Why Do We Celebrate Black History Month?

Written by: Keya Gambhir

Black History Month is celebrated every February in the United States to honor black people who have made important contributions to society. Let’s dive in and learn about this important celebration!

Origins

Carter G. Woodson, a historian, helped start the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History in 1915 because there wasn't enough information out there about what Black people had done. In 1926, the group named the second week of February "Negro History Week" to honor the history-making work of African Americans in the United States. He chose the week because Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass, two important figures in the civil rights movement, had birthdays during that week.

President Gerald Ford changed the event from a week to a month in 1976 to further honor the accomplishments of black people, and ever since then, the month of February has been celebrated as Black History Month.

Celebration Today

Today, this celebration honors the legacy of Black Americans, such as civil rights activists Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, Marcus Garvey, Martin Luther King Jr., Malcolm X, Rosa Parks, and more. 

Every year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History comes out with a theme for the month, and Carter G. Woodson started this tradition. This year, the theme is African Americans and Labor, focusing on how Black people worked in industry and the community to help build the country.

Why is it Important?

Black History Month is important because it gives us a chance to learn about and appreciate the contributions of Black people to society. It helps us recognize the importance of equality and respect encouraging us to celebrate the diverse cultures and backgrounds that make our world special. By learning about Black history, we can better understand each other and work together to build a more inclusive and fair world.

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