Mon - Feb 22nd
February brings Black History Month and we will be recognizing a special African American each day during our announcements. Today we are recognizing
Benjamin Bannaker (1731-1806) Inventor of the Almanac, Surveyor
Benjamin was a free African-American almanac author, surveyor, landowner, and farmer who had knowledge of mathematics and natural history. Born in Baltimore County, Maryland, to a free African-American woman and a former slave, Banneker had little or no formal education and was largely self-taught. He became known for assisting Major Andrew Ellicott in a survey that established the original borders of the District of Columbia, the federal capital district of the United States.
Banneker's knowledge of astronomy helped him author a commercially successful series of almanacs. He corresponded with Thomas Jefferson on the topics of slavery and racial equality, Jefferson having earlier drafted the United States Declaration of Independence. Abolitionists and advocates of racial equality promoted and praised Banneker's works.
Although a fire on the day of Banneker's funeral destroyed many of his papers and belongings, one of his journals and several of his remaining artifacts are presently available for public viewing. Parks, schools, streets, and other tributes commemorate him and his works. However, many accounts of his life exaggerate his accomplishments or attribute to him the achievements of others. Benjamin Bannaker, an African-American who we celebrate today for Black History Month.
7th and 8th graders:
The Binning Family Foundation has an opportunity for you to join their QuaranTEEN Film Festival! Create an original 3-5 minute school-appropriate film and enter it to be reviewed by a panel of judges for prizes. If you’re interested, stop by the office for more information.
All students that had STEM 1st Semester should drop by Room 1211 to pick up any 3d Printed projects THIS WEEK.