Black History Month reaches a historic milestone in 2026, marking the 100th anniversary of its origins as a national observance dedicated to recognizing the achievements, struggles, and contributions of Black Americans.
What began in 1926 as Negro History Week has grown into a monthlong commemoration each February, observed across schools, libraries, churches, civic organizations and communities nationwide. The centennial offers a moment to reflect on both the progress made over the past century and the continuing importance of preserving Black history as a central part of the American story.
The movement was launched by Dr. Carter G. Woodson, a historian and educator who became the second African American to earn a Ph.D. from Harvard University, following W.E.B. Du Bois. Born to formerly enslaved parents, Woodson believed that denying a people their history was a denial of their humanity. He sought to correct the exclusion of Black experiences and accomplishments from mainstream education and public life.
Woodson established Negro History Week to coincide with the February birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, figures he viewed as symbolically connected to the fight for African American freedom. His goal was not a symbolic gesture, but a lasting shift in how the nation understood itself, urging Black history to be fully integrated into school curricula and community institutions.
For decades, educators and civic groups embraced the observance, building programming that highlighted Black achievements often overlooked in traditional historical narratives. During the 1960s, as the Civil Rights Movement brought renewed urgency to questions of equality and justice, the weeklong recognition took on deeper national significance.
In 1976, the United States formally expanded the commemoration into Black History Month, while maintaining Woodson’s central message: Black history is inseparable from American history.
The 100th anniversary arrives at a time when Black History Month is often associated with widely known leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr., Rosa Parks, Malcolm X and Harriet Tubman. But historians note that its deeper purpose has always been to uncover thousands of stories long ignored — including those of scientists, entrepreneurs, artists, inventors, educators, soldiers, policy leaders and everyday citizens who shaped the nation.
Supporters say engaging with Black history is not only about honoring resilience, but also about building cultural understanding, confronting systemic injustice and developing the awareness needed in an increasingly diverse society.
As communities across the country mark the centennial in 2026, the anniversary stands as a reminder of generations who fought to ensure Black contributions were included in the historical record.
A century after Woodson’s initiative began, the message remains as relevant as ever: remembering Black history strengthens the nation’s understanding of itself and affirms that Black history is American history.
Source: Forbes