Black History Month is an entire month devoted to putting a spotlight on African Americans who have made contributions to our country. Originally, it was seen as a way of teaching students and young people about the contributions of Black and African American individuals in school, as they were (and still are) often forgotten or left out of the narrative of the growth of America. Now, it is seen as a celebration of those who’ve impacted not just the country, but the world with their activism and achievements.
On the 100th year of observing Black History Month, here’s what you should know about the century-old tradition.
Who came up with Black History Month?
In 1915, Harvard historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded what is today known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History in order to bring awareness to the African American people who had made contributions to society, but had been forgotten or left out of the narrative.
In 1926, the men were looking for a way to make those previously unsung contributions of African Americans known to the public. And so began Negro History Week. Before Black History Month was the entirety of February, it was only celebrated for one week. It wasn’t until the 1960s that colleges and universities began to expand the recognition of African American history to the full month.
It was made a national holiday in 1976, when President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month, and it became the month-long celebration that we know today.
Now, the holiday has evolved, with organizations like Black Lives Matter looking toward the future of Black Americans and celebrating Black Future Month in conjunction with Black History Month.
Who fought for Black History Month?
The fight for Black History month was not so much a fight as it was a movement. Led by Woodson, the son of former slaves and second American American to earn a doctorate from Harvard, the movement began as one week and quickly spread throughout university and schools until it became an entire month. Woodson established the Journal of Negro History in 1916 and the Negro History Bulletin in 1937 as a means of giving Black scholars a place to publish their research and findings.
Why is Black History Month celebrated in February?
The month of February was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of two men in particular, Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass. Lincoln was born on February 12, 1809, and Douglass, whose true date of birth is unknown, celebrated his birthday on February 14. Both men were widely celebrated by the black communities at the start of Negro History Week in 1926. According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, “Woodson built Negro History Week around traditional days of commemorating the black past. He was asking the public to extend their study of black history, not to create a new tradition. In doing so, he increased his chances for success.”
What is the theme of Black History Month 2026?
Every year, a theme is chosen by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History. This year, the theme is A Century of Black History Commemorations, in honor of 100 years since Woodson initiated the week-long observance of Black History Month. The milestone also coincides with another significant public observance: the 250th anniversary of the United States.
“To understand the modern world, especially nations where Black peoples form a significant population, one must grapple with the impact that the public observances have had on the past and the present,” writes the ASAALH. “We have never had more need to examine the role of Black History Month than we do when forces weary of democracy seek to use legislative means and book bans to excise Black history from America’s schools and public culture.”
Do other countries celebrate Black History Month?
Though the practice of celebrating Black History Month originated in America, other countries have since started celebrating. In Canada, they celebrate in the month of February as well. Meanwhile, in European countries that observe the holiday, such as the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and Ireland, the government has designated the month of October as Black History Month.
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