Press Releases

Celebrating African-American History Month 2005

African-American History Month, a tradition for seven decades, is celebrated each February in the United States and in many countries worldwide.  The purpose is to honor the contributions African-Americans have made to all walks of national and international life and to recall important milestones in history.   Carter G. Woodson, considered to be the “Father of Black History,” chose February for the celebration because the month marks the birthdays of President Abraham Lincoln, who signed the Emancipation Proclamation ending slavery, and noted abolitionist Frederick Douglass.

The Inter-School Contest in Kigali

To celebrate this important event, the American Embassy in Rwanda organized an inter-school contest among nine local schools:  Groupe Scolaire St. André, Lycée Notre Dame de Citeaux, Lycee De Kigali, G.S. APE Rugunga, Kigali International Academy, College APACOPE, Ecole Secondaire Scientifique Islamique (ESSI), FAWE Girls School, and Institut de Formation Apostolique de Kigali (IFAK).

Students were invited to the Embassy library to peruse books, CD-ROMs, documents, articles, and Internet sites in preparation for the March 5 championship at the Kigali Institute of Science and Technology. 

Mr. Henderson Patrick, U.S. Embassy Chargé d'Affaires, presided over the event and Mrs. Sue Ford Patrick served as Quizmaster. Distinguished invitees included ministers, parliamentarians, parents, teachers and students.