Celebrating Black History Month

All February long, we celebrate Black History Month—29 days dedicated to the achievements and contributions of African Americans. Originally started in the United States, Black History Month is now officially recognized in Canada and more recently observed in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Germany, Belgium, and the Netherlands, where it is officially known as Black Achievement Month.

Harvard-trained historian Carter G. Woodson, often referred to as the “father of Black History,” originally conceived a one-week event in 1925 to raise awareness of African American contributions to the U.S., believing truth would prevail over prejudice. He purposely chose the week of Abraham Lincoln’s and Frederick Douglass’s birthdays, two prevalent figures in the history of Black Americans. After decades of increasing popularity, in 1976, President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.” The first Black History Month was held, and every U.S. president has issued a proclamation for Black History Month since.

Prominent figures such as Martin Luther King, Jr., Rosa Parks, Barack Obama, and Jackie Robinson are often cited when discussing Black achievement, but the list of Black Americans contributing to our nation’s collective experience is long and varied.

A Few Notable History Makers and Trailblazers

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  Mary McLeod Bethune– An educator, philanthropist, humanitarian, and civil rights supporter, Bethune opened what would later become Bethune-Cookman University.

• Charles R. Drew – Prominent 20th-century surgeon, who was the first director of the Red Cross and created the blood bank.
• Benjamin O. Davis, Sr. – First Black general in the U.S. Army and Bronze Star and Distinguished Service Medal recipient.
• Claudette Colvin – Before Rosa Parks gave up her seat, 15-year-old Colvin refused to go to the back of a bus and was arrested and jailed.
• Gordon Parks– The first Black photographer on staff at Life magazine and the first Black writer and director of a studio film.
• Gil Scott-Herron – Writer, spoken word performer, poet and musician who is credited for laying the groundwork for rap music.
• Mae Carol Jemison – Engineer, physician, and first African-American woman to travel into space.

Learn more about the achievements of Black Americans at the National Archives, the National Museum of African American History & Culture, and the Pulitzer Center.