History of Black History Month

Miguelangel

Professor. Offert

DED-061

9 February 2016

                                                            History of Black history month.

Black history month as we all know is a month dedicated to the history and achievements of African Americans. But do you know when and how it become what it is today? Did you know that other than the United States, Canada and the United Kingdom also have a month dedicated to celebrating black history month? I hope that telling you of the origins of black history month will be insightful and interesting about a month which many celebrate in the U.S.

The month of black history month starts in September of 1915 which is fifty years after the thirteenth amendment stopped slavery in the United States. A Harvard historian named Carter G. Woodson and also a minister named Jesse E. Moorland both founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) an organization that dedicated to looking and also promoting achievements by black Americans and other people of African decant. The group sponsored a national Negro History week in 1926 which is the second week of February which line up with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Soon enough schools and communities were inspired to organize local celebrations, history clubs, performances and lectures. Decades past and mayors of cities across the U.S. started issuing yearly recognition to Negro History Week, by the 1960s in part to the Civil Rights Movement and growing awareness of black identity. Negro History Week became Black History Month on college campuses. In 1976 President at the time Gerald R. Ford officially recognized Black History Month saying “Seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishment of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” Since then, February has been Black History Month all over the U.S.

In conclusion, Black history month has been a pivotal role in our nation’s history because we have been able to learn the accomplishment of African Americans and how that changed our nation in a positive way and still changing it today. I told you when and how it has become what it is I hope knowing the origins of black history month gave you more information about something you didn’t maybe know about and also that it is a month in honoring the people that made this possible.  

                                                          Works Citied

History.com, Black History Month, A&E Television Networks, February 09,2016

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