

Civil Rights History

Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Annual Humanitarian Awards

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EMPLOYERS --CHECK FOR the Revised federal Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster OR the federal EEO is the Law poster Supplement.

For those employers required to post the federal equal employment poster entitled Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission published a new poster on October 22, 2009. The employer is to display the new poster in place of the existing poster that the employer has up -- OR -- the employer may choose to display a Supplement also issued by the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission on October 22, 2009 next to its existing properly posted Equal Employment Opportunity is the Law poster. The poster and the Supplement, like the Colorado posters, must be displayed in conspicuous places, where notices usually go up, in the office or break space. Further reference to the federally-required poster and supplement should be made by checking: www.eeoc.gov/posterform.html.