February is observed as Black History Month across the United States and Canada.
The days leading to March will recognize and honor all the sacrifices and achievements of the American African community.
Over the years, people across different countries, including Ireland and the United Kingdom, are observing Black History Month. It is celebrated in February for a specific reason.
A look at when Black History Month began
Thanks to American historian Carter G. Woodson and his efforts with his college fraternity, Omega Psi Phi, February became pivotal to the celebration of Black history.
After years of experience in the field of African American studies, Carter and Omega introduced the Black History and Literature Week in 1924.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History launched Black History Week in February 1926.
Some communities had started to observe February as Black History Month as early as in 1940.
However, the association started by Carter officially declared February as Black History Month in 1976 after it had gained momentum.
The reason why February was chosen to celebrate Black History
There was a reason why February was dedicated to Black History Month.
Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglas were born on February 12 and February 14 respectively.
Former President Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation on January 1, 1863, thus declaring all “persons held as slaves” should be freed.
Frederick, on the other hand, was honored for his role in the abolitionist movement in Massachusetts, New York, in the 1880s.
By transforming February into Black History Month, Carter recognized the contribution of several other leaders and also used the same to expand knowledge about the community’s past.
Carter G. Woodson is the father of Black History
The renowned author, journalist and historian, Carter, is called the “Father of Black history.”
He was among the first few to study American diaspora and African American history.
Carter devoted his life to studying the history of African Americans and during the course of his career, he accumulated thousands of artefacts and publications.
He died at the age of 74 in 1950.
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