Celebrating Black History

Civil Rights Leader, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. addresses the crowd during the March on Washington. It was during this address that he made his “I Have a Dream” speech. archives.gov.

The origin of Black History Month dates back to 1915 when it was founded by the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). It was 50 years after the Thirteenth Amendment abolished slavery in the United States.

Recognized first as “Negro History Week,” it wasn’t until the 1960s that the week of recognition would be reintroduced to the public as a month-long “Black History Month. In 1976, President Gerald Ford was the first U.S. president to acknowledge Black History Month, inviting the American public to recognize the contributions Black Americans provided to the country.

“One hundred years ago, to help highlight these achievements, Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Afro-American Life and History. We are grateful to him today for his initiative, and we are richer for the work of his organization.

“Freedom and the recognition of individual rights are what our Revolution was all about. They were ideals that inspired our fight for Independence: ideals that we have been striving to live up to ever since. Yet it took many years before ideals became a reality for Black citizens…We can seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.

“I urge my fellow citizens to join me in tribute to Black History Month and the message of courage and perseverance it brings to all of us.”

— President Gerald Ford
February 10, 1976

By celebrating Black History Month, we elevate our culture.