The Black History Month Activities Missouri Celebrates

By Shirley Ward


In the UK, the United States and Canada there is a yearly observance called black history month. In the UK it is celebrated in October and in the United States and Canada it is celebrated in February. This remembrance is for the people and events that have shaped the past of people from these countries of African descent. There is a large amount of black history month activities Missouri residents choose to keep themselves occupied with.

There are many varied activities one can experience in the state of Missouri during this time period. African Americans have contributed a lot to this American state and have helped it become what it is today. So the activities are spread far and wide over the state.

There are many activities held. A few of them will be at the state museum. There will be a series of talks that are centred around a platoon of urban soldiers that fought in the American civil war. They were the first black platoon to be involved in combat during that war. The museum is home to many different objects that reveal what life was like during the time the talks are centred on, so it a must do activity.

There is a cultural centre that will be holding activities to do with the urban influence or background period. There will be an exhibit that includes pictures and writings that chronologically detail the actions of urban union workers that fought for the rights of African American blue collar workers. This union was essential to gaining more workers rights and pay for the African American community in the state.

There will be guided walking tours offered in state parks around the state as well. Many parks in this state have been shaped and have architecture that was built by a African American company. The tours will show off these buildings and landmarks . These tours are a valuable insight on how much of the state parks beauty has been contributed to by African Americans.

There will also be activities that take place at all the historical sites that pertain to black history throughout the state. The sites vary in meaning, some telling the story of slavery in the state, or the history of a predominantly urban area in the state.

The notion of celebrating black identity has been around since 1926. However it was only in 1976 that it was officially recognized by the United States government as being black history month. The US was the first country to put it's official seal on it. It was only In 1987 and 1995, the UK and Canada respectively recognized the remembrance as official.

Urban history month is an important remembrance to have for many people. More importantly however is the idea of streamlining black achievements into global culture, instead of having just one month dedicated to it. The media, art, education and literature are all forms of expression with which urban history may be integrated with so that people can learn more about it as time goes by.




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