Since 1976, every U.S. president has officially designated the month of February as Black History Month. Black History Month is an annual celebration of achievements by African Americans and a time for recognizing their central role in U.S. history.
The event grew out of “Negro History Week,” the brainchild of noted historian Carter G. Woodson and other prominent African Americans. Woodson chose the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass, a famed abolitionist who escaped from slavery, and President Abraham Lincoln, who formally abolished slavery.
Carter G. Woodson, who is is often deemed as the father of Black History, realized how important it was to give the public a theme to focus on.
According to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), a group started by Woodson, “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.”
The theme of Black History Month for 2025 is African Americans and Labor. The 2025 Black History Month theme, "African Americans and Labor," highlights the profound impact of work on Black history and culture. It explores how various types of labor—whether free or unfree, skilled or unskilled—have shaped the collective experiences of Black people. From the agricultural labor of enslaved Africans in the Low Country colonies to debates on vocational training, entrepreneurship, and self-help in Black communities, work has played a central role. The theme also emphasizes the role of organized labor in fighting economic and social injustice, celebrating the transformative impact of Black people’s work in the U.S., Africa, and the Diaspora.
Other countries around the world, including Canada and the United Kingdom, also devote a month to celebrating Black history.
Credit: asalh.org
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