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Month-long celebration -

Black History Month is a month-long celebration that commemorates the achievements made by African Americans in American history.

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Emancipation anniversary -

In 1915, thousands of African Americans traveled across the country to Chicago to celebrate the 15^th anniversary of emancipation (pictured is the signing).

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Association for the Study of Negro Life and History -

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).

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Association for the Study of African American Life and History -

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.

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Omega Psi Phi -

Woodson encouraged his fraternity brothers of Omega Psi Phi to take up the task of promoting the achievements of Black intellectuals.

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Hampton Institute -

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.” 

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Negro History week -

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.

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Yearly commemorations -

Following Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, African American communities had often commemorated his birthday, and the same for Douglass.

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Made by the people -

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.”

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History and achievements -

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.

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Local celebration -

This celebratory week established a number of events that organized local celebrations, performances, and important lectures, among other initiatives.

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New Negro -

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.

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Growing middle class -

This coincided with the growing Black middle class, which allowed for greater consumption, production, and dissemination of Black literature and culture.

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Annual celebrations -

This annual celebration spread across the country. Beginning with local initiatives, mayors began to recognize Negro History Week.

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Theme identified -

The demand for the celebration materials was massive. Every year, a theme was identified for the week and study materials were disseminated accordingly.

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Commercialization -

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.

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Environment of constant learning -

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.

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Contributions -

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.

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His vision -

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.

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American history -

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.

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Civil rights movement -

With the emergence of the civil rights movement, Negro History Week evolved into Black History Month, particularly in colleges and universities across the country.

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Spreading across the country -

This shift began in West Virginia, spreading all across the country, making links with African history and international struggles, as well.

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Gerald Ford -

It was only in 1976 that Black History Month became nationally recognized by the government, specifically under President Gerald Ford (pictured).

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Seize the opportunity -

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.”

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Every president has institutionalized the celebration -

Since Ford’s proclamation, every American president has institutionalized Black History Month as an annual celebration, further promoting the theme allocated for the year.

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US Congress -

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.

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Reagan's proclamation -

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.”

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Commemorations and contributions -

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.

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Theme for 2025 -

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

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