Black History Month is more than a celebration, it’s a reminder of all the stories that present the resilience, innovation, and courage people of color had throughout the years. They are not just part of the past but continue to shape our present and future. Black History Month is celebrated from February 1st- March 1st, but the respect one has for any human being should be every day and any day of the year.
This celebration for African Americans first started in 1926, almost a century after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States. When Historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Month, which was initially called “Negro History Week,” marking the first time a dedicated period to celebrate and educate about African American history and culture. But the first recorded celebration of Black History Month to
ok place in February 1970 at Kent State University, after black educators and the Black United Students proposed a celebration in February 1969. This time is now considered the origin of Black History Month as we know it today.
Black History Month is celebrated in February because it lands on the two birthdays of significant figures in the fight against slavery: Abraham Lincoln, the US President who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and Frederick Douglass, an important abolitionist. They both were born in February and that’s the key reason historian Carter G. Woodson chose to highlight Black history this month.
After the death of George Floyd, Black History Month gained significantly more widespread attention and was often discussed in the context of larger racial issues, leading to this month being more respected and celebrated. After the events surrounding his murder in 2020; essentially, the national conversation around race issues intensified, making Black History Month a more serious topic of discussion and action.
While Black History Month is primarily celebrated in the United States, it is also recognized in several other countries like Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Germany, and the Netherlands, though the month observed may differ, with the UK, Ireland, and the Netherlands celebrating it in October, while the US and Canada celebrate in February.
No matter where you are or where you’re from you should always respect others with the respect you wish to receive. Black History Month will remain an important celebration of African American history and culture. Although we cannot erase the hardships of the past we can become better and understand our wrongs by constantly learning. So remember to be kind to everybody.
