Today marks the start of Black History Month in the UK.
And the month is being marked in a variety of varied methods – from well-known Brits such as Sir Lenny Henry and Mary Seacole being honoured on postboxes, through to Alison Hammond finding out more about black British history in Alison Hammond: Back To School.
Black History Month has been commemorated in the UK for years now, however simply what is the month everything about, when did it begin – and why do we commemorate it in a various month to the United States?
What is Black History Month?
Black History Month intends to highlight and commemorate the stories of popular black individuals, who might have been excluded of mainstream, white-centric history.
It was very first commemorated in the UK in October 1987, and was the effort of Ghanaian expert Akyaaba Addai-Sebo, who had actually worked as a co-ordinator of unique jobs for the Greater London Council (GLC).
The principle of Black History Month come from the United States, at Kent State University, where it was very first proposed in 1969 and very first commemorated from January 2-February 28, 1970.
Within 6 years it was being marked in universities all throughout the nation, with President Gerald Ford informing Americans to ‘seize the opportunity to honour the too-often neglected accomplishments of Black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history’.
Black History Month is likewise commemorated in Canada, Ireland and the Netherlands.
Why is Black History Month commemorated in various months in the UK and United States?
The UK is believed to commemorate Black History Month in October as generally that is when African chiefs and leaders collect to settle their distinctions – for this reason Akyabaa picking October for the significance of this.
Meanwhile February in the United States suggests the month accompanies the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln – who was born upon February 12 1809 – and abolitionist Frederick Douglass, who was born in February 1818.
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Black History Month
October marks Black History Month, which assesses the accomplishments, cultures and contributions of black individuals in the UK and around the world, in addition to informing others about the varied history of those from African and Caribbean descent.
For more details about the occasions and events that are occurring this year, check out the authorities Black History Month site.
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