Black History Month 2020: African Americans and the Right to Vote

• Black History Month
• Voting Rights

This month we celebrate Black History Month, a time to acknowledge the sacrifices of countless African Americans for all they’ve done to make this country a fairer place, as well as the many contributions they’ve made to American society.

Originally, Black History Month started out as Negro History Week, which was established by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, the second African American ever to receive a doctorate from Harvard. He chose the second week of February because it held the birthdays of two figures integral to the abolishment of slavery: Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

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Food in Illinois Valentine's day special

For Chicagoans seeking a Valentine’s Day plan, there’s no shortage of places to grab a bite , but only one right place to take that special someone if you want to amaze them with rich history and a great pizza pie.

Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Company is famous for pioneering a different way of making deep dish pizza. The restaurant opened its doors in 1972 and soon became a local favorite for combining the structure of a pot pie with the ingredients of a pizza. Many deep dish fanatics say Chicago Pizza and Oven Grinder Co. is the best place to get a pie in Chi-town.

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Did You Know?

• Did you know?
• Illinois History

Did you know 114 years ago the Famous American astronomer Clyde Tombaugh was born in Streator, Ill. on Feb. 4th 1906?

Tombaugh was the first astronomer to discover what was identified as the Kuiper Belt, but more specifically he was the man accredited to the discovery of the dwarf planet Pluto. The son of a farmer, Tombaugh’s plans for attending college were stifled by a hailstorm ruining his family farm at a young age. He started to build his own telescopes with lenses and mirrors, drawing images of Jupiter and Mars to the Lowell Observatory which offered him a job.

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Artist of the Month - Donna Zarbin-Byrne

Donna Zarbin-Byrne is our February artist of the month, representing both Evanston and Chicago. Since childhood Donna has wanted to be an artist. Today, her work can be found not only in Illinois but Honolulu, Hawaii, too.

What does being able to live and work in Illinois mean to you?

Living and working in Evanston and Chicago has afforded access to a multitude of art venues throughout my life. Additionally, the many cultural experiences also inspire and encourage my practice in the arts.

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