Black History Month, also known as African-American History Month in America, is an annual observance in the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the African diaspora.
In 1926 the second week of February was celebrated as “Negro History Week.” This week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of Abraham Lincoln (the 16th President of the USA) on February 12 and of Frederick Douglass (a national leader of the abolitionist movement) on February 14.
Black History Month was first proposed by the Black United Students at Kent State in Ohio in February 1969. The following year Kent State celebrated the first Black History Month. By 1976, Black History Month was being celebrated all across the country, and was officially recognized by President Gerald Ford. President 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.”
Black History Month is a month set aside to learn, honor, and celebrate the achievements of black men and women throughout history. Join us in the Children’s Department we celebrate Black History Month with The Roots of Jazz storytime on February 19th at 3:30PM.
