President Donald Trump celebrated Black History Month on Tuesday by highlighting the achievements of African Americans’ service in the military.
This year’s theme, “African Americans in Times of War,” marks the 100th anniversary of the World War I armistice.
During his proclamation in recognition of Black History Month, Trump highlighted the service of Black men and women in all of the country’s wars, from the American Revolution to present day.
In pledging to make real the vision of “every American patriot” who fought and sacrificed for freedom, Trump aligned their efforts with civil rights pioneers as Frederick Douglass, Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, Rosa Parks and Martin Luther King Jr.
“For far too long, African Americans bravely fought and died in the name of freedom, while at the same time struggling to attain equality, respect, and the full privileges of citizenship,” Trump wrote in his proclamation. “Because of their love of country, these heroes insisted on serving and defending America despite racial prejudice, unequal treatment, diminished opportunities and segregation.”
Trump, who was joined by first lady Melania Trump for the East Room gathering, also touted low unemployment rates for African Americans.