A tradition began Dec. 31, 1862, as many black churches held Watch Night services, awaiting word that Lincoln's Emancipation Proclamation would take effect amid a bloody Civil War. Later, congregations listened as the president's historic words were read aloud.
Last night (other than fiscal cliff theatrics) was the 150th anniversary, or sesquicentennial, of that tradition; today the same for the Emancipation Proclamation.
It formed the world George Washington Carver would enter a year later: From 1915 to 1923, Carver concentrated on researching and experimenting with new uses for peanuts, sweet potatoes, soybeans, pecans, and other crops, as well as having his assistants research and compile existing uses. This work, and especially his speaking to a national conference of the Peanut Growers Association in 1920 and in testimony before Congress in 1921 to support passage of a tariff on imported peanuts, brought him wide publicity and increasing renown. In these years, he became one of the most well-known African Americans of his time. (Wikipedia)
It enabled Edward Alexander Bouchet to enter Yale in 1870, complete his dissertation in geometrical optics in 1876 becoming the first African American to earn a PhD in physics and the sixth American at that time to do so (see link at Edward's name).
There are many more that I could name, many names of note since. They exist because of an innate curiosity of the world around them, and an opportunity courageously presented; a freedom of simply being counted as part of humanity extended: to learn about it.
It was, and is, a world worth creating.
Hmm: ...my 1,013th posting for this blog, on 01/01/2013. Interesting.
National Society of Black Physicists:
NSBP Member Stephon Alexander Wins 2013 Edward Bouchet Award
NSBP Member Hakeem Oluseyi selected to be a TED Global 2012 Fellow
Read more:
Emancipation Proclamation anniversary: Watch Night ceremony held at National Archives
National Archives: The Emancipation Proclamation
Comments