MIAMI.- Every year, in the month of February, it is celebrated in USA he Black History Monthto commemorate the contributions, achievements, culture and history of African American communities that have been part of the country’s development.
This year is the 98th anniversary of this tribute to people of African descent that has spread to Canada, where it is also celebrated in February, and at United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the Republic of Irelandwhich commemorate it in October.
The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) assigns a central theme for the celebration each year, which this year is “African Americans and the Arts”.
The origin of the celebration
Commemorating Black History Month It began as a week, and had its beginnings on February 7, 1926when the historian Carter G. Woodsontogether with his Association for the Study of Black Life and Historyestablished the second week of the month of February as the “Black History Week”with the purpose of promoting the teaching of its history in public schools.
The month of February was chosen because of the birthdays of two men who were key figures in the defense of African Americans and the end of slavery, that of President Abraham Lincoln on February 12 and that of the activist Frederick Douglas on February 14, as a way to commemorate the past of people of African descent.
Woodson, known as “the father of black history,” founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, in 1915 to raise awareness about the contempt towards his community.
Becomes Black History Month
Black History Month was proposed by educational collectives and Black United Students at Kent State University in February 1969 for the first time. However, the first celebration took place in Kent State a year later, from January 2, 1970 to February 28, 1970.
But it was not until 1976 that the former president Gerald Ford issued a proclamation, during the country’s bicentennial, officially designating February as the currently celebrated Black History Month.
“The primary purpose of Black History Month is to raise awareness among all Americans of this fight for freedom and equal opportunity,” states Presidential Proclamation 5443.
Six years later, Black History Month was celebrated in educational institutions, cultural centers, and community centers across the nation.
How is it commemorated?
Throughout this month, events organized by museums and national parks are held, such as educational exhibitions, meetings and a long cultural agenda that address this history, to keep alive the legacy, stories and achievements of people of African descent in the United States during all year.
During the twenty-eight or twenty-nine days that this holiday lasts, the country carries out these initiatives to honor the work, the fight for equality, and the legacy of the African-American community.
@Lydr05
Source: With information from El Confidencial
