According to the Library of CongressThe historian Carter G. Woodson founded the Association for the Study of the Life and History of Negroes in 1925 to “raise awareness of the contributions of African Americans to civilization”.
He then announced the Negro History Week, which was first celebrated in February 1926. Woodson chose February because this is the month of birth of 16th US President Abraham Lincoln and social reformer Frederick Douglass.
in the 1975President Ford officially declared Negro History Week a national holiday and encouraged people to “recognize the important contribution black citizens make to the life and culture of our nation.”
in the 1976The Association for the Study of the Life and History of African American Americans extended Negro History Week to Black History Month, and President Ford carried a message about the observation of the holiday.
in the 1986Congress passed Law 99-244 and announced February 1986 as the first “National Black History Month”. According to the law of February 1, 1986 “mark[ed] the beginning of the sixtieth annual public and private salute to black history. “
According to the National Park Service Website: “The history of African American people in Atlanta is synonymous with the history of Atlanta itself and represents progress and perseverance.”
Be a city with rich African American history, Atlanta has various festivals for Black History Month. According to the Atlanta Journal ConstitutionThe Atlanteans usually hold feasts and parades for the celebration. However, the 2021 celebrations can change because of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Atlanta annually Black History Month Parade started in 2012, founded by community leader Earl Little.
The Black History Month 2019 parade began in Hurt Park and marched 1.08 miles to Centennial Olympic Park. According to the parade’s website, it is “the Southeast’s biggest celebration of African American History Month”.
As with many events in 2021, staff have canceled the parade for this year.
“We had a great choice for 2019. Thank you for your support. Due to the restrictions of the COVID parade, we hope to see everyone in 2022. Make it bigger and better for your pleasure. This is a rain or sun event. [Earl Little’s] The legacy continues, ”reads the parade website.
There is a well known black owned tour called Hop’N Go Tours for people who want to discover Atlanta’s rich history through sightseeing. The Atlanta Journal-CConstitution states that their day tour is great award-worthy: “For $ 125, you can visit Ebenezer Baptist Church, Madam CJ Walker Museum, and Sweet Auburn Historic District, to name a few.”
Like many events in 2021, Metro Atlanta Black History Month will look different, and many celebrate their celebrations with Zoom.
Dekalb History Center The annual Black History Month event “Grow in Strength and Promise” is being run entirely through Zoom this year. The virtual event examines the contributions of black families to the Atlanta community.
“The DeKalb History Center’s 13th annual Black History Month program focuses on celebrating the African American families who have shaped the history of DeKalb and Atlanta from reconstruction to the present day,” the event description reads.
The event includes musical selections, genealogical discussions and a panel discussion. Attendees will go to breakout sessions and hear the stories of Metro Atlanta’s oldest black families.
“Speakers include Georgia Archives Reference Archivist Tamika Strong, South-View Cemetery Association President Winifred Hemphill, Flat Rock Museum curator Johnny Waites, and Decatur African-American Heritage historian Laurel Wilson” Constitution of the Atlanta Journal Conditions.
The event kicks off February 11 and tickets are $ 10 for members and $ 15 for non-members.
Georgia State celebrates Black History Month too. Ms. Tonya Cook, the Multicultural Center’s program specialist for the Perimeter Campus, said the Multicultural Center organizes activities such as pop shows at all locations in February each year.
In particular, the celebrations in 2020 were special as the celebrations took place in February 2020 100 years anniversary of Harlem Renaissance, an African American cultural revival that began in New York City in 1920.
“Activities took place at all locations. Students saw and photographed the Harlem Renaissance dances to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Harlem Renaissance, ”said Cook.
These years theme Black History Month is “2021 Family Reunion: Celebrate Black Culture, Revive Our Roots”.
“The theme … is reminiscent of black families who gather to preserve culture and traditions, share information, and celebrate success,” said the Georgia State Multicultural Center website Conditions.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Multicultural Center will only take place virtual celebrations this year.
The Multicultural center On Tuesday there was a conversation with TRiO entitled “We will be okay: Open dialogue about race, restorative justice and how we heal despite differences”. The lecture celebrated the fifth annual National Racial Healing Day and is now on theirs Youtube channel. Many experts spoke on the jury, including student affairs advisor William Britto and politician Devin Barrington-Ward.
The multicultural center is now calling for program submissions to “capture the essence of the Black Family Reunion”. Students can create art and host screenings, speakers, discussions, and educational events to contribute to the event.