Black History Month Overview

February is the second month of the year. Also, for the Black History Month. Why must it be in February, not in another month? Black History Month's first iteration was Negro History Week, created in February 1926 by Carter G. Woodson, known as the "father of Black history." This black history month is also known as African-American History Month. February was chosen by Woodson for the week-long observance as it coincides with the birthdates of both former US President Abraham Lincoln and social reformer Frederick Douglass. Both men played a significant role in helping to end slavery.

Firstly, before this name, as we might familiar, Carter announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week" in 1926. Black History Month was first proposed by Black educators and the Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of Black History Month took place at Kent State a year later, from January 2 to February 28, 1970. In the United Kingdom, Black History Month was first celebrated in October 1987. In Berlin in 1990, members of the Black German community began observing Black History Month, and these celebrations spread to other German cities. In 1995, after a motion by politician Jean Augustine, representing the riding of Etobicoke—Lakeshore in Ontario, Canada's House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month and honored Black Canadians. Ireland's Great Hunger Institute, at Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, notes: "Black History Month Ireland was initiated in Cork in 2010.

Initially, Black History Month was a way of teaching students and young people about Black and African-Americans' contributions. Such stories had been largely forgotten and were a neglected part of the national narrative. Now, it's seen as a celebration of those who've impacted not just the country but the world with their activism and achievements. In the US, the month-long spotlight during February is an opportunity for people to engage with Black histories, go beyond discussions of racism and slavery, and highlight Black leaders and accomplishments.

By celebrating this event, we can be beyond the history books. It really helps us to understand each other and our knowledge expands diversity. Celebrating diversity and recognizing its beauty brings us together. It helps us to learn about people from different cultures and backgrounds, and to understand how we are all connected. And finding this connection unites us. Mostly this event was celebrated in February in the United States and Canada while in Ireland, and the United Kingdom it is observed in October.

Work Cited

News, A. B. C. “The Importance of Black History and Why It Should Be Celebrated beyond February.” ABC News, abcnews.go.com/US/importance-black-history-celebrated-february/story?id=68618746.

“Black History Month: What Is It and Why Do We Need It?” World Economic Forum, www.weforum.org/agenda/2022/01/black-history-month-what-is-it-and-why-do-we-need-it/.

‌