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What is Black History Month?
Black History Month in Canada takes place every year throughout February. Black History Month is dedicated to honoring the history of Black Canadians as well as teaching others about the legacy of Black Canadians.
How was Black History Month Created?
Black History Month was created in 1993 from a group called the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) which was founded in 1978. The OBHS filed a petition to proclaim February as Black History Month. In 1979, the first Canadian proclamation was born. The very first Black History Month happened in Nova Scotia in 1988 and it was later renamed African Heritage Month 8 years later in 1996. In 1993, the OBHS successfully filed a petition in Ontario to proclaim February as Black History Month.
Why is Black History Month Celebrated?
Black History Month is celebrated throughout Canada to recognize the many achievements and history of Black Canadians. It recognizes the contributions that Black Canadians made for Canada throughout history. It is their contributions that made Canada so historically rich and diverse.
Fun Facts About Black History Month
Here are some fun facts about Black History Month!
1. February is the month chosen for Black History Month because it aligned with the birthdays of Frederick Douglas and Abraham Lincoln. Abraham Lincoln was the 16th president of the United States and worked vigorously to abolish slavery. Frederick Douglas was a slave who escaped slavery and advocated for the rights of Black people throughout literature and writing, to using his voice to speak out.
2. Although Black History Month is currently a month, it was originally a week long and was called Negro History Week which aimed to promote Black American's history, lives, and achievements to the community.
3. Black students actually protested for Negro History Week to be longer and be changed to a month. They got what they wanted which extended that week to a month.
4. Many Black activists, leaders, etc contributed to Black History Month by advocating for their struggle for freedom and equal rights which led to global attention. The amount of people fighting to be heard would and will continue to be commemorated and remembered.
5. More than one country celebrates Black History Month. Not only does Canada and the United States celebrate Black History Month but Black History Month is also celebrated in Ireland, the UK, and the Netherlands. However, rather than being celebrated in February, it is celebrated in October.
Learn more about Black Heroes who contributed to history,
CLICK HERE
To find some book recommendations,
CLICK HERE
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