Why is Black History Month in February? The commemoration of important Black Americans and events happens largely during the shortest month of the year.

The origin of Black History Month in America goes back more than 100 years. Some may wonder why February, the shortest month of the year, was chosen to be the month to celebrate Black history. Here is the origin of Black History Month and how it is celebrated each year.

Black History Month, an annual observance recognized each February, first emerged in the U.S. in the early 20th century, during the post-Civil War Jim Crow era. It wasn’t a full month dedicated to Black history at first. It began as “Negro History Week.”