Black History Month Origins
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Black History Month Origins
How the observance began
In the United States, historian Carter G. Woodson and the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History launched Negro History Week in 1926. They chose the second week of February because it included the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two dates already marked by many Black communities. Woodson wanted people to study Black history throughout the year, not treat it as a small or separate subject. Over time, the week grew into Black History Month in the United States. Canada’s observance has its own history. In 1979, Toronto became the first municipality in Canada to proclaim February as Black History Month. In 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as Black History Month in Canada, following a motion introduced by Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. Quebec also observes Black History Month in February.
1926
Negro History Week begins in the United States.
1979
Toronto is the first Canadian municipality to proclaim February as Black History Month.
1995
The House of Commons officially recognizes February as Black History Month in Canada.
Read, connect and think
Use the passage and timeline to complete each task.
- Carter G. Woodson
- Jean Augustine
- Frederick Douglass
- Abraham Lincoln
- Canada’s House of Commons officially recognizes February as Black History Month
- Negro History Week begins
- Toronto proclaims February as Black History Month
- 1926
- 1995
- 1979
- It began with a municipal proclamation before federal recognition.
- It began with federal recognition before any city observed it.
- It began at the same time as Negro History Week.
- It was first observed only in Quebec.
3 printable pages
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