Black History Month is celebrated throughout February in the US and in October in some other countries, including the United Kingdom and Ireland. This month is set aside to acknowledge the achievements, struggles, and great impact of African Americans to U.S. history. African Americans are a treasure to this country because of the important roles they played in shaping American history. 

Black History Month was first known as Negro History Week in 1926. This week was created by a man named Carter G. Woodson and since then he is known as the “Father of Black History.”

Woodson used his education from Harvard University as a tool and an inspiration to his ideas. He strongly believed that history can be used to create empowerment, making the ASALH.  The Association for the Study of African American Life and History contributed by promoting Black History on a wider level. 

This month was to teach and enhance the history and community of African Americans and to make sure that this history and American history are not separate.  The month February was chosen because of the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, both who fought against slavery. During the Civil Rights movement, education expanded making Black history month official in 1976. 

In conclusion, we celebrate Black History Month today to recognize the history and achievements of African Americans and  to improve for the future and not repeat the past.