Wednesday, May 8, 2024
As we are in the midst of February, which is Black History Month, also referred to as African-American History month, it needs be recognized and remembered that there were those who paved or have helped pave the way and sacrificed so much to change the direction of our country as we pay homage to African Americans of the past.
Black History Month is observed in the month of February in the United States and Canada, but in the Republic of Ireland, and the United Kingdom, Black History is observed in October.
The month of recognition began as a way of remembering important people and events, as well as paying tribute to the generations of African Americans who struggled with adversity.
In the United States, it all dates back to 1925 when Harvard-educated historian, Carter G. Woodson, who was African American, began to raise awareness for the African-American contributions to civilization as he founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH).
After bringing awareness, Woodson announced the second week in February to be “Negro History Week.”
One of the reasons this week was chosen is because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) and the birthday of Frederick Douglas (Feb. 14), both of whom were historically essential in the advancement of African Americans.
After its conception, the event first took place in February of 1926.
Woodson strived to give recognition and encourage teaching the importance of African-American history and contended it was essential to ensure the physical and intellectual survival of the race within broader society.
Woodson died on April 3, 1950 and, by that time, Negro History Week had become a central part of the African-American life, and progress had been made in bringing more Americans to appreciate the celebration.
Cities nationwide began to issue proclamations noting the celebratory week.
During the 1960s, what was referred to as the “Black Awakening” expanded consciousness of African Americans about the importance of black history, and the Civil Rights Movement focused Americans of all races on the subject of the contributions of the African Americans to our history and culture.
During the nation’s bicentennial year of 1976, the celebration was extended to a month, which also marked 50 years since the inception by Woodson.
The President of the United States at that time, Gerald Ford, encouraged all Americans to seize the opportunity to honor the “too-often neglected” accomplishments of Black Americans in every endeavor throughout the history of the country.
Although it began in the United States in 1926, it wasn’t until 1987 when the United Kingdom first celebrated Black History Month during the month of October. Canada then followed in 1995 when the Canadian House of Commons recognized February as Black History Month. It wasn’t until October of 2010 that the Republic of Ireland also adopted a month.
The United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and the Republic of Ireland are the only four countries in the world that officially honor Black history and culture.
