Past Displays - Books: Black History Month

Black History Month pays tribute to African Americans throughout United States history. Beginning with the creation of Negro History Week in 1925 by the Assocation for the Study of Negro Life and History (ASNLH), this celebration was intended to raise awareness of African American's contributions to civilization. It was first celebrated during a week in February 1926 that would overlap with the birthdays of Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln. The response was so overwhelming in endorsement that this week of recognition continued and was eventually expanded to a month in 1976.