In September of 1915, historian Carter G. Woodson and minister Jesse E. Moorland founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH). It is known today as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH). This organization was dedicated to promoting and researching the achievements of Black Americans and others of African descent. This group went on to sponsor the first national Negro History week which took place on the second week of February in 1926. This date was chosen to coincide with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.
In the following decades, mayors across the country issued proclamations every year recognizing Negro History Week. By the late 1960s, Negro History Week had evolved into Black History Month on many college campuses. Black History Month was officially recognized in 1976 by president Gerald Ford and has been recognized annually by presidents every year since.
"Nearly 179 years ago, the Rev. Henry Highland Garnett proposed that the only path to freedom, justice, and equality; self-determination; and/or social transformation is resistance. In thunder tones, Garnett shouted, “Let your motto be resistance! resistance! RESISTANCE!""
Black history is filled with a constant resistance against society and the limitations based on the community. Through resistance, Black people have achieved successes, triumphs, and progress in a world providing constant pushback.
To learn more about this year's theme and past themes visit the ASALH website.
