Celebrate Black History Month in the Midlands

Black History Month is celebrated in the U.S. throughout the month of February.

American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week to commemorate the contributions that people of African descent have made to our nation.

The first celebration occurred on Feb. 12, 1926. For many years, the second week of February was set aside for the celebration to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and abolitionist and editor Frederick Douglass.

In 1976, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, the week was expanded into Black History Month. Each year, U.S. presidents declare February National African-American History Month.

Check out some of these local events celebrating Black History Month:

• Ethnic History Parade & Gospel Soiree Festival. The parade begins at noon at Hampton and Harden streets, continues to Green Street and ends at Martin Luther King Jr. Park, 2300 Green Street, Columbia.
• Benedict College's Harambee Festival. The 24th annual Harabee Festival will be held Feb. 23 and 24 on the campus of Benedict College. The college is also hosting several events throughout the month including panel discussions, worship services, and art exhibits. Click here for a full schedule.

The Historic Columbia Foundation continues its celebration of African American Heritage in South Carolina. Located on 1601 Richland Street, the foundation is exploring the history of the state through citizens South Carolinians from the past 200+ years that made great accomplishments. The program is by reservation only. For more information, click here. 

Here's a sample of a list of notable African Americans from South Carolina:

• Charles P. Austin, Sr. - Columbia's first African-American Chief of Police
• Augusta Baker - 1911-1998 - librarian, storyteller
• Mary McLeod Bethune - founded Bethune-Cookman College, National Council for Negro Women
• Septima Poinsette Clark - Civil Rights leader
• James E. Clyburn - SC Congressman
• Marian Wright Edelman - founder of the Children's Defense Fund
• Matilda Arabelle Evans - first African-American woman licensed as a physician in South Carolina
• Joe Frazier - professional heavyweight boxer - also called "Smokin' Joe"
• Althea Gibson - athlete
• Jonathan Green - artist
• Mamie "Peanut" Johnson - only woman to pitch for Negro Major League
• Johnnie McFadden, Ph.D. - first African-American full professor at USC
• Ronald Ervin McNair - astronaut, physicist
• Modjeska Monteith Simkins - Civil Rights leader

Here are some famous Black History Month trailblazers fromBiography.com: 

Nathaniel Alexander was the first to patent the folding chair. His invention was designed to be used in schools, churches and at large social gatherings.

Henry Blair, the second African-American to receive a patent, invented a corn seed planter in 1834 and a cotton planter in 1836. Blair could not read or write and signed his patent with an X.

Joseph Winters invented a fire escape ladder in 1878.

Sarah E. Goode invented a bed that folded up into a cabinet in 1885. Contrary to popular belief, she was not the first African-American woman to receive a patent, but the second.

George Carruthers invented the far ultraviolet electrographic camera, used in the 1972 Apollo 16 mission. 

Do you celebrate Black History Month? If so, what do you do to celebrate?