National African American History month, also known as Black History month, is when people celebrate the achievements by African Americans and to recognize the main roles of African Americans in U.S. history. Throughout the whole entire February.

     President Gerald Ford recognized Black History Month in 1976, calling upon the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”

     African American History month was celebrated in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson and others that was apart of Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This was created a half century after slavery was abolished.

     Director, and teacher for African American Cultural Center at Uconn Dr. Price shares things she has taught to her students in her classes“Absolutely because of so many of the issues that have happened this with the black lives matter protest, George floyd, and Breonna Taylor. People are always taught and made people think that black history month was always month but when it actually started from week initially. Every month is black history month to me. I teach my students at Uconn how 1 month is not the only we should take to celebrate our achievements.” 

     This event also grew out of what was also first known as “Negro History week”. Also when President Reagan issued a Presidential Proclamation that claimed that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.”

     African American History month was originated in 1915 by Carter G. Woodson and others. This was created a half century after slavery was abolished.

     Carter G. Woodson and Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. The organization was dedicated to researching and promoting achievements by African Americans and those of African descent. This organization sponsored “National Negro Week” and was originally celebrated for 2 weeks in February.

     After the civil rights movement and the growing awareness of black identity, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month. 

     Assistant principal and an advisor for the Race, Equality, and Social Justice committee, Mrs. Gilman, shared her knowledge of Black History Month from an educator’s point of view. “I think that the events of the past year have reinforced the need for people to understand the African American experience in the United States. This includes how African Americans have contributed to history as well as their struggles. Teaching African American History  is just a portion of the work needed to build that understanding.”     

     Black History Month is more eye opening and a bigger impact on people this year because in the black community they faced a lot with just police brutality, protesting, racism, and getting justice they wanted from the government.  

      Motivational speaker, Holley Murchison, tells her experience of Black History month, “Given the rollercoaster year we experienced in 2020, I think this year, people will be even more eager to celebrate our history and uplift each other through our stories and the potential we have for brighter futures. Marie Van Brittan Brown  and her husband Albert Brown invented the first home security system in 1966 because of how long it took for the police to arrive in her neighborhood. It gives me the opportunity to be even more intentional about understanding where I come from, and what baton has been passed down to me.”

     Overall, throughout February is a good time to take the month to learn the history behind black history month and facts about African Americans that have helped our country.