February is Black History Month in the USA

This children’s article, February is Black History Month in the USA, has been written for native English speakers and learners of English as a second or foreign language. It can help children practise reading and comprehension, learn useful vocabulary, and understand why Black History Month is celebrated in the United States and in other countries. Written by Sinead O’Carroll, an experienced teacher and writer.

What is Black History Month and what happens during it?

Black History Month is a time to learn about the history, culture, and achievements of Black people. It is celebrated in different countries around the world, but this article focuses on the United States, where it takes place every year in February. During this month, schools, libraries, and museums share stories about people who helped shape the country.

Children might learn about brave leaders such as Martin Luther King Jr. or Rosa Parks. They might also discover inventors, musicians, scientists, and athletes whose work changed everyday life. Black History Month helps bring these stories into the classroom so they are never forgotten.

The teacher who started Black History Month

Nearly 100 years ago, a historian called Carter G. Woodson noticed something strange. Most history books talked about white leaders, while the lives of Black people were rarely mentioned. He believed this gave students an incomplete picture of the past.

In 1926, he created the first version of Black History Week. Teachers were encouraged to talk about Black history and important achievements. The idea became more popular each year. In 1976, the United States officially made it Black History Month.

February was chosen because it includes the birthdays of Abraham Lincoln and Frederick Douglass, two men linked to the history of slavery and freedom in America.

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For many years, Black people were treated unfairly and were not given the same rights as others. Their voices were often ignored, even when they made important discoveries or led big changes in society.

Black History Month was created to educate and hopefully fix this problem. It shows that Black history is not separate from other histories. It’s all part of the same story.

Why is Black History Month still important today?

Black History Month helps children understand how the past affects the present. It also shows that people from many backgrounds can be leaders, artists, thinkers, and heroes.

Learning these stories can help children feel proud of who they are and respectful and understanding of others. History becomes more interesting when more voices are included.

You can read more about the history of Black History Month here: Why Is Black History Month Celebrated in February?

Article vocabulary list

• Historian: A person who studies and writes about the past.
• Achievements: Things someone has done well or succeeded in.
• Recognised: Officially accepted or noticed.
• Ignored: Not given attention or left out.
• Role models: People others look up to and learn from.
• Fairness: Treating people in an equal and just way.
• Viewpoints: Different ways of understanding something.

Comprehension questions

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