Black History Month is a month set aside to learn, honor, and
celebrate the achievements of black men and women throughout history. Since its
inception, Black History Month has always been celebrated in February. Find out
how Black History Month originated, why February was chosen, and what the
annual theme for Black History Month is for this year.
Origins of Black History Month
The origins of Black History Month can be traced back to a
man named Carter G. Woodson (1875-1950). Woodson, the son of former slaves, was
an amazing man in his own right. Since his family was too poor to send him to
school as a child, he taught himself the basics of a school education. At age
20, Woodson was finally able to attend high school, which he completed in just
two years.
He then went on to earn a bachelor's and master's degree from
the University of Chicago. In 1912, Woodson became only the second African
American to earn a doctorate from Harvard University (W.E.B. Du Bois was the
first). Woodson used his hard-earned education to teach. He taught both in
public schools and at Howard University.
Three years after earning his doctorate, Woodson made a trip
that had a great impact on him. In 1915, he traveled to Chicago to participate
in a three-week celebration of the 50th anniversary of the end of slavery. The
excitement and enthusiasm generated by the events inspired Woodson to continue
the study of black history year-round. Before leaving Chicago, Woodson and four
others created the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH)
on September 9, 1915. The following year, the ASNLH began publication of the Journal
of Negro History.
Woodson realized that most textbooks at the time ignored the
history and achievements of blacks. Thus, in addition to the journal, he wanted
to find a way to encourage interest and study of black history. In 1926,
Woodson promoted the idea of a "Negro History Week," which was to be
held during the second week of February. The idea caught on quickly and Negro
History Week was soon celebrated around the United States. With a high demand
for study materials, the ASNLH began to produce pictures, posters, and lesson
plans to help teachers bring Negro History Week into schools. In 1937, the
ASNLH also began producing the Negro History Bulletin, which focused on an
annual theme for Negro History Week.
In 1976, the 50th anniversary of the beginning of Negro
History Week and the bicentennial of the United States' independence, Black
History Week was expanded to Black History Month. Ever since then, Black
History Month has been celebrated in February around the country.
When Is Black History Month?
Woodson chose the second week of February to celebrate Negro
History Week because that week included the birthdays of two important men:
President Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14).
When Negro History Week turned into Black History Month in 1976, the
celebrations during the second week of February expanded to the entire month of
February.
What Is the Theme for This Year's Black History Month?
Since its inception in 1926, Negro History Week and Black
History Month have been given annual themes. The first annual theme was simply, "The
Negro in History," but since then the themes have grown more specific.
Here is a list of the most current and future themes for Black History Month.
2005 - The Niagara Movement: Black Protest Reborn,
1905-2005
2006 - Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black
Fraternal, Social, and Civic Institutions
2007 - From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas
2008 - Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of
Multiculturalism
2009 - The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas
2010 - The History of Black Economic Empowerment
2011 - African Americans and the Civil War
2012 - Black Women in American Culture and History
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