- Categories:
- Cultural
- Tags:
- ActivitiesHistorical
- Where:
- United States
- Date change rule:
- Every February
- Holiday emoji:
- ✊🏾
Black History Month takes place every February, dedicating the entire month to celebrating the rich history, achievements, and profound cultural impact of African Americans. It’s a vital opportunity to delve into stories of resilience, innovation, and leadership. Engage with educational programs, support Black-owned businesses, and participate in community events.
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Expected Black History Month Deals
Throughout Black History Month, the focus shifts from commercial deals to meaningful engagement and support for Black communities and institutions. Organizations like the NAACP and the National Urban League lead nationwide awareness campaigns, often partnering with corporations such as Target and Apple for donation-matching programs and educational initiatives. Retailers frequently highlight Black-owned brands, while cultural institutions offer special exhibits and virtual events. Look for opportunities to contribute to scholarship funds, support local Black-owned businesses, and engage with educational content from institutions like the Smithsonian National Museum of African American History and Culture. We encourage direct engagement with these organizations and businesses to make a lasting impact.
Platform Guide for Black History Month
Tag @nationaltoday_ and use #BlackHistoryMonth. Share images and stories that highlight Black historical figures, cultural achievements, or local events.
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Mention @NatlToday and use #BlackHistoryMonth. Participate in trending discussions, share educational threads, or amplify news related to Black history and current events.
Mention National Today (facebook.com/nationaltoday) and use #BlackHistoryMonth. Join community groups, share historical facts, or promote local events and Black-owned businesses.
Black History Month Hero
Carter G. Woodson
History of Black History Month
Black History Month wouldn’t have been possible without Negro History Week’s creation in the United States in 1926. Famous historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History proclaimed the second week of February to be observed as Negro History Week. Since the inception of this event, the main focus was to encourage the teaching of the history of Black Americans in educational institutes, particularly at the primary level. The departments of education of Delaware, North Carolina, and West Virginia were very cooperative. The overall reception was lukewarm, but Woodson considered it a success and “one of the most fortunate steps ever taken by the Association.”
In February 1969, the idea for Black History Month was promoted by Black students and educators at Kent State University, followed by the first celebration of Black History Month on campus and local surroundings one year later. Fast forward six years and Black History Month was widely being celebrated across the country, and not only in schools, colleges, and community centers. In 1976, President Gerald Ford praised Black History Month, urging all citizens to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
Education is a core theme of this holiday and providing Black students with access to education is a huge movement in the country. One way that many organizations do this is by providing scholarships. For students looking for funding, Schoalroo has a great database of scholarships for Black students. The creation of Black History Month also led to some controversy. Celebrating Black history for one month seemed too confining, with many labeling it downright inappropriate. Another concern was that Black History Month would glamorize the delicate subject and lead to Black historical figures being simplified as heroes.
Black History Month timeline
The National Association for the Advancement of Colored People is founded.
The precursor to Black History Month is started by historian Carter G. Woodson, the "Father of Black History."
Proposed by Black educators and students at Kent State University in 1969, the first Black History Month observance takes place one year later.
Gerald Ford urges Americans to honor the U.S. Bicentennial by also celebrating Black History Month.
How Businesses Can Celebrate Black History Month
Local businesses can honor Black History Month by actively supporting and promoting Black-owned enterprises within their communities. Consider hosting collaborative events, featuring Black artists or performers, or dedicating a portion of sales to local Black-led non-profits. Restaurants might offer special menus inspired by African American culinary traditions, while retailers can create dedicated displays showcasing products from Black entrepreneurs. Emphasize education and community building over purely commercial gain, fostering genuine connection and awareness throughout February.
Black History Month FAQs
When is Black History Month?
In 2027, Black History Month is observed all through February, providing a vital period for reflection and education on Black contributions.
Why is Black History Month celebrated in February?
The choice of February for Black History Month stems from Dr. Carter G. Woodson’s strategic decision to align with the birth dates of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln, both significant to the African American experience.
How many people observe Black History Month?
Across the United States and internationally, countless individuals participate in Black History Month, reflecting on the historical impact and ongoing contributions of Black communities.
What is the theme for Black History Month?
The annual theme for Black History Month, set by ASALH, helps focus educational efforts and cultural programming. The specific theme for 2027 will provide a unique lens for exploration.
How to Observe Black History Month
Visit a museum
History comes alive in a nation's museums, and many of these institutions have events, conferences, and celebrations surrounding Black History Month. Get out there and see first-hand the American nation's collective historical treasures.
Contact an elected official
One of the best ways to get the ball rolling toward a better society is by contacting members of Congress. Ask them what they have planned for Black History Month and what specific legislative actions they plan to take to ensure that your community never backtracks in its pledge to provide opportunities for each and every person.
Read, read, and read some more
Libraries and bookstores — not to mention online repositories and booksellers — are positively overflowing with amazing works of Black literature, history, and biography. Find a book about a piece of Black history that you were previously unaware of and get educated.
5 Super Interesting Facts About Black American History
Rosa Parks wasn't the first
Claudette Colvin, a 15-year-old girl, refused to move to the back of a bus nine months before Parks did.
MLK improvised his most famous speech
Although he had prepared notes, Martin Luther King Jr. improvised much of his "I Have A Dream" speech.
Esther came before Betty
The iconic cartoon character Betty Boop was modeled after a Harlem jazz singer named Esther Jones.
There were Black senators in the 19th century
The first Black U.S. senator was Hiram Revels, who took office in 1870.
Satchel Paige was baseball's first black hall-of-famer
Pitcher Satchel Paige was the first Black player to be inducted into the Major League Baseball Hall of Fame.
Why Black History Month is Important
The past isn't dead. It's not even past!
Anybody who pays even a little attention to American social affairs and politics knows that there's still much work to do in order for the nation to truly live out its creed that everybody is "created equal." The lessons of Black History Month provide us with a way forward by examining our past.
It inspires us
There are so many stories that have yet to be told about the history of Black America. Black History Month inspires us to search beyond the typical — and to seek out the extraordinary. The stories are waiting; we just have to go and find them.
History is also about the future
Martin Luther King Jr. said that "history books ... had almost completely ignored the contribution" of American Black people throughout history. Awareness of this undeniable fact can help the nation chart its course to a more enlightened age for every American.
Black History Month dates
| Year | Date | Day |
|---|---|---|
| 2027 | February 1 | Monday |
| 2028 | February 1 | Tuesday |
| 2029 | February 1 | Thursday |
| 2030 | February 1 | Friday |
| 2031 | February 1 | Saturday |
Social Media Tips for Black History Month
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