Black History Month 2023

Historical Month: Black History

Born in the United States in 1875 and died in 1950, Dr. Carter G. Woodson was the instigator of Negro History Week in February 1926. The month of February was chosen because it coincided with the birth month of two great abolitionists of slavery, Frederick Douglass and Abraham Lincoln.

This historian, through his career and works, revealed a different version of history. He was the creator of a more scientific approach to analyzing the contributions of Black people to world history. Through research and education, he fought against racism and societal prejudice.

His greatest dream was to integrate African history into school curricula. For him, it was not enough for African history to be taught in schools; it was also necessary for the teaching to be done respectfully and in a way that was more sensitive to diversity.

Black History Week became Black History Month in 1976, as part of the American bicentennial celebrations. This event aimed to commemorate Black history in a more accurate and objective way. Today, it is celebrated in major urban centers in North America, Africa, France, the Caribbean, Central America, and South America.

Black History Month in Quebec

On November 23, 2006, the National Assembly adopted the bill establishing February as Black History Month, to highlight the historical contribution of Black communities to Quebec society. This law came into effect on February 1, 2007.

By adopting the law proclaiming Black History Month, the Quebec government intends not only to add its voice to the North American movement highlighting the contribution of citizens from Black communities, but also wishes to officially recognize the importance of this annual event for the whole of Quebec society.

The adoption of this law also provides the Quebec government with an opportunity to implement one of the recommendations of the report by the working group tasked with conducting a consultation in the fall of 2005 on the participation of Black communities in Quebec society. During this consultation, many citizens from Black communities emphasized the importance of recognizing the contributions of Black people to collective memory and improving their image within society.

For over 300 years, successive generations of Black Quebecers have contributed their expertise, talents, and vision to Quebec in all spheres of activity. This law allows all of Quebec society to officially express its desire to highlight the essential contribution of Black people to the development of Quebec.

It is worth noting that Black History Month is already celebrated annually in Quebec and in several regions of the world by various public, private, and community institutions. In Quebec, the Black History Month Roundtable has been organizing activities for 24 years that allow Quebecers to discover the richness and diversity of Black communities and to pay tribute to individuals who have distinguished themselves in various fields.

Source: Ministry of Immigration and Cultural Communities