2011 Theme: African Americans in the Civil War

"Once let the black man get upon his person the brass letters, U.S., let him get an eagle on his button, and a musket on his shoulder and bullets in his pockets, and there is no power on earth which can deny that he has earned the right to citizenship in the United States."  

Frederick Douglass

Each year, Woodson established a national theme for the celebration of Black History. ASALH has continued this tradition annually.  This year's theme, African Americans aextended the celebration for the entire month of February.  Each year the theme is celebrated with a luncheon in February, a theme toolkit you can order online and the fall conference in which there are various papers and panels related to the conference.  Here's some more info related to this year's theme from ASALH:
PRESS RELEASE:  2011 National Black History Month Theme Announced:  Washington, DC – (December 1, 2010) The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) is excited to announce the 2011 National Black History Month Theme as “African Americans and the Civil War.” This year’s commemoration continues the tradition of excellence started by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the Father of Black History, in 1915, in his vision of accurate historic documentation of the tremendous impact of African Americans amidst American history. Black History Month 2011 takes on even greater significance amidst the discoveries of erroneous text book accounts of history in Virginia and Texas. In the spirit of Dr. Woodson, ASALH will spend the month educating the nation on how Black soldiers took up arms to help free themselves and liberate a nation.  http://www.asalh.org/files/2011_Black_History_Theme_PR_01112011.pdf

AFRICAN AMERICANS AND THE CIVIL WAR:  In 1861, as the United States stood at the brink of Civil War, people of African descent, both enslaved and free persons, waited with a watchful eye. They understood that a war between the North and the South might bring about jubilee--the destruction of slavery and universal freedom. When the Confederacy fired upon Fort Sumter and war ensued, President Abraham Lincoln maintained that the paramount cause was to preserve the Union, not end slavery. Frederick Douglass, the most prominent black leader, opined that regardless of intentions, the war would bring an end to slavery, America’s “peculiar institution.”

Over the course of the war, the four million people of African descent in the United States proved Douglass right. Free and enslaved blacks rallied around the Union flag in the cause of freedom. From the cotton and tobacco fields of the South to the small towns and big cities of the North, nearly 200,000 joined the Grand Army of the Republic and took up arms to destroy the Confederacy. They served as recruiters, soldiers, nurses, and spies, and endured unequal treatment, massacres, and riots as they pursued their quest for freedom and equality. Their record of service speaks for itself, and Americans have never fully realized how their efforts saved the Union. 

In honor of the efforts of people of African descent to destroy slavery and inaugurate universal freedom in the United States, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History has selected “African Americans and the Civil War” as the 2011 National Black History Theme. We urge all Americans to study and reflect on the value of their contributions to the nation.  http://www.asalh.org/Annual_National_Black_History_Theme.html

This theme is also the focus of the 85th Annual Black History Luncheon scheduled on Saturday, February 26, 2011 that will be held at the Renaissance Washington, DC Hotel on 999 9th Street NW; click on http://www.asalh.org/Annual_Luncheon.html.  ASALH encourages all Americans to study and reflect on the value of their contributions to  the nation.

On January 16 in Black History...Black Soldiers and Zeta Phi Beta

In 1776, Continental Congress approved Washington's order on the enlistment of free Blacks.  In 1776, One fifth of the total population was enslaved [1776], about 500,000 negros, women and children.  In October 1775, Washington announced that all blacks, both free and slave would be "rejected altogether." In November he said that "Neither Negroes, boys unable to bear arms, nor old men unfit to endure the fatigues of the campaign, are to be enlisted."[12] Most blacks were integrated into existing military units, but some segregated units were formed, such as the Bucks of America. Lord Dunmore, the royal governor of Virginia was determined to maintain British rule in the southern colonies. On November 7, 1775, he issued a proclamation that he would free black and white bondsmen who came to fight with the British. By December 1775 the British army had 300 slaves wearing a military uniform. Sewnon the breast of the uniform was the inscription "Liberty to Slaves". These slaves were designated as "Lord Dunmore's Ethiopian Regiment."  Dunmore's Black soldiers had brought fear to the Patriots. In December 1775, Washington wrote a letter to Colonel Henry Lee stating that success in the war would come to whatever side could arm the blacks the fastest. Washington then issued orders to the recruiters to reenlist the free blacks who had already served in the army. He worried that these soldiers may cross over to the British side. Congress in 1776 agreed with Washington and free blacks who had already served could be reenlisted. South Carolina and Georgia did resist in enlisting slaves as soldiers. African Americans from northern units did fight in southern battles and some southern blacks were allowed to be a substitute for their master.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/African_Americans_in_the_Revolutionary_War

In 1920, Zeta Phi Beta was founded at Howard University in Washington, D.C.  In 1948, Zeta Phi Beta became the first Greek-letter organization to charter a chapter in Africa (in Monrovia, Liberia).[4][5] It was also the first organization to establish adult and youth auxiliary groups and centralize its operations in a national headquarters.[3][4] Today, there are also chapters in U.S. Virgin Islands, Jamaica, Bahamas, Japan, Korea, Barbados, and Haiti.

Zeta Phi Beta is the only NPHC sorority that is constitutionally bound to a fraternity, Phi Beta Sigma.[4] The sorority maintains affiliations with several organizations including American Diabetes Association, March of Dimes, American Cancer Society, American Red Cross, National Council of Negro Women, and the United Negro College Fund.[6]

Famous members of Zeta Phi Beta include Zora Neale Hurston, Esther Rolle, Dione Warwick and Wendy Palmer.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Zeta_Phi_Beta
www.zphib1920.org


In 1920 Zeta Phi Beta Sorority was founded on the campus of Howard University.