African American History Month

History || Questions and Answers || Selected Links

The History and Origins of African-American History Month

Originally established as Negro History Week in 1926 by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a noted African-American author and scholar, this event evolved into the establishment in 1976 of February as "Black History Month." This commemoration has increasingly been referred to as "African-American History Month," although both names are currently in use.

Since 1926, The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH) has established the national theme for the month-long celebration of Afro-American History Month.

Questions and Answers from The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH) on African American History Month

Q: Why Afro-American (Black) History Month?
A: The true facts of the contributions of Afro-Americans to the discovery, pioneering, development and continuance of America have not properly and adequately been presented in the textbooks, media and other communications media. Indeed, for the most part, Blacks have been left out of the written record about America. The fact that some changes have been made in recent years points to the need for a fuller report about Afro-American contribution. The designation of February as Afro-American History Month is an attempt by ASALH to remedy this neglect and provide for all Americans the information needed for creative and empathetic understanding about Afro-Americans in the nation.

Q: Who started the Afro-American history celebration?
A: In 1926, Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a Harvard Ph.D. who 11 years earlier had founded the Association for the Study of Afro- American Life and History, initiated Negro History Week. In those early days, the words Afro and Black were seldom used. It was Dr. Woodson's hope that through this special observance, all Americans would be reminded of their ethnic roots, and that togetherness in the United States' racial groups would develop out of a mutual respect.

Q: Why was a period in February chosen for the Afro-American (Black) History Observance?
A: Dr. Woodson was keenly conscious of symbolism in the American psyche. He wisely chose for Negro History Week the period of February which contains the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. From its initiation, observance of Afro-American History Month has involved many ethnic groups, not only Black Americans.

Q: Why was the name changed to Afro-American (Black) History?
A: Bowing to pressure from young delegates to its Cincinnati, Ohio, Convention in 1972, the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History, Inc. changed its name to the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, Inc. This name change focused on the new thinking by Black Americans and indicated both the new recognition of African background and the Black person's appreciation of himself as an individual, a citizen and a contributor to the American scene.

Q: Why has the week's observance been expanded to include the entire month of February each year?
A: During America's Bicentennial celebration in 1976, the Association shared nationally, regionally and locally in the major thrust of American history. The Association expanded the week's celebration to include the entire month to provide more time for programs, observances and celebrations. The idea of the entire month caught on and ASALH was besieged with requests from all over the country to continue observing for one month, to provide more time to the nation and local communities for Afro-American Black History programs.

Q: What about the future?
A: The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History, Inc. dreams of the day that the sharing and contribution of all Americans in America will be so appreciated, accepted and understood that there will be no further need for any ethnic group to call attention to its contributions and exploits for the good of the country. Until that day arrives, we shall continue to provide the information needed about the Afro-American citizens in the United States and abroad.

Selected African American History Month Links

• The Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History (ASALH)

• Black History Feature Stories, from the Census Bureau's Profile America Radio Service

• Black History Month, from Boston.com

• Black History Month, from CNN and the World African Network

• Black History Month, from the Gale Group

• Black History Month, from Infoplease.com

• Black History Month, from the Librarians' Index to the Internet

• Black History Month, links from the Poynter Institute

• Celebrating Black History Month, from Time.com

• Celebrate Black History Month: Exhibits, from the History Channel

• Census Bureau Facts for Features: African American History Month, February 2002

• Chasing the Dream: Exploring Black History, CNNfyi.com special for Black History Month

• The Encyclopaedia Britannica Guide to Black History
  The Encyclopaedia Britannica celebrates Black History Month

• Heritage: Black History Month 2001 -- The History of Black Colleges and Universities, from BlackVoices.com

• Heritage: Black History Month 2000 -- And Still We Rise: African Americans and Economics, Religion, Family, and Politics in the Next Century, from BlackVoices.com

• Heritage: Black History Month 1999 -- The Underground Railroad, from BlackVoices.com

• Yahoo! Full Coverage of Black History Month