The ACTUAL NEWS: Friday, February 21st 2025 Recap
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TODAY IN HISTORY: Carter G. Woodson and the Legacy of Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson, born in 1875 in New Canton, Virginia, faced many hardships during his childhood, working as a sharecropper, miner, and taking on various jobs to support his large family. Although he entered high school late, he quickly caught up and graduated in less than two years. He went on to attend Berea College in Kentucky, worked in the Philippines as an education superintendent for the U.S. government, and earned both his bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago. Woodson then entered Harvard University and, in 1912, became only the second African American to earn a doctorate from the institution, following W.E.B. Du Bois.
Inspired by Du Bois' ideas, Woodson recognized the lack of education regarding African American history among young Black people and the broader public in the early 20th century. He sought to address this gap by promoting Black history. To initially spread his message, Woodson turned to his fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, which helped launch Negro History and Literature Week in 1924. However, Woodson wanted to make a broader impact, and in February 1926, he officially established Negro History Week, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14), both of whom had made significant contributions to African American history.
As the initiative gained popularity, Woodson and his colleagues faced challenges in meeting the growing demand for educational materials and resources. The ASNLH (Association for the Study of Negro Life and History) formed branches across the country, with its national headquarters based in Woodson’s row house in Washington, D.C. The house also served as the home of Associated Publishers Press, which Woodson founded in 1921. Woodson authored over 20 books, including A Century of Negro Migration (1918), The History of the Negro Church (1921), The Negro in Our History (1922), and his most renowned work, The Mis-Education of the Negro (1933). His work as an educator included serving as a principal at the Armstrong Manual Training School in Washington, D.C., and as a dean at Howard University and the West Virginia Collegiate Institute.
Woodson's vision for Black history extended beyond a week of celebration. He believed the study of African American history should be a year-round endeavor. In the 1940s, efforts began to extend the celebration from one week to a longer period. This change gained traction, and by the 1950s, certain locations were already celebrating Black history for more than a week.
Woodson passed away in 1950, but his legacy lived on. As the civil rights and Black Power movements gained momentum in the 1960s, younger members of the ASNLH, which had later become the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, pushed for the expansion of the celebration to a month-long event.
In 1976, the 50th anniversary of the first Negro History Week, the ASNLH officially transitioned to Black History Month.
Since then, every U.S. president has issued a proclamation in honor of Black History Month. Gerald Ford, in 1976, was the first to do so, urging Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Ronald Reagan’s first proclamation further emphasized the importance of understanding African American history as central to the strength of the nation. In 2016, Barack Obama, the first Black president of the United States, issued his final proclamation in recognition of the 40th year of Black History Month. Reflecting on Woodson’s initiative, Obama noted the significance of the contributions of African Americans, stating, “Let us resolve to continue our march toward a day when every person knows the unalienable rights to life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness.”
Through his tireless efforts, Carter G. Woodson not only pioneered the celebration of African American history but also helped to cement its place in the nation’s collective consciousness. Today, Black History Month stands as one of the oldest organized celebrations of history in the United States, continuing to honor and reflect on the impact of Black Americans across all aspects of society.
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NATIONAL
President Donald Trump on Friday fired the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Air Force General C.Q. Brown, and announced he would replace five other high level positions in an unprecedented shake-up of U.S. military leadership.
The Pentagon said on Friday it would start firing about 5,400 civilian employees who were on probation, the first moves by President Donald Trump's administration at the department to make good on its promise to reduce the federal workforce.
A federal judge on Friday denied a request to block the Trump administration from placing over 2,000 U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID) workers on leave. This decision marked a setback for government employee unions that had filed a lawsuit, arguing that the move was an attempt to dismantle the foreign aid agency.
The U.S. Internal Revenue Service has restricted a key aide to tech billionaire Elon Musk from accessing individual taxpayer returns and other personal information, following a deal signed between the IRS and the Trump administration.
The top official at U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) under President Donald Trump has been reassigned, according to a senior Trump official and two other sources familiar with the situation. This comes as arrests and deportations have fallen short of expectations.
U.S. Senator Richard Blumenthal, a Democrat from Connecticut, on Friday raised concerns about whether the White House is considering firing Democratic members of the bipartisan Federal Trade Commission.
He warned that such an action would be illegal under current law and would undermine the FTC's independence. The Commission’s chairman, Andrew Ferguson, has previously argued that the president should be able to remove officials who do not support his agenda, though this is prohibited by law except in cases of corruption or neglect.
A potential slowdown in the Federal Reserve’s balance sheet drawdown, combined with Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent’s assurance that long-term debt hikes are not imminent, could offer temporary relief to bond markets amid ongoing fiscal concerns.
A U.S. judge extended an order on Friday blocking the Trump administration’s efforts to cut grant funding for scientific research. The decision could prevent devastating impacts on the budgets of thousands of universities and research institutions as the judge considers whether the National Institutes of Health’s new policy is unlawful.
Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass announced on Friday that she had removed Fire Chief Kristin Crowley following her handling of the January wildfires, which claimed more than two dozen lives and destroyed over 13,000 structures.
The Trump administration has released $5.3 billion in previously frozen foreign aid, primarily for security and counternarcotics programs, as outlined in a list of exemptions reviewed by Reuters. The release includes limited humanitarian aid.
Uber CEO Dara Khosrowshahi expressed support on Friday for President Donald Trump’s initiative to eliminate taxes on tips received by the company’s drivers.
Data from the Department of Government Efficiency regarding the headcount and total wages for the National Reconnaissance Office was posted online, despite being intended for internal use. An NRO spokesperson clarified on Friday that the data was not classified, but was never meant for public release.
During his appearance at the Conservative Political Action Conference (CPAC), Steve Bannon made a hand gesture that a far-right French leader linked to Nazi ideology. Following Bannon's salute, Jordan Bardella, president of France’s National Rally party, left the conference, with the party stating that Bardella had departed in protest.
A New York judge said on Friday that he would conduct further inquiries before ruling on the U.S. Department of Justice’s request to dismiss the corruption case against New York City Mayor Eric Adams. The judge also delayed the mayor’s criminal trial indefinitely.
President Donald Trump clashed with Maine Governor Janet Mills on Friday over transgender athletes participating in girls' and women’s sports. Trump threatened to withhold federal funds from the state if Mills did not align with his stance.
The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) reported a sharp increase in measles cases this year, with 93 cases as of Friday—up from just 14 the week prior. The outbreak is largely centered in Texas.
Data from the U.S. Department of Homeland Security reveals that President Donald Trump deported 37,660 people during his first month in office, far fewer than the monthly average of 57,000 deportations in the final year of Joe Biden’s administration.
The National Science Foundation (NSF) has reclassified hundreds of employees from permanent to probationary status, violating labor contracts, according to a U.S. lawmaker and an NSF employee.
U.S. consumer sentiment fell to a 15-month low in February, with inflation expectations rising as households grew worried that President Donald Trump’s proposed tariffs could significantly reduce their purchasing power.
Business activity in the U.S. nearly ground to a halt in February, with fears over tariffs on imports and major cuts in federal government spending reversing all gains made after President Donald Trump's election.
The U.S. government’s freeze on foreign aid has disrupted the supply chain for essential medical products, such as those for fighting HIV and malaria, in some of the world’s poorest countries. Experts warn that life-threatening gaps in medical supplies may persist for months.
The U.S. Justice Department is investigating UnitedHealth’s billing practices concerning Medicare, according to the Wall Street Journal. The health insurer stated that it was unaware of any new probe.
When astronaut Andreas Mogenson challenged Elon Musk’s claim that two NASA astronauts were abandoned on the International Space Station (ISS) for "political reasons," the SpaceX CEO responded with a barrage of insults.
Tesla announced a recall on Friday for 376,000 of its electric vehicles in the U.S. due to a malfunction in the power steering assist feature, which could make steering more difficult at low speeds, increasing the risk of accidents.
Elon Musk’s DOGE team has eliminated hundreds of jobs that were previously funded by fees from banks, medical companies, and other sources of funding, not taxpayer dollars. This raises questions about whether these cuts will lead to the hoped-for savings.
The lawyer for Luigi Mangione, who is accused of fatally shooting U.S. health insurance executive Brian Thompson in December, argued on Friday that her client was subjected to an illegal search during his arrest. She plans to seek the exclusion of the evidence gathered from this search in his trial.
Federal workers in critical areas, such as those managing the nation’s nuclear weapons, responding to bird flu outbreaks, and ensuring electricity supply, have been among those "accidentally laid off" in President Donald Trump’s rush to cut thousands of federal jobs.
The U.S. Senate passed a Republican-backed bill early Friday morning that promotes President Donald Trump’s immigration, energy, and defense policies. This bill differs from the version favored by Trump, which would have included trillions of dollars in tax cuts.
The Associated Press is suing three Trump administration officials after being barred from some White House events and spaces, citing a violation of First and Fifth Amendment rights.
FBI Director Kash Patel is directing 1,000 agents at headquarters to be deployed into the field, with an additional 500 employees required to relocate from Washington, D.C. to the FBI's facility in Huntsville, Alabama, according to current and former FBI officials who spoke to NBC News. The Hoover building, which houses the FBI’s headquarters, employs approximately 7,300 individuals, most of whom are non-agents.
GLOBAL
U.S. negotiators pressing Kyiv for access to Ukraine's critical minerals have raised the possibility of cutting the country's access to Elon Musk's vital Starlink satellite internet system, three sources familiar with the matter told Reuters.
President Vladimir Putin is calling for the country to partner with Elon Musk, according to Deputy CEO of Gazprombank Dmitry Zauers. The Russian Bank’s CEO says that Putin spoke to him about joining forces with Musk to advance the country’s technology development.
Germany's mainstream political parties lost support while the far-right AfD gained ground in one of the final polls before the election on Sunday, signaling likely challenges in coalition-building that could take months.
President Donald Trump signed a memorandum on Friday directing the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States to limit Chinese investments in strategic sectors.
During a recent lunch with his Japanese counterpart, President Donald Trump quickly shifted the conversation to discussing how Tokyo could assist in a long-standing proposal to unlock gas in Alaska and ship it to U.S. allies in Asia.
Thousands of people gathered in Bratislava and other Slovak cities on Friday, demanding the resignation of Prime Minister Robert Fico and continuing protests against a foreign policy they believe is bringing the country closer to Russia.
A newly-formed congressional task force focused on the Federal Reserve, led by a prominent committee head critical of the U.S. central bank’s monetary policy, has scheduled its first public hearing for early next month.
White House National Security Adviser Mike Waltz stated on Friday that he expects Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to sign a minerals agreement with the U.S. as part of efforts to end the Ukraine war. President Donald Trump added that "Kyiv has no cards to play with."
A member of the European Parliament, Mika Aaltola, claimed that the U.S. has given Europe three weeks to agree on Ukraine's surrender terms or risk a U.S. withdrawal from Europe. Aaltola suggested that Trump now prioritizes Russia’s security concerns and believes Europe should take responsibility for its own issues.
President Donald Trump will attend the 9th May Victory Parade in Moscow, according to French media outlet Le Point, citing its own sources.
Poland’s president is scheduled to meet with Donald Trump in Washington on Saturday. The meeting follows the Polish president’s call for Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy to maintain calm and constructive cooperation with the U.S. leader.
Peace talks this week between Russia and the U.S., aimed at ending three years of war in Ukraine, have not impressed Ukrainian troops on the front lines, who see no quick resolution to the conflict if Kyiv is excluded from the negotiations.
The Kremlin announced on Friday that there is mutual understanding of the need for a meeting between U.S. President Donald Trump and Russian President Vladimir Putin, although the details of such a meeting have not yet been finalized.
The European Union plans to secure more gas supplies from countries, including the U.S., to replace Russian sources, and to accelerate the expansion of renewable energy to reduce overall dependence on fossil fuels, as stated by the EU’s energy commissioner.
President Donald Trump’s administration is exerting pressure on Iraq to allow Kurdish oil exports to
resume or face sanctions alongside Iran, according to eight sources familiar with the matter.
U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent discussed policy issues with Chinese Vice Premier He Lifeng on Friday, urging Beijing to take stronger action to curb fentanyl trafficking and rebalance its economy, while also hearing concerns from He regarding Trump’s new tariffs.
Indian authorities are investigating "deeply troubling" information about U.S. government activities in India, following President Donald Trump’s suggestion that a U.S. agency had spent money attempting to influence Indian elections.
Northern Ireland First Minister Michelle O'Neill announced on Friday that she would not attend St. Patrick's Day events at the White House in protest over President Donald Trump’s position on Gaza.
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POSTS OF THE DAY
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MUST WATCH: Sir Alex Younger, head of MI6 between 2014 and 2020, sums up today's political situation
AOC: Medicaid is not for sale. NASA is not for sale. The Post Office is not for sale. America is not for sale. We have an obligation to resist kings. We outnumber the oligarchs. And they can be overwhelmed.
Q: Some members of congress in red districts are facing pushback in town halls. These voters say they are angry by these firings, they don’t like the work of Elon Musk
Trump: Who do you work for?
Q: ABC News
Trump: No wonder. I have today the highest poll numbers I have ever had.
Trump: Autism - now 1 in 34. Maybe it’s a spray we spray all over the place. Pennsylvania Dutch, they don't do anything and they are amazingly healthy.
Patel begins his speech after being sworn in as the FBI Director
Trump repeats Russian narratives across media platforms
Trump 's special envoy Steve Whitkoff said he spent a lot of time with Putin during his "great trip" to Moscow, "talking and developing a friendly relationship" with him.
ALTERNATIVE UNIVERSE: Rubio: DJT hopes Zelenskyy isn't trying to hustle the US
Musk suggests he wants to cut $500B from “entitlements” like Social Security and Medicare
Johnson: President has 300+ EOs, and we're going to codify so much that next team can't unwind it
U.S. and Ukraine Clash Over U.N. Resolution on Russia-Ukraine "Conflict"
The United States has proposed a draft U.N. resolution marking the third anniversary of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, sparking a conflict with Kyiv and European allies who are pushing for their own version. This comes amid tensions surrounding U.S. President Donald Trump's efforts to mediate a "peace settlement", which has caused friction with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and concerns among European nations about being excluded from peace talks.
The three-paragraph U.S. draft resolution, seen by Reuters, expresses sorrow over the loss of life during the "Russia-Ukraine conflict" and emphasizes the U.N.'s role in maintaining international peace. It states, "the principal purpose of the United Nations is to maintain international peace and security and to peacefully settle disputes." Furthermore, the U.S. resolution "implores a swift end to the conflict" and calls for a "lasting peace between Ukraine and Russia."
In contrast, Ukraine and the European Union have been negotiating their own draft resolution, which is set to be voted on by the General Assembly. This resolution emphasizes the urgency of ending the war by the end of the year and redoubling diplomatic efforts to achieve a "comprehensive, just and lasting peace in Ukraine." It also takes a subtler approach in criticizing Russia, referring to it only as "the aggressor."
Both resolutions are non-binding but carry political weight, with the U.N. General Assembly voting on them to reflect global opinion on the war. Unlike U.N. Security Council resolutions, General Assembly resolutions cannot be vetoed by any country. The Ukrainian and EU resolution specifically demands that Russia withdraw from Ukraine’s internationally recognized territory and halt hostilities, echoing previous resolutions passed by the Assembly.
In the first year of the war, the General Assembly adopted six resolutions condemning Russia and calling for its withdrawal from Ukraine, with one of the strongest votes in October 2022—143 countries supported the condemnation of Russia’s "attempted illegal annexation" of four Ukrainian regions.
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That's all from me for now. Thank you for reading. Have a wonderful weekend.
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