Today in history

February 19

1919
The first Pan-African Congress was organized by W.E.B. DuBois, Paris, France. Du Bois called for a Pan-African Congress to be held in Paris to coincide with the Versailles Peace Conference after World War I ended.
The conference’s aim was to bring to the attention of those laying the plans for a League of Nations the grievances of oppressed minorities. Pan-African Congresses continued to be held in 1921, 1923, 1927, and 1945.

Speakers at the Pan-African Congress Brussels, Belgium, in 1921. Du Bois is 2nd from right.

1942
Executive Order 9066, was signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt which ordered all Japanese Americans (Nisei) evacuated from the West Coast of the U.S. and forced them to live in concentration camps. This day is referred to as the “Day of Remembrance”. It has been commemorated every year, for 60+ years to remind us of that miscarriage of justice, and to insure such injustice does not happen again.

Japanese American residents board the bus for Camp Harmony, 1942.
Note: In the entire course of the war, 10 people were convicted of spying for Japan, all of whom were Caucasian.

2004
After sanctioning more than 2,800 gay marriages, the city of San Francisco sued the state of California, challenging its ban on same-sex marriages.

JSan Francisco City Hall is almost encircled by wedding parties on Valentine’s Day.