Each February, the nation commemorates Black History Month and celebrates the enduring contributions of African Americans throughout history.
This event serves as a poignant reminder of our common path and continued quest for racial justice.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) states that “African Americans have suffered from all forms of historical and ongoing oppression since our arrival on these shores, especially lynching, racial “We have resisted pogroms, police killings and other forms of racial terrorism.” statement.
Black History Month: A chance to think about underprivileged communities
“These efforts advocate dignified, self-determined lives within the United States and in just and democratic societies beyond U.S. political jurisdiction,” the association added.
Gain a deeper understanding of Black History Month through these 10 enlightening facts.
Martin Luther King Jr. delivers his “I Have a Dream” speech in Washington, D.C., August 28, 1963. (Getty Images)
1. The theme for Black History Month in 2024 is “African Americans and the Arts”
A different theme is chosen each year.
The theme for Black History Month in 2023 was “Black Resistance” outlined by ASALH, headquartered in Washington, D.C.
Previous themes have included Black health and wellness, family, immigration, and Black women in American culture and history.
2. Countries around the world celebrate Black History Month
In contrast to Canada, Black History Month spans October in the Netherlands, Ireland, and the United Kingdom.
While Britain initially focused on the history of black Americans, the focus has now shifted to celebrating the rich tapestry of black British history.
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3. National organizations sponsor Black History Month
Prominent sponsors of National Black History Month include the Smithsonian Institution, the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum, the Library of Congress, and the National Park Service.
These organizations host a variety of community-centered learning sessions, art gallery exhibits, and engaging talks from notable speakers.
4. According to statistics, in the United States, the black or African American population in 2022 was approximately 48 million. US Census Bureau
Black Americans make up just over 14% of the U.S. population, according to the Pew Research Center and the U.S. Census Bureau.
“When the U.S. Census Bureau began tracking educational attainment in 1940, only 7 percent of blacks had a high school education, compared to 24 percent nationally,” the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported.
In 2023, 8,607 people in the Black or African American community earned a bachelor’s degree or higher.
A participant waves a Black Lives Matter flag during a demonstration. (Stanton Sharpe/SOPA Images/LightRocket, Getty Images)
Black History Month honors the diverse experiences of individual African Americans, and celebrations can include collective recognition of community leaders, family legacies, stories that promote unity, and more. It happens often.
5. Carter G. Woodson is recognized as the founder of Black History Month
Carter G. Woodson was born in Virginia in 1875 to newly freed slaves.
He then earned a doctorate in history from Harvard University.
As Fox 10 noted, Woodson was concerned that black children were not being taught about the accomplishments of their ancestors in American schools in the early 1900s.
Black history is American history
6. Black History Week has been changed to what is now known as Black History Month
In February 1969, a group of black activist students and teachers at Kent State University held the first celebration of Black History Month.
Within a decade, Black social and cultural institutions across the country were celebrating the month, and by 1976, President Ford officially recognized the month.
7. February was chosen as Black History Month because it included the birthdays of Presidents Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.
Fox 10 also reported that President Lincoln was born on February 12th, and Frederick Douglass, a former slave who did not know his exact birthday, celebrated his birthday on February 14th.
8. ASALH has celebrated Black History Week and Black History Month for 98 years.
Woodson, along with the association, announced in 1926 that the achievements of black Americans would be commemorated during the second week of February.
Initially, prominent black leaders and newspapers supported the idea, and several educational centers along the East Coast observed monthly celebrations.
9. President Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976.
As History.com noted, President Ford called on Americans to “seize the opportunity to celebrate the accomplishments of Black Americans, who have been far too neglected in every field of endeavor throughout history.”
10. President Obama sends message for Black History Month, 40 years after Ford recognized it.
“Black History Month should not be treated as if it were somehow separate from our collective American history, or simply a compilation of hits from the March on Washington and sports heroes. It shouldn’t be treated as if it were something like… It’s about people lived and shared. It’s the experience of all African Americans.”
Former President Obama speaks at a rally. (Bill Priano/Getty Images)
11. Canada commemorates Black History Month in February
Although Black Canadians make up approximately 4.3% of the country’s total population, community leaders and activists still celebrate the historic achievements of the Black community.
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Canadian politicians Jean Augustine and Donald Oliver were instrumental in getting Black History Month officially recognized in the country in 2008.
12. Woodson believed in 1926 that the teaching of black history was the key to the physical and intellectual survival of the race.
As reported in the Journal of Negro History, Woodson said, in part, “When a race has no history and no worthy traditions, it becomes a negligible element in world thought and is in danger of extinction.” he said.
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Phillip Nieto contributed reporting.
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