The embassy of the United States of America in Banjul has lined up a series of events earmarked as part of celebrations marking Black History Month.

According to information from the embassy, this year’s celebration comes along with a profound significance, given the historic development that saw the assumption of the mantle of leadership of the US by an African-American.

February every year is marked by Americans in honour of the “transformational achievements” by distinguished African-Americans in all walks of life; from Joseph Warren who in 1817 worked full time as messenger at the state department to the recent historical election and inauguration of Barack Obama as the first Black president of the US. The embassy officials revealed that the month –long celebrations takes into account the “sacrifices by those celebrated African-Americans and the values embedded in those sacred principles that continue to guide America.

 As part of activities marking the symbolism of this month, the US embassy, yesterday reopened the American Corner at the National Library. The programme which was attended by school children and members of the media fraternity was punctuated by a video show on the Black History Month.

Speaking at the ceremony held at the premises of the National Library, Barry Wells, ambassador of the United States to The Gambia, revealed that the American Corner is built on the concept of partnership so that people can have adequate knowledge about America, ranging from political, economic, social and cultural aspects. He expressed optimism that the American Corner will go a long way in strengthening the already existing bilateral ties between The Gambia and the United States, noting that it might serve as an asset to the University of The Gambia, the media and “those who want to do research on America” as it contains audio, video as well as text documents on the US.

Ambassador Wells went further to disclose that American Corner was first launched in Russia in 2000, when the US ambassador in Moscow realised that there was little information on the US in Russia. He added that in a space of nine months, there were hundreds of American Corners world wide.

He also spoke at length about the subjugation, degradation and racial brutality that black Americans were subjected to before the civil war and how they emerged from the walls of oppression to make history. He challenged students to participate in the shaping of their nation’s history.