BLACK History Month is an opportunity for the black community to celebrate its many achievements.
The first official Black History Month dates back to 1976 when President Gerald Ford asked the public to “seize the opportunity to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history.”
When is Black History Month?
Black History Month 2022 is recognized in the United States from Tuesday, February 1, to Tuesday, March 1.
The national theme for Black History Month 2022 is Black Health and Wellness.
This year, the theme helps American's acknowledge the "legacy of not only Black scholars and medical practitioners in Western medicine, but also other ways of knowing (e.g., birthworkers, doulas, midwives, naturopaths, herbalists, etc.) throughout the African Diaspora," the Associations for the Study of African American Life and History (ASALH) states.
Last year, the theme was The Black Family: Representation, Identity, and Diversity, which explored the diversity of black family life.
In the UK, Black History Month is celebrated from Saturday, October 1, to Monday, October 31.
How is it celebrated?
Over the years, Black History Month has been celebrated in a number of ways including learning more about history by reading books and visiting museums.
ASALH also hosts a virtual festival among other events every year.
The 2022 event is celebrating the 105 Voices of History, which is the nation's first and only HBCU national choir.
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Last year, Ohio University also hosted a number of virtual events, including a keynote talk from veteran political strategist Donna Brazile.
There were also lectures and readings, panel discussions, and networking opportunities.
Dr. Gigi Secuban, vice-president for diversity and inclusion said: “For our Ohio community, Black History Month is a wonderful opportunity to celebrate black heritage, encourage reflection, and renew our resilience in the face of current challenges."
Oprah magazine, meanwhile, published a feature on "40 famous black and African American women who are leaving their mark on history".
Hailing these "queens", the article highlights women including Meghan Markle; news anchor Gayle King; Vice-President Kamala Harris; Golden Globe winner Regina King; Michelle Obama; screenwriter Lena Waithe and LGBTQ advocate Laverne Cox – also known for acting in Netflix's Orange Is the New Black.
Is there a Black woman on the Supreme Court?
Prior to the start of Black History Month, President Joe Biden announced that he plans to name a Black woman as Justice Stephen Breyer's successor, following his retirement.
"I'm here today to express the nation's gratitude to Justice Stephen Breyer for his remarkable career in public service and his clear-eyed commitment to making our country's laws work for its people," Biden said.
"…While I've been studying candidates' backgrounds and writings, I've made no decision except one: The person I will nominate will be someone with extraordinary qualifications, character, experience and integrity, and that person will be the first Black woman ever nominated to the United States Supreme Court.
"It's long overdue, in my opinion," the President continued.
At this time, it remains unclear who Biden will nominate, however, it has been reported that some of the candidates could include Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson, Supreme Court Justice Leondra Kruger, and federal district Judge J. Michelle Childs, according to Business Insider.
The announcement is expected at the end of February.
When was the first Black History Month?
Black History Month is considered one of the nation’s oldest organized history celebrations.
It has been recognized by US presidents for decades through proclamations and celebrations.
To commemorate and celebrate the contributions to our nation made by people of African descent, American historian Carter G. Woodson established Black History Week nearly a century ago.
The event was first celebrated during the second week of February 1926.
This timing was selected because it coincides with the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln (February 12) and abolitionist/writer Frederick Douglass (February 14).
That week would continue to be set aside for the event until 1976 when, as part of the nation’s bicentennial, it was expanded to a month.
Since then, American presidents have proclaimed February as National African American (Black) History Month.
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