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Every year, beginning on February 1, the United States celebrates Black History Month. The celebrations were rooted in a desire to teach people about the history of African Americans and the contributions of Black individuals and communities to the development and evolution of US history.
The origins of Black History Month are fascinating and provide great historical insight into the plight of African Americans, their incredible legacies, and their perseverance. Click on to find out more.
Black History Month is a month-long celebration that commemorates the achievements made by African Americans in American history.
In 1915, thousands of African Americans traveled across the country to Chicago to celebrate the 15th anniversary of emancipation (pictured is the signing).
Nearly half a century following the abolition of slavery, the history of Black History Month begins with the foundation of the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
Today, the organization is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). It's dedicated to promoting the achievements of African Americans and was founded by historian Carter G. Woodson (pictured) and minister Jesse E. Moorland.
Woodson encouraged his fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi to take up the task of promoting the achievements of Black intellectuals.
Speaking to a group of students at the Hampton Institute (pictured), Woodson shared: “We are going back to that beautiful history and it is going to inspire us to greater achievements.”
In 1926, the ASALH promoted a national Negro History Week. They chose the second week of February in recognition of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass’ birthdays.
Following Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, African American communities had often commemorated his birthday, and the same for Douglass.
It is important to note that although Woodson recognized the importance of these two individuals, he believed that history was “made by the people” rather than “simply or primarily of a great man.”
Woodson sought to promote the study of Black history and knowledge of the achievements of Black communities that had advanced the history of the country and the world.
This celebratory week established a number of events that organized local celebrations, performances, and important lectures, among other initiatives.
The 1920s marked the era of the “New Negro,” the name provided to describe the post-World War I generation, as Black consciousness began to grow and racial pride emerged more prominently in society.
This coincided with the growing Black middle class, which allowed for greater consumption, production, and dissemination of Black literature and culture.
This annual celebration spread across the country. Beginning with local initiatives, mayors began to recognize Negro History Week.
The demand for the celebration materials was massive. Every year, a theme was identified for the week and study materials were disseminated accordingly.
The market to promote the week grew extensively. Publishing houses suddenly gained interest in producing works on topics related to Black history. Woodson was rather critical of the commercialization that accompanied the growing interest.
Woodson’s view was not just to conduct these kinds of activities and education for a week in February, but rather, to foster an environment where students were constantly learning about Black history as part of their fundamental education.
In fact, Woodson believed that the contributions and historical importance of African American’s contributions were too important to be stuffed into just a single week. He began to discuss changing Negro History Week to Negro History Year.
His vision was starting to come to life. Particularly in areas with greater African American demographics, Black history began to expand in schools and in public celebrations.
In Southern states in particular, Black teachers would teach African American history in conjunction with American history, as part of an integration into the curriculum.
With the emergence of the civil rights movement, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month, particularly in colleges and universities across the country.
This shift began in West Virginia, spreading all across the country, making links with African history and international struggles, as well.
It was only in 1976 that Black History Month became nationally recognized by the government, specifically under President Gerald Ford (pictured).
Ford called on the American people to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Since Ford’s proclamation, every American president has institutionalized Black History Month as an annual celebration, further promoting the theme allocated for the year.
In 1986, the US Congress passed legislation (Public Law 99-224) that designated February as “National Black (Afro-American) History Month,” marking a “public and private salute” to Black History.
President Reagan issued Proclamation 5443 echoing the Congress’ decision and stated that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.”
Congress has continuously issued proclamations for Black History Month. In February 1996, the US Senate also issued a resolution (Resolution 229) to commemorate the month and acknowledge the contributions of Black American US Senators.
The theme for 2025 is Black Americans and labor, urging Americans to reflect on the labor that Black Americans have conducted in the nation, from enslavement to entrepreneurship, that has made the country what it is today.
Sources: (AP News) (History) (ASALH) (Library of Congress)
See also: Defining moments in Black history
The origins of Black History Month
February is Black History Month
LIFESTYLE February
Every year, beginning on February 1, the United States celebrates Black History Month. The celebrations were rooted in a desire to teach people about the history of African Americans and the contributions of Black individuals and communities to the development and evolution of US history.
The origins of Black History Month are fascinating and provide great historical insight into the plight of African Americans, their incredible legacies, and their perseverance. Click on to find out more.