Black History Month is celebrated in February in the United States and Canada. It originated as Negro History Week in 1926, taking place during the second week of February to coincide with the birthdays of abolitionist Frederick Douglass and President Abraham Lincoln. It became Black History Month in 1976 when President Gerald Ford officially recognized it as a month-long celebration honoring the contributions of Black Americans throughout history. Other countries like the United Kingdom observe Black History Month in October, but in the U.S. and Canada it is observed every February.
