How would you feel if your community was given a time dedicated to celebrating and recognizing achievements and breakthroughs?

With the month of January coming to a close, we look towards February. Beginning the month of February, we celebrate Black History Month. This time is spent on achievements made by African Americans and the roles they played in U.S History. This includes great inventions, people, and movements.

As each year passes, Black History Month is celebrated with an overall theme. This year’s theme is Black Health and Wellness. Under this theme, we open a world of recognition for the legacy of Black scholars, medical professionals, and more.

The origins of Black History Month date back to 1915, when Historian Carter G. Woodson and Minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, which is known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History today.

Woodson picked February, due to the birthdays of former president, Abraham Lincoln, and abolitionist Fredrick Duglass. Wanting to not only honor their birthdays, which were hugely celebrated in the Black community but to also further grow the celebration and recognition onto others.

Thus prompting the association to sponsor, national Negro History Week in Feb. of 1926. Thus gaining even more attention from communities and schools to organize their own local celebrations. These celebrations include forming clubs and hosting lectures and performances.

As years passed, the celebrations gained more recognition in major cities across the nation. This prompted the yearly proclamation for Negro History Week to be made in the major cities, and by the 1960s colleges evolved the week-long celebration into a month long celebration.

It wasn’t until 1976 that Black History Month was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford.

U.S Presidents now choose a theme for Black History month every year. These celebrations are also recognized by other countries around the world who dedicate time to celebrate.