What Is Black History Month?

Originating in the United States, BHM has become an annual celebration of the history and achievements of black people in many countries across the world, such as the UK and Canada. The months predominantly used for celebration are February and October, with the celebrations sometimes based on/around a theme/narrative. Celebrations usually include events and activities, such as community gatherings, art and cultural performances and school and university events.

BHM was the creation of Carter G. Woodson, an author and historian born to former slaves in 1875, who believed that black people should be aware of and be proud of their achievements throughout history. Alongside others, Woodson formed the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH) and together they worked to increase their outreach, creating Negro History Week in 1926. The week proved to be very popular and following calls for expansion, the week became a month in the United States by 1976. [1] In the years that followed, other countries followed suit and began to celebrate BHM.

Like the United States, Canada celebrates BHM in February. The Ontario Black History Society presented a petition to Toronto to have February as the designated month and in 1979 the first Canadian proclamation was issued by the city. Nova Scotia and Ontario later followed and in December 1995, the House of Commons officially recognized February as BHM across Canada. [2]

BHM was first celebrated in the United Kingdom in 1987, the 150th anniversary of the abolition of slavery in the Caribbean. The annual celebration was created by Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, a refugee from Ghana who wanted to celebrate the history of black people. October is the designated month as it is traditionally a time when African leaders gather to discuss important issues, but also for pragmatic reasons as it is at the beginning of the school year. Ireland also celebrates BHM in October after it was introduced in Cork by Zephrynus Okechi Ikeh in 2010 and in 2014 the first national BHM took place. 

Celebrations in Germany were started by the ISD (or the Initiative of Black Germans) and spread from Berlin to Hamburg, Frankfurt, and Munich. In 1990 Germany became the second European country to officially celebrate BHM with February as the designated month. [3] In the Netherlands, the month of February became Black Achievement Month after former politician John Leerdam started the celebration in 2015.

There are other countries that have events and celebrations, but they do not tend to be on an official basis.

How Is Black History Month Celebrated?

United States:

As the first country to officially celebrate BHM, the US has a long history of celebrations spanning over nearly a century. The Association for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH), formerly the ASNLH, has provided themes each year since 1928; the theme for 2025 is African Americans and Labor.

At some schools, assemblies or gatherings are held to honor black leaders, to discuss and inform students about black people and their contributions. Celebration/knowledge is also furthered through activities such as museum exhibits and film screenings, and by encouraging the study of achievements by African Americans all year. The ASALH further encourages people to celebrate BHM by learning about black history by reading books, supporting black-owned businesses and organizing social events in the community. [4]

In Canada, BHM is viewed as a time to educate people about black history, particularly about the enslaved territories that existed in Canada, as well as recognizing and honoring black contributions. The theme for BHM 2025 is “Black Legacy and Leadership: Celebrating Canadian History and Uplifting Future Generations.” The theme was created to acknowledge the diversity of Black Canadians and the legacy that is being built for future generations.[5] As part of BHM celebrations, Canadians across the country are encouraged to engage in events, discussions, and educational activities that recognize the history and achievements.

United Kingdom and Ireland:

The UK celebrates BHM officially each year and although there is no single organization which runs BHM, there are a wide range of organizations such as universities, local authorities and voluntary groups which plan and run events. The UK has an online and print magazine that provides a point of focus, or a theme in some ways, for BHM celebrations. For example, the theme for 2024 was ‘Reclaiming Narratives’ which focused on taking control of stories, heritage and having voices heard. Each year, the platform also provides a selection of BHM introductions written by thought leaders and parliamentarians. [6]

Some schools also teach about Britain’s black history, including the slave trade, and important and influential black men and women from history. In Ireland, BHM is celebrated in a similar way, with events and activities organized in schools, community centers, and other venues to commemorate and celebrate black history.

Germany:

The ISD and other organizations, such as Each One Teach One (EOTO), host online and in-person BHM events each February. Events focus on knowledge sharing, the discussion of history and diversity of black history in Europe.

In the Netherlands, celebrations take place in October in collaboration with the National Institute for Slavery and Heritage. Celebrations include performances in the arts, such as theater, dance, readings, and film to highlight both the black community and contributions made to culture in the Netherlands.

Sources:

[1] Pero Gaglo Dagbovie, The Early Black History Movement, Carter G. Woodson, and Lorenzo Johnston Greene (New Black Studies Series) (University of Illinois Press, 2007), pp.1-8.

[2] https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/about.html

[3]https://www.aaihs.org/rethinking-black-history-month-in-germany/

[4] https://asalh.org/about-us/about-black-history-month/#celebrate

[5] https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html

[6] https://commonslibrary.parliament.uk/research-briefings/cdp-2024-0131/