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Did you know that the month of February is observed as African American History Month? 

For the whole month of February, African Americans are remembered for their achievements. Also known as Black History Month, it’s an annual celebration of achievements of African Americans. It’s a time for recognizing their central role in United States history. Originating in the United States, but other countries including Canada and the United Kingdom also devote a month to celebrating Black History. 

Black History Month began in 1915. A half century after the Thirteenth Amendment. In September 1915, the Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson and the minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This group is an organization dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by Black Americans and other African descent. It’s now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926, choosing the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. 

Years following, mayors of cities across the country began issuing yearly proclamations recognizing, “Negro History Week.” By the late 1960s, thanks to the civil rights movement, “Negro History Week” had evolved to Black History Month. College students helped a lot with the establishment of Black History Month. Black students protested for Black History Month. In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History month. Since President Ford’s recognition, every United States president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month.

Nowadays, African American History Month or Black History Month is a time to honor the contributions and legacy of African Americans across the United States history and society. Such leaders as Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr, Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks.