Why is Black History Month in February? History, theme and how to celebrate in Texas
The origin of the month-long commemoration known as Black History Month goes back almost a century ago.
For those who don't know the history, some may wonder why Black history is recognized in February, the shortest month of the year.
Here are the origins of Black History Month, including the history associated with Texas.
According to the Library of Congress, the inception of Black History Month dates back to 1915. Long before Black History Month was nationally recognized, Dr. Carter G. Woodson — founder of the Association for the Study of African American Life and History — initiated the first "Negro History Week" in February 1926.
Woodson, whose parents were enslaved, grew up to be an author, historian and the second African American to earn a Ph.D. at Harvard University.
Woodson, known to many as the 'Father of Black History," chose February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two significant figures in Black American history.
In 1975, President Gerald Ford issued a message on the Observance of Black History Week, encouraging all Americans to "recognize the important contributions made to our nation's life and culture by Black citizens." The following year, in 1976, the ASALH extended this commemoration from a week-long observance to a month-long celebration, now known as Black History Month.
In 1986, Congress enacted Public Law 99-244, officially designating February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month." The law recognized February 1, 1986, as the start of the 60th annual public and private tribute to Black history. It also authorized and requested that the president issue a proclamation urging the people of the United States to observe Black History Month with appropriate ceremonies and activities.
Each year, ASALH identifies a theme for Black History Month. This year's theme is "African Americans and Labor."
According to ASALH, the theme prioritizes the types of labor African Americans have provided throughout the country's history, including "free and unfree, skilled, and unskilled, vocational and voluntary."
The theme aims to inspire comprehensive reflections on the connections between the work of Black individuals and their various workplaces, highlighting significant moments, themes, and events in Black history and culture across time and geography, particularly within the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora, the ASALH website says.
Here's a list of past Black History Month themes, according to ASALH:
2024: African Americans and the Arts
2023: Black Resistance
2022: Black Health and Wellness
2021: The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity
2020: African Americans and the Vote
2019: Black Migrations
2018: African Americans in Times of War
2017: The Crisis in Black Education
2016: Hallowed Grounds: Sites of African American Memories
2015: A Century of Black Life, History, and Culture
According to the Museum of African American History and Culture, Texas was the last state where enslaved people officially gained freedom after the end of the Civil War.
On June 19, 1865, nearly two years after President Abraham Lincoln emancipated enslaved Africans in America, 2,000 Union troops arrived in Galveston Bay, Texas, with news of freedom. Over 250,000 African Americans embraced freedom by executive decree in what became known as Juneteenth or Emancipation Day.
It is celebrated annually on June 19. On June 17, 2021, President Biden signed the Juneteenth National Independence Day Act into law.
While Black History Month is commemorated in February, celebrating and learning more about the history doesn't have to stop there. There are several places in Texas to educate yourself about Black history.
Here is a list of places throughout Texas where you can learn and behold Black History Month and beyond.
The African American Museum in Dallas
The Juanita J. Craft Civil Rights House and Museum
The Houston Museum of African American Culture
George Washington Carver Museum, Cultural and Genealogy Center in Austin
McCall Neighborhood Center in El Paso
Littles-Martin House in Corpus Christi
— USA TODAY reporter Amaris Encinas contributed to this report.
This article originally appeared on Austin American-Statesman: Why is Black History Month in February? How to celebrate in Texas
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