Black History Month (2024)

FAQs

Black History Month? ›

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

Black History Month was created to focus attention on the contributions of African Americans to the United States. It honors all Black people from all periods of U.S. history, from the enslaved people first brought over from Africa in the early 17th century to African Americans living in the United States today.

Woodson chose February for reasons of tradition and reform. It is commonly said that Woodson selected February to encompass the birthdays of two great Americans who played a prominent role in shaping black history, namely Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, whose birthdays are the 12th and the 14th, respectively.

Carter G. Woodson was a scholar whose dedication to celebrating the historic contributions of Black people led to the establishment of Black History Month, marked every February since 1976.

The national theme for Black History Month 2024 is “African Americans and the Arts.” Black History Month 2024 is a time to recognize and highlight the achievements of Black artists and creators, and the role they played in U.S. history and in shaping our country today.

Martin Luther King, Jr., Malcolm X, and Rosa Parks are often elevated—and with good reason. These figures made contributions to Black history and, by extension, American history, that cannot be overstated. But there are so many significant Black historical figures who often don't get as much air time.

President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

On the African continent, however, it is a different story. Only a handful of events are held in commemoration of Black History Month, mainly at U.S. Embassies or study centers at higher learning institutions in countries such as Ghana, Nigeria, South Africa and Kenya, all of which are predominantly English-speaking.

To make the number of days on the calendar add up to 365 in a year, there would have to be one month with an even number. February was chosen to have 28 days as this was when the Romans honoured their dead.

On Feb. 7, 1926, Carter G. Woodson initiated the first celebration of Negro History Week which led to Black History Month, to extend and deepen the study and scholarship on African American history, all year long.

Who has the biggest impact on Black history? ›

The four colours that are used for Black History Month are black, red, yellow and green. Black represents resilience, red denotes blood, yellow is optimism and justice, and green symbolises rich greenery.

Have you ever wondered why we see flags of red, black and green during Black History Month? The main BHM flag is the Pan-African flag created in 1920 by Marcus Garvey. The flag is known by many names. Marcus Garvey Flag.

THIS YEAR MARKS THE 150TH ANNIVERSARY OF ABRAHAM LINCOLN'S SIGNING OF THE EMANCIPATION PROCLAMATION, THE EXECUTIVE ORDER THAT PROCLAIMED THOSE ENSLAVED IN CONFEDERATE TERRITORY TO BE FREE.

Firstly, October is when African chiefs and leaders gather to settle their differences so this month was chosen to reconnect with black peoples' roots on the continent. It was also first held in 1987, as it was the 150th anniversary of Caribbean emancipation.