Black History Month Origins and Common Misconceptions

Beginning Feb. 1, schools, museums, and communities across the nation will mark the start of Black History Month — a celebration of Black history, culture, and education.

The history of the observance dates back almost a century, and the way it is celebrated and evolved has created history in itself.

Black History Month wasn’t always a monthlong celebration. In February 1926, historian and author Carter G. Woodson created Negro History Week in an effort to teach people about African-American history and the contributions of Black people. This effort was made under the umbrella of an organization he founded in September 1915 called the Association for the Study of African American Life and History, or ASALH.

After Woodson passed away in 1950, members of the Omega Psi Phi fraternity, of which he was a member, encouraged celebrating the week. The fraternity was also responsible for the push to extend the celebrations to a full month. Eventually, in 1976, President Gerald Ford became the first president to issue a message recognizing the month. Since then, presidents have made annual proclamations for National Black History Month, a tradition that President Donald Trump plans to continue.

The Association for the Study of African American Life and History releases a theme for each year, a practice Woodson started. This year’s theme is African Americans and Labor. The organization plans to use the month, and the rest of the year, focusing on the role of Black labor in building the nation through industry or community work.

Black history is also celebrated within communities and families. Some families may use the month to explore their genealogy, learn about their ancestors, or come together to eat a meal and make family trees. At some schools, assemblies or gatherings are held to honor Black leaders. Some schools invite elders to share their wisdom and lived experiences, allowing young people to learn from them, ask questions, and build meaningful connections across generations. Additionally, some communities select specific topics or principles for in-depth exploration during the month.

Myths around Black History Month continue, including the idea that the U.S. government purposely chose the shortest month of the year. In reality, Woodson chose February because two prominent figures in the civil rights movement — Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass — had birthdays in the week he chose. Black history shouldn’t just be taught for the month of February, but rather taught and celebrated for the entire year.

Hayes argued that the month isn’t just about celebrating African-American history, but Black history as a whole. He said that reducing Black history to African-American history overlooks the broader scope of Black history, including figures like Toussaint Louverture and independence movements on the African continent.

Black history doesn’t rely on a presidential proclamation. Black people don’t need permission to mark the month.

At least one government agency has paused celebrations of cultural or historic events, including Black History Month. The Trump administration planned to scrub some federal government websites in order to remove content contrary to the president’s thinking.

The decisions of the new Trump administration around Diversity, Equity and Inclusion initiatives will not affect how Black History Month is celebrated. A White House spokesperson has said that they intend to celebrate the month.

Some believe how Black history is taught could be affected by the new administration’s outlook on Diversity, Equity and Inclusion programs. Educators may be more encouraged to teach Black history in their classrooms throughout the year.

Hayes agreed that it could encourage others to teach communities about the contributions of Black people. He said that African Americans have taken ownership of their history, and political developments may shape its contours, but the story will be told regardless.