February is National Black History Month, which according to the Association for the Study of African American Life and History website, began in 1926 as a week-long celebration occurring on the second week of Feb. That week was chosen by the ACLH Founder Carter Woodson due to the fact that the birthdays of two men associated with the fight for African American freedom, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln, occurred during that week. Fast forward to 1986, which was the first year of the celebration of Martin Luther King Jr’s birthday as a national holiday. That same year, the U.S. Congress designated the month of February as National Black History Month, which is still celebrated to this day and will see national and local acknowledgments throughout the month.
The Hays County Commissioners Court recognized the importance of this month by adopting a proclamation recognizing Feb. 2024 as Black History Month.
“Today Black History Month Garners support throughout the country as people of all ethnic and social backgrounds discuss the African American Experience,” the proclamation stated. “Black History Month commemorates the success and achievements by African Americans both in overcoming many obstacles and in making significant contributions to our community, our state, our nation and the world.”
