Today's History Makers: U.S. Representative Walter Fauntroy

As we've shared Black History Makers this February, here's a review about how Black History Month began.

Before there was the Black History Month we celebrate today, there was Negro History Week, created in 1926 by historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. Although I've heard various beliefs of why February was selected, the truth is it was because it coincided with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and that of Frederick Douglas on February 14.  Black History Month started in 1970 and is now recognized in the United States, Canada, Ireland and the United Kingdom.

This Week's History Maker: U.S. Representative Walter Edward Fauntroy, Jr.

Walter Edward Fauntroy, Jr. was born in Washington, D.C. on February 6, 1933. He is a Pastor, Civil Rights Activist and Politician.  Fauntroy's political aspirations were realized in his home town as he was the Washington, D.C. delegate to the United States House of Representatives from 1971 - 1991. Fauntroy was also a candidate for the 1972 and 1976 Democratic presidential nominations as the favorite son.  He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi fraternity. He graduated with honors from Virginia Union University in 1955 and earned a B.Div. from Yale Divinity School in 1958. Fauntroy was friends with Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. and was an active member of the S.C.L.C. (Southern Christian Leadership Conference). Fauntroy also helped coordinate the 1963 March on Washington. Today at the age of 93, Walter Edward Fauntroy, Jr. is the last remaining survivor of the 13 co-founders of the Congressional Black Caucus.

For more information on Walter Edward Fauntroy, Jr. find books at your local library.