What's your history?

February is both African-American History Month and American History Month, which got me thinking about our own personal histories.

As a writer, I mine my own individual history for ideas; I also mine our collective history. History--all the events that shape our experiences--can at once define us, and propel us forward toward something different. We can break with history, which is perhaps the most courageous thing a person can do.

Most notably, February is African-American History Month. Americans have celebrated African-American history annually since 1926. Of course African-American history reaches further back than that, but it took one man, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard Ph.D., to do something about the lack of African-American history in the history books. He founded what is now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History in 1915. He chose the second week of February because it marks the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

Of course there are countless other pioneers we celebrate during African-American History Month, for their accomplishments.

For more information:

The History of Black History Month

101 Facts About African American History

Black History Month

I also learned that March is Women's History Month; May is both Jewish-American Heritage Month and Asian Pacific American Heritage month; September 15th to October 15th is Hispanic Heritage Month; and November is American Indian Heritage Month. All these histories make up "American" history. But really, isn't every month a month of history, of all kinds? Every day people are doing great and amazing things and shaping the course of this country. Everyone possesses the ability to create history. That is powerful. Wouldn't you like to be remembered for making the world a better, kinder, cleaner place?

But history isn't just about facts or world leaders. History is personal. History is the foundation from which we grow and evolve; that's why we study it.

Which leads to this cool history writing contest for young people 8-18, from the Legacy Project. (And yes, they are totally legitimate. I was a runner-up winner in one of their contests years ago.)

To enter, a young person interviews an older person (grandparent, older friend, mentor, nursing home resident, neighbor, etc.) about their lives, their personal histories. The Listen To A Life Contest runs till March 30, 2009. The prizes are fantastic, the award certificates stunning--I cannot recommend this free contest enough. (There is no fee to enter.) The Legacy Project is all about bridging the generations. How cool is that? Individuals can do great things, but working together, we can do amazing things.

Here's the link with all the info:

The Legacy Project Home Page

The Legacy Project Contest Page

Go! Enter! Make history!

Make it a good one!