HR 1502 Summary

• Indiana House of Representatives acknowledges the contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout the history of the United States and Indiana.

• Black history has been celebrated annually since 1926, first as Negro History Week and later as Black History Month, established through the efforts of Dr. Carter G. Woodson.

• Dr. Woodson chose the second week of February for Negro History Week to mark the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, who greatly influenced the Black American population.

• Black History Month celebrates Black achievements in the military, arts, civil rights, education, entertainment, history, law, literature, medicine, music, politics, science, and sports.

• Indiana House of Representatives urges entities and organizations to celebrate Black History Month.