Black History Month, also known as
African-American History Month
in America, is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and
the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the
history of the
African diaspora. It is celebrated annually in the United States
[1] and Canada
[2] in February and the United Kingdom
[3] in October.
History
Negro History Week (1926)
The precursor to Black History Month was created in 1926 in the United States, when historian
Carter G. Woodson and the
Association for the Study of Negro Life and History announced the second week of February to be "Negro History Week."
[1] This week was chosen because it marked the birthday of both
Abraham Lincoln and
Frederick Douglass.
[1]
From the event's initial phase, primary emphasis was placed on
encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of American blacks
in the nation's
public schools.
The first Negro History Week was met with a lukewarm response, gaining
the cooperation of the Departments of Education of the states of
North Carolina,
Delaware, and
West Virginia as well as the city school administrations of
Baltimore and
Washington, D.C..
[4]
Despite this far from universal acceptance, the event was nevertheless
regarded by Woodson as "one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by
the Association," and plans for a repeat of the event on an annual basis
continued apace.
[4]
At the time of Negro History Week's launch Woodson contended that the
teaching of black history was essential to ensure the physical and
intellectual survival of the race within broader society:
"If a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes
a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in
danger of being exterminated. The American Indian left no continuous record. He did not appreciate the value of tradition; and where is he today? The Hebrew keenly appreciated the value of tradition, as is attested by the Bible itself. In spite of worldwide persecution, therefore, he is a great factor in our civilization."[5]
By 1929
The Journal of Negro History was able to note that
with only two exceptions officials with the State Departments of
Educations of "every state with considerable Negro population" had made
the event known to that state's teachers and distributed official
literature associated with the event."
[6]
Churches also played a significant role in the distribution of
literature in association with Negro History Week during this initial
interval, with the pages of the mainstream and black press aiding in the
publicity effort.
[7]
Negro History Week was met with enthusiastic response; it prompted
the creation of black history clubs, an increase in interest among
teachers, and interest from progressive whites. Negro History Week grew
in popularity throughout the following decades, with mayors across the
United States endorsing it as a holiday.
[1]
Black History Month (1976)
The expansion of Black History Week to Black History Month was first proposed by the leaders of the Black United Students at
Kent State University in February 1969. The first celebration of the Black History Month took place at Kent State one year later, in February 1970.
[8]
In 1976 as part of the
United States Bicentennial,
the informal expansion of Negro History Week to Black History Month was
officially recognized by the U.S. government. President
Gerald Ford
spoke in regards to this, urging Americans to "seize the opportunity to
honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in
every area of endeavor throughout our history."
[9]
United Kingdom (1987)
Black History Month was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in
1987. This establishment of Black History Month is generally attributed
to the work of
Ghanaian analyst
Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, as well as the
Greater London Council.
[3]
Canada (1995)
In 1995, after a motion by politician
Jean Augustine, Canada's
House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month and honor
Black Canadians . In 2008, Senator
Donald Oliver moved to have the
Senate officially recognize Black History Month, which was unanimously approve
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