   black history month, also known as african-american history month in america, is an annual observance in the united states, canada, and the united kingdom for remembrance of important people and events in the history of the african diaspora. it is celebrated annually in the united statesdaryl michael scott, "the origins of black history month," association for the study of african american life and history, 2011, www.asalh.org/ and canada in february and the united kingdom in october. == history ==  === negro history week (1926) === the precursor to black history month was created in 1926 in the united states, when historian carter g. woodson and the association for the study of negro life and history announced the second week of february to be "negro history week." this week was chosen because it coincided with the birthday of abraham lincoln on february 12 and of frederick douglass on february 14, both of which dates black communities had celebrated together since the late 19th century. from the event's initial phase, primary emphasis was placed on encouraging the coordinated teaching of the history of american blacks in the nation's public schools. the first negro history week was met with a lukewarm response, gaining the cooperation of the departments of education of the states of north carolina, delaware, and west virginia as well as the city school administrations of baltimore and washington, d.c..c.g. woodson, "negro history week," journal of negro history, vol. 11, no. 2 (april 1926), p. 238. despite this far from universal acceptance, the event was nevertheless regarded by woodson as "one of the most fortunate 
1976_introductions African-American_events African-American_history Black_British_history Commemorative_months February_observances History_of_Black_people_in_Canada Observances_in_Canada Observances_in_the_United_Kingdom Observances_in_the_United_States October_observances