Wednesday Feb. 1, 2023 marks the beginning of Black History Month. Every year, in February, the people of the United States celebrate achievements made by African Americans and acknowledge their important role in the history of the United States.

In 1976, the U.S. Congress passed a law officially making February Black History Month. February was chosen because the second week of that month contains the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Fredrick Douglass. 

According to asalh.org, Black History Month was chosen as February, “Since Lincoln’s assassination in 1865, the black community, along with other Republicans, had been celebrating the fallen President’s birthday. And since the late 1890s, black communities across the country had been celebrating Douglass’.”

Carter G. Woodson’s dedication to honoring African Americans who contributed to the history of the United States helped shape what we now know as Black History Month.

The theme of this year’s Black History Month is “Black Resistance”. According to History.com, the theme “explores how African Americans have resisted historic and ongoing oppression, in all forms, especially the racial terrorism of lynching, racial pogroms and police killings since the nations earliest days.”

During the month of February, Black History Month is celebrated in many different ways. Cities and counties sometimes host a wide range of activities people can participate in to celebrate Black History Month. Other places like museums, communities, and universities also may host activities. 

To honor Black History Month you can support Black-Owned businesses, purchase, read, and share books written by black authors, donate to charities that support anti-racism equity and equality, and you can learn about noteworthy historical black figures.

Some organizations you can visit to learn more about black history would include NAACP, Color of Change, Equal Justice Initiative, Association for the Study of African American Life and History, Black Visions Collective, and National Action Network.  

It is important to honor the African Americans who helped shape our nation that we are a part of today. Without their sacrifices and their lives, our nation would be a very different place.