Black History Month, also known as African American History Month, is a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. Originating in 1926 as "Negro History Week" by historian Carter G. Woodson. Woodson was a prolific writer and scholar and wrote several books on African American history, including "The Mis-Education of the Negro" and "Negro Orators and Their Orations."
The U.S. government officially recognized Black History Week in 1976. The first month-long celebration happened at Kent State University in 1980, and the U.S. government made it an official month in 1986. It has gone on to not only be recognized in the United States, but it is also observed in countries such as Canada and the United Kingdom.
Black History Month is a time to recognize and celebrate the achievements and contributions of African Americans throughout history. It highlights the vital role that African Americans have played in shaping American culture and history. It also provides a platform to learn about the challenges African Americans have faced and overcome. Each year, the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), founded by Carter G. Woodson, chooses a theme for Black History Month to focus on. The theme for Black History Month in 2023 is "The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity.
One of our favorite aspects is the opportunity it gives young black people to understand their dynamic history and glimpse what is possible for themselves. For this year's Black History Month, we will spotlight black people's contributions to the arts and media, especially those from the Baltimore area. Baltimore and the DMV area overall have a rich creative history, and we want to share a little of that history with you.
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