This one is kind of tongue-in-cheek. That is why I put it here.
But why did they choose February to be Black History Month? As one comedian put it, it’s invariably the shortest month of the year. And I would add to that, it is also one of the coldest, and stormiest.
Couldn’t they have chosen a better month? I’m serious (or at least semi-serious, if you catch my drift). And as long as I’m bringing it up, what is the official reason for why they chose this month? That last one is a serious question.
Not really funny at all and so damn easy to look up.
From one of many many sources.
February is the birth month of two figures who loom large in the Black past: U.S. President Abraham Lincoln (born February 12), who issued the Emancipation Proclamation, and African American abolitionist, author, and orator Frederick Douglass (born February 14). Since the deaths of Lincoln and Douglass (in 1865 and 1895, respectively), the Black community had celebrated their contributions to African American liberation and civil rights on their birthdays.
Also worth noting that in the UK, BHM is in October each year - apparently, by the looks of a cursory search, by coincidence - it was just the first such event happened to be scheduled for 1 October (1987).
What is the purpose of Black History month To remind/inspire/encourage people to think/learn about black history. February, kids in school, adults sitting around the fire with Netflix or, Good God, books. What better time.
