The History of Black History Month
By: Sarah LaPorta
The month of February is officially recognized in the United States as Black History Month, a month dedicated to teaching the history of black people everywhere and remembering the important events and people therein. But where, when, and why did Black History Month start? The story of this time of learning goes a lot further back than you may think.
Initially, Black History Month only lasted one week. In 1926, Black historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History dedicated the second week of February as “Negro History Week.” The week in question was chosen because it coincided with both Abraham Lincoln’s birthday on February 12th and Frederick Douglass’ on the 14th. The event gradually grew in popularity, was heavily supported by Black-run newspapers, and was eventually recognized by several mayors in the United States as an official holiday.
The celebration didn’t become a month until 1969. Educators and students at Kent State University in Ohio first proposed the expansion of the event into a month. Six months later, Black History Month spread across the country and, in 1976, President Gerald Ford recognized it as an official commemorative month.
