Jumping The Broom (Black History Cont.)

This past weekend I attended a wedding.  It was a small ceremony wherein after the marrying couple said their "I do's", the bridal party attended Sunday service together.  At the conclusion of church, the newlyweds completed their ceremony by jumping over a broomstick.  An African-American tradition that dates back to the 19th century (some believe that it may date back as far as the 17th century).

In many African-American wedding ceremonies, the marrying couple will jump over a broomstick to symbolize their union. During the times of slavery, unions between African-American slaves were not recognized and formal marriages were not permitted.  In the absence of formal ceremonies, jumping the broom became the open declaration for a marriage-like union.  Jumping the broom was always done before witnesses as a public announcement to other members of the slave community that a couple had joined in union.

Other ethnic groups also celebrate traditions similar to jumping the broom.

Bessie Coleman (Black History cont.)

Elizabeth "Bessie" Coleman (January 26, 1892 - April 30, 1926) was the first person of African American descent to become a licensed airplane pilot.  She was also the first American of any race or gender to hold an international pilot license.  Popularly known as "Brave Bessie" or "Queen Bess", her pioneering achievements served as an inspiration for a generation of African American men and women.

Coleman died at the young age of 34 while riding in a plane with her mechanic and publicity agent.  Coleman's mechanic, William Wills, was flying the plane while she was in the other seat.  She was not wearing her seatbelt as she was planning a parachute jump the next day and wanted to look over the cockpit to examine the terrain.  Ten minutes into the flight, the plain did not pull out of a planned nosedive.  The plane accelerated into a tailspin and Coleman was thrown 500 feet from the plane and died instantly when she hit the ground.  Wills was unable to regain control and also died upon impact as the plane bursted into flames.

Numerous books have been written Coleman, including books which encourage children to believe in themselves and their dreams.

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U.S. Civil War Colored Troops Medal (Black History cont.)

The image posted here is that of one of the medals that were awarded to African American soldiers that fought in the Civil War.  The medals were awarded by Gen. Benjamin F. Butler to African American soldiers under his command during the 1864 battles at Fort Harrison and Fort Gilmer to show appreciation for their heroics.  The medals held no official status and, after the General was relieved of his duties the following year, the soldiers were not permitted to wear the the medals on their uniforms.  

I know that receiving any type of medal for your service in the military is a great honor and to be a soldier of African American heritage fighting for your freedom, the medals probably held more meaning to those soldiers and their families than anyone could imagine.  Being of African American descent and knowing the significance that war held for this country, it's nice to know that a few African American soldiers were acknowledge for their bravery even if there were not allowed to display the medals on their uniforms.

300 African American soldiers received these medals.    


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February is BLACK HISTORY MONTH!

In honor of Black History Month, here at Everything will be Everything, we will be periodically posting some known and unknown facts about black history during the entire month of February.

Have you ever wondered where the idea of Black History Month came from? Black History Month was the idea of Dr. Carter G. Woodson (December 19, 1875 - April 3, 1950).  In 1926, Dr. Woodson created the celebration of "Negro History Week", for the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas.  This week of celebration for black history was later extended to the full month of February and renamed Black History Month.  Dr. Woodson noted that African American contributions "were overlooked, ignored, and even suppressed by the writers of history textbooks and the teachers who use them." 


Dr. Carter G. Woodson, along with William Hartgrove, Cleveland Hall, Alexander L. Jackson and James E. Stamp, founded the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. Because of his devotion to the history of black people, Dr. Woodson is also known as the Father of Black History.  

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Quote Of The Day

"If a man hasn't discovered something that he will die for, he isn't fit to live."

-Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
Baptist minister, activist, & civil rights leader (January 15, 1929 – April 4, 1968)

In observance of the holiday for Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., I thought it fitting to give you this quote on today's date.