Black History Month is a dedicated time to learn about, honor, and celebrate the achievements of Black men and women throughout history. It has been observed annually in February since its formal establishment.
Origins of Black History Month
The origins trace back to Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950), the son of former slaves and a pioneering historian and educator. With limited early schooling due to poverty, Woodson taught himself the fundamentals before completing high school in just two years at age 20. He later earned bachelor’s and master’s degrees from the University of Chicago and, in 1912, became only the second African American to receive a doctorate from Harvard University (following W.E.B. Du Bois).
Woodson taught in public schools and at Howard University. In 1915, he attended a three-week celebration in Chicago marking the 50th anniversary of the end of slavery. Inspired by the enthusiasm, he co-founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH, now known as ASALH) on September 9, 1915, along with four colleagues. The following year, the organization launched the Journal of Negro History.
Recognizing that mainstream textbooks largely overlooked Black history and contributions, Woodson sought ways to promote greater awareness. In 1926, he launched “Negro History Week” during the second week of February. The initiative spread rapidly across the United States, prompting ASNLH to produce educational materials such as pictures, posters, and lesson plans for schools. In 1937, the organization introduced the Negro History Bulletin, which highlighted an annual theme.
In 1976—on the 50th anniversary of Negro History Week and during the United States Bicentennial—the observance expanded to a full month, becoming Black History Month. It has been celebrated nationwide in February ever since.
When Is Black History Month?
Woodson chose the second week of February because it included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14). When the observance grew into Black History Month in 1976, the focus extended across the entire month of February.
What Is the Theme for This Year’s Black History Month?
Annual themes have guided Negro History Week and Black History Month since 1926. The first theme was simply “The Negro in History,” and they have since become more focused and specific. Here are selected recent and current themes (sourced from ASALH):
- 2005: The Niagara Movement: Black Protest Reborn, 1905–2005
- 2006: Celebrating Community: A Tribute to Black Fraternal, Social, and Civic Institutions
- 2007: From Slavery to Freedom: Africans in the Americas
- 2008: Carter G. Woodson and the Origins of Multiculturalism
- 2009: The Quest for Black Citizenship in the Americas
- 2010: The History of Black Economic Empowerment
- 2011: African Americans and the Civil War
- 2012: Black Women in American Culture and History
- 2024: African Americans and the Arts
- 2025: African Americans and Labor
- 2026: A Century of Black History Commemorations
The 2026 theme commemorates 100 years since Carter G. Woodson established Negro History Week in 1926. It invites reflection on the evolution, impact, and significance of Black history observances—from a single week to a month-long national and increasingly global recognition—and their role in shaping inclusive historical understanding. This centennial also aligns with the 250th anniversary of U.S. independence, underscoring the importance of accurate and comprehensive narratives.
For the latest information, resources, and official details, visit the ASALH website at asalh.org.
