Time to Celebrate Black History Month 2020!
Every February, Canadians are invited to participate in Black History Month events and celebrate Black culture, heritage and achievement in Canada. The theme this year, "Canadians of African Descent: Going forward, guided by the past," was inspired by the United Nations’ International Decade for People of African Descent (2015-2024).
More than just a time to reflect on the past, Black History Month is a time to learn about the many contributions and accomplishments of African-Canadians. Here are five interesting facts that you may not know:
- The first recorded Black person to come to Canada was Mathieu Da Costa. He was an African'translator who worked for French and Dutch explorers in the early 1600s.
- Harriet Tubman, the famous abolitionist who led runaway slaves to freedom on the Underground Railroad, lived in St. Catharines, Ontario from 1851 to 1857.
- The Honourable Lincoln Alexander, became Canada's first Black cabinet minister, as Minister of Labour in the federal government, in 1979. Alexander went on to became Ontario’s first Black Lieutenant Governor in 1985.
- In 1993, the Honourable Jean Augustine became the first Black Canadian woman elected to the Parliament of Canada. Augustine championed legislation to recognize February as Black History Month in Canada.
- The experiences of the fugitive slave, Josiah Henson, who escaped to Dresden, Ontario in 1830, inspired the novel, Uncle Tom's Cabin. This cabin is now a historic site.
Uncle Tom's Cabin. Toronto Star Photograph Archive, 1977.
This photograph of Uncle Tom's Cabin and many more rare documents are located in the Baldwin Collection at Toronto Reference Library.
Programs at the Library
There are many ways to celebrate Black History Month at the Library! Participate in an Interactive Steelpan Drum workshop or attend an Author talk. Families can watch a lively puppet show or break a sweat at a Caribbean Folk & African Dance Style Workshop.
Recommended Reads
Are you interested in reading something new? Check out a book from the Black History Month 2020 recommended reading list for adults and teens and children. Interested in reading more? You can peruse Toronto Public Library's Black and Caribbean Heritage Collection in person. The collection was pioneered by Dr. Rita Cox in 1973 and is one of the most comprehensive collections of its kind in Canada.
Psst…did you know?
While February is a time to celebrate Black History Month in Canada, Toronto Public Library has Black history and cultural programs all year round! Join us on March 17 as Novuyo Rosa Tshuma talks about her debut novel House of Stone or delight in some African Storytelling 'N Music with Sonia Aimy on April 18 at the Palmerston Branch. Our listings are always being updated so check out the programs on our webpage often!
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