In 1983, Et. Col. Gujon Bluford became the first African American to soar into space aboard the space shuttle, Challenger. During World War II, Dr. Charles Drew, an African American scientist, established the first blood plasma bank, which saved hundreds thousands of lives, in Presbyterian Hospital in New York, and when Christopher Columbus came to America in 1492, Pedro Alonzo, an African American navigator, was with him.

February is National African American History Month, which bad its beginning in 1926 when Dr, Carter G. Woodson, an African American historian and educator, established Negro History Week. The event was changed to a month-long observance in 1976, the 200th anniversary of the United States Constitution.

"National African-American History Month is an Opportunity to teach our children and increase our own knowledge regarding the many contributions made to the arts and sciences by African-Americans," stated Assembly Member Vincent.

Assembly Member Vincent continued, “by participating in National African American History Month, we are not only recognizing outstanding individuals for their contributions to Society, but we're also acknowledging the rich history of African-Americans.”

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