Learn more about the journey to equality for African Americans with reading list curated by museum scholars.

Access the museum’s playlist of songs symbolizing change, empowerment and self-respect. Reflecting the social consciousness during the era of their release, many of these anthems amplify calls for Black liberation and equality. 

What is the origin of Black History Month?

In 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). The organization is dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by African Americans and other people of African descent. Since its inception, ASALH has promoted year-round and year-after-year study of African American history. 

The group launched Negro History Week in February of 1926 as a coordinated effort to develop lessons and encourage the teaching of Black history across the nation's communities and public schools. In time, mayors and other leaders issued annual proclamations recognizing "Negro History Week” and many communities expanded beyond weeklong activities. Public intellectuals, church, and civic organizations, the Black press, politicians and historians promoted the initiative, which evolved in the 1960s amid the national discourse on race and identity. 

Negro History Week formally changed into what would become Black History Month by 1976 when President Gerald Ford extended the observation to a full month - one honoring the contributions of black Americans to this day. Since then, every U.S. president has recognized the month and endorsed a specific theme set by ASALH.

Why is it celebrated in February each year?

Seeking to bring even more stories of African Americans to light, in 1926, Woodson founded the first Negro History Week. Woodson chose February for reasons of tradition and reform to coincide with Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass’s birthdays. Both men were symbols of freedom. Woodson also built the Negro History Week around a time traditionally spent reflecting the Black heritage.

Why did the museum choose the theme of Black Resistance? 

Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History chooses a theme to focus the attention of the public. The intention has never been to dictate or limit the exploration of the Black experience, but to bring to the public’s attention important developments that merit emphasis. This year’s theme is “Black Resistance."

How is the museum celebrating this year’s Black History Month theme? 

Make your voice heard this Black History Month and join us in sharing key stories of Black resistance. Each week throughout February, the museum will focus on five weekly areas of Black resistance by sharing objects and stories on how African Americans have practiced resistance from the enslaved people brought from Africa in the 17th cenutry to today. The weekly focus areas are: 

• Week 1, Feb. 1-5: A Tradition of Activism
• Week 2, Feb. 6-12: Foundations of Faith
• Week 3, Feb. 13-19: The Value of Education
• Week 4, Feb. 20-26: The Black Press
• Week 5, Feb. 27-28: Leaning into Black Joy

Is Black History Month celebrated in other countries?

Other countries devote a month to celebrating Black history such as Canada and the United Kingdom. Canada and Germany celebrate in February, but countries such as the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the Netherlands recognize their own celebrations of the contributions of Africa, Africans and people of African descent in October. In Belgium, Black History Month is held in March.