Happy Texas Independence Day! Texas Independence Day is the celebration of the adoption of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. With this document signed by 59 delegates, settlers in Mexican Texas officially declared independence from Mexico and created the Republic of Texas. (fb)

Welcome to our first feature for Black History Month! Gwen Ifill was born in NYC. Her father hailed from Panama and her mother from Barbados. Ifill grew up all over New England as part of her father's ministry and graduated from Simmons College. Afterward, she began her career as a journalist for the Boston-Herald American in 1977. As a history maker, Ifill would be the first black woman to host a national U.S. public affairs broadcast ('99) and to moderate a vice presidential debate ('04). Gwen Ifill would be praised her entire career for her journalistic integrity as she covered politics, as she was able to remain fair across the board in her criticism and analysis. We recommend reading her New York Times Best Selling book, The Breakthrough: Politics and Race in the Age of Obama, a stunning political analysis of the mid to late aughts and the initial impact of Obama's election. We salute Gwen Ifill's legacy as an afro-Latina in journalism, her integrity, thoroughness, and her time as a leading voice in public affairs coverage. #blackhistorymonth #mesdelahistorianegra #afrolatinxhistory #latinos (fb)