Throughout the year, we have many months dedicated to bringing awareness to different groups, some for race, gender, or sexuality. February is Black History Month.
It all started in 1915 with the Black History founding father, Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was an African American historian who was also an educator, scholar, and publisher. He founded the Association for the Studying of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
The ASNLH (now known as the Association for the study of African American Life and History) is an organization used to recognize and spread awareness on the culture, accomplishments, and history of African Americans.
As president of the organization, Woodson instilled what was originally a week for learning and spreading awareness on African American history, which he called Negro History Week. He chose the second week of February because it was the birth week of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglas, two figures who helped free enslaved African Americans during the Antebellum period. In 1926 Negro History Week wasn’t recognized nationally, but starting in 1928 it did have a yearly theme, in 1928 it was Civilization: A world Achievement.
Although it wasn’t until 49 years later, in 1975, when President Ford released the message on the observance of Black History Week – still a week at that time and not a month. He encouraged Americans all over the country to participate in Black History Week.
Ford stated, “It is most appropriate that Americans set aside a week to recognize the important contribution made to our nation’s life and culture by our black citizens. With the growth of the civil rights movement has come a healthy awareness on the part of all of us of achievements that have too long been obscured and unsung. Emphasis on these achievements in our schools and colleges and in daily community life places in a timely perspective the benefits of working together as brothers and sisters regardless of race, religion or national origin for the general well-being of all our society.”
In the following year Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Week as an actual observable holiday. He told America to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
In 1975 the theme for Black History Week was, Fulfilling America’s Promise: Black History Month (even though it wasn’t seen as a month yet); but It wasn’t until the year after, in 1976 that Black History week was officially expanded into Black History Month. The 1976 theme was America for all Americans.
In 1976 President Ford also provided a “Message on the Observance of Black History Month” and in the years to come afterwards different Presidents spread the message to honor Black History Month. This year president Joe Biden’s Black history month message stated, “through this Black History Month and each day we feel the grace of God, let’s act. Let us act in light and truth and freedom. The power really is in our hands. It’s not hyperbole, it’s in our hands.”
Now almost 100 years later from its conception, we still celebrate Black History Month. The theme for 2024 is African Americans and the Arts. Hopefully, we will still celebrate Black History Month for many years to come.
