Black History Month - Celebrating 100 years
Par Burju Perez
Black History Month and the Revelation of the American Story
Written by Tamara Rose
The year 2026 marks a profound milestone in the American cultural landscape: the centennial of the tradition that would become Black History Month. As a Black woman living in America, I’ve never felt completely safe. Witnessing the clashing of tyranny and comfort that people who look like me were never allowed to have, as so many finally realize the facism that has always existed in this country, this conversion carries a lot of weight right now.
Originally conceived in 1926 as Negro History Week by historian Carter G. Woodson, this observance has evolved from a modest initiative to a federally recognized month of reflection, celebration, and education. However, Black History Month is far more than a ritual of remembrance; it is a vital corrective tool that challenges historical erasure. As the United States observes this centennial, it is essential to understand the origins of the movement, the significance of its longevity, and its indispensable role in revealing the complete, unvarnished history of the nation.
The Genesis: Carter G. Woodson and the Week (1926)
To understand the importance of the 2026 centennial, one must return to the intellectual foundations laid by Dr. Carter G. Woodson. In 1915, Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (now ASALH) to counter the prevailing historical narrative that Black people had contributed nothing to human civilization. Woodson, often called the "Father of Black History," believed that "if a race has no history, it has no worthwhile tradition, it becomes a negligible factor in the thought of the world, and it stands in danger of being exterminated".
On February 7, 1926, Woodson launched the first Negro History Week. He strategically chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and Frederick Douglass (February 14), two dates that Black communities had already celebrated for decades. Woodson’s genius lay in reforming these existing traditions; he sought to shift the focus from the celebration of two "great men" to the study of a "great race" and its countless contributions to the nation.
The Evolution: From Week to Month (1976)
For fifty years, Negro History Week was a staple in Black schools, churches, and community centers, though it was largely ignored by mainstream white institutions. The transformation into a month-long observance was driven by the cultural and political shifts of the 1960s. The Civil Rights Movement and the rise of Black consciousness inspired a new generation of scholars and activists to demand a more substantial recognition of Black identity.
In 1969, Black students and educators at Kent State University proposed expanding the week into a month, holding the first celebration in February 1970. The idea spread rapidly across college campuses. By 1976, the nation’s bicentennial year, the momentum was undeniable. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) used this patriotic moment to press for federal recognition.
President Gerald Ford officially recognized Black History Month in 1976, issuing a message that urged Americans to "seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history". This federal acknowledgment marked a turning point, institutionalizing the study of Black history as a necessary component of the American narrative.
The Centennial Importance (1926–2026)
The 2026 centennial is not merely a celebration of longevity; it is a commemoration of resilience against erasure. The ASALH has designated the theme for 2026 as "A Century of Black History Commemorations." This theme invites the nation to reflect on the impact of the Black history movement itself and how the very act of remembering has served as a form of resistance.
Dr. Karsonya Wise Whitehead, President of ASALH, notes that the centennial comes at a critical historical moment. In an era where educational curriculums are increasingly scrutinized and books are banned, the 100-year persistence of this tradition underscores a fundamental truth: Black history cannot be legislated out of existence. The centennial serves as a reminder that the fight for historical truth is ongoing. It honors the educators, archivists, and families who preserved these stories when the wider world sought to suppress them.
Revealing the History of America
The true power of Black History Month lies in its ability to reveal the history of America in its entirety. For too long, American history was taught as a linear narrative of European conquest and expansion, with Black people appearing only as enslaved laborers or passive recipients of emancipation. Black History Month disrupts this story in several ways, including, however not limited to:
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Economic Foundations: It reveals that the economic superpower status of the United States was built on the foundation of enslaved labor. Studying this history exposes the mechanics of American capitalism, from the cotton fields of the South to the textile mills of the North and the banks of New York.
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The Definition of Democracy: Black history reveals the constant struggle to force America to live up to its founding ideals. From the abolitionists to the Civil Rights Movement, Black Americans have often been the staunchest defenders of the Constitution, pushing for an interpretation of "liberty and justice for all" that actually includes all!
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Cultural Dominance: It highlights that what the world recognizes as "American culture" i.e. jazz, blues, rock and roll, gospel, hip-hop, fashion, and cuisine, is inextricably rooted in Black creativity and innovation. TL;DR American culture is watered down, homogenized, Black culture.
As the Zinn Education Project notes, Woodson never intended for Black history to be confined to a single week or month. He viewed the observance as a demonstration of what students should be learning all year. In this sense, Black History Month is a spotlight that illuminates the dark corners of the national memory, ensuring that the contributions of Black Americans are recognized not as separate or "other," but as foundational to the American experiment.
As I celebrate my people in all of our Blackness, and honor the centennial of Black History Month in 2026, my hope is we are all reminded that history is not a static collection of dates. It is a living dialogue between the past and the present. From Carter G. Woodson’s inaugural Negro History Week in 1926 to the global observances of today, this tradition has forced America to confront its mirrors. It teaches us that to understand the United States, one must understand the Black experience. The centennial is a victory of memory over forgetting, ensuring that the stories of those who built, challenged, and defined this nation will light the way for the next century.
by Tamara Rose
Sources
The Mis-education of the Negro, by Carter G. Woodson
ASALH 2026 Black History Month Virtual Convening - YouTube
https://asalh.org/about-us/a-century-of-black-history-commemorations-timeline/
https://www.presidency.ucsb.edu/documents/message-the-observance-black-history-month-february-1976
https://asalh.org/about-us/origins-of-black-history-month/
https://www.zinnedproject.org/news/tdih/carter-woodson-black-history-month/
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