Cultural Observances and Awareness Events: African American / Black History Month 2024

February is African American / Black History Month and this year's theme is "African Americans and the Arts." 

National Black History Month has its origins in 1915, when historian and author Dr. Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of Negro Life and History. This organization is now known as the Association for the Study of African American Life and History External (ASALH). Following that, the first celebration occurred during a week in February 1926, which also encompassed the birthdays of both Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass.

In 1975, President Ford issued a message on the Observance of Black History week urging all Americans to "recognize the important contribution made to our nation's life and culture by black citizens." In 1976, ASALH expanded this commemoration week-long observance to a month-long observance, which also has been known as African American History Month.

In 1986, Congress passed Public Law 99-244, which designated February 1986 as "National Black (Afro-American) History Month.” This law noted that February 1, 1986 would “mark the beginning of the sixtieth annual public and private salute to Black History.” The law further directed the president to issue a proclamation calling on the people of the United States to observe February 1986 as Black History Month with the appropriate ceremonies and activities. President Reagan issued Presidential Proclamation 5443, which proclaimed that “the foremost purpose of Black History Month is to make all Americans aware of this struggle for freedom and equal opportunity.”

Since 1996, presidents have issued annual proclamations.  In January 1996, President Clinton issued Presidential Proclamation 6863 and In February 1996, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 229 commemorating Black History Month and the contributions of Black American U.S. Senators.

Below is a sampling of LRC books in support of Black History Month.  These books are either available for check out from the LRC or can be accessed online as eBooks through our EBSCOhost eBook database subscription (login with your library credentials or use the credentials posted on Blackboard on the LRC information page).