Black History Month

Black History Month is an annually observed commemorative month originating in the United States, where it is also known as African-American History Month. It began as a way to remember important people and events in the history of the African diaspora, initially lasting a week before becoming a month-long observance since 1970. It is celebrated in February in the United States and Canada, where it has received official recognition from governments. More recently, it has also been celebrated in Ireland and the United Kingdom, where it is observed in October. A commemorative month, also known as a heritage month or a history month in some instances, is a month-long observance designated to recognize and celebrate various aspects of cultural, historical, and social significance, particularly in commemoration of historically marginalized minorities. It originated in the US and is still mainly practiced there and in Canada, with such months institutionalized on the government level and observed by many private institutions, such as schools and universities.The African diaspora refers to the worldwide collection of communities descended from people of African descent. The term most commonly refers to the descendants of the native West and Central Africans who were enslaved and shipped to the Americas via the Atlantic slave trade between the 16th and 19th centuries, with their largest populations in Brazil, the United States, Colombia, and Haiti. The term can also be used to refer to African descendants who immigrated to other parts of the world. Scholars identify "four circulatory phases" of this migration out of Africa.