Black History Is American History
Black History Month, celebrated each February, honors the historic achievements and enduring contributions of Black Americans to U.S. history. It is more than a reflection on the past— it is about a legacy of resilience, a present shaped by growth, and a future grounded in hope and change.
A Brief History of Black History Month
Origins in the United States
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“Negro History Week” (1926) — Founded by Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History.
- The second week of February was selected to honor the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14).
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Black History Month (1970) — Proposed by Black educators and students at Kent State University in February 1969.
- The first full month celebration took place at Kent State in 1970.
- National Recognition (1976) — President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month during the United States Bicentennial, encouraging Americans to honor Black accomplishments throughout history.
Countries That Celebrate Black History Month
- United Kingdom — Since October 1987
- Germany — Began in 1990
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Canada —
- City of Toronto: 1979
- Province of Ontario: 1993
- National recognition by Canada’s House of Commons: 1995
- Jamaica — First celebrated in the mid‑1990s
- Republic of Ireland — First observed in Cork, 2010
- France — First celebrated in Bordeaux, 2018
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Africa (Seven Countries) — 2020: Benin, Burkina Faso, Chad, Ivory Coast, Comoros, Senegal, and Cameroon
- African History Month began in 2021, celebrated each March
Start With Us
Experience Black history as a living legacy. Explore upcoming programs and events, discover Staff Picks for reads that celebrate Black American authors and stories, and visit our Black History Month webpage to download a helpful Resource Sheet for more information.
