Every year since 1976 the presidency has designated the month of February as Black History Month. Black History Month recognizes the importance of not only acknowledging but celebrating African American achievements and bringing awareness to parts of Black history that are rarely discussed or taught in our education system.  

The origin of Black History Month as a permanent holiday is commonly attributed to Dr. Carter G. Woodson, one of the first African American historians and graduates of the University of Chicago. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History wanted to spearhead a week in which black history and achievements were celebrated. They chose the second week in February to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and former president Abraham Lincoln, who issued the Emancipation Proclamation. 

This push by Woodson was successful and “Negro History Week” was born in 1926. This laid the foundation for Black History Month to become what it is today. Woodson continued to advocate for Black history to be taught in schools not only during that week but all throughout the year. Soon this tradition spread, and led to one of the very first celebrations of February as Black History Month in West Virginia in the 1940s, where Dr. Woodson lectured. 

Each year Black History Month has a dedicated theme and focus. Last year’s theme was “Black Health and Wellness,” which celebrated the discoveries and contributions of Black medical health professionals. This year the theme is “Black Resistance,” which will focus on the efforts of the civil rights movement and the ways in which black individuals fought against oppression and continue to do so today.  

Though this is traditionally an American celebration, there are other countries that dedicate a month to Black history and they too have their own themes. For example, Canada also recognizes February as Black History Month. This year’s theme for Black History Month in Canada is “Ours to Tell,” which represents the opportunities to share stories about African Canadian heritage and history, and to keep an open ear and open mind to the individual and shared experiences of people from African descent.

Article by Sophia Meek