Historical & Current Events dictionary
Black History Month
or African American History Month [ blak his-tuh-ree muhnth ]
What is Black History Month?
Black History Month is a month-long observance devoted to education about the history of Black people and the celebration of their contributions to history.
The setting aside of a month to recognize Black history is based on the idea that it is important to give special attention to such stories because they are often erased, excluded, or ignored due to racism and the teaching of history in a way that has been historically dominated by a focus on white culture.
Black History Month originated in the US, where it focuses on the role of Black people in US history. It is also celebrated in other countries, such as Canada and the UK, with the focus on the role of Black people in the particular nation’s history.
When is Black History Month?
In the US and Canada, Black History Month takes place in February. In the UK and Ireland, it takes place in October.
Where does Black History Month come from?
February was officially declared as Black History Month in the US on a national level in 1976. The origins of the month can be traced to the establishment of Negro History Week, which was first observed in February 1926. The week was launched by African American scholar and Black Studies pioneer Carter G. Woodson and the organization he co-founded (now called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History).
Why is February Black History Month?
The second week of February was chosen because it coincided with the birthdays of African American abolitionist and author Frederick Douglass (on February 14) and president Abraham Lincoln (on February 12), who was instrumental in the dismantling of slavery in the US.
The week’s focus on education involving the role of Black people in US history was initially incorporated by a few schools and then began to grow in popularity in the African American community. By the 1960s, Black History Month was being observed at many colleges and universities. It now is recognized and promoted by schools, government agencies, businesses, and other organizations.
The observance of Black History Month is not intended to indicate that Black history only deserves attention for a single month. Instead, it is often thought to emphasize that Black history is a central part of the nation’s history—despite often being ignored or erased.
This increased focus on the history and contributions of marginalized groups has led to the creation of other month-long observances, such as Women’s History Month (in March) and Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (in May).
Examples of Black History Month
More information and context on Black History Month
Did you know … ?
- Each year, Black History Month is given a theme. “Black Health and Wellness” was the theme chosen for 2022.
- Black History Month was first observed in the UK in 1987.
- Many organizations offer resources for educating students and the public about Black history not just during Black History Month but throughout the entire year.
What are other words used in discussion of Black History Month?
Note
This is not meant to be a formal definition of Black History Month like most terms we define on Dictionary.com, but is rather an informal word summary that hopefully touches upon the key aspects of the meaning and usage of Black History Month that will help our users expand their word mastery.