{"id":12275,"date":"2026-02-18T06:45:25","date_gmt":"2026-02-18T13:45:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/hesarizona.org\/glendale-charter-school\/?p=12275"},"modified":"2026-02-18T08:06:42","modified_gmt":"2026-02-18T15:06:42","slug":"its-february-a-month-for-celebrating","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/hesarizona.org\/glendale-charter-school\/its-february-a-month-for-celebrating\/","title":{"rendered":"It\u2019s February \u2026 A Month for Celebrating!"},"content":{"rendered":"

February, the shortest month, is packed with significant events like Groundhog Day and the 60<\/span>th<\/span> anniversary of Super Bowl Sunday. But there\u2019s a lot more to celebrate in February, including Black History Month, Valentine\u2019s Day, and Presidents Day. Here\u2019s a quick rundown of these important events all taking place this month.<\/span><\/p>\n

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\nBlack History Month<\/b><\/p>\n

Throughout the month of February, we recognize the many, often overlooked, contributions African Americans have made to America\u2019s history. The evolution of Black History Month itself is fascinating, tracing back to the end of the Civil War.<\/span><\/p>\n

The<\/span> Emancipation Proclamation<\/span><\/a> went into effect on January 1, 1863, ending slavery, and was codified in the<\/span> 13th Amendment to the Constitution, which was ratified in 1868. And yet, it may come as a surprise to many students, it wasn\u2019t until the 1960s \u2026 just 60 years ago, and 96 years after the<\/span> 14th Amendment<\/span><\/a> promised that the government would enforce \u201cequal protection of the laws\u201d \u2026 that African Americans were finally guaranteed the rights that the Constitution says every citizen should enjoy.<\/span><\/p>\n

Until the<\/span> Civil Rights Act<\/span><\/a> was passed in 1964, African Americans could be denied entry to theaters, restaurants, hotels, swimming pools, libraries and public schools, and could be denied a job based on race. Before the<\/span> Voting Rights Act<\/span><\/a> of 1965 became law, African Americans could encounter state and local barriers, designed to deny them their right to vote.<\/span><\/p>\n

Even with these advancements, textbooks and classrooms in the 1960s and 1970s primarily focused on the history of Caucasian Americans when teaching American history. Despite being a significant part of the American narrative, the lives of many prominent African Americans were rarely mentioned in history classes.<\/span><\/p>\n

In 1976, President Gerald Ford seized the opportunity of America\u2019s bicentennial year to officially recognize Black History Month. In doing so, President Ford encouraged Americans to \u201cseize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Every day, each of us encounter things<\/span> invented by African Americans.<\/span><\/a> Here are a few examples:<\/span><\/p>\n