What is Black History Month all about?
How did it start?
Why is it in February?
If you are curious, read on...
Black History Month, also known as "National African American History Month," is in February and celebrates the contributions that African Americans have made to American history in their struggles for freedom and equality and deepens our understanding of our Nation's history.
Black History Month had its origins in 1915 when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (“ASALH”). Through this organization, Dr. Woodson initiated the first Negro History Week in February 1926. Dr. Woodson selected the week in February that included Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass's birthdays, two key figures in the history of African Americans.
In 1975, President Ford issued a Message on Black History Week's Observance urging all Americans to "recognize the important contribution made to our nation's life and culture by black citizens." In 1976 this commemoration of black history in the United States was expanded by ASALH to Black History Month, also known as African American History Month. President Ford issued the first Message on the Observance of Black History Month that year. In subsequent years, Presidents Carter and Reagan continued to issue Messages honoring African American History Month.
In 1986 Congress passed Public Law 99-244, which designated February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month.” This law noted that February 1, 1986, would “mark the beginning of the sixtieth annual public and private salute to Black History.” The law further called upon to President to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe February 1986 as Black History Month with the appropriate ceremonies and activities. President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5443, which proclaimed that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.” This proclamation stated further that this month was a time “to celebrate the many achievements of African Americans in every field from science and the arts to politics and religion."
In January 1996, President Clinton issued Presidential Proclamation 6863 for “National African American History Month." The proclamation emphasized the theme for that year, the achievements of black women from Sojourner Truth to Mary McLeod Bethune and Toni Morrison. In February 1996, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 229 commemorating Black History Month and African American U.S. senators' contributions.
Since 1996, the Presidents have issued annual proclamations for 'National African American History Month.' "
For a full list of laws and presidential proclamations related to Black History Month, visit the Library of Congress's overview of the topic, which is the source for the information above.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History sets the annual theme for Black History Month. This year's theme is African Americans and the Civil War. Find out more at the ASALH website.
Dr. Carter G. Woodson, founder of Negro History Week, the Journal of Negro History, (now the Journal of African American History) and the the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now called the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History.)
