Since 1976, the United States celebrates the achievements of African-Americans during Black History Month.
Black History Month started as "Nero History Week" in 1926. Historian Carter G. Woodson was bothered that many textbooks and other historical reviews did not consider the contributions of black figures. Woodson allocated the second week in February to raise awareness of these stories.

Black History Month

Carter G. Woodson chose the second week in February specifically because the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14) were during that period. The publicity led many mayors and college campuses to recognise the week.
In 1976, President Gerald Ford made Black History Month official, urging people to use the opportunity to honour the often neglected accomplishments of black Americans.

Black History Month: Why February was chosen

<div>February 1, 2019</div><div>(Updated: February 1, 2021)</div><figure><img src="https://images2.minutemediacdn.com/image/upload/c_crop,h_1130,w_2015,x_0,y_0/f_auto,q_auto,w_1100/v1612218560/shape/mentalfloss/91756-gettyimages-1162281317.jpg" alt="Vintage illustrations of African-American heroes, including Blanche Kelso Bruce, Frederick Douglass, and Hiram Rhoades Revels, surrounded by scenes of African-American life in the mid-1800s and portraits of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, and Ulysses S. Grant." width="768" height="431"><figcaption dir="auto">Vintage illustrations of African-American heroes, including Blanche Kelso Bruce, Frederick Douglass, and Hiram Rhoades Revels, surrounded by scenes of African-American life in the mid-1800s and portraits of Abraham Lincoln, James A. Garfield, and Ulysses S. Grant.
KEITH LANCE/DIGITALVISION VECTORS VIA GETTY IMAGES</figcaption></figure><video playsinline="" webkit-playsinline="" muted="" style="height: 100%; left: 0px; display: block; width: 100%;"></video>Every February since 1976, the United States has celebrated the achievements of African-Americans during Black History Month. The month-long <a href="http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month" dir="ltr">celebration</a> puts those accomplishments and milestones into focus via the media and in classrooms.But why February? Was that part of the calendar chosen for any specific purpose?It was. Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” a label applied by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson was bothered by the fact that many textbooks and other historical reviews minimized or ignored the contributions of black figures. Along with his Association for the Study of Negro Life and History—later the Association for the Study of African American Life and History—Woodson earmarked the second week in February to raise awareness of these stories.Woodson chose that week <a href="http://time.com/4197928/history-black-history-month/" dir="ltr">specifically</a> because it covered the birthdays of <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/539306/facts-about-frederick-douglass" dir="ltr">Frederick Douglass</a> (February 14) and <a href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/biographies/us-presidents/605956-abraham-lincoln-facts" dir="ltr">Abraham Lincoln</a> (February 12). The ensuing publicity led many mayors and college campuses to recognize the week; through the years, the groundswell of support allowed the occasion to stretch throughout the entire month.In 1976, President Gerald Ford made Black History Month official, <a href="https://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about/" dir="ltr">saying</a> that he was urging everyone to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing us at <a dir="ltr" href="mailto:bigquestions@mentalfloss.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">bigquestions@mentalfloss.com</a>

Since 1976, Black History month has been celebrated in February and it's because of two specific dates on the calendar.

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Every February since 1976, the United States has celebrated the achievements of African-Americans during Black History Month. The month-long <a dir="ltr" href="http://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month">celebration </a>puts those accomplishments and milestones into focus via the media and in classrooms.

But why February? Was that part of the calendar chosen for any specific purpose?

It was. Black History Month began as “Negro History Week,” a label applied by historian Carter G. Woodson in 1926. Woodson was bothered by the fact that many textbooks and other historical reviews minimized or ignored the contributions of black figures. Along with his Association for the Study of Negro Life and History—later the Association for the Study of African American Life and History—Woodson earmarked the second week in February to raise awareness of these stories.

Woodson chose that week <a dir="ltr" href="http://time.com/4197928/history-black-history-month/">specifically </a>because it covered the birthdays of <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/539306/facts-about-frederick-douglass">Frederick Douglass </a>(February 14) and <a dir="ltr" href="https://www.mentalfloss.com/biographies/us-presidents/605956-abraham-lincoln-facts">Abraham Lincoln </a>(February 12). The ensuing publicity led many mayors and college campuses to recognize the week; through the years, the groundswell of support allowed the occasion to stretch throughout the entire month.

In 1976, President Gerald Ford made Black History Month official, <a dir="ltr" href="https://africanamericanhistorymonth.gov/about/">saying </a>that he was urging everyone to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

Have you got a Big Question you'd like us to answer? If so, let us know by emailing us at <a dir="ltr" href="mailto:bigquestions@mentalfloss.com" rel="nofollow noreferrer">bigquestions@mentalfloss.com </a>

Why Was February Chosen to Celebrate Black History Month?

Black History Month

Black History Month: Why February was chosen

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