Black History Month is an annual celebration held in February of each year to honor the achievements of African Americans and their role in shaping the history of the United States.
The celebration began in 1926 when American historian Carter G. Woodson dedicated a week to celebrating the history of African Americans. In 1976, the celebration was expanded from a week to a full month, and President Gerald Ford declared February as “Black History Month.”
February was chosen due to the coincidence with the birthdays of two important figures in the struggle of African American liberation: Abraham Lincoln, the 16th President of the United States who signed the Emancipation Proclamation in 1863, and Frederick Douglass, a writer and prominent activist in the fight against slavery and for the rights of Black people.
Additionally, the birth of William Edward Du Bois, a leader in the social movement known for his struggle for civil rights and the liberation of Blacks from racism.
Black History Month provides an opportunity to shed light on the contributions of African Americans in various fields of life. However, it is clear that Black History is worth more than a single month out of the whole year. There are so many important people who took immense risks for their own rights. In this article, we highlight just a few.
Ida B. Wells
Born in 1862 into slavery in Mississippi, Ida B. Wells devoted her life to fighting racial injustice, particularly the horrors of lynching in the South.
She used her platform as a journalist to expose the truth and advocate for change.
Wells co-founded the National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) and authored influential works such as “Southern Horrors” and “The Red Record,” documenting the violence of lynching.
Ella Baker
Photo Credit: Danny Lyon
Born in 1903, Ella Baker was involved in various civil rights organizations throughout her life. She focused on grassroots organizing and empowering individuals to demand their rights, believing in the power of collective action.
Baker played a crucial role in shaping the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) and mentored many young activists, including members of the Student Nonviolent Coordinating Committee (SNCC).
Muhammad Ali
Photo Credit: Getty Images
Muhammad Ali, born in 1942, used his platform as one of the most famous athletes in the world to speak out against racial injustice and oppose the Vietnam War.
His refusal to be drafted led to his arrest and ban from boxing for several years. Despite this, Ali remained steadfast in his beliefs and continued to advocate for civil rights and social justice throughout his life.
Nelson Mandela
Born in 1918, Nelson Mandela led the African National Congress (ANC) and served as the first President of South Africa from 1994 to 1999. Mandela fought against the oppressive apartheid regime, and after 27 years of imprisonment, he was released in 1990.
He played a crucial role in ending apartheid and achieving national reconciliation in South Africa, becoming a global symbol of tolerance and reconciliation, and was awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993.
Naglaa Mohamed, Intern
(Featured Image from Canva)