[Federal Register Volume 84, Number 25 (Wednesday, February 6, 2019)]
[Presidential Documents]
[Pages 2045-2046]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 2019-01484]


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  Federal Register / Vol. 84 , No. 25 / Wednesday, February 6, 2019 / 
Presidential Documents  

[[Page 2045]]


                Proclamation 9841 of January 31, 2019

                
National African American History Month, 2019

                By the President of the United States of America

                A Proclamation

                In the year 1619, a Dutch trading ship sailed into the 
                Chesapeake Bay and dropped anchor at Point Comfort, 
                Virginia. The vessel's arrival marked the beginning of 
                the unscrupulous slave trade in the American colonies. 
                It was from this immoral origin--and through inhuman 
                conditions, discrimination, and prolonged hardship--
                that emerged the vibrant culture, singular 
                accomplishments, and groundbreaking triumphs that we 
                honor and celebrate during National African American 
                History Month.

                National African American History Month is an occasion 
                to rediscover the enduring stories of African Americans 
                and the gifts of freedom, purpose, and opportunity they 
                have bestowed on future generations. It is also a time 
                to commemorate the countless contributions of African 
                Americans, many of whom lived through and surmounted 
                the scourge of segregation, racial prejudice, and 
                discrimination to enrich every fiber of American life. 
                Their examples of heroism, patriotism, and enterprise 
                have given people of all backgrounds confidence, 
                courage, and faith to pursue their own dreams.

                This year's theme, ``Black Migrations,'' highlights the 
                challenges and successes of African Americans as they 
                moved from farms in the agricultural South to centers 
                of industry in the North, Midwest, and West--especially 
                the migrations that occurred in the twentieth century. 
                Through these migrations, millions of African Americans 
                reshaped the demographic landscape of America, starting 
                new lives in cities such as Philadelphia, Detroit, 
                Chicago, and New York City.

                In that time of great change, inspirational leaders, 
                such as Annie Turnbo Malone, charted a new path for 
                many African American men and women. Annie Malone, the 
                daughter of former slaves, became one of the most 
                successful entrepreneurs in America at the turn of the 
                century, and provided opportunities for African 
                Americans to pursue meaningful careers. Through 
                mentorship and education, she empowered others to start 
                their own businesses. She is one of many inspirational 
                African Americans in an era that also produced 
                luminaries such as Mary McLeod Bethune and Booker T. 
                Washington, both of whom encouraged and emboldened 
                disenfranchised black students to push through 
                obstacles and realize their God-given potential.

                American history brims with the stories of African 
                Americans who forever changed their communities and our 
                country. We will, for example, never forget the 
                legendary ``Queen of Soul,'' Aretha Franklin, whose 
                unforgettable voice transcended genre and left music 
                transformed, and whose broad appeal in an era of deep 
                division helped to bridge racial divides. Another 
                trailblazer, baseball legend Jackie Robinson, known 
                ubiquitously in Major League Baseball as ``42,'' 
                shattered institutional racism in American athletics 
                when he became the first African-American player to 
                appear in a big league game. Over his career, his 
                exceptional talent and noble character in the face of 
                racial hatred undermined the twin false ideologies of 
                segregation and racial inequality. The spirit and 
                determination of these and other African American 
                heroes make our Nation proud and define what it means 
                to be American.

[[Page 2046]]

                National African American History Month is a call to 
                each and every citizen of our great land to reflect on 
                the cultural, scientific, political, and economic 
                contributions of African Americans, which are woven 
                throughout American society. We remember, learn from, 
                and build on the past, so that, together, we can build 
                a better and more prosperous future for all Americans.

                NOW, THEREFORE, I, DONALD J. TRUMP, President of the 
                United States of America, by virtue of the authority 
                vested in me by the Constitution and the laws of the 
                United States, do hereby proclaim February 2019 as 
                National African American History Month. I call upon 
                public officials, educators, librarians, and all the 
                people of the United States to observe this month with 
                appropriate programs, ceremonies, and activities.

                IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this 
                thirty-first day of January, in the year of our Lord 
                two thousand nineteen, and of the Independence of the 
                United States of America the two hundred and forty-
                third.
                
                
                    (Presidential Sig.)

[FR Doc. 2019-01484
 2-5-19; 8:45 am]
Billing code 3295-F9-P