Today, Governor Dayton announced that he has proclaimed the month of February, 2012 to be Black History Month, "We must acknowledge and pay tribute to the generations of our citizens who struggled through adversity, risked their lives for justice, fought a fight that at times seemed impossible to win, persevered, and continue to fight for equality and the American Dream."

In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson established the official observance of African American History to honor the contributions, achievements and involvement of African American people in the development of our American Democracy. Governor Dayton's proclamation notes that "Black History Month encourages all Minnesotans to come together, reflect on our collective past and reveal its impact on present conditions andas a state, we can continue to work together to guarantee equal opportunity for all citizens."

/governor/assets/201202blackhistorymonth.pdf_tcm1055-91890.pdfA copy of the proclamation is attached.