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Black History Month originated in 1926, founded by Carter G. Woodson and was created to celebrate achievements, births, important timelines, events and to remember those we lost.

February 2: This Day in Black History  was originally published on blackamericaweb.com

1. 1936: Actor Duane Jones was born on this day in New York City. He was the first African American to have a starring role in a mainstream horror film – Night of the Living Dead in 1968. Jones was a former English professor who directed at the Maguire Theater at the Old Westbury campus of New York State University, and he additionally served as artistic director at the Richard Allen Center in New York City. He died in 1988 from heart failure. He was only 52. (Photo: YouTube)

1936: Actor Duane Jones was born on this day in New York City. He was the first African American to have a starring role in a mainstream horror film – Night of the Living Dead in 1968. Jones was a former English professor who directed at the Maguire Theater at the Old Westbury campus of New York State University, and he additionally served as artistic director at the Richard Allen Center in New York City. He died in 1988 from heart failure. He was only 52. (Photo: YouTube)