The Origins of Black History Month

It’s February, and here at Guide to H.R., we are ecstatic to celebrate Black History Month and spread awareness! Black people have been overlooked and underacknowledged for their tremendous efforts and contributions to the United States for decades. Their plight and history of being in this country must be shared and remembered. We are honored to partake in this conversation by spreading awareness. We will start by taking a brief trip down memory lane and discuss the origins of Black History Month.

The Origins of Black History Month

Black History Month is an annual celebration of the achievements of Black Americans. This month is also used to recognize their essential role in building the foundations of U.S. history. Black History Month was birthed out of “Negro History Week,” started by historian, author, and journalist Carter G. Woodson and prominent leader Minister Jesse E. Moorland.

Woodson and Mooreland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), an organization that researches and promotes African Americans’ accomplishments. Today it is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), and it continues to do the work Mooreland and Woodson set forth.

The birth of Negro History Month began to formulate after Woodson attended the Lincoln Jubilee event, the summer-long 50th-anniversary celebration of the emancipation from slavery held in Bronzeville, Chicago, in 1915. Woodson was so captivated by the celebration of Black heritage and culture. It motivated him to create an event that emphasized their history.

In 1926, the ASALH chose the second week of February to sponsor the first Negro History Week (NHW). The second week of February was chosen because it coincided with Frederick Douglass’ birthday (February 14th) and Abraham Lincoln’s birthday (February 12th), which the Black community celebrated both days since the late 19th century.

The celebration of Negro History Week inspired schools, teachers, and others nationwide to organize local events to celebrate Black American achievements. It also inspired the establishment of history clubs, performances, lectures, and more.

Community Response

With emphasis placed on Black history, Woodson sought support from American public schools to coordinate the teaching of African American history. He gained support from the North Carolina, Delaware, and West Virginia Departments of Education. Baltimore, New York City, Philadelphia, and Washington, D.C. city school administrations also supported teaching Black history in schools. Despite gaining little response and support from other school districts, Carter G. Woodson was motivated to continue Negro History Week annually. He regarded the success as “one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by the Association.”

The Origins of Black History Month

Because a Week is Just Not Enough

Over the decades following the launch of Negro History Week, this event grew and gained more recognition nationwide. City mayors across the U.S. began issuing annual proclamations to recognize NHW, and due to the Civil Rights Movement and the spread of Black Pride, NHW evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month. He called on the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Today, we continue to celebrate and spread awareness of Black Americans’ “often neglected” and overlooked contributions. Their history is our history, and we will observe this year’s Black History Month theme, Black Resistance, by shedding light on prominent figures who have changed the United States for the better.

Join us for the remainder of this month and throughout the rest of this year as we continue to shed light on the astonishing accomplishments of the Black community and how it relates to the workplace.

Happy Black History Month!

The Origins of Black History Month