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It has been nearly 45 years sincePresident Gerald Ford officially declared February the month in which we celebrate the achievements ofSignificant black figures In American history. But why exactly February chosen as a month of black history? The answer to this goes back to 1926 when the historianCarter G. WoodsonCampaign for a holiday in honor of two instrumental figuresThe fight to put an end to slavery.

Woodson, a twentieth century seminal scholar in African-American studies, was inspired to start an official commemoration of black history after attending a national celebration for the 13th Anniversary of the 13th Amendment, according toBritannica Encyclopedia. As a result, he co-founded theAssociation for the study of the life and history of Negro-On the association for the study of African-American life and history (Asalh) - Encourage people to engage with black history, which has long been neglected by universities and schools. Inspired by the message of the Asalh, in 1924, the fraternity of the College Woodson, Omega Psi Phi, introduced the week of the history and literature of Negro, who drove Woodson to launch the week of the story of Negro February 12, 1926, according to theAmerican census office.

But why did Woodson choose the second week of February to celebrate the history of the Black? Well, it coincides with the two-figures anniversaries that were pivotes with abolitionism:Abraham Lincoln February 12 andFrederick Douglass' February 14th. According to Howard University ProfessorDaryl Michael Scott ofAsalth"Since the assassination of Lincoln in 1865, the black community, as well as other Republicans, celebrated the anniversary of the fallen president. And since the late 1890s, the black communities across the country celebrated Douglass". "

February also holds other events of black historic value, such as the birth of the Leader of Civil RightsTHE WEB. Dubois (23 February) and the ratification of the 15th amendment, which gave the blacks the right to vote on February 3, 1870.

At the beginning of the 20th century, like thecivil rights movement Started to spread in churches and schools in the United States that had an important black population, blacks have begun to organize local celebrations to honor some of these days, to welcome representations and conferences, and even The creation of history clubs. Soon, mayors in various cities began to approve Black History Week as a formal vacation. And in Syracuse, progressive whites also joined the celebrations, according to Asalh.

Then the height of the civil rights movement in the 1960s helped the week of black history evolve from seven days to every one month, with Chicago being one of the first cities to celebrate the month of the history of blacks In the mid-1960s, thanks to the cultural activistFIDEE H. HAMMURABI. And in February 1969, the leaders of the United Kingdom students toKent State University,CARL GREGORY andWhite Dwayne, also proposed to expand the week of Black History at the month of Black History, which came into effect the following year.

Six years later, on February 10, 1976, President Ford brought the month of black history at the national level with thenext statement:

In the bicentennial year of our independence, we can review with admiration the impressive contributions of black Americans to our national life and our culture.

A hundred years ago, to help highlight these achievements, Mr. Carter G. Woodson founded the association for the study of African-American life and history. We are grateful to him today for his initiative and we are richer for the work of his organization.

Freedom and recognition of individual rights are what our revolution was everything. These are ideals that inspired our fight for independence: ideals that we strive to live since. However, it took many years before the ideals became a reality for black citizens.

The last quarter was finally witnessing significant progress in the total integration of blacks in all areas of national life. By celebrating the month of the history of black, we can assume the satisfaction of this recent progress in the realization of the ideals envisaged by our founding fathers. But, even more than that, we can seize the opportunity to honor too often neglected achievements of black Americans in all areas of our story throughout our history.

I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to the month of black history and the message of courage and perseverance that it brings us to all.

Since 1976, theAsalthDesigned a specific theme at the month of the history of the year. In 2017, the theme was "the crisis in black education"; In 2018, "African-Americans in war"; In 2019, "black migrations"; And this year, it's "African-Americans and vote, since 2020 marks the centenary of the 19th amendment and the culmination of the women's suffrage movement.